Just because the Wallabies beat England and put on a fantastic display across the park, it doesn’t mean that we are suddenly a world-beater that can afford to rest players. We should pick our best team and make minimal changes for the Wales Test. The players had a break before the European tour, so we should not be resting players or making changes unless they are forced by injury. They can have a rest in three weeks.
Australian rugby is littered with great games followed by substandard performances, particularly when players are injured or rested, thus exposing a lack of depth. There has always been a big gap between the Wallabies best team and one littered with back-up players. Let’s not get swept away with how well they played and forget that we are deservedly eighth (tenth a few weeks ago) in the world and we punched above our weight last weekend.
There are a couple of injury-forced changes required, with the main decision being whether Will Skelton starts. Last week I was saying Skelton should start. I have shifted my opinion now as we need to keep continuity by starting the core playing group, then use the bench to introduce other options depending on how the game is going.
The Welsh may be in disarray, losing their last ten games; however, they are an international team with a proud history. This is not to suggest the Wallabies would take them lightly, but there is no doubt the coaches will be working hard to ensure they are focused on Cardiff and not sub-consciously starting to get ahead of themselves.
Len Ikitau and Ben Donaldson celebrate Wallabies winning try. (Photo by Andrew Kearns – CameraSport via Getty Images)
The best way to maintain momentum is to make minimal changes to the starting team, execute well, and win this weekend. To do so we must pick our best team, and that includes picking the players who have time in the saddle and have the best chance of executing the game plan:
Bell, Faessler, Alaalatoa (c) (Tupou, Paenga-Amosa, Kailea)
Williams, Frost (Skelton)
Valetini, McReight (vc), Gleeson (Salakaia-Loto)
Gordon, Lolesio (McDermott, Donaldson)
Ikitau, Suaalii (Kerevi)
Pietsch, Kellaway, Wright
I don’t totally agree with the above team as I think Langi Gleeson is lucky to be over there. However, he is part of the core playing group and therefore he will likely be given a starting chance. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto will go to No.6 to strengthen the line out when Skelton comes on. Valetini can be subbed or moved to No.8 depending on how the game is going. Tupou can come off the bench as he is searching for form, and it will help his confidence to have Skelton behind him in the scrum.
Will Skelton. (Photo by Pete Dovgan/Speed Media/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The Wallabies showed enormous progress, and we need to continue to develop combinations. This means that Ikitau and Suaalii should be retained as starting centres. We should not experiment with Suaalii starting at wing or fullback. He is a 13 and he needs time there. Depending on how the game is tracking, he may actually get a run on the wing when Samu Kerevi comes on, or alternatively, Schmidt could have a peek at a Kerevi/Suaalii combination.
I have no doubt that if we had lost to England, there would have been a good chance that Tane Edmed would have been in the 23. However, Lolesio did well, and whilst Lolesio/Donaldson remain our weakest link, they are the logical picks for now.
Hopefully Noah watched how Marcus Smith straightened beautifully for England and took the ball forward, rather than the static shuffling on that we see from the Wallabies at times.
Edmed’s time will come, but given the changes on the bench, Donaldson is the sensible option for this weekend. He will also have benefited by helping to close out last week. If Dylan Pietsch is not fully fit, then Max Jorgensen is the logical starter.
The Wallabies have been a tough team to follow. At times, I have said “I can’t do this anymore.” Yet as a bolted-on rugby supporter, I have kept getting up in the middle of the night. That win brought tears to my eyes. It is amazing what just one win can do not only for the players, but for the rugby public.
Rugby is being talked about for the first time in ages. It shows that there are people out there who still care. It’s time to win them back. It’s time for the players to make winning a habit. And the best way to do that is to pick the best team this weekend.
Don’t think of this as picking a team in the context of it being a four-game Grand Slam with this being the weakest of the four oppositions. Just pick the best team that gives us (and the players) the best chance to enjoy this feeling again next week!