No player a lock in Cheika’s Wallabies

WALLABIES coach Michael Cheika has defended some of his puzzling Test selections saying it’s about building depth in the Australian squad and nailing the best combinations.

Veteran lock Kane Douglas said this week he didn’t know where he stood in the Wallabies’ pecking order after being dumped from the squad to face Argentina in the Rugby Championship clash in Canberra.

Cheika has chosen his fourth different starting lock combination of the year, with Rob Simmons and Adam Coleman, and the eighth since the 2015 World Cup. But the coach said inconsistent performances in matches and at training meant it wasn’t clear who was Australia’s best duo.

He said he axed Rory Arnold for his showing in the draw with South Africa, while he sent Douglas back to the NRC to get more game time.

“Obviously I don’t know yet because I think we’re developing and I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that,” Cheika said.

“We’ve got some young players coming through and we’ve got some more established like Simmons and this week we’ve had Lukhan Tui in the squad as well. We see where our future is and right now we’re looking for players to fight for those spots.”

Cheika denied there had been a turnstile for Wallabies debutantes, who had been cast aside after only an appearance or two.

While 22 players had made their debut since the 2015 World Cup, Cheika said only a handful, including halfback Nick Frisby and UK-based flanker Leroy Houston, were no longer part of the larger squad.

He said he needed to estab- lish as much depth as possible in Australia’s ranks.

“You can’t create depth by clicking your fingers. You’ve got to get into a program that will set us going forward,” he said. “The guys we brought in at the start of 2016 like Dane Haylett-Petty and Rory Arnold — they’re into doubledigit caps and in another year they will have 20 and 30 caps and they’re going to have the right age profile.”

Cheika said he was always clear with players about where they stood and what they needed to improve on.

“We’re always communicating a clear picture of not just where they stand overall but where they stand in direct relation to their opponents.” AAP