Waugh's grip on Test spot slipping

Greg Growden | May 18, 2009


WHILE Stirling Mortlock is this week expected to be confirmed as Wallabies Test captain, the Waratahs skipper, Phil Waugh, is under threat of missing out on the 30-man Australian training squad.

Another prominent Wallaby, Western Force utility back Ryan Cross, is also among a group of recent Test players who might be excluded from the Wallabies squad to be announced next week for the June internationals.

Despite recent threats of Mortlock losing the Test captaincy because of his fluctuating form with the Brumbies this season, in which he has played out of position on the wing, he is still in favour with the Wallabies hierarchy, who admire his leadership, skills and passion. Mortlock's fourth season as Wallabies captain is scheduled to be rubber-stamped by the Australian Rugby Union this week.

Elsewhere, several senior Wallabies are justifiably nervous. While Waugh has had an excellent season with the Waratahs, his disappointment at the team missing out on the Super 14 finals will be heightened if Wallabies coach Robbie Deans opts for just two openside flankers in his squad.

George Smith will be among the first selected, with his back-up expected to be David Pocock, who is highly rated by Deans and looked upon as a future Test skipper.

This puts Waugh, who boasts 77 Test caps, under pressure. What could save him is that Deans will contemplate selecting three openside flankers. Waugh might get in due to uncertainty surrounding whether Rocky Elsom will return to the Wallabies this season.

As Elsom procrastinates on his future and with Hugh McMeniman injured, the Wallabies do not have a high-profile specialist blindside flanker, which could force Deans to consider playing two back-row flyers, such as Smith and Pocock. Waugh would then be required as a bench player.

Deans has picked two openside flankers on the bench before, with Pocock and Waugh both reserves in last November's Bledisloe Cup match in Hong Kong.

The other contentious area is in the midfield, and whether Timana Tahu or Cross misses out. Deans gave a clue recently that some well-known names would miss out, and Cross might be one of those. Adam Ashley-Cooper is also in some doubt, but Deans is likely to continue with him at fullback.

The make-up of the squad will revolve around whether the Test selectors decide that James O'Connor should be included, rather than go to the under-20 World Cup in Japan.

O'Connor is being touted as a future Test fullback who could threaten Ashley-Cooper's position in the squad.

However, there is a strong belief at the ARU that it would be in O'Connor's best interests to play in the youth World Cup before being included in the Wallabies squad for the Tri Nations series.

NSW hooker and under-20 representative Damien Fitzpatrick is in a similar situation, as he is also in line for the Wallabies squad. With Fitzpatrick set for Japan, Huia Edmonds is the most likely to take the third hooker's spot, behind Stephen Moore and Tatafu Polota-Nau.

The Wallabies tight-head prop position remains a problem area, due to a disconcerting lack of depth. This should mean Al Baxter holds on to his Test spot, with Guy Shepherdson in line for a recall.

The unluckiest player remains Queensland's Will Genia, who was in contention for a halfback spot before being injured last week. Deans might opt for only two halves - Luke Burgess and Josh Valentine.

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