Wallaby bolters putting their hands up for World Cup selection
As the Super Rugby season enters its 7th round the Wallaby selection panel of Michael Cheika, Scott Johnson and Michael O’Connor would each undoubtedly have an idea of the ‘non-negotiable’ selections they want for the Rugby World Cup 2019. If fit, players such as Hooper, Pocock, Folau, and Genia will be going make no bones about it.
Yet each Super Rugby season unveils players who at the commencement of the tournament would have only been considered for selection by their nearest and dearest, yet as the season progresses their performances start to catch-the-eye of the fans and punditry alike as potential ‘bolters’ for Wallaby selection.
For me, there are five such players currently, who, if their current Super Rugby form continues should be names seriously considered by the selectors when the 30-man squad for Rugby World Cup 2019 is announced later in the year. These are Queensland Reds hooker Alex Mafi, New South Wales hooker Damien Fitzpatrick, Queensland Reds halfback Tate McDermott, ACT Brumby back rower Lachie McCaffrey and finally veteran Queensland Reds backrower Scott Higginbotham.
I am an advocate of taking three hookers to a World Cup and Folau Fainga’a’s form should ensure he is the first choice Wallaby rake. Yet it is the final two hooking vacancies that Alex Mafi and Damien Fitzpatrick could fill due to their defence and reliability at the set piece, in particular, the lineout.
Tell me the Wallabies don’t need to improve in those departments!
The Queensland Reds had struggled at the lineout in the earlier rounds of the season with 4-test Wallaby Brandon Paenga-Amosa starting and Mafi coming off the bench for rounds 2,3 and 4. In those rounds, the Reds’ lineout operated at an average of 78% efficiency. Since the roles have been reversed in the previous two rounds the Queensland Reds lineout has operated at a near 93% efficiency and interestingly won both of those matches. Surely the Mafi inclusion to the starting role has contributed to such a turnaround in fortune for Brad Thorn’s men.
Yet it is not only Mafi’s contribution at the lineout that has been a feature of his game, his defence is steadfast, to say the least, illustrated against the Highlanders in round 2 when he made a try-saving tackle near his own line after running down a would-be try scorer when a try appeared inevitable. It is this type of defensive desperation that lifts a side and attracts selectors. Mafi seldom misses a tackle which makes him a reliable selection.
Whilst the uncapped Mafi may not have the running game of some of his contemporaries it is his lineout throwing and defence that could entice the selectors to his services later in the season as no doubt these are areas in which the Wallabies require improvement in if they are to go deep into the Rugby World Cup.
Resilience is a character trait that all teams should aspire to have and there would be fewer personifications of such in Australian rugby than Waratahs hooker Damien Fitzpatrick. The 29-year-old product of the famous ‘Wallaby factory’, St. Josephs College Hunters Hill in Sydney is playing his best rugby after coming back from a 4th knee reconstruction.
Fitzpatrick’s resilience coupled with his lineout throwing and defensive work rate should firmly put him in the minds of Wallaby selectors. Whilst the errant Tolo Latu and ageing Totafu Polota-Nau may be favourites of Michael Cheika, a prudent selector should be looking at a hooker whose lineout is currently operating at 90% for this season, is disciplined and who frequently makes tackles into the double digits. I submit if Fitzpatrick maintains this trajectory it would difficult to leave him out of selection discussions.
Tate McDermott’s energy and ability to catch an opponent unaware makes him a constant threat whenever he is on the park. I first saw McDermott play reserve grade for the University of Queensland Rugby Club several seasons ago where he was understudy to current Reds teammate Moses Sorovi.
With respect to Moses then, and now, I was flummoxed as to how McDermott, the 2018 Australian Under 20’s halfback was not the first choice as he was consistently a threat around the recycle but could also pass crisply and importantly backed up as a support player. McDermott is a halfback who makes things happen around him akin to Aaron Smith and TJ Perenara. His performance against the Brumbies last weekend was indicative of such illustrating he was a greater threat than his more experienced opponent in 4-test Wallaby Joe Powell who is no slouch himself.
The issue for McDermott is that even if the Wallabies are to take three halfbacks to the Rugby World Cup, as they should, it appears McDermott has Genia, Phipps, Gordon, and Powell ahead of him. I suspect there would have to be a serious injury to one of those players before McDermott would be given any thoughtful consideration despite his qualities. McDermott’s World Cup may yet be in 2023 but if he continues to flash and dash his way around the Super Rugby parks this season, he could yet find himself on the plane.
Since the retirement of Wycliff Palu, Australian rugby has missed a genuine number 8 forward. The preferred selection method in recent years has been picking legendary open-side flanker David Pocock as the Wallaby 8 man yet this practice should cease with immediate effect as it is outdated and hinders the Wallaby set-piece, in particular, the lineout.
Lachlan McCaffrey could be the answer. A rugby journeyman of Sydney’s St. Ignatius College who has always had the potential to play international rugby but did not seem to get the break that potential required when at the Waratahs and Western Force. However, McCaffrey for the Brumbies in 2019 has proven to be a reliable, forceful ball runner, astute lineout forward with a high work rate coupled and vision for space on the field. He simply is playing his best ever rugby on Australian soil.
Undoubtedly McCaffrey’s experience at London Welsh and Leicester Tigers have chiselled him into a player who not only has the potential but now has demonstrated the requisite maturity and toughness to put himself into the frame for Wallaby selection in 2019. That is the style of number 8 forward the Wallabies would need when taking on the likes of Wales in the pool stage of the tournament.
Another whose recent Super Rugby form could put him into the back equation is 34-test veteran, Scott Higginbotham. Gone is the ‘Wild Man of Borneo’ look and along with it the errors and stupidity of his game allowing the ageing Queenslander to be a consistent, credible performer for the Reds.
The Higginbotham of old was equally brilliant as he was errant. He no longer has the speed to employ his kick chase game but looking at how he operates around the park now is evident he is a mature, experienced campaigner who knows where to be and what to do for his team.
The former Reds skipper may appear on an edge to claim a try or charge through the fringe of a ruck to maintain momentum. Each being the correct decision at the time and not costing his side. What has truly impressed me about Higginbotham in 2019 is that the high tackles, pushed passes and high body position into contact that were an unfortunate aspect to his game previously appear to have decreased. Whilst never appearing to be on Michael Cheika’s World Cup radar, Higginbotham could be on Scott Johnson and Michael O’Connor’s if he continues to age as a vintage red should.
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