Pat McCabe: Could start at full-back
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Wallabies coach Robbie Deans faces a selection dilemma at full-back for the Test against Argentina in Rosario on Saturday.
With Berrick Barnes and Adam Ashley-Cooper both sidelined through injuries sustained in the loss to South Africa, Deans has to choose between Mike Harris and Pat McCabe for the number 15 jersey against the Pumas.
Luke Morahan has joined the squad as a replacement but Australia's selectors are not keen on starting him due to his late arrival and lack of preparation for the role.
Kurtley Beale was the Wallabies' first-choice full-back last year but Deans indicated that he does not want to move him from the pivot role where he had a good attacking game against the Springboks in Pretoria despite playing on the back foot for most of the game.
"A tough circumstance for (Beale) not only going back to five-eighth but also when you look at the nature of the game," Deans told AAP.
"He didn't get a great platform but he did offer a lot to the group.
"He got us on the front foot through his efforts ... he was great."
Harris moved to full-back during the second half against the Springboks and scored a try but his only recent experience in the position was for the Reds against the Lions in a Super Rugby match where he had difficulty dealing with the high ball.
McCabe played most of the 2011 Super Rugby season at full-back for the Brumbies before being converted to inside centre where has been a standout performer for the Canberra-based franchise and his country.
Meanwhile, the Wallabies received positive news regarding injuries with hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau (head and shoulder), wing Digby Ioane (knee) and number eight Radike Samo (shoulder) all set to recover.
Deans said the trio responded well to treatment and should be available for selection. Australia's team will be announced on Thursday.
Centre Anthony Faingaa has also been cleared of concussion and is set to replace Ashley-Cooper while there's hope lock Sitaleki Timani (hamstring) will also be ruled fit.
Comments
Ferdie says...
AAP reports this as the 'likely' team named tomorrow - Probable Wallabies starting team: Mike Harris, Dom Shipperley, Anthony Faingaa, Pat McCabe, Digby Ioane/Nick Cummins, Kurtley Beale, Nick Phipps; Radike Samo, Michael Hooper, Sitaleki Timani, Nathan Sharpe (capt), Kane Douglas, Ben Alexander, Tatafu Polota-Nau, James Slipper.
If so, at 916kg it's one of the heaviest forward packs ever to play for the Wallabies, playing Timani at 6, and four lineout men (incl Samo).
For all the 'second-string' accusations there's a decent mix of experience/test caps in there.
Posted 01:00 04th October 2012
Ferdie says...
KiwiLad - yes Nathan Sharpe is the man - but can he play fullback?
Similar to the cheeky criticism I saw recently of McCaw, in that how can he be one of the great, he doesn't even kick goals!
Sharpe it is then, the 'real rugby man' of the Wallabies.
Posted 00:46 04th October 2012
Trinats2 says...
KiwiLad says...
"Problem is easily fixed, Have N Sharp as player/Captain/Coach"
He is at the moment !!! There has been no input from Deans !!!
Posted 23:26 03rd October 2012
damo says...
Ferdie read my comment again i said mogg full back, excellent under high ball great counter attacking and pace to burn far better than Mccabe no offence to the latter i know rugby and Mogg could be great.
Posted 22:17 03rd October 2012
KiwiLad says...
Problem is easily fixed, Have N Sharp as player/Captain/Coach.
This true legend of Aus rugby will right the ship...
Posted 10:51 03rd October 2012
Ferdie says...
damo - understood Lealiifano still injured - and he has yet to get his first test cap, bit tough throwing him in at this stage of the tour when he hasn't played since 5 May!
And Henry Speight is not eligible to play for Wallabies till 2013, when he completes his three year residency requirement (from Fiji).
Posted 09:03 03rd October 2012
Westwest says...
Whats with all this dingo deans hatred? A couch cant nuts wave a wand and give all his players immunity to injuries or talent. He still managed to get a rubbish side to 3rd at the RWC? Who will you blame when he is gone?
Posted 07:11 03rd October 2012
KiwiLad says...
Fullback dilemma? thought the problems ran a little deeper than that..
Posted 05:43 03rd October 2012
damo says...
WTF is going on in OZ?????
The Brumbies have the following players all better than the current team selections!!
Matt Toomua,11. Jesse Mogg,12. Christian Lealiifano,13. Andrew Smith,14. Henry Speight,15. Robbie Coleman
In the above surely Mogg is a far far far better selection at 15 than harris who isn't dynamic enough for test rugby!!!!!!
Posted 23:07 02nd October 2012
daibok says...
@peewee2. Sorry.
Posted 16:54 02nd October 2012
Trinats2 says...
Full-back dilemma for Wallabies"
Only because Deans is coach !!! Everyone else can see what needs to be done.
Justice 4:
Aus will be back to No2 next week !!!
Posted 16:02 02nd October 2012
new_j4a says...
@MacTavish, you are a bit out of date. Oz are ranked 3rd. Not that your error in any way detracted from your rather pointless ramble. Are you Scottish? (Would explain a lot)
Posted 15:43 02nd October 2012
passtheball says...
Beale to fullback and Harris to 10.
Might have been better to get some Aussies from Europe UK (Cam Shepperd etc?) considering jet-lag, passports and travel time.
Posted 14:25 02nd October 2012
melkdave says...
Deans atm does seem to have alot of headaches.The simply solution isto move K.Beale to FB and play M.Harris at FH,but then he loses any chance of getting the backline moving,,i bet thay is what Deans is thinking anyway.Myself id give M.Harris ago,he didnt do to badly in the summer after all,and most fans would understand why KBs back at FB for this game.Oh hold on we are talking about australian fans and media though,Who have been calling for RDs head all year and most of last ,till he won the 3Ns for them,the same fans and media who love just piling prssure on the coach ,for no real reason and are looking to get him sacked.No wonder RDs looking for a miracle gameplan against the pumas .But seriously his main problem isnt the backline imo,bad as it is atm ,with the injuries ect.The big problem is the toothless forwards,failing to deliver any kind of workable ball,and being dominated at the breakdown.Wonder just what he can do about that ?? I think we will see the pack again eating dirt come scrumtime as they collaspse it on their put in.to stop being wheeled/pushed off,and struggling in the lineout/,breakdown
Posted 13:55 02nd October 2012
peewee2 says...
@diabok
please don't wind-up georgesmith
because then we all suffer...
no matter which team we support
Posted 13:36 02nd October 2012
zambokke says...
Daibok, are you fishing for a reaction from a certain person to put a smile on your face?
Go Argentina!!!!!
Posted 13:19 02nd October 2012
daibok says...
You have to feel for Deans. At least he has the legend that is N Sharpe as his captain. He ranks for me along with John Eales as one of Australias finest forwards.
Posted 13:04 02nd October 2012
ArmchairGeneral says...
Typo. Depth not debut.
Posted 12:41 02nd October 2012
ArmchairGeneral says...
England would have Armitage or Abendanon to choose from as 4th / 5th fullback. Nice options! We have reverse problem. Plenty of debut not elite performance at the top. If Oz don't want Deans we will have him as attack coach... Sorry Catt.
Posted 10:31 02nd October 2012
Dylbull says...
Isn't Mike Harris a flyhalf?
why not just play him there, rather than playing almost every backline player out of position?
Posted 10:14 02nd October 2012