48 Test veteran Dean Mumm is the surprise inclusion in the Wallabies back row for the upcoming Rugby Championship match with South Africa. Head Coach Michael Cheika has responded to his critics by including Mumm with the hope of solidifying his sides crumbling lineout. Whilst the man who has played much of his rugby in the second row can surely hope to do that, he has been named to the loss of several rising Wallabies stars.
Dean Mumm to Solve Lineout Woes
Australia have the worst performing lineout in The Rugby Championship with a mere 69% success rate compared to their opponents, South Africa with 95%. Clearly Cheika has identified this as an area that needs vast improvement rapidly. The statistics do show that Dean Mumm is the man to help patch their failing lineout as this tournament off the bench he has mananged to rank 3rd best in lineout takes with 7 only behind Tomas Lavanini (8) and Kieran Read (12). Mumm may well solve the set piece at the jumper end. Captain Stephen Moore, however, only has a 57% success rate with throws. There are deeper issues at lineout time for the Wallabies and bigger selection calls needing to be made.
Back Row Combo
Mumm has been selected to answer the critics of the Australian set piece but it only masks over the issues surrounding the back row. Once again the combination of Michael Hooper and David Pocock aka ‘Pooper’ has come under scrutiny from the Australian press. The two have failed to replicate their form from the 2015 Rugby World Cup. Their presence in the side together leads to a lack of lineout options. Whether the shifting of a lock to blind side in Mumm can transform the Wallabies into contenders once again remains to be seen. One man who can feel hard done by this selection is Sean McMahon who must once again contend with making an impact from the bench.
Attacking Problems for the Wallabies
#BREAKING: Hodge on to the wing for @Springboks clash. FULL TEAM: https://t.co/rJSocjVjIO #AUSvRSA #StrongerAsOne pic.twitter.com/qKiqLq1cSM
— Qantas Wallabies (@qantaswallabies) 8 September 2016
With Adam Ashely-Cooper out of the match injured. Cheika’s hand has been forced to give the Melbourne Rebels winger Reece Hodge his first start. His injection is the only change to a back line that has struggled so far this tournament. With little or no forward momentum being generated by the Wallabies pack the backs have been struggling. The statistics are sorry viewing for Australians with the side ranked last in The Rugby Championship for points (8.5), tries (0.5), metres made (260.0), clean breaks (2.5) and defenders beaten (11.5). Granted they have faced the best team in the world twice but these statistics should be setting alarm bells ringing.
South Africa Looking for Redemption
The Springboks themselves arrive in Brisbane in a certain level of disarray. After two abject performances against Argentina, one a narrow victory and the other an agonising loss. There is plenty of pressure on them to perform. Injuries have forced the South Africans into changes with Francois Hougaard replacing the injured Ruan Combrinck. Whilst a new centre partnership of Juan de Jongh and Jesse Kriel will be looking to take advantage of a struggling Wallabies midfield.
Michael Cheika has resisted wholesale changes to his starting line up, taking on board some LWOS advice for one of his changes. These two sides,however, are both under close scrutiny from fans at home and abroad as the two great rugby nations have floundered in recent weeks. Improved performances are what supporters and pundits are calling out for but ultimately it is a win on Saturday night under the lights at Suncorp Stadium that is required.
Statistics courtesy of Opta Sports
Qantas Wallabies team to play South Africa in The Rugby Championship at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane at 8:05pm local time
1. Scott Sio (20 Tests)
2. Stephen Moore (c) (107 Tests)
3. Sekope Kepu (68 Tests)
4. Kane Douglas (25 Tests)
5. Adam Coleman (2 Tests)
6. Dean Mumm (48 Tests)
7. Michael Hooper (56 Tests)
8. David Pocock (58 Tests)
9. Will Genia (68 Tests)
10. Quade Cooper (59 Tests)
11. Reece Hodge (1 Test)
12. Bernard Foley (32 Tests)
13. Samu Kerevi (3 Tests)
14. Dane Haylett-Petty (5 Tests)
15. Israel Folau (43 Tests)
Reserves
Tatafu Polota-Nau (66 Tests)
James Slipper (79 Tests)
Allan Alaalatoa (2 Tests)
Rory Arnold (2 Tests)
Lopeti Timani*
Sean McMahon (9 Tests)
Nick Phipps (44 Tests)
Tevita Kuridrani (36 Tests)
Drew Mitchell (70 Tests)
*denotes uncapped player
**One to be omitted
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