Leali'ifano needs to kick on for Aus
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If Christian Leali'ifano is to secure his spot back in the starting line-up for the Wallabies when they face New Zealand this weekend he will have to put his kicking boots back on.
Leali'ifano's kicking record was a big factor in the Brumbies man cementing a place in the Wallabies team last year, but his yips in front of goal may cause Ewen McKenzie some selection headaches.
Leali'ifano's recorded a success rate of 83 per cent in Test rugby and 78 per cent in Super Rugby last year to establish himself as a rock-solid member of the Wallabies 23, if not their starting 15.
Then an ankle injury intervened, and it is safe to say the Brumbies playmaker is still recovering, in front of the posts anyway.
His ever-reliable boot failed him this season, resulting in a success rate of just 51 per cent for the Brumbies.
"That was the toughest thing, I set a pretty high standard last year," Leali'ifano told the Sydney Morning Herald.
"It's coming along well, I'm just still just struggling mentally a bit, talking myself out of things, not trusting my system and seeing a different picture than I'm used to.
"That all comes into play when I'm kicking, especially in the bigger situations, which I'm usually really good at.
"I'm just trying to get that back again and hopefully it comes sooner rather than later. I've been waiting all year."
He is still an integral part of the Wallabies as a player with a humility and professionalism that coach Ewen McKenzie views as a crucial part of his project to overhaul the Test side.
That won't change any time soon, and Leali'ifano's form in general play for the Brumbies will give McKenzie pause before he names the side for the opening Bledisloe Cup Test.
But his kicking problems may have hampered his chances against France in June. He did not miss a Test match in 2013. In a crowded playmaker landscape, he did not make a squad in this year's three-Test series.
"To try to get in the Test team somewhere, that's the main goal at the moment," Leali'ifano said.
"All I can do is push as hard as I can at training and compete hard with the boys who are there at the moment. It's out of my control but hopefully I'll somehow find a way in there."
The Wallabies face the All Blacks at ANZ Stadium on Saturday, two weeks after the Waratahs won the Super Rugby crown with a thrilling last-minute penalty goal from Test No.10 Bernard Foley.
Sydney Morning Herald
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