Ex Supersport
Michael Cheika's first team as Australia coach has a decidedly retro feel to it, with halfbacks Quade Cooper and Will Genia restored for the European tour opener against the invitational Barbarians on Saturday.(THEY WILL WANT TO MAKE THE MOST OF THIS OPPORTUNITY!!)
Flyhalf Cooper and scrumhalf Genia were a fixture of former coach Ewen McKenzie's tourists last year, but injuries put the pair out of the June series against France and they were overlooked for the latter part of the southern hemisphere Rugby Championship when fit.
Cheika, who took over from McKenzie last week, has put flyhalf Bernard Foley on the bench while leaving scrumhalf Nick Phipps out altogether for the non-test match against the Barbarians at Twickenham.
New South Wales Waratahs duo Foley and Phipps played in the Wallabies' last match against New Zealand, a 28-27 defeat in Brisbane, and were paired for much of the Rugby Championship.
Cheika has also named Fiji-born Henry Speight on the right wing, giving the newly eligible back his first start in a Wallabies jersey.(A BIG PLUS)
Former captain James Horwill, a feature in the sides under Robbie Deans but out of favour under McKenzie (a PLUS), has been named at lock while veteran Western Force skipper Matt Hodgson will lead the side at openside flanker.(ANOTHER PLUS)
He joins an experienced back row alongside No 8 Ben McCalman and the abrasive Scott Higginbotham on the blindside.(CHEIKA CLEARLY RECOGNISES THE NEED TO STRENGTHEN THE PACK - I CAN ONLY HOPE MEYER DOES LIKEWISE. THE BOK PACK IS NOT UP TO SCTRATCH DUE TO POOR SELECTIONS - REALLY STUPID STUFF FROM MEYER))
Long-serving props Benn Robinson and Ben Alexander will also have a chance to press their claims for a recall for the rest of the tour after being named in the starting side.
Regular captain Michael Hooper, utility back Adam Ashley-Cooper (a FIRST CHOICE PLAYER), flanker Scott Fardy and lock Rob Simmons have all been rested, though the team boasts ample backline firepower in fullback Israel Folau and centre Tevita Kuridrani.
"This team contains a mix of players from our last game and also experienced players eager to push their way into the test team," Cheika said in a media release on Thursday.
"We're all looking forward to playing our first game for Australia on this tour."
Cheika has named a nine-man bench which includes the uncapped Sean McMahon and will be chopped to eight for the match.
Following the Barbarians clash, the Wallabies play tests against Wales, France, Ireland and England in successive weeks.
Australia team:15-Israel Folau, 14-Henry Speight, 13-Tevita Kuridrani, 12-Matt Toomua, 11-Rob Horne, 10-Quade Cooper, 9-Will Genia, 8-Ben McCalman, 7-Matt Hodgson (captain), 6-Scott Higginbotham, 5-James Horwill, 4-Sam Carter, 3-Ben Alexander, 2-Saia Faingaa, 1-Benn Robinson
Reserves: James Hanson, James Slipper, Sekope Kepu, Will Skelton, Sean McMahon, Nic White, Bernard Foley, Christian Leali'ifano, Joe Tomane
The wobbliers could add to their starting backline guys like Leali'ifano (Better than Toomua), Tomane and Ashley Cooper. A very good backline! Better than the wee abs have been fieleding. Great imports from their rugby colonies!!!. Strengthen the pack as I have suggested before and the Wobblies become serious RWC contenders.
I am very concerned that Meyer has bungled his YE tour selections and will further bungle his selctions from the squad he has. I will not be suprised if Ireland win. I call it 50/50. However I do confess to not watching much NH rugby so its just a gut feeling.
One will have to see who Meyer finally picks so NO predictions yet I dont want to hastily spoil my impecable record. Hahahahahaha. Pap matfiled and pap oupa are the big worries in the pack. Jannie is also of concern but could be better after a break. Still his play outside the scrum is often not up to scratch. Will Pienaar kick all our ball away if picked. But no use really to speculate until the side is picked.
