Australian lack of halves depth a real concern

Wednesday night will see the revelation of Michael Cheika’s first Wallabies squad for 2018.

Despite the announcement being just one day away, selections for several key positions still remain unclear.

One of the most significant positions on the field is at No. 10. This position also asks the most of Australia’s talent pool. Bernard Foley is the clear-cut number one choice, but this is almost by default. After Foley, Australian rugby has next to no depth at fly half.

While other top international sides competing next month seem to have a wealth of talent at 10, the same can’t be said for the Australians.

Australia’s June tour opponents Ireland will carry Johnny Sexton, Joey Carbery and an uncapped Ross Byrne, while the All Blacks have a formidable trio in Beauden Barrett, Richie Mo’unga and Damian McKenzie for their series against France – and that’s without considering top class departing talent like Lima Sopoaga.

England will head to South Africa for their series with Owen Farrell, George Ford, Alex Lozowski and Danny Cipriani, – and before his ACL injury, Cameron Redpath – all of whom can or have played 10 at the international level. The South Africans will have the likes of Handre Pollard (26 tests), Elton Jantjies (23 tests) and uncapped Robert du Preez at their disposal.

So what about the Australians?

Outside of Waratah Bernard Foley (55 tests), international-level talent at 10 is sparse. Not only is this immediately alarming for the upcoming June test series, it’s alarming as we are just over one year out from the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

Of the three starting fly-halves for the other Australian Super Rugby franchises, two have played for Australia previously: Brumbies playmaker Christian Lealiifano (19 caps) and Melbourne Rebel Reece Hodge (24 caps).

Lealiifano has played in the No. 10 jersey just five times this season – and said a return to test rugby in June was too soon given his recent recovery from leukemia – while Hodge has started in the 10 jersey at Super Rugby level just once, taking the reins from Jack Debreczeni in week 15.

The remaining logical candidates are all uncapped – Queensland Reds duo Jono Lance and Hamish Stewart, Rebel Jack Debreczeni and Waratah Bryce Hegarty – Kurtley Beale has also spent time at flyhalf, so don’t rule him out as 10 cover. Wharenui Hawera has started for the Brumbies on seven occasions but won’t yet be eligible for Australia on residency grounds.

At this stage, despite his limited time in the jersey, Reece Hodge is the best bet to back up Foley during the June series.

He’ll have one more chance to get reps at 10 before the break, with the Rebels set to take on the Blues at Eden Park in week 16.

Despite his small sample size in the position, Hodge makes the most sense as the backup because of his prior experience at test level. Primarily used as a winger or inside centre – ending 2017 as Michael Cheika’s first choice on the left wing – Hodge has made one previous start at 10 for the Wallabies in a 63-30 beating of Japan last year.

Hodge’s versatility makes him an asset to any team at test level. He has previously stated that he is comfortable playing anywhere in the backline (“maybe not halfback” he said, but that’s still a maybe).

At just 23 years old Hodge could also make a play to usurp Foley as the first-choice 10 long term, which would benefit both parties as Foley is in need of someone breathing down his neck so as to avoid the complacency he has been accused of at times during his career. Foley said earlier in the year that he doesn’t need external pressures to motivate him, but at this point and heading into a World Cup year it couldn’t hurt.

The next area of concern is the Wallaby halfback stocks.

Again there is a clear number one choice in Rebels No. 9 Will Genia, but the 30-year-old has missed the last three weeks of Super Rugby with a strained MCL.

After Genia it’s likely down to Waratahs pair Nick Phipps and Jake Gordon, with Brumbies scrumhalf Joe Powell and Rebel Michael Ruru also in the hunt for a Wallabies nod.

If Genia can’t make his way back in time for the Rebels’ next match against the Blues or the Ireland Test series Michael Cheika will have a big decision to make.

He’ll have to decide whether to stick with Phipps, who has experience on his side but has only appeared in six games this season – starting twice – or blood someone new and have them gain international experience ahead of the World Cup.

Powell picked up three caps at the end of last year, but both Gordon – who was called in as injury cover for the Wallabies last year – and Ruru are uncapped internationally.

If Genia is available it makes thing a lot easier for Cheika as he can ride with his number one option and have 61-test Phipps to fall back on.

If not, Cheika’s hand may be forced and we could see two new Wallaby halfbacks and a new first five-eighth as the coach looks to nail down his halves pairing moving towards the Rugby World Cup.