Opinion
My Wallabies squad for the England Test series
Paul Cully
Rugby columnistThe time for Wallabies hopefuls to play their way into Dave Rennie’s squad is almost up.
Rennie will unveil his squad to play England on Sunday week, and the magic number will be 35 players - or very close to it.
The next two weekends might inform a few late decisions, but the likelihood is that most of the squad has already been picked.
There are close calls at hooker, the second row, and the outside backs, and there will be casualties.
The Wallabies carried big squads last year out of necessity, but a trimmed-down 35 will see some familiar names miss out.
This is who I would pick, and why.
Dave Porecki has been in strong form for NSW.Credit:Getty
Hookers (3): Dave Porecki (Waratahs), Lachlan Lonergan (Brumbies), Billy Pollard (Brumbies)
Despite all his obvious qualities, it’s becoming too hard to reward Folau Fainga’a, who still hasn’t rectified his tackle technique. Feleti Kaitu’u’s form, meanwhile, has plummeted this year – perhaps the Western Force captaincy has been a bit of a burden. Porecki should start – he’s tough and accurate – but it’s also time to find out if the Wallabies ‘Dane Coles’ projects can cut it; Lonergan has clearly improved his physicality this year.
Props (5): Taniela Tupou (Reds), Allan Alaalatoa (Brumbies), Harry Johnson-Holmes (Waratahs), James Slipper (Brumbies), Angus Bell (Waratahs)
Straightforward selections, although a line shouldn’t be drawn through the Rebels’ Pone Fa’amausili. He’s been a bit wild since his return, but his obvious desire to get into the faces of the New Zealand sides is a selling point. Scott Sio was in my squad until it was announced that he was leaving the Brumbies. Moana Pasifika could use him, but where would that leave his Test future?
There is no room for Rory Arnold in Paul Cully’s Wallabies squad.Credit:Getty Images
Second-rowers (5): Matt Philip (Rebels), Jed Holloway (Waratahs), Nick Frost (Brumbies), Darcy Swain (Brumbies), Izack Rodda (Force)
There’s no Rory Arnold, who could probably use a few weeks off before coming into contention for The Rugby Championship. Besides, there is enough size and form among the five players above to feel relatively comfortable before the England series. Rodda to partner Swain in the first Test?
Flankers (6): Michael Hooper (c, Waratahs), Fraser McReight (Reds), Pete Samu (Brumbies), Harry Wilson (Reds), Rob Valetini (Brumbies), Rob Leota (Rebels)
Leota 6, Hooper 7, Valetini 8, with Samu on the bench. That might be the way to go for England, unless the Reds duo can change some minds in a hurry. Holloway may also become an option at No.6 in the continued absence of Lachlan Swinton.
Halfbacks (3): Nic White (Brumbies), Tate McDermott (Reds), Jake Gordon (Waratahs)
White will start, with McDermott starting to look like he has the weight of the world on his shoulders at the Reds. The selection for White’s back-up may be closer than people think, although McDermott remains one of my favourite players in the world.
Five-eighths (3): Quade Cooper (Kintetsu Liners), James O’Connor (Reds), Noah Lolesio (Brumbies)
No Tane Edmed, but there doesn’t need to be at this stage. However, if O’Connor’s injury woes persist, Edmed is the pick of the next crop. His core skills are just so strong, and he rarely feels the need to overplay his hand.
Midfielders (4): Samu Kerevi (Suntory Sungoliath), Hunter Paisami (Reds), Izaia Perese (Waratahs), Len Ikitau (Brumbies)
Standby: Lalakai Foketi (Waratahs).
A strong unit, with the vastly improved Foketi unlucky to miss out. However, he might get his chance in Argentina at the start of The Rugby Championship if Kerevi is on sevens duty. Ikitau to hold on to the No.13 jersey despite a strong push from Perese. Defensively, he is excellent, and his partnership with Kerevi was starting to blossom last year.
Outside backs (6): Marika Koroibete (Panasonic Wild Knights), Andrew Kellaway (Rebels), Tom Banks (Brumbies), Suliasi Vunivalu (Reds), Tom Wright (Brumbies), Jordan Petaia (Reds)
Vunivalu needs work, but he has done enough to warrant a closer look. At six players, this unit is a bit bloated, but there is a longer-term picture here. If Rory Arnold is to come back into the frame, the Wallabies will have to learn to live without one of their Japan-based trio. The England series could be a chance to see if Vunivalu, Wright, or Petaia can step up and take on the Koroibete role.
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