Author: Reg Roberts

The incumbent(s): Phil Waugh (NSW): The Waratah skipper has been criticised by many this season, albeit mostly by non-Tah fans. It’s fair to say he looked off the pace and incapable of really stamping his authority on a game. This has changed lately, perhaps it’s the contract talks, and he’s starting to look more like the Waugh of old. There’s no question the Tahs would be half the team they are without him, which is scary.

The incumbent(s): Richard Brown (WA): For a player that looks so made for test footy, it’s easy to forget he only made his debut in the last domestic test of last year. Brown has carried over his sterling 2008 form into 2009 and is one of the most important players for the Force. Industrious, robust and tough – qualities Australian rugby has cried out for in the Wallabies, perhaps since the days of Matt Cockbain and Phil Waugh (in his prime).

    The incumbent(s): Luke Burgess (NSW): Nice timing. He’s just been benched by the Tahs. I don’t know if it’s intended to be a wake up call for him. Or he’s being rested. Or he’s bearing the brunt of backlash surrounding the backline not…ummm…b..b..b..being good?. From my perspective he, along with Lachie Turner, have been the only NSW backline players who have even threatened to create something of late. He’ll be back.

The incumbent(s): Matt Giteau (WA): As I said above many, me included, thought he was shunted into the Wallaby 10 jersey last year as a kind of ‘last man standing’. “There’s no one else available so let’s take our best 12 and move him in a smidge”. But now! Now he is the best ten in Australia, if not the competition, possibly even the world! Mwah hahahahaha MWAHAHAHAHAHA! Ahem…sorry.

INSIDE CENTRE The incumbent(s): Stirling Mortlock (ACT): Gees he surprised me last year. Personally, I’m a fan of the dual playmaker option for 12. Lynagh outside Ella. Pappy outside Lynagh. Kafer/Howard outside Knox. Love it. I didn’t think Morty would offer us anything but crash ball. But I was wrong. He showed some deft touches and a handy boot. Regardless, he’s an outside centre and that’s where he should play for the Wallabies.  

This is a letter from the President of the QRU: “Dear Rugby Fan, I need your help – our development application for Ballymore goes before council in a few weeks and I’m seeking letters of support for our aspirations. Please, please, please – pick up your pen and write (no e-mails) just a paragraph or two supporting the transformation of Ballymore into a state-of-the-art- sports and community health and fitness centre that Brisbane, indeed Australia can be proud of.

The incumbent(s): Ryan Cross (WA): yeah, him. In case you forgot Cross was number 13 against the Welsh with Stirlo inside him. He acquitted himself quite well, however he probably hasn’t been as dominant this season as he was last. I can’t see him being back in the starting Wallaby jersey this year, at least a full strength Wallaby team.

The incumbent(s): Peter Hynes (QLD) – injured now, but there’s no doubting, in my mind, he should be the first winger chosen for the Wallabies. His work ethic is superb although on occasions he has been found out on defence by particularly fast wingers. Digby Ione (QLD) – hmmm, perhaps Hynes isn’t the first winger chosen because this man MUST be in the Wallaby team. The best Australian back at the moment. Hands down. Playing, surprisingly, fantastic footy at 13 for the Reds, Digby will make a fantastic test winger after performing solidly there for the last few tests…

The first in a series of Wallaby team previews, position by position. FULLBACK The incumbent(s): Drew Mitchell (WA) – played the last two tests at fullback last year, taking over from the seemingly out of position Adam Ashley-Cooper.  Has taken over from Cameron Shepherd in the custodian role for the Force. There’s no doubting his running abilities particularly his strength in the tackle, however concerns still lie over the consistency of both his boot and his defence. The likely candidates:

We have another local derby this weekend with the Reds flying across the land to take on the Force.  After being thrashed by the Chiefs, what changes will the Reds make? Personally, I’d probably just make the one. Working from the back three first. It’s stating the obvious that McLinden, Davies and Connor were well and truly outplayed by their opposite numbers.  But I wouldn’t change them