For some years now, there has been a popularly held view in the rugby world – perhaps only amongst the “great uninformed” – that Australian rugby lacks depth and that the introduction of a fourth Australian Super14 team, the Western Force, in 2005 would stretch our player strength to beyond breaking point. When a New Zealander, John Mitchell, was appointed coach, the claims were extended to include even our “lack of coaching depth” also.
A fifth team, the Melbourne Rebels, will be added in 2011 and the critics have stated unequivocally that we cannot supply enough quality Australian players to make this team viable. Concessions were sought - and given – which would allow additional non-Australian qualified players to bolster the Rebels ranks. “There you are! I told you so!” they cried.
Never mind, of course, that New Zealand Super14 teams have always included large numbers of non-New Zealand qualified players – at least until their three year qualification period expired – and indeed, some foreign International players, who could never qualify for NZ. Never mind, also, that Laurie Mains, Tim Lane and Eddie Jones coached in South Africa, or that David Nucifora coached the Auckland Blues. “Forget the facts,” they said. “You’ll struggle!”
In recent years, possibly beginning in 2004, our dearth of quality Wallaby performances would seem to have supported this view. Whereas in the 80’s and 90’s, rugby aficionados around the world would look to the Wallabies, more often than not, for their inspiration and direction, such support is now but a distant memory. In last season’s international matches, disappointing performances outnumbered any quality at all, by about five to one.
Enough of the gloom! I see light at the end of the tunnel! I believe that we are building a large number of international quality players through our Super14 teams and there are certainly enough of them to form the core of an additional provincial team.
The Super14 coaches, by and large, have done an excellent job and their academies are bringing through a lot of quality players. I want to put forward the names of these players – for comment if you wish. I’ll present them in different categories.
Category 1: Worthy of consideration for a World XV.
I’ve picked a few World XVs and all of these players would be discussed at the selection table. None would be rejected out of hand.
Reds. Will Genia, Quade Cooper, Digby Ioane, Peter Hynes, James Horwill.
Waratahs. Tatafu Polota-Nau, Ben Robinson, Phil Waugh, Wycliff Palu, Drew Mitchell.
Brumbies. Rocky Elsom, Mat Giteau, George Smith, Stirling Mortlock,
Adam Ashley-Cooper.
Force. Nathan Sharpe, David Pocock.
Category 2: Could play in a winning RWC team in 2011.
This selection makes allowance for my opinion of any younger player’s potential for development over the next year.
Reds. Will Chambers, Scott Higginbotham, Laurie Weeks.
Waratahs. Dean Mumm, Lachie Turner, Kurtley Beale, Berrick Barnes.
Brumbies. Ben Alexander, Stephen Moore.
Force. James O’Connor.
Category 3: Genuine International Players.
These players would not be out of place in a top level international – say a Tri-Nations test match. You wouldn’t perhaps want all of them in your team at the one time, but each of them would certainly handle the level. I have also taken into account my opinion of any younger player’s potential for development over the next year.
Reds. Ben Daley, Saia Faingaa, Rod Davies.
Waratahs. Al Baxter, David Dennis, Kane Douglas, Luke Burgess (on form), Rob Horne.
Brumbies. Mark Chisholm, Stephen Hoiles, Josh Valentine, Julian Huxley.
Force. Cameron Shepherd, Brett Sheehan, Richard Brown, Matt Hodgson.
Category 4: Players who are, or who have real potential to become, influential Super14 players in the next year or two.
I haven’t chosen these players lightly. They appear to me to have the physical and mental characteristics necessary for success. I’ve also tried to assess their courage and determination.
Reds. Van Humphries, Anthony Faingaa, Richard Kingi, Ben Lucas, Jack Kennedy, Rob Simmons, Luke Morahan.
Waratahs. Adam Frier, Damien Fitzpatrick, Chris Alcock, Dan Palmer.
Brumbies. Matt Toomua, Pat McCabe, Mitch Chapman, Huia Edmonds, Peter Kimlin, Patrick Phibbs, Tyrone Smith.
Force. Pek Cowan, Ben Whittaker, Justin Turner, Mitch Inman.
This gives a total of sixty-five (65) players who, I believe, will be genuine, influential Super15 players – or better – in 2011. The inclusion of the Melbourne Rebels will unearth a few more also – and as early as next season. This is a large number by the standards of any rugby nation and certainly puts the lie to any claim of “lack of depth” of quality players.
But will this volume give rise to a better performing Wallaby team in 2010, with the promise of even more in 2011.
Let’s have a look at it. I’ll have a crack at a current Wallaby XV.
Fullback. Peter Hynes.
Wings. Digby Ioane. Drew Mitchell.
Centres. Mat Giteau. Adam Ashley-Cooper.
Fly-Half. Quade Cooper.
Scrum-Half. Will Genia.
No.8. Rocky Elsom.
Flankers. David Pocock. Scott Higginbotham.
Locks. Nathan Sharpe. Dean Mumm.
Tight-Head. Ben Alexander.
Hooker. Tatafu Polota-Nau.
Loose-Head. Ben Robinson.
Replacements. Stephen Moore, Laurie Weeks, Kane Douglas, Phil Waugh, Josh Valentine,
Berrick Barnes, Kurtley Beale.
What do I like about the team?
We’ve got plenty of size. Not many small teams win games.
We’ve got plenty of pace - all over the park. Not many slow teams win games.
We’re intelligent and tough.
We’ve got good kickers – for goal and out of hand.
What don’t I like?
Mat Giteau has been sadly out of form. His cross-field running and constant kicking are a real worry for me. AAC is a good tackler, but needs to improve his ‘defensive read’, if he is to play centre. I’m not sure about Ben Alexander’s scrummaging at loose-head, in the event of an injury. These are matters for the Wallaby coaching staff.
I’d be happier if Dean Mumm was about 6 kilos heavier.
My biggest worry?
That our coaching staff will not insist on numbers at the tackle contest, with powerful leg-drive past the ball, ALL OF THE TIME.
That our coaching staff will not insist that our players STOP KICKING THE BALL so much and, instead, insist that they start playing like Australians.
You know. “’Ave a go, yer mug!”
My local supermarket owner, a New South Welshman, spoke to me this weekend, as usual, about the rugby. He said, “You know, I really look forward, each weekend, to watching the Queensland Reds playing.” That’s got to mean something.
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2012