RWC RANT No.4

The Wallabies starting XV to play Fiji in their opening game looks pretty strong and I am rather grateful for some of the omissions.

Cheika is certainly big on his starters and finishers philosophy, my only concern is a lack of backrow reserves on the bench, I probably would have sacrificed Skelton for McCalman or McMahon. I realise there are the cross positional cover options but hopefully it doesn’t back fire.

I’m confident they’ll perform stronger than England but I’m also confident Fiji will up the anti and be a far greater threat. I just hope the boys don’t sustain any major injuries.

1. Scott Sio (10 Tests)
2. Stephen Moore – c (96 Tests)
3. Sekope Kepu (56 Tests)
4. Kane Douglas (16 Tests)
5. Rob Simmons (53 Tests)
6. Scott Fardy (24 Tests)
7. Michael Hooper – vc (46 Tests)
8. David Pocock (50 Tests)
9. Will Genia (60 Tests)
10. Bernard Foley (21 Tests)
11. Rob Horne (27 Tests)
12. Matt Giteau (96 Tests)
13. Tevita Kuridrani (24 Tests)
14. Adam Ashley-Cooper – vc (108 Tests)
15. Israel Folua (33 Tests)

Reserves

16. Tatafu Polata-Nau (54 Tests)
17. James Slipper (68 Tests)
18. Greg Holmes (18 Tests)
19. Will Skelton (12 Tests)
20. Dean Mumm (37 Tests)
21. Nick Phipps (32 Tests)
22. Matt Toomua (25 Tests)
23. Kurtley Beale (53 Tests)