Picking an Australia team after seven rounds of Super Rugby
Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt may lean a little further forward in his seat during Super Rugby this weekend.
After seven rounds the Waratahs are effectively into the play-offs, Zac Lomax is set to come off the bench for the Western Force and Will Skelton’s Achilles injury has left a huge hole in the Wallabies squad.
Skelton confirmed this week that the French season is over, casting serious doubt on whether he will play for the Wallabies this year.
The Waratahs’ trip to Hamilton has the feel of a finale as Dan McKellar’s team cannot afford to fall too far behind in their first six races. But one win will completely change the course of the season: our game against Chiefs is important.
If the Waratahs respond to that pressure, Schmidt will take notice.
He has a few holes to fill in his first Wallabies squad of the year and could also be looking for a few established players to step up this weekend.
Harry Wilson in particular is under pressure from Brumbies No.8 Charlie Cale.
Despite his heavy workload, there are no signs yet that Cale is losing form or avoiding close-quarter work.
In the bottom five, James Slipper has retired, Angus Bell is at Ulster and Taniela Tupou has had a limited impact in Racing ’92, making just seven appearances since his move to France, the majority of which have come from the bench.
As a result, Waratah props Dan Botha and Tom Lambert, as well as Reds midfielder Isaac Henry, should be taken into consideration after significantly improving their performance levels this season.
Unlike Cale, they are not limited but the quartet could all be classed as newcomers given the amount of rugby the Brumbies No.8 has missed through injury.
A lot can change between now and July, but depending on current form and availability there are some new options the Wallabies will need to consider a year before the Rugby World Cup.
Paul Cully’s Wallabies team
1. Tom Lambert (Waratahs): The 25-year-old is turning into a very good, active player and his best years are ahead of him. The Wallabies cannot afford to lose the Scotland-qualified loosehead for lack of opportunity.
2. Billy Pollard (Brumbies): Despite now being an established Wallaby, the Reds’ Josh Nasser is pressing hard and the competition is increasing at this point.
3. Dan Botha (Waratahs): He’s a great fit at tight end and has certainly brought a Springboks-like solidity to his work on the field.
4. Matt Philip (Waratahs): There has been a statement made since his return to Super Rugby, but Jeremy Williams is also playing well for the Force and Nick Frost will also emerge as the season progresses.
5. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (Reds): Skelton’s absence means the Wallabies are crying out for an enforcer and Salakaia-Loto is the best option at the moment.
6. Rob Valetini (Brumbies): The Brumbies back rower remains the best ball carrier in the entire competition.
7. Fraser McReight (Reds): McReight and Force No.7 Carlo Tizzano were not at their best, but their class is undeniable.
8. Charlie Cale (Brumbies): The biggest move in Super Rugby this year. He can move in tight spaces and use his speed on the edge to emerge as a real rival to Harry Wilson.
9. Ryan Lonergan (Brumbies): The Canberra chief felt like a revelation despite Jake Gordon’s excellent performance in the Waratahs’ win last weekend.
10. Carter Gordon (Reds): Injuries set him back again. But when fit he brings an extra dimension to the Reds.
11. Max Jorgensen (Waratahs): A world-class operator that does something special almost every weekend.
12. Hunter Paisami (Reds): Len Ikitau and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii are likely to be the preferred combination when fit, but Ikitau last played for Exeter in December and Suaalii is still recovering from a hamstring injury.
13. Isaac Henry (Reds): The 27-year-old has overcome some bad luck through injury and is impressive with his pace and running lines.
14. Dylan Pietsch (Force): He returns from injury against the Reds on Saturday. It’s easy to forget the impact he began making at the Wallabies before stepping aside last year. His physicality sets him apart from others.
15. Jock Campbell (Reds): Tom Wright’s return from his ACL injury will be closely watched, but Campbell has put his hand up.
Replacements: Josh Nasser (Reds), Angus Bell (Ulster), Tom Robertson (Force), Jeremy Williams (Force), Tom Hooper (Exeter), Jake Gordon (Waratahs), Noah Lolesio (Shuttles Aichi), Filipo Daugunu (Reds)
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Paul Cully is a rugby columnist for The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect with: X or email.
