Wallabies coach Michael Cheika challenged players on Friday night to step up and make their presence felt.
Who did enough to catch Cheika's eye in the trial?
Tom Banks
If Tom Banks is not in the Wallabies’ 23 for the opening Bledisloe he would probably have the right to feel hard done by based on Friday night’s performance. He had a try and an assist in the opening 20 minutes, on the way to 101 run metres off nine carries. It wasn’t just his attack that caught the eye. Banks made two individual try-saving efforts at critical times to keep the Wallabies squad on top. A Test debut is surely on the horizon.
Lukhan Tui
Tui often goes under the radar but the utility forward makes his presence felt on the field. Was dangerous in attack, scoring a try and nearly nabbing a double before that score was called back. Tui worked hard all night and showed off his mobility throughout his stints on the field. Definitely growing into the six role that Michael Cheika sees him in.
Bill Meakes
Billy Meakes has been on the fringes of the Wallabies squad in the past two seasons but he gave Michael Cheika a timely reminder of his value on Friday night. The inside centre isn’t exactly the X-factor player of some of his competitors but his defence is superb. He finished with six tackles, nine carries and 42 metres.
Richard Hardwick
Richard Hardwick has become the forgotten man of the Wallabies in recent months after a patchy season with the Rebels. It was only 15 months ago that the flanker made his Test debut and he showed his potential against the Wallabies at Leichhardt Oval. The flanker made some pivotal breaks in attack but it was his monstrous effort at the breakdown that took spectators’ attention. He finished with 10 tackles
Angus Cottrell
If Richard Hardwick is the forgotten Wallaby, Angus Cottrell is the forgotten workhorse. Injuries have cruelled his chances to crack the Test fold in his career but when he has strung consistent matches together the backrower has been on Michael Cheika’s radar. He finished with eight tackles and provided the grunt for the Super Rugby Selection.
Duncan Paiaaua
Michael Cheika is a fan of Duncan Paiaaua and he did nothing to dim his rating tonight. He was composed combining with flyhalf Andrew Deegan and he was physical in defence, laying a big hit on Reece Hodge late in the game.
James Slipper
James Slipper hadn’t played rugby in three months and for a lot of that time it was the last thing on his mind. But Michael Cheika encouraged him to make a return in this trial for the Super Rugby Selection and he reminded fans of his quality. Put in a shift of close to a half and was a standout in the front row.
