Fairytale Wallabies return for Lealiifano
IN THE superlative-heavy world of sport, captain Michael Hooper is spot on when lauding Christian Lealiifano’s comeback tonight as “better than great”.
Beating Argentina in The Rugby Championship Test at Suncorp Stadium won’t suddenly turn the Wallabies into a great side, but it will be a reassuring signpost of desperately needed improvement.
Lealiifano will be integral to any of those gains when he runs out for his 20th Test but his first wearing of the No.10 jersey as key playmaker.
Rebuilding his body, his life and his rugby after fighting leukaemia is one of the most uplifting stories in Australian sport, not just rugby.
Tonight, he will be judged as he wants to be, purely as a footballer timing the right passes, kicking at the right moments, being vocal and turning conservative when he needs to.
Find the balance and Lealiifano, 31, will get a chance against the All Blacks next month to solidify his status beside Bernard Foley as Australia’s two No.10 picks for the World Cup in Japan.
Hooper has always appreciated Lealiifano’s qualities away from the field as he noted of touring Europe together in 2013. “He’s always been a giver-type personality as far as the attitude, the energy, the aura and being really positive,” Hooper said.
“He’s had a struggle; there’s been a development through that and that’s been, for everyone in Australia, very inspirational.
“It’s better than great, it’s awesome to have him in the team.”
The vital switch that has been flicked this season has been greater control, composure and impact as backline leader at the Brumbies.
Hooper has seen it too: “Watching from afar and playing against him, he had great leadership quality and he built and gained momentum with the way he drove them around.”
On a broader view, Lealiifano is coach Michael Cheika’s fifth roll of the dice at No.10 in 20 months after flings with Kurtley Beale, Matt Toomua, Reece Hodge and top man Foley.
One proven connection that Lealiifano will milk is getting strong-running outside centre Tevita Kuridrani far more involved after three paltry runs for 18m in the 35-17 loss to South Africa at Johannesburg’s Ellis Park last round.
The value of Beale being selected at fullback is that he will bring more ad lib spark and playmaking so Kuridrani, Kerevi and winger Marika Koroibete will get more chances.
Cheika warned this week that the well-rehearsed Argentinians would be even stronger than when they upset the Wallabies 23-19 at Robina’s Cbus Super Stadium last year.
Utility back James O’Connor will play his first Test in six years from the bench and should get at least 20 minutes while flanker-lock Luke Jones should see the same.
“James has had a couple of weeks with us now and I’ve seen a real attitude on how he can best inject himself into this team on the field and that’s really pleasing,” Hooper said.