Outlook crook in Wallabyland

By GREG GROWDEN

Australians don't mind a bit of backslapping. But Australians also know when "things are crook in Tullarook".

Avid followers of Wallaby rugby have relished the past decade when the Australian team have regularly got themselves out of the mire, and shown they've deserved the tag of world rugby's most formidable side.

But as this year's World Cup approaches there is no longer the feeling on this side of the Tasman that the Wallabies are the international trendsetters, or even the team to beat. Instead, Australians are preparing for an All Black-induced drought.

When the first Australian squad was announced last week, for the international against Ireland in Perth this Saturday night, there was hardly rejoicing in the streets. Instead it became an occasion of soul-searching.

"How did he get in? Are we that hard up? Surely they're not looking at him as a backup pivot?" And on and on.

For a long time, Australian triumphs have camouflaged the fact that they have got away with minimum resources. Restricted to three Super 12 teams, Australia have never been able to boast enormous depth in rugby, especially as each province has often had to make do with average performers.

And when the test side is struck with injury, as they currently are, with eight frontline players sidelined with a variety of ailments, their limitations really get exposed.

So Australia will go into the Ireland test with an untried centre combination in Steve Kefu and Morgan Turinui, a front row which still has to sort itself out, no specialist blindside flanker, and no proper backup to Elton Flatley at No 10. And the backline will be relying on players interchanging, in particular Joe Roff and Chris Latham at fullback and wing.

One could hardly say the Wallabies are going into their international campaign in a settled or satisfied state.

Nonetheless, Wallaby coach Eddie Jones is nowhere near despairing. For well over a year, Jones has wanted to dismantle the cosy Wallaby party.

He is envious of All Black coach John Mitchell, and how on last year's end-of-season tour of Europe he was able to try out so many new players and dramatically broaden the base of his national squad.

Jones wanted to do the same. For some time he has been irked by the lack of skill in several of his test players, in particular two or three members of his backline.

He wanted to put the cattle prod on a few of them, but couldn't because there were no alternatives.

Like Mitchell, he had earmarked the end-of-season tour, of Argentina and Europe, last November as the chance to unsettle the mix.

But that didn't happen. Too few alternatives stood out, screaming "pick me" at selection time, while Jones' prime aim of the tour - sorting out Mat Rogers' best spot in the backline - came to nothing.

Rogers, whom Jones had high hopes of turning into a test No 10, was hurt in the first test against the Pumas, and became a passenger for the rest of the tour.

Now at last Jones can try some new faces.

He has been wanting to play Kefu at No 12 for some time, and Turinui has been in Jones' little red book since his Australian Schoolboys days.

But the major problem still is getting ample backup for Stephen Larkham at No 10. As the last tour showed when Jones moved Larkham to fullback against England at Twickenham, there are serious concerns that Australia's No 1 pivot now struggles against high-pressure teams.

So there has to be good backup.

Flatley, who will play at first five-eighth against Ireland, as Larkham is injured, is a terrific foot soldier. But after Flatley there is absolutely nothing.

As we say over here: "Things are crook ... "

* Greg Growden is chief rugby writer for the Sydney Morning Herald.