RWC quarter-final: Wallabies team v England, Kurtley Beale injury news
Michael Cheika will unleash a new-look backline against England that includes three-Test rookie Jordan Petaia - but the Wallabies coach won’t reveal why he’s taking the massive risk.
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Wallaby coach Michael Cheika doesn’t really want to say why he picked teenage whizkid Jordan Petaia for Australia’s World Cup clash quarterfinal with England.
But he wants everyone to watch him this weekend because he’s convinced the kid’s a gun.
Cheika’s reason for not wanting to talk too much about his shock selection at outside centre is simple - he doesn’t want to give any tips to his old rival Eddie Jones, who is plotting to bring down his homeland.
“I don’t want to give the reasons why, I don’t want to tell the other team what we want to do. I’d rather keep it myself to be honest,” Cheika said.
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What Cheika did say though was that he had no doubts whatsoever that the 19-year-old is ready for the pressure of playing in a World Cup knockout match, even though he has only made two brief Test appearances.
He insisted there was never any secret plan to unleash Petaia on the unsuspecting Poms but he forced his way into selection by impressing everyone.
“We didn’t sit back and earmark this game for him to come and play at 13,” Cheika said.
“I trust him infinitely and that’s why he’s been chosen.
“I don’t know how he’s feeling but he’s looking good as gold, he’s as happy as Larry, like he always does.
“He doesn’t give away too much. He just cruises around and he’s been excellent in training.
“He’s just a good young rugby player. He’s pretty relaxed but he’s very well prepared. That’s the one thing I’ve noticed about him, he gives off a demeanour of cool and chill but he’s very well prepared both off the field. He has been preparing himself for a long time getting himself ready.”
Samu Kerevi, who will partner Petaia in the midfield, said he also has no doubts his fellow Queenslander is on his way to greatness.
“I’ve had thoughts about Jordy since the first day he actually walked into our club at the Reds, the way he trained,” Kerevi said.
“I think he just had that rare talent and now he’s really refining that, becoming the player that he is.
“He’s still writing his own story, I’m really excited to see how he goes, not just for this weekend but the rest of his career. From the first time I seen him at training and the way he is, he’s going to be one of the greats.”
Cheika said the hardest decision he faced in picking the team was the players he left out, including Dane Haylett-Petty, who has been one of Australia’s most consistent performers in the tournament but missed out to the returning Reece Hodge at wing and Kurtley Beale at fullback.
“Kurtley’s jumping out of his skin to go. I know it was a tough decision but all of them are when it comes to this stage,” Cheika said.
“I’m a big believer in Beale, I know what he can bring to the game.
“My attention is always on just Australia, the type of game we can bring and how we can attack the opposition whether that’s with the ball or without it. Not thinking about how we’re going to defend the opposition and what they attack us with.
“Then it becomes a battle of will, who wants to attack more? When I talk about attack I’m not just talking about with the ball. I’m talking about who wants to attack more. We’re almost I suppose dead in that way because the fear inside us is dead. We’re not afraid to go there and get it and that means it’s going to be a great game.”
WALLABIES TEAM TO FACE ENGLAND
15 Kurtley Beale, 14 Reece Hodge, 13 Jordan Petaia, 12 Samu Kerevi, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Christian Lealiifano, 9 Will Genia, 8 Isi Naisarani, 7 Michael Hooper (c), 6 David Pocock, 5 Rory Arnold, 4 Izack Rodda, 3 Allan Alaatlatoa, 2 Tolu Latu, 1 Scott Sio
Reserves: 16. Jordan Uelese, 17. James Slipper, 18. Taniela Tupou, 19. Adam Coleman, 20. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 21. Nic White, 22. Matt To’omua, 23. James O’Connor
Originally published as RWC quarter-final: Wallabies team v England, Kurtley Beale injury news