Kurtley Beale doubtful for Wallabies' World Cup quarter-final as backline selection comes under scrutiny
Kurtley Beale’s health status won’t be known until midweek but the wellbeing of Australia’s backline play will come under immediate focus in their preparation for the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals.
The Wallabies are unanimous that the forward pack deserve the plaudits for the 27-8 win over Georgia and that the backs face a week of introspection.
Coach Michael Cheika conceded the problems were “out the back” as they squandered a wealth of possession laid on by a dominant front eight, admittedly in wet conditions on Friday.
The last time Australia scored less points against a current tier one nation was in their 9-3 defeat of Samoa at the 1991 World Cup.
A similar lack of precision against likely quarter-final opponents England in Oita next week would probably prove tournament-ending.
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That sentiment was acknowledged by experienced outside back Dane Haylett-Petty although he quashed a suggestion the backs had failed to gel through all four pool fixtures.
“I probably don’t feel like that from the last three games, but I definitely think that (against Georgia) the forwards were the stars of the show,” he said.
“Out wide we probably struggled a little bit, especially with the conditions.
“You can see from the way we’re playing the game, we have probably the most passes going around in the competition because we like to use the ball. But with that comes errors.”
The All Blacks will be eagerly awaiting the announcement on whether tournament organisers will call off today's Japan v Scotland game. #RWC2019 #JPNvSCOhttps://t.co/ILCFwRLo81
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Cheika will have a headache finalising his starting backline after chopping and changing over the last month.
Winger Marika Koroibete’s dazzling solo try against Georgia continued his bright tournament form but inspiration is missing elsewhere.
Matt Toomua was direct at five-eighth but lacks the finesse of the world’s premier playmakers while Christian Lealiifano’s form has been patchy, although better than that of the squad’s other No.10 option, Bernard Foley.
James O’Connor is struggling to make an impact at outside centre but introducing Tevita Kuridrani there may reduce their creativity further.
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A grey area is the health of fullback Kurtley Beale, who failed a head assessment after taking an early blow.
He will be assessed by an independent doctor on Wednesday or Thursday to determine his availability, by which time Cheika may have already finalised a team.
Vice-captain Samu Kerevi said the early indications were positive for Beale.
“He has still got that buzz about him and beautiful smile that we like to see,” he said.
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“I saw him at recovery and he is feeling good. His disappointment is more that he couldn’t be out there with the boys in the game.”
If fit, it could be that Beale misses out on form grounds anyway.
He has lacked punch in Japan and Haylett-Petty stood out at fullback in the loss to Wales when Beale was on the bench.
AAP
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The value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
45 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
45 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
45 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
51 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
45 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
45 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
45 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
45 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to comments