Wallabies relying on Christian Lealiifano to lead the way at No.10 against Argentina
Christian Lealiifano’s return to the Wallabies after his cancer battle is one of the most inspirational stories in sport. And he’ll be key to Australia’s chances of success against Argentina.
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In the superlative-heavy world of sport, captain Michael Hooper is spot on when lauding Christian Lealiifano’s comeback on Saturday night as “better than great.”
Beating Argentina at Suncorp Stadium won’t suddenly turn the Wallabies into a great side but it will be a reassuring signpost of desperately needed improvement.
Lealiifano will be integral to any of those gains when he runs out for his 20th Test but his first wearing the No.10 jersey as key playmaker.
Rebuilding his body, his life and his rugby after fighting leukaemia is one of the most uplifting stories in Australian sport not just rugby.
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On Saturday night, he will be judged as he wants to be, purely as a footballer timing the right passes, kicking at the right moments, being vocal and turning conservative when he needs to.
Find the balance and Lealiifano, 31, will get a chance against the All Blacks next month to solidify his status beside Bernard Foley as Australia’s two No.10 picks for the World Cup.
Hooper has always appreciated Lealiifano’s qualities away from the field as he noted of touring Europe together in 2013.
“He’s always been a giver-type personality as far as the attitude, the energy, the aura and being really positive,” Hooper said.
“He’s had a struggle, there’s been a development through that and that’s been, for everyone in Australia, very inspirational.
“It’s better than great, it’s awesome to have him in the team.”
The vital switch that has been flicked this season has been greater control, composure and impact as backline leader at the Brumbies.
Hooper has seen it too: “Watching from afar and playing against him, he had great leadership quality and he built and gained momentum with the way he drove them around.
“Not one is better than other, they are different players (Foley and Lealiifano) with how they play at the line, the different connections, where they sit in the pocket to exit (with kicks) and the minute stuff.”
On a broader view, Lealiifano is coach Michael Cheika’s fifth roll of the dice at No.10 in 20 months after flings with Kurtley Beale, Matt Toomua, Reece Hodge and top man Foley.
One proven connection that Lealiifano will milk is getting strong-running outside centre Tevita Kuridrani far more involved after three paltry runs for 18m against South Africa last weekend.
The value of Kurtley Beale being selected at fullback is that he will bring more ad lib spark and playmaking so Kuridrani, Kerevi and winger Marika Koroibete will get more chances.
Cheika warned earlier this week that the well-rehearsed Argentinians would be even stronger than when they upset the Wallabies 23-19 on the Gold Coast last year.
Utility back James O’Connor will play his first Test in six years from the bench and should get at least 20 minutes while unsung flanker-lock Luke Jones should see the same.
“James has had a couple of weeks with us now and I’ve seen a real attitude on how he can best inject himself into this team on the field and that’s really pleasing,” Hooper said.
“Jonesy is all unbridled, relentless work. The guys putting up hands is crazy with the competition in those areas of Nos. 4-5-6 and broader backrow.”
The competition in the centres is growing too with Cheika receiving a special exemption for young Jordan Petaia to flip from Wests to Sunnybank to get more match practice in Saturday’s Brisbane club round.
With Wests on a bye, the permission means he can build on his 30-minute comeback from mid-foot ligament surgery in the Sunnybank-Bond University clash on the Gold Coast.
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