Cheika tests halves pairs
with North Queensland Cowboys player TIME is so critically short before the Rugby World Cup the Wallabies are facing the reality their options in the halves come only as package deals. It has to be Bernard Foley with Nick Phipps or a Quade Cooper- Will Genia alliance.
Blending four such established players might have benefits on a long tour or 18 months out, but the Wallabies have only five lead- in Tests and two easier World Cup games against Fiji and Uruguay to hit their peak this year.
Everything is aimed at a supreme performance against hosts England at Twickenham on October 3.
Wallabies boss Michael Cheika admitted his halves most likely would come as a proven pair, which is not to underrate Brumbies Nic White, Christian Lealiifano and Matt Toomua being in camp as well.
“No doubt you can mix- andmatch but the logic is to try to couple them ( as established pairs) where possible,’’ Cheika said after another intense 15on- 15 game simulation in camp on the Sunshine Coast.
“You throw in a Matt Giteau from a totally different scene ( coming from French rugby) and it gives us some very interesting playmaking options.’’