Will they take either?
Seems more likely they will have Genia, Phipps and Frisby.
Gordon would be a good inclusion but I think it will only happen if they decide not to take Frisby.
BH I don't think Genia will be available for all tests, maybe 3 out 5? Wouldn't it be wise to have have another backup for the remaining tests and the Baa Baas' game?
And I would also favour Gordon over Joey Powell, probably over Frisby also, atm. Joe is in the Phipps mold, quick to the breakdown, good passing game and pretty good defender. He doesn't yet have a running game that Gordon brings to matches. I think Gordon offers a difference that would be a positive for the Wallabies.
Genia is unavailable for the 3rd Bledisloe and presumably the last test of the tour against England which is outside the test window.
Genia is unavailable for the 3rd Bledisloe and presumably the last test of the tour against England which is outside the test window.
I obviously don't know how many players Cheika will be able to take on tour and certainly agree that Gordon would go ahead of Powell.
I think there is a pretty good chance that Cheika will select 3 halfbacks and they will be Genia, Phipps and Frisby though and he'll work on the basis that he can call another up if there is an injury.
First game against Wales is outside of the window too isn't it?
Given history I believe he will name a squad of 84 before narrowing it down to 63 a week before the tour. Then he will cut that squad to 52 from which 18 will be cut at the airport the morning they fly off. This will be off-set by a travelling supplementary squad of 26 locally based Aussies who will also be training as well.
I agree Genia, frisby and Gordon would be my 3 choices.BH I don't think Genia will be available for all tests, maybe 3 out 5? Wouldn't it be wise to have have another backup for the remaining tests and the Baa Baas' game?
And I would also favour Gordon over Joey Powell, probably over Frisby also, atm. Joe is in the Phipps mold, quick to the breakdown, good passing game and pretty good defender. He doesn't yet have a running game that Gordon brings to matches. I think Gordon offers a difference that would be a positive for the Wallabies.
I'd be happy with the leaving Genia out and going with three domestically based halves, despite how good Genia has been.
For me Phipps & Frisby are good enough to be test options, despite both having some short comings. I'd like them to include a third that helps us build depth in our halves because I really don't like our number one choice as being someone who isn't available for every test. But - does Gordon have a super rugby contract? My preference would be for someone who is going to be a regular super rugby starter, but I'm not sure who that sits with the current pecking order as neither Powell, or to my knowledge Gordon, fit that criteria.
Matt SHOULD be a first choice halfback in Super rugby: he's got about the best pass of any Oz scrummie, and he's a leader. His only drawback is his size. Yeah, I know the bit about the size of the fight in the dog/the size of the dog in the fight, etc, but taking on 120kg Saffer second rowers isn't a long-term career path for a small fella. The upshot of a move by Matt would be more game time for Jake, a classic win-win for all concerned.
There are certainly players in NRC worthy of development and time at Super Level to go higher.
I was thinking that if Kerevi is left behind and the plan is to run Folau at 13 at some point then we will need another kicking back 3 player on top of DHP. Kellaway? Khunt? Lance? The latter would have to be a chance because of his versatility. Could play Foley there too I guess.