Australian lack of halves depth a real concern
Wednesday night will see the revelation of Michael Cheika’s first Wallabies squad for 2018.
Despite the announcement being just one day away, selections for several key positions still remain unclear.
One of the most significant positions on the field is at No. 10. This position also asks the most of Australia’s talent pool. Bernard Foley is the clear-cut number one choice, but this is almost by default. After Foley, Australian rugby has next to no depth at fly half.
While other top international sides competing next month seem to have a wealth of talent at 10, the same can’t be said for the Australians.
Australia’s June tour opponents Ireland will carry Johnny Sexton, Joey Carbery and an uncapped Ross Byrne, while the All Blacks have a formidable trio in Beauden Barrett, Richie Mo’unga and Damian McKenzie for their series against France – and that’s without considering top class departing talent like Lima Sopoaga.
England will head to South Africa for their series with Owen Farrell, George Ford, Alex Lozowski and Danny Cipriani, – and before his ACL injury, Cameron Redpath – all of whom can or have played 10 at the international level. The South Africans will have the likes of Handre Pollard (26 tests), Elton Jantjies (23 tests) and uncapped Robert du Preez at their disposal.
So what about the Australians?
Outside of Waratah Bernard Foley (55 tests), international-level talent at 10 is sparse. Not only is this immediately alarming for the upcoming June test series, it’s alarming as we are just over one year out from the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
Of the three starting fly-halves for the other Australian Super Rugby franchises, two have played for Australia previously: Brumbies playmaker Christian Lealiifano (19 caps) and Melbourne Rebel Reece Hodge (24 caps).
Lealiifano has played in the No. 10 jersey just five times this season – and said a return to test rugby in June was too soon given his recent recovery from leukemia – while Hodge has started in the 10 jersey at Super Rugby level just once, taking the reins from Jack Debreczeni in week 15.
The remaining logical candidates are all uncapped – Queensland Reds duo Jono Lance and Hamish Stewart, Rebel Jack Debreczeni and Waratah Bryce Hegarty – Kurtley Beale has also spent time at flyhalf, so don’t rule him out as 10 cover. Wharenui Hawera has started for the Brumbies on seven occasions but won’t yet be eligible for Australia on residency grounds.
At this stage, despite his limited time in the jersey, Reece Hodge is the best bet to back up Foley during the June series.
He’ll have one more chance to get reps at 10 before the break, with the Rebels set to take on the Blues at Eden Park in week 16.
Despite his small sample size in the position, Hodge makes the most sense as the backup because of his prior experience at test level. Primarily used as a winger or inside centre – ending 2017 as Michael Cheika’s first choice on the left wing – Hodge has made one previous start at 10 for the Wallabies in a 63-30 beating of Japan last year.
Hodge’s versatility makes him an asset to any team at test level. He has previously stated that he is comfortable playing anywhere in the backline (“maybe not halfback” he said, but that’s still a maybe).
At just 23 years old Hodge could also make a play to usurp Foley as the first-choice 10 long term, which would benefit both parties as Foley is in need of someone breathing down his neck so as to avoid the complacency he has been accused of at times during his career. Foley said earlier in the year that he doesn’t need external pressures to motivate him, but at this point and heading into a World Cup year it couldn’t hurt.
The next area of concern is the Wallaby halfback stocks.
Again there is a clear number one choice in Rebels No. 9 Will Genia, but the 30-year-old has missed the last three weeks of Super Rugby with a strained MCL.
After Genia it’s likely down to Waratahs pair Nick Phipps and Jake Gordon, with Brumbies scrumhalf Joe Powell and Rebel Michael Ruru also in the hunt for a Wallabies nod.
If Genia can’t make his way back in time for the Rebels’ next match against the Blues or the Ireland Test series Michael Cheika will have a big decision to make.
He’ll have to decide whether to stick with Phipps, who has experience on his side but has only appeared in six games this season – starting twice – or blood someone new and have them gain international experience ahead of the World Cup.
Powell picked up three caps at the end of last year, but both Gordon – who was called in as injury cover for the Wallabies last year – and Ruru are uncapped internationally.
If Genia is available it makes thing a lot easier for Cheika as he can ride with his number one option and have 61-test Phipps to fall back on.
If not, Cheika’s hand may be forced and we could see two new Wallaby halfbacks and a new first five-eighth as the coach looks to nail down his halves pairing moving towards the Rugby World Cup.
Comments on RugbyPass
Ireland. The Princess Diana of Rugby. I never cheered so much for a team as i did for the All Blacks in that QF.
44 Go to commentsWill be great to see the Leinster first XV back in action again after their cotton wool time…
1 Go to commentsLooked up Grant Constable on google and reply was doppelgänger for Ben Smith
44 Go to commentsIt is so good that we now all get excited and debate who is best and emotionally get involved. We all back our teams which is great. Up until about 15-20 years ago, NZ was basically on its own, and then Saffa, Aussie and sometimes French and English were there. We now have at least 5-6 really top sides and another 4 who keep improving. This is so healthy. So we should not resort to rubbish comments and unhealthy debate, but rather all be chuffed that the product we watch is not competitive, exciting and often uncertain. It would be so good if World Rugger could find a way to align the rules to professional players as well as spectators. Live rugby games are SO boring as there is SO much down time as we wait for refs and TMOs and whoever else to look at every small event going back endless phases with the hope of eventually find a minute infringement to then decide cancel what was a wonderful try. This is the ultimate cork back in the bottle moment and feels like every balloon is always being popped. Come on- we must be better with the rules.
44 Go to comments“upon leaving said establishment I tripped over a stool knocking some bottles into the air and as I fell I accidently dislodged a police officer’s teaser who was passing by on an unrelated matter there by landing on said taser which caused it to discharge 50,000 watts into me. Out of shock I shouted Ireland are going to win the world cup. Upon waking up I apologised for the distress caused by my Ireland comment. The matter is closed. If you wish to pursue this matter may I remind you what I told Wayne Barnes when he sent me off. I AM A BIG ASS MAN”. Or was it “I AM A BIG ASS, MAN” or was it “I AM A BIG ASSMAN”?
1 Go to commentsThe only championship the Boks hold are: Great value for the incompetence of referees during the RWC Moaning endlessly and champions of spewing utterly ignorant 💩 at all times. Displaying the dangers of a third world education End of.
44 Go to commentsSouth Africa and Rassie do a phenomenal job of treating the 4 years in between World Cups as nothing more than a training exercise to build squad depth. The Six Nations money that keeps Irish rugby afloat is unfortunately too important to allow the same approach, and basic population size means we'll never get close to matching the depth of South Africa, England and France. That being said, Irish rugby is in a relatively good place and slowly improving inch by inch. If the other three provinces can pull the finger out and actually develop some players it'd be even better.
44 Go to commentsGood on Clarke for taking on the criticism and addressing his deficiencies, principally his laziness.
2 Go to comments“It is the people’s favourite against the actual favourite. It is the people’s champions against the actual champions. I’m joking, but it’s going to be a fantastic series.” Why did Darcy make that joke knowing it would be used as click bait? Why did RP headline it as a serious comment? Anyway, the tired comment isn’t very astute. SA players may have played more games etc. Darcy over estimated as a pundit.
44 Go to commentsNot sure Frisch will ever make the French team with Depoortère and Costes waiting in the wings to take over from Danty and Fickou.
1 Go to commentsThe Irish are tired and the Boks are old. The test series won't confirm who is best in the world, it will confirm which team needs to pursue the task of rebuilding with the most urgency.
44 Go to commentsGrant, the first time I have seen an article written by you. Maybe I have missed your previous stuff. These days all professional players effectively play a common season so all top players are equally tired, or rested. That is the job of the coaching ticket to build squad depth and juggle resources so players are ‘ fresh’ when the big games come. Possibly Ireland are less inclined to juggle squad compared to Rassie, who is prepared to take the risk to rest players as well as build depth throughout the year so come WC he has a full squad, experienced and rested enough to win 7 games. After all, to win WC you need to get through the tournament and then win the final big 3 games. Ireland should try and build a bit so come final 3 they are ready. So far only played final 1(QF). I am so looking forward to the Irish tour. Hopefully Rassie has enough time to align his guys, as he draws them from across the globe, and not from 2 sides locally( eg Leinster, Munster). No excuses, going to be exciting.
44 Go to commentsIn football, teams get fined and sometimes docked points for deliberately fielding weakened teams yet Leinster can pretty much do as they please with no comebacks. Could it be because Ireland run the URC? Could it be that Ireland run the ERC? Whichever it is, it stinks!!
6 Go to commentsIreland are only the People’s Champions in Irish eyes. The rest of the world do not care for them very much because of attitudes of people like Gordon, Ferris, Best, Jackman…I could go on!!
44 Go to commentsNot sure how Karl Dickson can ever ref a Quins game, he played for the club for 8 years as understudy to Care and is still close friends with half the team
3 Go to commentsAre bookies taking bets on how many times Vunipola's eventual statement will use the term “elders"? My money is on at least 4 times.
4 Go to commentsSo Ireland will be tired, despite having the most rested test squad in the world. They only play tests, champions cup and urc play off games ffs! Case in point; Leinster sent a B squad to SA for their last two games while their first xv rested up and trained at their leisure for the sf vs Saints at the so called ‘neutral venue’ of Croke Park. So tired? Do me a favour… And as for “people’s champions”? Seriously??? Outside of Ireland they are respected for their ability to win 6N. And of course plenty of inconsequential test friendlies without any real pressure. WC ko games when the pressure is white hot? Not so much…
44 Go to commentsSurprising how standing down or benching a player can do wonders for their motivation. Several players this week in that category.
2 Go to commentsHaha lads lads lads, that’s how you have a holiday In Majorca
4 Go to commentshit on Lynagh was defo late and card-worthy. The other 2 are bang on OK. Hurts you at Test level if youre timing is off and the nostrils are flared. Jerry C knew when to lean in on one, Finau just needs to keep his discipline and head straight.
7 Go to comments