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 likely candidates:
Digby Ione (QLD): Has been the most surprisingly impressive performer in Australian rugby over the last 6 months. His move from the wing to out centre proved even more surprising. I never thought he had the distribution skills to play there, but it seems he has. The experience he has gained in the position should only serve him well should he make the team on the wing.
Stirling Mortlock (ACT): despite a return to form from Brian O’Drsicoll, Stirlo is still the premier outside centre in world rugby for mine. Add to that his inspiring “follow me” style of leadership, then there is no doubting he should be the first player picked for the Wallabies, and it should be in his preferred position.
Adam Ashley-Cooper (ACT): Everyone pretty much agrees that AAC is the man most likely to take over the Wallaby and Brumby 13 jersey when Morty decides to move on. It’s the position he seems most natural in, despite his limited time in it. Until then it would seem he will have to make do with being shunted around the backline as a fill in.
The Roughies:
Rob Horne (NSW): started the year with an absolute bang, after a rocking debut season in 2008. Scored a stunning try in the opening game of the year, but since then has been somewhat quiet. Perhaps it’s the stuttering play of his inside players, perhaps he is getting closer attention on field due to recognition of his abilities. Regardless he is a super talent and a Wallaby in waiting. Just how long will he have to wait though?
Timana Tahu (NSW): a real roughie when you consider he hasn’t even cracked a regular starting spot at the Tahs. While he’s played most of his footy at 12 (or wing), 13 is perhaps a position he could thrive in. The greater spaces out wide suit his quick feet and off loading ability. Although the challenge of defending against three attackers may prove too much for him. A real talent, but until he cottons on to the finer points of the game he will continue to be an expensive bench sitter.
What is Deans looking for?
Directness of play and leadership. Someone who will make lead his defensive line up and take the ball forward with gutso.
Who is the answer?
Stirlo. Stirlo, Strilo, Stirlo. Stirling. The best Wallaby 13 I have seen, and I can’t think of anyone historically who may have been better. Oh hang on, probably Trevor Allen. But I can’t comment on that. But what happens when Stirlo is invariably injured? It would be tempting to throw Diggers in there, but I think AAC is a natural fit playing a similar game to Mortlock and someone who, as a player, wouldn’t let the team down.
<span class="dsq-postid" data-dsqidentifier="2278 https://www.greenandgoldrugby.com/?p=2278">18 Comments
Agree about Mortlock, he’s going to get it anyway, but as much as I reckon AAC is great, just grow a pair and put Ioane on the bench. He is shitting over everyone else for now, imagine if he was on the end of some Giteau magic and could distribute to Tuquiri and Turner!
Nick Cummins is my pick. Not right away, give him a year on the wing and he’ll be storming through. I think he was an outside centre originally.
I’m losing my faith in horne, he doesn’t have enough strenght in the tackle. Quick as hell, but not going to break tackles. Don’t get me wrong I don’t want him beefing up like tuquiri and losing his pace, but there is a balance. Perhaps should be on the wing for a season or two.
This is a myth. Putting on muscle does not slow you down – quite the opposite. Look at most 100 metre sprinters and how bulky they are compared to endurance athletes. It does make you look slower but the reality is different.
BTW Tuqiri and Turner were timed at approximately the same pace over 40 metres during the preseason.
I think Horne could stand to put on at least 6 kg if he wants to make an impact at outside centre. For an example of how ‘bulking’ up with muscle can assist – look at Diggers.
Getting heavier means you do more work. Sure the muscle makes you stronger and harder to tackle, but it still means you work harder to get around the park. Muscle mass also reduces flexibilty and agility, while increasing stability.
Pedro’s last blog post..Australia Prevail 2-0, One Foot In South Africa
Every fucking pre-season I hear how Lote has been working on his pace, picked up a hard of pace, is as quick as xyz over x metres, etc.
And every season he seems, if anything, to be slower than the one before.
I’m sorry to have a go at Lote – I actually think he’s having one of his better seasons – but I don’t believe a word of that shit anymore.
Scuse the french.
Also, Rugby players are endurance athletes. If they only ran 100m, your point would be more apt.
They also don’t have to sidestep or run around people – like Shane Williams is pretty fantastic at.
Although Epi was only talking straight line speed, not agility
Depends on what type of muscle u put on. Lean muscle with fast twitch fibres that will generally increase ur power and speed. I don’t think any mr universes would be too quick over 100m. Also if ur putting all ur muscle on up top then ur legs are carrying alot. more.
Tuquiri probably is just as quick as turner over 40m. but as Pedro pointed out he wouldn’t have a sliver of the agility and turn of direction that turner offers. Weight makes it hard to change ur direction (more momentum).
And also do u guys think that turner isn’t quite as quick as he was fresh out in his rookie year? he’s still ridiculously quick don’t get me wrong. But I remember his debut and he completely skinned Gear(i think) running around the outside.
i Find this position interesting
Firstly as much as Digggers is performing relatively well at Super level as a 13, i dont think he even scratches the surface of whats required for a Internaitonal 13 positionally….not yet anyway, potential yeah, liability, definitely at the moment…
I think Horne is a player afflicted by the lack of distribution at the Tahs (for the moment anyway, i think hangers can get him more ball), but in all honesty, Horne, will probably be only playing Aust A for the next few years.
TimTam…you have to be joking….to quote many reputable sources of journalistic genius, he is the highest paid reserve in the world…WHY? because, he jst doesnt get it. 13 no way, such a tehcnical position is definitly not for him.
And now lets look at what deans is looking for.
I am interested to hear he wants any of those things except for Directness of play.
Traditional deans backlines with the first and seond five eigth definitely demand a go forward 13 (and to put it in there, subsequently a set of flankers who can take the ball forward when he is out of the play). But Leadership, not necessarily. Giteau, Barnes Mortlock…maybe too much leadership there. but i guess, better too much than not enough…i honestly dont think its taht much of an issue.
Defensively the 13 that leads his line up is the 13 that lets his winger handle a 2 or 3 on 1 overlap. deans is a fan of speed, and as such needs a backline that really can track in defence. 13 remains behind the 10 and 12 (which is where you get your press), and remains avialble with the 15 and winger to slide onto the attacking threats that come his way.
Lets remeber its Deans we are talking about, not Jake White who plays a blitz defence particualr using the 13 to target anyone coming around the 13-12 channel.
Deans is a less risky coach, he likes planned high percentage plays, and the 13 in that instance is definitely a slide defender rather than an up and in hitman.
Taking the ball forward though now thats spot on.
all these factors leda me to actually state, that i think AAC and Cross should be the 13 options with Morty in there for sure, but if he loses his starting spot to the Better Speed, Slide defence, and Future options, of AAC, or RyanX…so be it, i wont slit my wrists
And im sorry, Morty best 13 in the world, no way…BOD is the one for me. And even in his prime…Tana and Mike Tindall were definitely worthy of argument against him.
As for Aust. I just cant think of anyone but Little or Herbert. herbert was Toutai of the midfield, strong, fast, brutal in running and defending…Little was fast, agile, and had a skill set of a flyhalf…
El Dommo,
You had me hook, line and sinker until you got to your conclusions!
You say Diggers is only playing “relatively well” at Super 14 level. What about Cross or AAC? They are hardly setting the world on fire at 13 this season!
Abd what makes you say Diggers hasn’t got what it takes for International level? He’s done pretty well at International level as a winger so far and he’s stepped up now so for me that argument falls flat. Sure – he hasn’t been tried at International level at 13… but you have to try someone new eventually.
I think the best selection philosophy has to be: Pick your best performing Super 14 player in each position unless there’s a DAMN good reason not to. Since Morty is the incumbent and natural captain of the team and we know he’s got a heart like Phar Lap, I think he presents this “damn good reason”.
Jeez I’d like to see a young guns versus old timers match.
AAC’s still living off that try vs the ABs at the G.
Agree WNM – if you go by pure form THIS SEASON there’s some interesting shake ups to be had in the back line.
HAHA. you know what. I agree with you. Digby poses the most complete attacking threat at 13 this year given urrent form in super rugby. It is his defensive play and his use at 13 in attack that i am worried about.
as a coach, the first thing you think about when considering a 13, is defence, sorry to say it, but its true
Digby is currently standing at 13 and has a great defender inside him in Barnes. I feel more often than not, he will be found out in D when we look at Crafty combos he will come up against, Like say Morne Steyn, Frans Steyn/de Villiers, Fourie at 13 and the burners the safas have on the wing…or say for NZ, hmm, (to prompt debate, i think Dan Bowden is the form 10 of the NZ teams) Bowden, or carter, or Donald, Toeava, Sivi, Masaga, Roks, Muliania at 13.
But, i would like to be proven wrong of course.
To your point about doing well as a winger…yes thtas true, he has, but they are completly difernet positions…internationally, after several seasons as a singer at Int level, we say Morty, Umaga Nonu, come into 13…at the moment, he is a winger, i dont think he shoud move in, i thin a wing spot is for him for sure, but 13, no.
Attack wise as well…fir the reds, he plays like a winger in attack, he just stands in the early stages where 13 stands…
the 13 getting inside balls from a latreally running 9, some may call it ingenius, effective, throw whatever adjective you want at it, but it does also come down to role. you need to be a running threat outside the first receiver a majority of the time, you cant be roaming around like an INglis does for melbourne (i know 5/8 but Diggers is kinda doing what inglis lieks to do, roam). At Int level, he starts doing that, Australia will be playing primitive football instead of the expansive go forward gain line focussed stuff i think tey want to…so attacking…he definitely IS EFFECTIVE, and perhaps needs some things tempered so he isnt trying so much, but does it fit in with Deans oahcing philosphy, i guess we will find out…he is a play whats infront of you sort of person, and if the 13 spots ruck defence drifting wide early, maybe the flick ball is there to be had, but me thinks Deans is a little more respectful of a role based selection policy…and will choose a 13 who offers that.
Truthfully i am waiting for AAC and Ryan X to do something…Morty for me until AAC and Ryan X realise, shit, i gotta do something.
I’m totally over Mortlock rushing out of the line in defence but the pecking order is:
Mortlock
AAC
Cummins
Daylight
We’re well off at 13. Its everywhere else in the backs that we struggle.
Cummins – the winger for the Force?
I’m not against the Cummins idea but probably not this year.
1. Morty (when will his batteries run out?)
2. Diggers
3. AAC
4. Horne
5. Daylight
6. Cross
7. Daylight
8. Tahu
To be honest, the younger Daylight brother is unlucky not to be in front of Cross as well.
Onya Cutter. I’m with you. I hear the arguments about the role of the outside centre and agree with them but I think Diggers HAS lived up to the requirements of the role. I still pick Morty first but it will be interesting to see what they do if (when) he gets injured.
my picks would be
1. Morty
2. AAC
3. Daylight
4. Ioane
5. Daylight
6. Nightlight
7. Horne
8. Cross
9. Daylight
10. Butch James.
11. Tahu
Pingback: Gold - THE Aussie Rugby Blog for fans of Australia and the Wallabies