Door still open for Lealiifano
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Christian Lealiifano's chances of representing Australia in this year's World Cup is still very much alive, according to backs coach Stephen Larkham.
The Wallaby flyhalf was left out of head coach Michael Cheika's initial 31-man squad that was named on Friday, however, Larkham is certain Lealiifano and a few other high-profile casualties will get an opportunity before or even during the World Cup.
"He's had a really good season. I've spoken to Christian and he's obviously disappointed, but understanding and what we spoke about yesterday was that it's not farewell for these guys because we're pretty sure they'll all come back into the fray at some stage leading into and including the World Cup," Larkham told Fairfax Media on Saturday.
"Definitely [Lealiifano is still a chance], there are a few guys who weren't in the [initial] 40-man squad who are still a chance of playing in the World Cup and obviously all of those that were in the 40-man squad are a good chance.
"It's just for selection for this week that we've gone this way."
Larkham says the Wallabies will use their first two Rugby Championship games against the Springboks in Brisbane and Argentina in Buenos Aires to try out different combinations.
"It's a week-by-week proposition at the moment. We obviously need to get a bit of continuity going into the World Cup, but week-by-week just to have a look at the combinations," he said.
"I think there's still a period for working out combinations and then the closer we get we'll start to work on those combinations.
"Obviously there's some from Super Rugby … but the combinations as a whole we'll be working on in the next two games in particular."
Competition for places in next week's encounter against the Springboks will be fierce with the lock position being a perfect example. Rory Arnold will be fighting for a spot on the bench and the chance to make his international debut against South Africa.
It will be a tough task for the Brumbies lock as he has compete with former Wallabies captain James Horwill, who has 58 Test caps to his name, Rob Simmons, who has 50, and Will Skelton emerged onto the international scene last year.
"He's a chance, [but] I think realistically there's two more experienced locks who are going to get their chance to start, but he's got a chance to come off the bench or be in the 23 at least," Larkham said.
"But again it's something that we need to discuss tomorrow [on Sunday]."
Source: The Canberra Times
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