Thursday’s Rugby News sees the Wallabies squad named, some not so surprising ‘bolters’, Samu may or may not be a Wallaby, and Cheika wants to rest some Brumbies.
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WALLABIES SQUAD NAMED
Michael Cheika named his Wallabies squad for the June series against Ireland last night in a special on Fox Sports Kick and Chase.
In the days to come every rugby outlet will break down every choice made by the coaches, commenting on who should and shouldn’t be in the squad (no Matt Philip really!) so this will be short and sharp like any good halfback.
Cheika’s rebuild appears to be on the up with this being a younger and more inexperienced team than in recent years. The average age is 24.65 years old and the average number of caps is 27.68. Hopefully, come the World Cup next year that average will be higher as a more experience team will be needed if we ever want to win the Webb Ellis Cup.
The Rebels fan in me wishes for more Rebels to be named (how do you not pick Rangi?) but it is actually a fairly even split from the four Aussie Super sides. Waratahs lead the way with 10 players, Rebels and Brumbies each have 8 and the Reds come in with 6.
Wallabies squad
Forwards
Allan Alaalatoa – Brumbies
Rory Arnold – Brumbies
Adam Coleman – Rebels
Folau Fainga’a* – Brumbies
Ned Hanigan – Waratahs
Michael Hooper (c) – Waratahs
Sekope Kepu – Waratahs
Brandon Paenga-Amosa* – Reds
David Pocock – Brumbies
Tom Robertson – Waratahs
Rob Simmons – Waratahs
Scott Sio – Brumbies
Izack Rodda – Reds
Caleb Timu* – Reds
Lukhan Tui – Reds
Taniela Tupou – Reds
Jordan Uelese – Rebels
Backs
Tom Banks* – Brumbies
Kurtley Beale – Waratahs
Israel Folau – Waratahs
Bernard Foley (vc) – Waratahs
Will Genia (vc) – Rebels
Dane Haylett-Petty – Rebels
Reece Hodge – Rebels
Samu Kerevi – Reds
Marika Koroibete – Rebels
Tevita Kuridrani – Brumbies
Jack Maddocks* – Rebels
Sefanaia Naivalu – Rebels
Nick Phipps – Waratahs
Joe Powell – Brumbies
Curtis Rona – Waratahs
*Uncapped Player
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HOOKERS, BOLTERS AND THE UNCONFIRMED
There appears to be more selection surprises when it comes to some of the capped Wallabies and those who missed out rather than the bolters.
We knew Cheika had to fill the void in the No.2 jersey, with TPN overseas and Stephen Moore retiring making Jordan Uelese the incumbent hooker in Australia. When you look at it Nathan Charles, who recently signed with Melbourne, is tied with Waratahs Tolu Latu for most capped Wallaby Hooker, which makes selection very interesting. All the Hookers across the Aussie franchises have been doing their best be selected but it was Folau Fainga’a (Brumbies) and Brendan Paenga-Amosa (Reds) who have been selected along with Uelese.
Fainga’a went on the Spring Tour last year as a development player; something that Michael Cheika thinks is doing him a world of good in Canberra.
“We had him in camp for a little bit last year, he handled himself really well and he’s playing there in between Scotty (Sio) and Allan (Alaalatoa) down in Canberra and he’s got a good bit of swagger, like his attitude and I think he’ll take an opportunity with both hands,” Cheika said to Rugby.com
This is what Cheika had to say about Paenga-Amosa”Brandon’s gone up against Malcolm Marx and performed right at the level. For me, a guy who comes out of club rugby Southern Districts, NSW and then he played NRC, got his opportunity out there, was spotted by the Reds and has taken that opportunity with both hands,”
Former Brisbane Bronco and Reds big man Caleb Timu gains a well-earned inclusion in the squad, after he stepped up for Queensland in the absence of Scotty Higginbotham to injury and suspension. Timu would be a strong addition to the back row that all but includes Michael Hooper and David Pocock aka Pooper. Adding Timu to the equation would make up for what is lost in height and size by Pooper.
Melbourne Rebels bolter Jack Maddocks has been in fine form this season, putting his best foot forward and his hand up to get a spot in the 23. Maddocks is another player to show massive improvement after his time on the Spring Tour of 2017.
If Tom Banks wasn’t already on Michael Cheika’s radar, his performance against the Bulls in Pretoria certainly would have turned the coaches head. The fifth uncapped player to be named in the squad, Bank has managed to work his way into the highly competitive back three group, that saw some big names in and some big names miss out.
One bolter who was expected to be named was the newest Brumbies recruit, Pete Samu, who Michael Cheika is leaving the door open for.
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THE CASE OF CHEIKA VS SUPER RUGBY
Rugby fans in Australia have often wondered who has more power, the Super coaches or Wallabies Coach Michael Cheika. When Cheika wants a player in a certain position does the Super coach have to listen? What if he wants a player rested, what happens then? Well it appears we may soon have an answer to that question.
According to FoxSports.com, Cheika and Rugby Australia have requested that the Brumbies rest three of their Wallabies for the match against the Sunwolves on Sunday.
RA wish that David Pocock, Scott Sio and Alan Alaalatoa be rested ahead of the Wallabies June Series, but Brumbies coach Dan McKellar wants to maintain a strong presence on the field. Fox Sports are reporting the Brumbies are refusing to budge.
If RA are successful, it would mean that the Canberra team would not only be without three wallabies but also without Rory Arnold and Folau Fainga’aas well, with the duo suspended.
With only a six day turn around for the Brumbies players in the Wallaby squad, Coach Michael Cheika believes playing for your country should take precedent of playing for your club.
“… Personally I think it’s the right decision to prioritise those guys being ready to play for their country. We’ve really tried to give every opportunity for the right outcome to happen.” Cheika said via Sydney Morning Herald.
We have seen in recent times, NZR have dictated to their Super teams to rest All Blacks in the build up to the June series, this is easy for them given their centralised model. Rugby Australia doesn’t have the same set up which makes this a bit of a cross roads for the governing body. They can’t risk their Wallabies in a game against the Sunwolves, but they can’t risk the Brumbies losing to the Sunwolves either. Thankfully they didn’t ask Daryl Gibson to rest his Wallabies, he would almost be down a starting team.
Adding fuel to the fire is the ‘call to arms’ made by the Brumbies in an effort to get 15,000 fans to the game after the dismal turn out they had against the Rebels.
Losing some of their biggest names would be a massive blow in the sides attempt to bring back fans to the game. In a letter to their members and fans, the Brumbies have pledged $15,000 to three Canberra charities if the fans turn out for some Sunday footy. With dwindling crowds maybe some charity will save the day.
When asked on Fox Sports Kick and Chase, David Pocock said the decision was up to the coaches.
“As far as I’m concerned and Allan and Scott that’s up to the coaches to decide,” he said.
“I’m sure Dan (McKellar) and Cheik will be chatting about that.”
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PETE SAMU – IS HE IN OR OUT?
After releasing European bound Brad Shields to play for England in the June Series, New Zealand Rugby Union appear to be reluctant to release Pete Samu to play for the Wallabies.
The Melbourne born Samu recently signed with the Brumbies for 2019, which would make him eligible to play for the Wallabies. The catch is NZR have to release him first.
NZR are still trying to make up their mind if they want to let Samu join the Wallabies, but Michael Cheika has claimed there is a spot for him if he is released. This puts the whole situation in limbo, with there being no deadline for NZR to make their decision, so no one knows what the outcome will be.
Cheika told Fox Sports Kick and Chase last night that he is hoping to have some clarity by Thursday (today), but there is no guarantee of this.
“I’ve been told I can’t select him but there is a spot for him there,” Cheika said to the panel.
“At this point, the decision’s in other hands. I’m not really involved in that part of it but I’m hoping that there’ll be some more clarity about that tomorrow.”
It is a bit of an unfair situation for Samu, either let him go or say no he can’t come out and play. Though if the shoe was on the other foot, there is every chance that RA would do the same thing to another country so lets not get too high and mighty.
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