500 days to go - how the Wallabies are shaping up for the Rugby World Cup

THE Rugby World Cup is exactly 500 days away — and the Wallabies must use that time to develop a tight-head prop and second-rower.

Brumbies winger Henry Speight would be a certain Wallabies selection, according to Rod Kafer.

THE Rugby World Cup is exactly 500 days away — and the Wallabies must use the intervening period wisely to develop a world-class tight-head prop and second-rower.

That’s the view of Rod Kafer, who believes Australia needs to address those two problem areas if they are to contend for a record third Webb Ellis Cup.

Kafer has chosen a current Wallabies XV and reckons problems in the tight five are Australia’s most pressing concerns ahead of the World Cup in the United Kingdom next year.

“Tight-head prop still remains a bit of an issue,” Kafer told foxsports.com.au

“With Kane Douglas heading overseas our locks are also an issue. But you can pick a pretty hard-working forward pack with what we have currently got.

Kane Douglas is heading overseas, leaving Australia’s second-row stocks thin.

“In the backline there are probably no real surprises there. We’ve got good depth in the backline, plenty of options to choose from and guys who are unlucky to miss out. Blokes like Pat McCabe, Christian Lealiifano will definitely be in the squad.”

There is plenty of rugby to be played between now and Australia’s opening pool clash, against the Oceania 1 qualifier on September 23 at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium.

Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie would hope to have gun flanker David Pocock, currently sidelined after undergoing a second-straight knee reconstruction, back in the fold.

In addition Brumbies winger Henry Speight will be eligible to play for Australia later this year.

Brumbies winger Henry Speight would be a certain Wallabies selection, according to Rod Kafer.

Kafer believes Speight would go straight into the Wallabies side as soon as he became available, and added that Australia’s problem areas up front were far from unfixable.

“Those things could get resolved with the advancement of Will Skelton and a few others,” Kafer said.

“There is a lot of room for improvement.

“Some of the young guys might come through, like (inside centre) Kyle Godwin from the Western Force. I’m not entirely convinced he’s there yet but in 500 days he might be.”

Will Skelton looms as a future solution to Australia’s second-row problems.

The Wallabies have been drawn in a tough group featuring England and Wales with only two teams to qualify for the knockout stages.

Kafer expects both those sides to be hard to beat but was confident the Wallabies side he selected could challenge for the Webb Ellis Cup.

“That team could win the World Cup,” Kafer said.

“A couple of positions we’re a little bit shaky on but we’ve got great depth, particularly in the backline.”

Rod Kafer’s Wallaby team

15. Israel Folau

14. Adam Ashley-Cooper

13. Tevita Kuridrani

12. Matt Toomua

11. Nick Cummins

10. Quade Cooper

9. Nic White

8. Wycliff Palu

7. Michael Hooper

6. Scott Fardy

5. James Horwill

4. Luke Jones

3. Ben Alexander

2. Stephen Moore

1. Scott Sio

Reserves

16. James Slipper

17. Tatafu Polota-Nau

18. Sekope Kepu

19. Will Skelton

20. Matt Hodgson

21. Will Genia

22. Kurtley Beale

23. Jesse Mogg

Originally published as 500 days to go - how the Wallabies are shaping up for the Rugby World Cup