'All over the shop': central problem for the Wallabies

Résumé détaillé

With Carter Gordon looking poised to replace Declan Meredith at five-eighth, it will mean wholesale readjustment in a backline that seemed disjointed, sluggish in attack and…

Len Ikitau admits it's become a tough gig to constantly have to work in different centre combinations as the Wallabies get set for yet another change to their midfield partnership against Scotland.

Last year's John Eales Medal winner Ikitau has featured with three different centre partners - Isaac Henry, Hunter Paisami and Joseph Aukuso-Suaalii - and played at both 12 and 13 over Australia's increasingly problematic season.

And with Henry's European tour having ended with a hamstring injury, he's now set to reunite with his most regular recent partner Aukuso-Suaalii - a changed centre combo for the sixth successive Test - as the Wallabies try to rebound from their hammering by England.

With Carter Gordon looking poised to replace Declan Meredith at five-eighth, it will mean wholesale readjustment in a backline that seemed disjointed, sluggish in attack and defensively vulnerable in the 45-22 loss at Twickenham.

Asked about the difficulty of adjusting to the constant changes, albeit the latest one being enforced, Ikitau admitted on Wednesday: "It is pretty tough not being able to stick with the same centre pairing and being able to play consistently with the same people.

"It's been tough for us lately, but I feel like we've got a lot of good centres. Unfortunately, Zachy's (Henry) not playing for the rest of the tour, but we've got Lipo (Filipo Daugunu), who was outstanding when he came on at Twickenham.

"A lot of energy, and then Joseph can come back to the centres. We've got a good relationship there, so if he needs to come back in then we'll just go with that."

Henry's absence could also mean Kurtley Beale's versatility may yet earn him a chance back on the bench at 37.

But whatever team coach Les Kiss chooses, Ikitau admits they'll have to find a different mindset and closer connections in the team or a fourth-straight defeat could await.

Début de l'article, extrait de The Canberra Times. Pour lire la suite, ouvrez l'article chez le média.