Injuries have reduced the Wallabies to a make-shift line-up. If all players were available, they would look a vastly different side. Greg Growden reports from Bloemfontein.
FULLBACK: Adam Ashley- Cooper. Australian rugby’s most dependable and consistent player can comfortably cover four back-line positions – wing, inside and outside centre and fullback. No wonder coach Robbie Deans describes him as among his most important assets. But his best position is fullback. He is reliable under the high ball, effective in counterattack, and keeps mistakes to a minimum. When he is at fullback, the Wallabies look a far safer outfit.
WINGS: Digby Ioane and James O’Connor. Ioane is probably the Wallabies’ biggest loss this year. They have missed his penetration, ability to break defences, great running lines and incredible speed. Without him the Wallabies can look pedestrian, with him they have an unpredictability that can lead to victory. O’Connor has taken some time to become comfortable on the wing but showed against the Springboks in Pretoria he has found his feet. His hassling of Bryan Habana forced a scavenging Wallabies try, and his positional understanding has pushed him up a level. Deans also believes wing is O’Connor’s best position, so he will persevere with him.
OUTSIDE CENTRE: Rob Horne. There are ifs and buts about him. He continues to be thwarted by injury and has yet to be sighted fully stretched at Test level. But the potential is there, and as long as he can stay on the field he has the understanding of how to use space and good defensive work to make one of the most difficult positions of the field his. If Horne is unavailable, Ioane should shuffle to No.13, and Peter Hynes onto the wing. Two others who could come into contention for midfield spots are Will Chambers and Rod Davies.
Rocky Elsom … when he is on song he can play the perfect captain’s game. Photo: Reuters
INSIDE CENTRE: Matt Giteau. Perhaps Giteau is not as penetrative as he once was, but he has to stay in the team for his goalkicking. Admittedly that has been flaky at times, but work on his kicking style this season has made him an automatic selection. And the longer he plays with Quade Cooper the better the combination will become.
FIVE-EIGHTH: Quade Cooper. As long as the rugby league hounds are kept at bay, Cooper appears destined to be the Wallabies’ chief playmaker for some time. The circus of the NRL approach followed by a scratchy game in Pretoria have been a worry. . Opponents are wary of him, but he needs to take the initiative more than he did at Loftus Versfeld Stadium, where he often transferred pressure onto teammates. His true worth won’t be discovered until he plays New Zealand – the country in which he grew up.
HALFBACK: Will Genia. Has the potential to be a Wallabies great. Although he was effectively hassled by Springboks halfback Francois Hougaard in Pretoria, Genia has yet to have a really bad game for the Wallabies. He has poise, boasts a great pass and is becoming one of the team’s real leaders. He, David Pocock and Benn Robinson are the only Wallabies who would seriously be considered for a World XV team.
NO.8: Wycliff Palu. Admittedly he has sometimes gone missing against the All Blacks, but the Wallabies have certainly missed the penetrating, bustling runs provided by the Waratahs back-rower. The Wallabies have not possessed a threatening No.8 since Toutai Kefu, and that is a distinct weakness in the squad.
OPENSIDE BREAKAWAY: David Pocock. You know a player is a real threat when opponents keep talking about him and attempting to devise ways to nullify him. Throughout this Tri Nations, New Zealand and South African players and officials have noted how he disrupts their ball at the breakdown. Pocock has enjoyed a standout season, filling the void left by George Smith, with his physique, power and speed making him a game breaker. Don’t be surprised if he is Wallabies captain in 2012.
BLINDSIDE BREAKAWAY: Rocky Elsom. His performance against the Springboks in Brisbane shows that when he is on song, he can play the perfect captain’s game. He is improving as a leader, and has the respect of teammates. Can never be accused of not trying.
SECOND ROW: Nathan Sharpe and James Horwill. Sharpe has become better the longer he has played, producing some of his best football the past two seasons. His lineout leadership and authority is critical, as shown when it all fell apart while he was off the field for the final 15 minutes of the Pretoria Test, enabling Victor Matfield to steal Wallabies throws. Horwill provides some much needed mongrel up front. He is a real heart-and-soul player and, like Ioane, has been sorely missed. Horwill would be picked ahead of Dan Vickerman at this stage, because it could take Vickerman time to regain his poise and form after a lengthy break from topline football.
PROPS: Ben Alexander and Benn Robinson. Prior to his injury lay-off, Alexander showed he was developing nicely as a tight-head prop. But what makes him special is his extraordinary mobility around the field, and his ability to score tries. Robinson is another player with great handling skills, but that is nothing compared to his excellent scrummaging abilities. When Alexander and Robinson are the anchors, the Wallabies pack is generally steady.
HOOKER: Tatafu Polota-Nau. The Waratahs hooker is renowned for putting his body on the line, and has often played injured. He is having a timely rest, because he will be crucial next season. Like Robinson and Alexander, his handling is exceptional. His fearlessness running, no matter what is in front of him, can transform games. His lineout throwing is no longer a weakness.
RESERVES: Stephen Moore, James Slipper, Dan Vickerman, Scott Higginbotham, Luke Burgess, Berrick Barnes, Kurtley Beale.