Wallabies v Ireland: Michael Cheika takes a punt in selection and muscles up
POWER, potential and just a shade of peril. That’s the summary of Michael Cheika’s first Wallabies team of the year, which will take on Ireland on Saturday in Brisbane.
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POWER, potential and just a shade of peril. That’s the summary of Michael Cheika’s first Wallabies team of the year, which he named today to meet Ireland on Saturday in Brisbane.
The team is part predictable and part new territory for the Wallabies, with the latter mostly coming via injury-enforced debutants.
No.8 Caleb Timu and hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa will not only make their debuts, the Reds pair will start.
Against a world No.2 Ireland team rolling in hot, it’s a tough first gig.
But Cheika has picked a team to combat the forward-dominant game of the Irish, leaning towards muscle and strong-running options in tight selection calls. He has gone with a six-two bench.
So they won’t be bossed in contact but the same strategy opens up some risk.
Samu Kerevi at No.13 is the biggest gamble. Kerevi is a powerhouse with the ball in hand but his defensive reads are routinely exploited by rivals.
Here is a breakdown of the selections.
FRONT ROW
Sio and Kepu are Australia’s best and most experienced props, so little surprise here. Paenga-Amosa is a rookie but he’s far from a green kid. Several years in club rugby and the NRC hardened the former garbo and he has held his own in Super Rugby all year.
The more interesting picks are on the reserves bench, with Tolu Latu coming from nowhere to be picked as reserve hooker based on his experience. It’s no surprise to see Taniela Tupou’s explosiveness and much-improved scrummaging win him a bench spot — and his last-quarter impact will be fascinating. But making Allan Alaalatoa the back-up loose-head is a left-field call; he has played nearly all his footy at tight-head, and Tom Roberston is in good form. It shows Cheika wants power at scrum time, for 80 minutes. No free penalties for Jonny Sexton.
LOCKS
Coleman was a selection lock but again Cheika leans towards muscle with Izack Rodda over Rob Simmons.
Having Lukhan Tui on the bench means he can bring in fresh legs but not lose any jumpers late in the game.
BACK ROW
The Pooper takes a new form, with Pocock named for his first-ever start at No.6. In truth, it won’t change much. They’ll be hard on the ball as usual. Hooper will have to up his running game, though.
Many thought Timu would start from the bench but with no Ned Hanigan, Jack Dempsey or Sean McMahon at his disposal this week, Cheika’s hand was forced. Tui wasn’t ready to play No.6 in a Test match.
Don’t be surprised to see Pete Samu playing 30-plus minutes off the bench. Cheika has solid reasons for banking on the Aussie Crusader being Test-match quality.
HALVES
No shocks. Genia and Foley are the best in the land. Beale would be the back-up, as per usual.
CENTRES
Beale was always a lock but Kerevi over Tevita Kuridrani or Curtis Rona? Hmmm.
Attack-wise, Kerevi is a powerhouse but there is definitely peril in the equation when it comes to his defence.
Time and again rivals have exploited Kerevi’s capacity to make bad reads and bite in, leading to line breaks and tries.
He has the most missed tackles in Super Rugby and at Test level those tendencies will be only be more highlighted.
Put it this way, the last time Kerevi played No.13 for Australia was the first half of the opening Bledisloe Cup game in Sydney last year. He was replaced at halftime after the All Blacks ran in 40 points in the opening half.
The midfield will be a big focus for Ireland’s attacking strategies.
OUTSIDE BACKS
All three — Israel Folau, Dane Haylett-Petty and Marika Koroibete — were the obvious choices. Folau is in exceptional form and Haylett-Petty is one of the best bomb defusers in the squad, too. Koroibete won’t be too stressed about high balls either but expect Jonny Sexton to try and kick the ball behind Koroibete. The Rebels winger doesn’t like kicking and the Irish will try to get him to run from his own 22, force a turnover and apply pressure.
Reece Hodge will have a busy afternoon covering every back position from 10 out.
VERDICT
Muscle will be required by the Wallabies to beat Ireland, and Cheika has picked a team with plenty. The attacking potency of Genia, Foley, Beale and Folau can do damage if they get fast, front-foot ball.
But smarts and discipline will be arguably the most crucial element of all for Australia. Ireland have a brilliant capacity to exploit people making bad decisions. Coaches included.
Originally published as Wallabies v Ireland: Michael Cheika takes a punt in selection and muscles up