Wallaby Tour: Cheika’s lineout gamble against Wales

Michael Cheika admits he is taking a huge lineout gamble in the Test against Wales.

Starting XV.

Michael Cheika admits he is taking a huge lineout gamble in the opening Grand Slam Test against Wales this weekend by naming three non-traditional jumpers in the Wallabies backrow.

With lineout specialist Dean Mumm suspended for the game, Cheika has decided to overlook noted jumper Scott Fardy for the more dynamic breakdown trio of David Pocock, Michael Hooper and Lopeti Timani.

With Australia’s lineout having been targeted successfully at different stages throughout this year, the pressure on hooker Stephen Moore and key second-row targets Rory Arnold and Adam Coleman will be huge at Millennium Stadium on Sunday morning (AEDT).

“We’ve got to play the lineout exactly how we want, everything technically correct, good jumps, good movement,” Cheika said.

“The first game or two of the (Rugby) Championship we struggled a little bit, but since then we’ve been pretty good, we’ve only lost the odd throw here or there, usually from the throw that’s a bit low or a good read from the opponent.

“The lineout, we’ve really worked hard on it being technically good and accurate and that training is showing on the field.

“We’ll have to make sure our lineout is working, you can’t play the game without your set piece and we’re very well aware of that.

“We know that will be a big challenge for us, to make sure our lineout is working strong, and even with the formation [that] is not as strong as it was before.

“If you look at the actual jumpers, yes, you’re comparing Dean Mumm to David, yeah, you’re going to have different jumping combinations.

“I still think our lineout has improved, we’ve been working hard on the options.

“Lopeti has been working hard on his jump as well — he’s jumped for Melbourne — he’ll have a role in jumping as well. We believe that if we have the right strategy we’ll still be able to get ball.

“Wales are quite good at defensive lineouts, they’ve got some tall timber, so we’re going to have to be on our money to get that. But we back that, we’ve done it before.”

Aiding Cheika’s tactic, however, is the fact Wales also will be significantly weakened in their lineout following the withdrawal of stalwart Alun Wyn Jones, whose father passed away this week.

Second-rower Jake Ball is similarly set to be ruled out with a rib injury, which means the home side will likely have to blood a debutant from the bench.

Starting the loose forward trio of Pocock, Hooper and Timani means Australia will target the Welsh breakdown with ferocious speed.

“I’m just seeing Pocock back from injury and very motivated,” Cheika said.

“Away from home also, that extra bit of seniority in the side — he’s been a captain of Australia before — and I think the workrate, we’re going to try to play attacking footy, so we’re going to have work quite hard.

“The like-for-like would have been to go with Fardy, but I think Pocock has got other qualities that we’ll want to use in this game.

“Wales are a team that can play long phases, they’ll make you defend a lot of phases and I think both Hooper and Pocock have got very good workrates in defence, and then Timani can put a bit of sting in there.

“We’re looking to have a really high workrate in this first game on tour, and that’s how we’ve set the team up to start.”

In the only other change to the starting side that lost to New ­Zealand in their last match, centre Tevita Kuridrani comes in for the injured Samu Kerevi, ensuring ­Israel Folau will remain at fullback.

The Wallabies coach has yet to finalise his Test bench, with speculation growing that Tolu Latu could be drafted in as hooking cover for Moore ahead of James Hanson.