Heated debate over who should be Australia's No9 for World Cup
Over the past decade, the 103-cap veteran Will Genia has had more or less complete control over the Wallabies No9 shirt but has had to settle for the bench over the past month.
Michael Cheika opted to start Nic White at scrum-half against the Springboks and the All Blacks, and he is set to start there again this Saturday at Eden Park in the second Bledisloe Cup test.
With the World Cup just over a month away, many would have thought that Cheika chose to play White to test how he plays as he knows exactly what he is getting from Genia.
White only recently moved back to Australia after a four-year stint with Montpellier and Exeter Chiefs, and Cheika would have wanted to scout his other scrum-half options ahead of the world showcase in Japan.
However, the performances by the former Exeter man, particularly against the All Blacks last weekend, have suddenly made the 29-year-old the Wallabies’ first choice scrum-half according to many fans on social media.
The Wallabies 47-26 win was laid by a high tempo game to expose a 14-man All Blacks side in the second half. @bensmithrugby reviews Nic White's Bledisloe performance. https://t.co/k1tp89mvXA #AUSvNZL #BledisloeCup #RugbyChampionship #Wallabies #AllBlacks
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) August 13, 2019
Such a rise was probably not expected by the Australian public, particularly as it was touch-and-go a few months ago as to whether White would even be returning to Australia.
But a scintillating performance last weekend in Perth against the All Blacks, in which Steve Hansen’s side conceded their record number of points in a 47-26 loss, makes it hard to ignore White now.
He bossed the game the whole time he was on, causing havoc around the fringes of the ruck, and helped starve the All Blacks of possession. He finished a brilliant team try to cap off his performance as well.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B1AeiA8AIoB/
Since then, there has been a clear rift amongst fans, from both Australia and abroad, as to who should be the first choice scrum-half come the World Cup.
White has won over a lot of people, including former Ireland international Tommy Bowe, which was inevitable after his display against the All Blacks.
White seems to be the popular choice, but there are still those that think Genia is the best option. Perhaps after such a long time, and after so much he has given to the Wallabies, it will take more than a couple of good performances to dislodge the Rebels scrum-half. This is what has been said:
Amazing to the Will Genia won’t be no1 scrum half for Australia. Nic White having a stormer
— Tommy Bowe (@TommyBowe) August 10, 2019
Yup, Nic White for me. Who'd have thought Genia might not be starting 9 at the WC?! #BledisloeCup
— Adam Chown (@Chownie1) August 10, 2019
White was class last week and deserves the jersey. But imagine having the impact of Genia for the last 20
— South Terracer (@TerracerSouth) August 15, 2019
https://twitter.com/AndrewBrogan/status/1161220319098494977?s=20
White to run on and then Genia to snipe against a tiring defence for the last 30
— Ian Rodger (@IanjfRodger) August 13, 2019
https://twitter.com/theow45/status/1161220701426241536?s=20
Thousand percent, Genia. White more likely to have a poor game
— Dave Hinton (@DaveyJay1) August 13, 2019
Yup Whites found space but Genia a far better option/athlete to exploit it. Going to be an open game moving forwards, tough on White but Genia prefable here
— BG (@grazybizzle) August 10, 2019
https://twitter.com/thaidaynightfb/status/1159272392557858816?s=20
In modern rugby, scrum-halves are substituted almost every game, meaning both White and Genia will be integral to the Wallabies’ chances of success in Japan in September.
Although it is unknown who Cheika will favour, it is a good position to have such quality players vying for the same place.
WATCH: Australia captain Michael Hooper speaks ahead of Bledisloe Two in Auckland
Comments on RugbyPass
A Turtle has more pace and leg drive than Owen Franks, so it’s a good thing he only had to run 90 metres for that try.
2 Go to commentsOh Tamati Tua was in the vastly over-rated Leon MacDonalds Blues system? Well, no wonder he was wasted, much like Emoni Narawa and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens under MacDonald. now look at them. Good thing Tua isn’t eligible, the Aussies latch on to any player who isn’t tied down.
2 Go to commentsMark Telea is a lot of things, but a defensive juggernaut has never been one of them. There will be far bigger tests in that regard for the youngster.
10 Go to commentsLove and respect to Fiji but not a chance outside of 7s
4 Go to commentsGood summation Ned. Agree the Canes were out-muscled for once (except at the scrum!) by a focused Brumbies outfit. Tua deserves consideration for higher honors after the way he humbled Jordie and the Canes defense. Thankfully, his lack of eligibility for Oz keeps him from Joe’s plans. While I also agree the injuries affected the Canes performance, some players seemed to lack focus and intensity for this match. Perhaps after the Blues demolished the Brumbies, they thought it was going to be easy? A good reminder that any slip up in preparation can have a big affect on the result. Brumbies deserved that win.
2 Go to commentsKarl Dixon should never have been appointed this fixture, absolute disgrace, He’s not much of a referee anyway, didn't have the balls to send his mate care off
5 Go to commentsBrilliant article! Harry of 8/9
2 Go to comments‘UK athletes' have been in the NFL from the start.
1 Go to commentsIt’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
23 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
23 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
45 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
5 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
45 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
45 Go to commentsDickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
5 Go to comments