Accomplished Wallabies David Pocock and James O’Connor concede there are in-form rivals pushing hard for their starting spots ahead of the final Rugby World Cup pool match against Georgia.
Coach Michael Cheika must decide whether to run what he regards as his full-strength team against the eastern Europeans at Shizuoka Stadium on Friday or make further tweaks to ensure none of his big guns are burned out heading into a likely quarter-final against England.
Either way, O’Connor faces twin threats for his outside centre berth.
Powerhouse Tevita Kuridrani was arguably Australia’s best against Uruguay, while there may yet be a chance for Jordan Petaia to get a crack there after a starring debut on the wing. Outside centre is the teenager’s favoured position.
“That’s put a bit of pressure on me but I see my role in the team that I’m a distributor,” O’Connor said.
“As much as I have a running game, I look to shift to those sort of players (Kuridrani and Petaia) first and foremost.
“Tevita carried very strongly, very well. So it will depend on the game plan and how we want to change things up.”
While most of the starting pack for the knockout games picks itself, there remains a question over whether Pocock’s ball-pinching strengths are suited for the tournament given how much leeway is being given to attacking teams at the breakdown.
The all-purpose performance from Jack Dempsey in last weekend’s win over Uruguay has thrust the Waratahs back-rower into contention.
Dempsey’s form didn’t go unnoticed from Pocock himself.
“He’s such a solid player. He’s showed what he can do, he’s hard to tackle,” Pocock said.
“He comes in hard at training and in games, what you see is what you get with Demo. I certainly have a lot of faith in what he can do when given opportunities.”
Cheika may choose to demote the three players who have started all three games to date, including captain Michael Hooper, potentially handing the captaincy to Pocock.
Outside back Dane Haylett-Petty and prop Allan Alaalatoa could also be benched or left out altogether.
In-form utility back Matt Toomua may be handed his anticipated start at five-eighth, while any resting of Haylett-Petty may leave a right wing vacancy for Petaia.
POSSIBLE WALLABIES XV
Kurtley Beale, Jordan Petaia, James O’Connor, Samu Kerevi, Marika Koroibete, Matt Toomua, Nic White, Isi Naisarani, David Pocock (capt), Jack Dempsey, Rory Arnold, Izack Rodda, Sekope Kepu, Tolu Latu, Scott Sio.