given the lack of depth at 10 my honest opinion is...
Foley was park /grade player at best initially that turned out OK... but seemed to suffer /choke in big matches.
He is pretty robust and good in running attack and decent defender but not overly creative.
This all said i think he is lowest risk 10 in aussie rugby.
Christian Leal has played well at 10 in Perth but below average in Auckland. I honestly think he is past use-by-date but his ability to straighten the line in attack does have it over Foley - sadly though he showed lack of composure to kick the couple of penalties the other night.
More to the point White in at 9 has made ALL the difference. Australia hasnt had a good 9 since Genia peaked in 2011... A good HB makes any 10 look better - with more time and defence unsure.
In short - I like Toomua at 10 White at 9 kerevi 12 - still not sure of JOC at13 but i think he needs to be in that backline somewhere.
Interstingly back in about 2012 Robbie Deans gave JOC a fair bit of time at 10... shame that didnt continue to develop... as JOC speed and smarts are perfect for Aussie rugby 10.
Thats a start...
Some interesting points there Red. I agree Foley is the lower risk option. I like the prospect of a big and robust midfield: Foley, Kerevi, Kuridrani. I think that is a nightmare that would take some beating. However, Kerevi is slow dominant, you could afford a Lea at 10. I think he did a good job in that blowout victory over New Zealand, but his kicking has long been iffy. I recall Jake trying him out at 10, mostly due to injuries, and his kicking was more of the same. JOC is being readied for 10 in the WC in the case of an emergency, so Cheika is aware of the possibilities. I'm not that sure about him being in the side, so I'll keep an eye on him moving forward. There is potential there. Toomua had some good gains at 10, I think it was around 2013 that I was backing him at 10, but I do still like him as more of a 12. He was very assertive in the last game. At least the Wallabies have some options. I think they may have found themselves at just the right time, irrespective of that loss at Eden Park. I think the success of the halfbacks in the record win though highlights the importance of the pack. I think losing Arnold was a big blow. Kudos to Nic on an unbelievable resurgence. I agree, Genia reached his peak in 2011.
Arnold and Skelton in the locks would make the aussie pack very formidable... I'd go as far to say with Pocock off the bench and these two as starting locks... all of a sudden thats a fwd pack to be reckoned with... unusual for Australian team...
As big as the Kerevi, Kuridrani combo is... and then Koribete out wide... seems to be a little heavily reliant on Fijian boys - who there is much to love about - but balance could be compromised.
With Naisarani, Kerevi and Koribete all as guranteed starters Im not too sure you can include Kuridrani too... on saying that I will trust in Cheika's judgement for this -
My bigger concern is which loose fwds will be in the mix - hooper / pocock cant start together mean ing pocock off the bench is the only real solution?
BTW good article in on foxsports today - talking about RWC squad for Oz. I think Skelton will be there purely on fact that Oz needs as much physicality in forward pack as can find - politics aside... however, if ralene gets a say then I clearly will be wrong.
Problem with the Wallabies is with their forwards, they don't create a platform for the scrummie and flyhalf to play to their potential. We saw a rare bit of forward dominance in Perth but that's few and far between. Absolutely nothing wrong with the backline, it just needs some good old fashioned solid grunt from the forwards . Just my 5 cents.
O'Connor ..... didn't he once feature at fullback as well?
Yeah JOC played 15 through to 10 - I think only place he hasn't played for Oz now is at is 9... although with his build and speed could probably make a go of that too...
I suggest he could well be used at 15 if Beale injured or use Beale off bench for bit of creativity.
Hes super versatile player who would have been mainstay in Aussie Rugby if wasnt for his immature behaviour through his early-mid 20s - looks like hes a very focussed 29yo now...
Agree Denny - Aussie forwards need to show up and the sooner they get Will Skelton back raises the Wobs chances... whether internal imbecile politics stop him is an unknown matter...
I'm not a Skelton fan, that aside they need more than him, for a start there are no ball carriers.
Nairserani, Arnold, Tupo + Skelton all have size and fwd momentum - all ball carrying options in fwds.
I like Luke Jones too played for rebels - got cameo vs kiwis in perth - he has more of a traditional blind side flanker type build... who can run the ball into contact well too.
Saying all this I tend to agree...
Got game v samoa next where hopefully some of the fringe guys can stake a claim...
