0
Our cup runneth over: Catchpole
Jamie Pandaram
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
The Wallabies' World Cup aspirations may have stalled before the competition gets under way because too many players are being considered for the side and combinations will not have time to properly develop, according to former captain Ken Catchpole.
Australia's finest would need to work in fast-forward motion during the next seven months if they were to have a realistic chance of winning the Cup in October, said the legendary halfback, who captained the Wallabies 13 times in the 1960s.
Speaking with the Herald during a meeting between 14 former Wallabies captains and the ARU at the game's headquarters in North Sydney yesterday, Catchpole expressed doubts that the 45 players selected for an extended Cup squad were genuine contenders.
"I think [the Wallabies' coaching staff] really need to have a concerted effort to narrow down the number of players they consider [will be] playing at the World Cup, and give them as much time, both for themselves and the combination of the team, as possible," Catchpole said.
"They've got to start pairing scrumhalves and flyhalves, perhaps centre/wingers, the second-rowers, flankers, and get a game plan - not necessarily just one game plan - and pretty much know how the other major teams in the world are going to play, and develop a plan to combat that.
"Some of the younger players look promising but whether they will be able to make the grade and step up by the World Cup is a little doubtful, I think."
However, Wallabies coach John Connolly said the system in place not only aimed to create depth for a side that will attempt to win a third World Cup for Australia, but also set up an experienced player pool for future campaigns. "The game is not the same game we had five years ago, and definitely not the same game we had 25 years ago," said Connolly. "They had five Tests a year and now we've got up to 13 Tests a year and on top of that the Super 14 and maybe a couple of trials.
"With that kind of schedule you are going to get variations in form, players will fall in and out of form, and you need back-ups.
"For the Wallabies going forward, we also need to create competition for places. We have George Smith competing with Phil Waugh, Wycliff Palu competing with David Lyons, Rocky Elsom competing with Hugh McMeniman, and all those players will be around for this World Cup and the next. We are so much further advanced than we were 12 months ago."
Catchpole reserved judgement on the veteran half and five-eighth partnership of George Gregan and Stephen Larkham, saying the Super 14 would show whether the pair should again wear the No.9 and 10 jerseys for a third successive World Cup.
"They will certainly be considered, I have no doubt about that, we'll have to wait and see in the Super 14 and the Test matches as to what is the best combination to go with," he said.
"A couple of younger players I think could fill that position reasonably well, scrumhalf particularly but also perhaps the flyhalf position, so I think that will be a challenge both to them and for our coach."