RWC RANT NO.9

There are no major surprises in the Wallabies 1st XV but the bench may be causing Cheika & Co some headaches. It will be interesting to see the final cut and I think it will be the difference between the Wallabies winning and losing the game.

The starting XV

1. Scott Sio (12 Tests)
2. Stephen Moore (c) (97 Tests)
3. Sekope Kepu (58 Tests)
4. Kane Douglas (18 Tests)
5. Rob Simmons (55 Tests)
6. Scott Fardy (25 Tests)
7. Michael Hooper (vc) (47 Tests)
8. David Pocock (51 Tests)
9. Will Genia (61 Tests)
10. Bernard Foley (22 Tests)
11. Rob Horne (28 Tests)
12. Matt Giteau (97 Tests)
13. Tevita Kuridrani (25 Tests)
14. Adam Ashley-Cooper (vc) (109 Tests)
15. Israel Folau (34 Tests)

If I was a betting man I’d have to say TPN and Phipps will be on the ticket. The decision between Carter, Mumm, McMahon and McCalman is a tough one. Then there’s Holmes or Smith for the back up prop? It’s hard to predict if Cheika goes for a 5/3 or 6/2 split. Beale has got to be in there somewhere for his versatility as does Toomua, but what to do with Speight, Mitchell and Tomane? I’m not even going to mention Cooper, and Hanson will remain in his No.1s up in the stand and will cover anything that happens down the track. I wonder if he’ll go with his gut or will he let statistics dictate the line up based on what is likely to beat England?

If I had to select the reserves right now it would be a 5/3 split with the following players:

1. TPN (next best rake),
2. Holmes (if Slipper is out),
3. McMahon (because speed to the breakdown will be key and his energy after the 60min mark may be needed),
4. Carter (for his bulk later in the game and lineout ability if Simmons or Douglas gets hurt – although Mumm has the European experience),
5. McCalman (he offers a better balance of playing tight and wide, which would complement someone like Hooper more efficiently than Mumm),
6. Phipps (no other specialist choice and better than testing Giteau at 9),
7. Toomua (Defence, taking it to the line, can cover 10 and 12), and
8. Beale (Can cover wing or fullback, is a risk but his creativity has won us more than it’s lost us games).

Australia vs England at Twickenham, Saturday, October 3, 8:00pm local time (6:00am Sunday AEDT)