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While the Reds where the most impressive all season in the Super Rugby competition the other Australian teams struggled and only the Waratah's could even cling to the Red's coat tails. The Waratah's won 10 of their 16 games but injuries took their toll and a depleted 'Tahs team went out in the first round of the play offs. The other 3 Australian sides occupied the bottom 4 of the final standings. Despite their poor showings all these sides have talented players who will be appearing in the Tri Nations.
Kurtley Beale is one of the most exciting open field runners in world rugby at the moment and his goal kicking range makes him 1 of the Wallabies most dangerous weapons. He was the 'Tahs talisman throughout the season and despite only scoring 4 tries he totalled 166 points, making the 7th overall points scorer and the 4th highest ranked Australian. The only problem the Wallabies will have is figuring out how to use him in defence, if Quade Cooper defends at 15 and Beale starts at Fullback where will he defend?
Pat McCabe could be a key player in solving this dilemma, the Brumbies 12 is probably the toughest tackler in the Wallaby squad by moving to the Fly Half position in defence (and the other backs inside 1 position, leaving Beale as the open side winger) the Wallabies should have a very strong inside defence and an extremely formidable counter attacking unit should the opposition kick the ball. McCabe has also scored 3 tries this season so he's not just a defensive instrument in the back line.
James O'Connor is one of the most prodigious talents in world rugby and at the age of 21 already has 27 senior caps, 119 International points, including 10 tries. He was joint top scores in last year's Tri Nations tournament alongside Mills Muliaina, a feat which is even more remarkable when you realise he starts on the wing for Australia when his preferred and Super rugby position is Fly Half. O'Connor is widely expected to "pop- up" in midfield at regular intervals when the Wallabies have possession of the ball and whilst this will be an obvious plus point in open play it could lead to some serious defensive problems if the Australian forwards cannot provide clean and quick ball for their backs.
David Pocock or "Bam bam" to his friends will be the key Wallaby when it comes to recycling quick ball, he was rested at the weekend against Samoa and without his speed to the breakdown and physicality at those breakdowns Australia struggled to win any clean ball. Pocock is not only the key to the Wallabies attacking game plan but his ability to turn over ball or win penalties and make last ditch tackles in defensive situations is also a vital component in their success.
One player who I feel was most unfortunate to miss out on the Wallaby squad is Melbourne Rebels Lock forward Hugh Pyle. The 6 feet 7 inch forward was present at Wallaby training and has been named in their 40 man World Cup training squad. He was the most athletic Lock on display and his support lines where more reminiscent of an Outside Centre than a forward, his ability to arrive on the ball carrier's shoulder combined with his 18 stone 7lbs (118 kg) body mass saw him send more than a few unfortunate cover defenders flying this season. Australia are not wanting for ball carrying lock forwards with the likes of James Horwill, Dean Mumm, Nathan Sharpe and even Daniel Vickerman who returned to the squad at the weekend but at just 22 years old Pyle will surely have a long International career ahead of him.
Blog by @Buck_Mitchell
