Lack of pace out wide the only concern for Wallabies fans
Michael Cheika has named his first Wallabies side of the year, as they take on the Springboks in Johannesburg this weekend.
By and large the squad is as strong as the Wallabies can field with the injuries that they have, and fans on social media seem fairly upbeat.
After a monumental season with the Reds, Samu Kerevi starts at 12 in a powerful centre partnership with Tevita Kurindrani, which is exciting a number of fans.
Isi Naisarani has been rewarded for his good form with the Rebels this season with his first cap, as has the Brumbies’ Tom Banks, who will earn his fourth cap full-back, with Kurtley Beale on the bench.
However, the one concern that many fans have is the apparent lack of pace out wide, with Reece Hodge and Dane Haylett-Petty on the wings.
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Not only did both players’ form drop towards the back end of the Super Rugby season for the Rebels, but they are not necessarily in their strongest position.
While both have played on the wing before at international level, Haylett-Petty is perhaps better suited to full-back, as he is dependable under the high ball and positionally astute.
His rugby brain and skill set compensate for his lack of pace, which means he is still capable of playing on the wing, but does not pose as much danger as a player like Marika Koroibete (who has flown home after the birth of his child).
https://www.instagram.com/p/B0EIHKfgUqH/
Likewise, Hodge offers a huge amount to the team, particularly his cannon-like boot, but his running lines perhaps suit that of a centre. While he will still do a good job on the wing, it possibly prevents him from showcasing his true potential.
Lining up against South Africa’s S’bu Nkosi and Makazole Mapimpi, this lack of pace out wide may be exposed. But there is no denying that Hodge and Haylett-Petty both have their own strengths as well. This is what has been said:
No wingers at all in the team. SA genuine pace out wide?
— Ben Kimber (@benkimber) July 18, 2019
Slow wings and…Foley.
— Wayne Doyle (@waynemarkdoyle) July 18, 2019
Not sure about White starting. DHP too slow to play on the wing. Kerevi and Kuridrani not a complementary centre pairing – would much rather see Hodge alongside Kerevi
— Charlie Lawry (@CharlieLawry) July 18, 2019
Looking a bit slow on the wings…
— cactusback (@cactus_back) July 18, 2019
Excited.
Big back row first time in a while.
Angry second row.
White back.
Kerevi and Kuridrani.
Banks.(Two non wingers as wingers tho ?)
(Also wish the Brumbies front row were all fit ??)@wenderov
@benkimber
@RugbyReg
@brumby_fan
@MattRowley
? https://t.co/MXP3fm2rx5— Tim Phillips (@timbo_phillips) July 18, 2019
I think that back 3, Banks aside, is decidedly pedestrian on this year's showing. Solid, but really quite unspectacular.
— Dave Jefferson (@cyclopath967) July 18, 2019
Slowest wingers in world rugby right there. All of a sudden Australia starts to find some decent forwards and now we have no x-factor in the backs. Kerevi the standout but he’s still a weak defender. Everyone else is solid but no test game breakers.
— JW (@rugbyaus1) July 18, 2019
Rassie Erasmus has fielded a weakened Springboks side, meaning the Wallabies stand a good chance of winning their first match at Ellis Park for 56 years.
Despite the few concerns from the fans, this is a strong side, which will provide a stern contest for South Africa.
WATCH: Episode three of the RugbyPass Rugby Explorer series where Jim Hamilton takes a trek through South African rugby
Comments on RugbyPass
Thanks Brett, love your articles which are alway pertinent. It’s a difficult topic trying to have a panel adjudicating consistently penalties for red card issues. Many of the mitigating reasons raised are judged subjectively, hence the different outcomes. How to take away subjective opinions?
4 Go to commentsYes Sir! Surprising, just like Fraser would also have escaped sanction if he was a few inches lower, even if it was by accident that he missed! Has there really been talk about those sanctions or is this just sensational journalism? I stopped reading, so might have missed any notations.
4 Go to commentsAI is only as good as the information put in, the nuances of the sport, what you see out the corner of the eye, how you sum up in a split second the situation, yes the AI is a tool but will not help win games, more likely contribute to a loss, Rugby Players are not robots, all AI can do if offer a solution not the solution. AI will effect many sports, help train better golfers etc.
45 Go to commentsIt couldn’t have been Ryan Crotty. He wasn’t selected in either World Cup side - they chose Money Bill instead. And Money Bill only cared about himself, and that manager he had, not the team.
26 Go to commentsYawn 🥱 nobody would give a hoot about this new trophy. End of the day we just have to beat Ireland and NZ this year then they can finally shut up 🤐
13 Go to commentsTalking bout Ryan Crotty? Heard Crotty say in a interview once that SBW doesen't care about the team . He went on to say that whenever they lost a big game, SBW would be happy as if nothing happened, according to him someone who cares would look down.. Personally I think Crotty is in the wrong, not for feeling gutted but for expecting others 2 be like him… I have been a bad loser forever as it matters so much to me but good on you SBW for being able to see the bigger picture….
26 Go to commentsThis sounds like a WWE idea so Americans can also get excited about rugby, RUGBY NEEDS A INTERNATIONAL CALENDER .. The rugby Championship and Six Nations can be held at same time, top 3 of six nations and top 3 of Rugby championship (6 nations should include Georgia AND another qualifying country while Fiji, Japan and Samoa/Tonga qualifier should make out 6 Southern teams).. Scrap June internationals and year end tours. Have a Elite top six Cup and the Bottom 6 in a secondary comp….
13 Go to commentsThe rugby championship would be even stronger with Fiji in it… I know it doesen’t fit the long term plans of NZ or Aus but you are robbing a whole nation of being able to see their best players play for Fiji…. Every second player in NZ and AUS teams has Fijian surnames… shame on you!!! World rugby won’t step in either as France and England has now also joined in…. I guess where money is involved it will always be the poor countries missing out….
84 Go to commentsNo surprise there. How hard can it be to pick a ball off the ground and chuck it to a mate? 😂
2 Go to commentsSometimes people just like a moan mate!
4 Go to commentsexcellent idea ! rugby needs this 💪
13 Go to comments9 Brumbies! What a joke! The best performing team in Oz! Ditch Skelton for Swain or Neville. Ryan Lonergan ahead of McDermott any day! Best selection bolter is Toole … amazing player
12 Go to commentsI like this, but ultimately rugby already has enough trophies. Trying to make more games “consequential" might prove to be a fools errand, although this is a less bad idea than some others. Minor quibble with the title of the article; it isn’t very meaningful to say the boks are the unofficial world champions when it would be functionally impossible for the Raeburn trophy not to be held by the world champions. There’s a period of a few months every 4 years when there is no “unofficial” world champion, and the Raeburn trophy is held by the actual world champions.
13 Go to commentsIts a great idea but one that I dont think will have a lot of traction. It will depend on the prestige that they each hold but if you can do that it would be great. When Japan beat the Boks (my team) I was absolutely devestated but I wont deny the great game they played that day. We were outclassed and it was one of the best games of rugby I have seen. Using an idea like this you might just give the the underdog teams more of an opportunity to beat the big teams and I can absolutely see it being a brilliant display of rugby. They beat us because they planned for that game. It was a great moment for Japan. This way we can remove the 4 year wait and give teams something to aim for outside of World Cup years.
13 Go to commentsHi, Dave here. Happy to answer questions 🥰
13 Go to commentsDon’t think that headline is accurate. It’s great to see Aus doing better but I’m not sure they’ve shown much threat to the top of the table. They shouldn’t be inflating wins against the lousy Highlanders and Crusaders either.
3 Go to commentsSuch a shame Roigard and Aumua picked up long term injuries, probably the two form players in the comp. Also, pretty sure Clarke Dermody isn’t their coach. Got it half right though.
3 Go to commentsOh the Aussie media, they never learn. At least Andrew Kellaway is like “Woah, yeah it’s great, but settle down there guys” having endured years of the Aussie media, fans, and often their players getting ahead of themselves only to fall flat on their faces. Have the “We'll win the Bledisloe for sure this year!” headlines started yet? It’s simple to see what’s going on. The Aussie teams are settled, they didn't lose any of their major players overseas. The Crusaders and Chiefs lost key experienced All Blacks, and Razor in the Crusaders case, and clearly neither are anywhere near as strong as last year (The Canes and Blues would probably be 3rd & 4th if they were). The Highlanders are annually average, even more so post-Aaron Smith and a big squad clean out. The two teams at the top? The two nz sides with largely the same settled roster as last year, except Ardie Savea for the Canes. They’ve both got far better coaches now too. If the Aussies are going to win the title, this is the year the kiwi sides will be weakest, so they better take their chance.
3 Go to commentsThe World Cup has to be the gold standard, line in the sand. 113 teams compete for what is the opportunity to make the pool stages, and then the knockout games for the trophy. The concept is sound. This must have been the rationale when the World Cup was created, surely? But I’m all for Looking forward and finding new ways for the SH to dominate the NH into the future. The autumn series needs a change up. Let’s start by having the NH teams come south every odd year for the Autumn/Spring series games?
13 Go to commentsWhat’ll happen when the AI models of the future go back in time and try to destroy the AI models of the past standing in their way of certain victory?
45 Go to comments