The good news is that the Wallabies will be competitive

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This was published 5 years ago

The good news is that the Wallabies will be competitive

By Paul Cully

In seven weeks from now the Wallabies will kick off their Test season against Ireland in Brisbane and Israel Folau will just be a rugby player again.

Things will settle down, and when they do the Wallabies landscape will look better than it appears today.

Focus of attention: Israel Folau will be a key player when the Wallabies take on the Irish.

Focus of attention: Israel Folau will be a key player when the Wallabies take on the Irish.Credit: AP

It has almost gone unnoticed but the right players are finding some form and the Australian playing pool has been blessed on the injury front. Of the likely starters only Jack Dempsey is currently sidelined, which must qualify as a modern-day miracle.

Start up front. As with last year, Sekope Kepu's return has resuscitated a struggling scrum.

In 2017, he came in to bolster the Wallabies after Allan Alaalatoa's early issues and now he has done the same for the Waratahs. He starts at tight-head, and the big question is who sits on the bench? Taniela Tupou must be pushing Alaalatoa hard.

Hooker is more problematic. The concerns ease a little if Tatafu Polota-Nau returns from the UK, which is increasingly looking like a necessity to deal with the wily Irish captain Rory Best.

Scott Sio gets the nod at loose-head. He dominated the Highlanders last week and that was timely because James Slipper has been throwing his extra weight into contact with almost a reckless attitude to self-preservation.

Adam Coleman's form worries me, but his class should shine through and his mongrel will return in the Wallabies camp once unburdened by the demands of the Rebels captaincy.

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Alongside him, Rory Arnold is the rising force, or you could opt for the Brad Thorn-fuelled work of Izack Rodda. There is certainly no lack of size to confront brilliant Irish youngster James Ryan.

In the back row, the collective class level rises up a notch. Michael Hooper and David Pocock are performing strongly. That will have already been noted by Irish coach Joe Schmidt. To complete the unit, I would give Dempsey until the last second of the last day before selection to prove his fitness.

The Waratah is still returning from his serious hamstring injury, but if he can put together some games in Super Rugby before the series starts he has the class to reclaim the No.6 jersey. If that does not eventuate, Caleb Timu is staking a claim.

The halves pick themselves, and that in itself is a strength. In fact, after two years of upheaval and many new caps, the familiarity of this year's Wallabies side should allow then to hit the ground running.

Will Genia and Bernard Foley are still the men to go to, with support from Jake Gordon and Kurtley Beale.

The latter, of course, starts at No.12. His ability to switch roles with Foley keeps opponents guessing, and there are few who play the game with such optimism. He's a handful.

Tevita Kuridrani wears the No.13 jersey because we know that come Test season he has the ability to go up a gear. He will not have enjoyed being skinned by Ben Smith in Dunedin last weekend but some of his powerful ball carries are returning.

On one flank, Marika Koroibete gets the nod. His desire to run over everyone, always, puts a limit on his growth (can someone teach him a sidestep) but his work rate and pace are undeniable. Taqele Naiyaravoro's case is harmed by two things: first, he is leaving; second, the Irish would turn him around with their kicking game.

For a man whose hair is never out of place, Dane Haylett-Petty was inaccurate last week. There is still time for him to claim the other wing role, but for now Reece Hodge with his versatility and monster boot still appeals.

Folau slots in at fullback. The Waratahs have pushed him to the right wing but Michael Cheika is unlikely to do the same.

After Folau's "sabbatical" last year and the current good fortune with injuries, Cheika will finally feel he has a full and settled squad to pick from.

Possible Wallabies 23 for first Ireland test

1. Scott Sio

2. Tatafu Polota-Nau

3. Sekope Kepu

4. Rory Arnold

5. Adam Coleman

6. Jack Dempsey

7. Michael Hooper (c)

8. David Pocock

9. Will Genia

10. Bernard Foley

11. Marika Koroibete

12. Kurtley Beale

13. Tevita Kuridrani

14. Reece Hodge

15. Israel Folau

Replacements: Jordan Uelese, James Slipper, Taniela Tupou, Izack Rodda, Caleb Timu; Jake Gordon, Samu Kerevi, Dane Haylett-Petty

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