There’s no episode of The Roar Rugby Show this week as time got away from me, so I thought I’d start a discussion on Wallaby selections to keep us occupied.

With nine rounds of Super Rugby remaining before the Wallabies play France, no player is guaranteed a spot as injuries may still play a role and there is sufficient time for form to change Ewen McKenzie’s mind.

However, 7 of the 15 starting positions are lock-ins barring injury – Stephen Moore, James Horwill, Scott Fardy, Michael Hooper, Quade Cooper, Matt Toomua and Israel Folau.

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Moore is only challenged by Tatafu Polota-Nau but Moore’s continued his really good form from last year, while Polota-Nau has been good without being anywhere near his best. In fact I wonder whether we’re going to see Polota-Nau’s best again.

Horwill is the best lock in Australia by some margin. He regained form last year on the end-of-year tour and has kept it for the Reds this season. There is no other Australian lock who matches his physicality.

Fardy was one of the standouts for the Wallabies in 2013 and his Super Rugby form for the Brumbies has been excellent. While he can play lock as well, his performances at number 6 for the Wallabies last year make him an automatic selection in that position.

Hooper has continued his excellent form of the last two seasons. That puts him well ahead of Liam Gill, and David Pococok is obviously not an option this season. Hooper doesn’t play as I like a 7 to play – he’s not an ‘on-baller’ but he offers things that they don’t, and there’s no denying he is a key player for the Wallabies.

Cooper is in really good form and fits McKenzie’s preferred game plan. He will be the player McKenzie builds the team around for the 2015 Rugby World Cup and it won’t surprise me if he continues as vice captain.

Toomua may be playing 10 for the Brumbies but he’s showing exactly what he did at 12 for the Wallabies last year – he’s a good playmaker and his defence is fantastic. He’s also the perfect foil for Cooper at 10. Kurtley Beale may continue to play well at 12 for the Waratahs but I don’t think he’ll be first choice for the Wallabies and I don’t think Kyle Godwin will get a look-in based on his form.



Folau will probably be the first picked by McKenzie – he’s already one of the top five players in world rugby. He may be the only player no one argues about on this list.

I’ll add another three who are in good form, have the experience and are regular selections – Rob Simmons, Will Genia and Tevita Kuridrani.

Many of you will be jumping up and down regarding Simmons but he’s playing better than any of the other candidates outside of Horwill. Hugh Pyle has been disappointing this season and is off to France next year. Kane Douglas has been good without looking like a Test player. Will Skelton has shown only glimpses of what he’ll eventually be capable of.

Simmons is also a key lineout player and if for no other reason, he’ll be selected alongside Horwill.

While Genia hasn’t been in scintillating form, he’s been pretty good. I agree with those who are frustrated by the amount of poor kicking we see from him in Super Rugby but he’s still the best halfback in Australia.

Luke Burgess has been poor for the Rebels and I’m not surprised that Nic Stirzaker started ahead of him last week. Nick Phipps is playing better than he did at the Rebels but isn’t up to Test standard. Nic White is making just as many mistakes with his kicking as Genia and isn’t running either – he’d be the backup.

Kuridrani hasn’t played much rugby in 2014 but was good for the Wallabies last year and even in the limited match time he’s had for the Brumbies this year he’s shown he’s in good form. McKenzie will want to continue his development outside Cooper and will be looking to channel a lot of the wide attack through Kuridrani running straight and hard to get the Wallabies over the gain line.

That’s seven absolutes and three near certainties for me. Who could fill the remaining five spots?



Loosehead prop – James Slipper or Scott Sio would be my leading candidates. Benn Robinson wouldn’t be, based on form. I’ve rated him as one of the Wallabies’ best and for me he used to be, but his scrummaging since the introduction of the new laws hasn’t been up to scratch. Hopefully someone is working with him on his technique. We haven’t seen enough this season from Toby Smith to warrant selection.

Tighthead prop – Sekope Kepu is the incumbent but Ben Alexander has been performing well for the Brumbies. I’ve been critical of Alexander in the past because of his poor technique. However, he looks to have made some adjustments to his feet positioning this season and is much more stable.

A front row of Sio, Moore and Alexander is likely given how well they’ve scrummaged together for the Brumbies. However, I won’t be surprised if Slipper gets the nod ahead of Sio. Kepu will be the remaining prop in the squad.

Number 8 – regardless of the fact he’s leaving for France, Ben Mowen’s form hasn’t been good enough to feature in the short list, so it comes down to Wycliff Palu or Scott Higginbotham.

Palu is in slightly better form than Higginbotham but the question of durability leading into the Tests against France won’t go away unless he continues strongly. Higginbotham has been good for the Rebels – very good in a couple of matches – so is a real option. This one’s too close to call, it will be great to see what they can do to grab the opportunity.

The two wing positions are both very open. Joe Tomane hasn’t shown great form this season, Henry Speight isn’t eligible and Christian Feauai-Sautia is injured. I don’t think Jesse Mogg or Kurtley Beale are genuine options as wingers. I’d be looking at Nic Cummins, Luke Morahan or Adam Ashley-Cooper. Ashley-Cooper is likely to grab one spot and the other is too close to call at this stage.

Oh and by the way, James Horwill will be the captain – you can lock that in, barring injury of course.