Rugby World Cup Depth Chart - Australia
When Michael Cheika’s first Wallabies squad of the year was announced, there was plenty of talk about the players that had missed out.
Halves Quade Cooper and Nick Phipps, who many had expected to be selected for vastly different reasons, were the two big omissions. Also absent were the likes of experienced hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau and returning utility back James O’Connor – but as it turned out, there were other factors keeping Polota-Nau and O’Connor out of the squad.
All absences aside, there’s still plenty of firepower in this Wallabies side that has had plenty of preparation time together.
Australia have all their bases covered with their current squad (Sam Stevens).In the front row, there’s a fine balance of form players, experienced heads and up-and-comers.
Scott Sio will maintain his role as the starting loosehead prop, likely partnering Sekope Kepu or Brumbies teammate Allan Alaalatoa. Kepu has split his time between both sides of the scrum over the last few years and with Taniela Tupou’s rise, Kepu may find he’s best utilised from the loosehead side.
The three hookers, Folau Fainga, Tolu Latu and Jordan Uelese are all great prospects for the Wallabies, but they’re also vastly inexperienced. Uelese spent most of the year recovering from an injury he suffered in 2019 whilst Latu sat out a number of matches due to misbehaviour both on and off the field. Whether Polota-Nau comes into the squad for one of these two hookers will be an interesting watch – he’s hardly been on-form himself, but he is vastly more experienced than the current options.
Izack Rodda has been great as both a player and a leader for the Reds this season and Rob Simmons has been consistent for the Waratahs. Luke Jones has found a new lease of life this year and could spend time in either the second or third rows of the scrum.
Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, who spent the latter half of last year away from rugby, could slot straight back into the 6 jersey – though he’ll have tough competition from the likes of Jones, Rob Valetini and the comparatively experienced Jack Dempsey.
On the openside, Liam Wright has been brought into the squad to cover for David Pocock’s absence. Whether Wright gets any game time is still in question, given the presence of Michael Hooper.
Form has been the order of the day at halfback, with Will Genia and the returning Nic White likely to share starting duties. They’ve been preferred ahead of stalwart Nick Phipps, who has not exactly set the world alight in the last few seasons. Still, Phipps provided great cover as a defensive sweeper – a role necessary when your defence tends to leak line-breaks.
Cooper’s drop off in form in the latter half of Super Rugby has seen Bernard Foley, Christian Lealiifano and Matt Toomua selected as flyhalf coverage. Toomua is probably the luckiest of those three, given he only returned to Australia with a few games left in Super Rugby. Foley has been used as the main 10 in recent seasons but Lealiifano has had the sturdiest season – their battle for the playmaker role will be eagerly watched.
All three first fives can also cover the midfield, but it would a travesty in the departing Samu Kerevi is not used at inside centre, given his superlative performances throughout the year. A partnership with Tevita Kuridrani seems probable, though utility Reece Hodge can also cover – and he offers an excellent goal-kicking option. Kurtley Beale could be deployed at 12 with Kerevi shifted out a spot, but he also shapes up as a possible Israel Folau replacement in the backfield.
Dane Haylett-Petty will be gunning for Folau’s vacated jersey and will put up an excellent challenge to Beale. Hodge also comes into the picture at fullback, as does young Brumbies speedster Tom Banks. Marika Koroibete, Jack Maddocks and Adam Ashley-Cooper are all vastly different options on the wing and their selection could hing on the opposition they’re facing on the day.
There are plenty of options for the Wallabies across the park, but also very few certainties in any jersey. The Rugby Championship will be used as a way for Cheika to figure out his top competitions before Australia arrives at the Rugby World Cup later in the year. The last thing the Wallabies need is to be still trying to figure out who should be starting at 10 come the knockout stages of the competition.
Comments on RugbyPass
Very unlikely the Bulls will beat Leinster in Dublin. It would be different in Pretoria.
1 Go to commentsI think it is a dangerous path to go down to ban a player for the same period that a player they injured takes to recover. Players would be afraid to tackle anyone. I once tackled my best friend at school in a practice match and sprained his ankle. I paid for it by having to play fly-half instead of full-back for the rest of that season’s fixtures.
5 Go to commentsJust such a genuine good bloke…and probably the best all round player in his generation. Good guys do come first sometimes and he handled the W.Cup loss with great attitude.
2 Go to commentsWord in France is that he’s on the radar of a few Top14 clubs.
2 Go to commentsGet blocking Travis, this guy has styles and he’s gonna make a swift impact…!
1 Go to commentsWhat remorse? She claimed that her dangerous tackle wasn’t worthy of a red! She should be compensating the injured player for loss of earnings at the minimum. Her ban should include the recovery time of the injured player as well as the paltry 3 match ban.
5 Go to commentsArdie is a legend. Finished and klaar. Two things: “Yeah, yeah, I have had a few conversations with Razor just around feedback on my game and what I am doing well, what I need to improve on or work-ons. It’s kind of been minimal, mate, but it’s all that I need over here in terms of how to be better, how to get better and what I am doing well.” I hope he’s downplaying it - and that it’s not that “minimal”. The amount of communication and behind the scenes preparation the Bok coaches put into players - Rassie and co would be all over Ardie and being clear on what is expected of him. This stands out for me as something teams should really be looking at in terms of the boks success from a coaching point of view. And was surprised by the comment - “minimal”. In terms of the “debate” around Ireland and South Africa. Nice one Ardie. Indeed. There’s no debate.
2 Go to commentsThere’s a bit of depth there but realistically Australian players have a long way to go to now catch up. The game is moving on fast and Australia are falling behind. Australian sides still don’t priories the breakdown like they should, it’s a non-negotiable if you want to compete on the international stage. That goes for forwards and backs. The Australian team could have a back row that could make a difference but the problem is they don’t have a tight five that can do the business. Tupou is limited in defence, overweight and unfit and the locks are a long way from international standard. Frost is soft and Salakai-Loto is too small so that means they need a Valentini at 8 who has to do the hard graft so limits the effectiveness of the backrow. Schmidt really needs to get a hard working, tough tight 5 if he wants to get this team firing.
3 Go to commentsSorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
2 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
3 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
3 Go to commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
10 Go to commentsAll good, Gregor, except that you neglected to mention Sam Darry amongst that talented pool of locks. In fact, given Hannah’s inexperience and the fact that Holland won’t be eligible until next year, Lord and Darry might be the frontrunners this year, to join Barrett, Tuipoluto, Va’ii and possibly Whitelock. In fact there might be room for all of them if Barrett played 6 (like Ollie Chessum).
10 Go to comments