Will Genia and Quade Cooper hugged it out at the Wallabies fan day in Brisbane © ARU

Enlarge

The hype about Australia's supposed Ashes cricket dominance has proven to be nothing more than hot air. If cricket pads had never been invented, Shane Watson would have been forced to retire years ago with multiple leg fractures. And Australia's involvement at Wimbledon has been a succession of embarrassing big sook moments. So perhaps the Wallabies in the Rugby Championship can revive some hope in Australia's international sporting stocks? Maybe, maybe not.

Manu Samoa monstered the All Blacks physically in Apia to indicate there actually is a way to stifle what had appeared to be a beast too dominant and too overbearing, and the Wallabies have a way of repeatedly getting it together against the Springboks, especially when playing them at home. But disenchanted sporting fans should not be relying on the Wallabies to revive spirits over the next few weeks, because there are far more important prizes to prepare for.

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika needs no reminding that success in the Rugby Championship will be nice but it has a far more important role in being used as an opportunity to test different combinations and try left-field selections to ensure that he knows exactly his best XV when the Rugby World Cup kicks off in September.

Using different players during the series, it is highly unlikely the Wallabies will finish atop the Rugby Championship ladder. But in a World Cup year, preparing yourself properly for that tournament takes prominence over what goes on during the Rugby Championship. And this year Australia's standing in the international game will be determined solely by how they perform at the World Cup - especially as they are in the toughest of pools, alongside England and Wales.

Cheika is in a difficult position. It is just over two months before the start of the World Cup, and Australia hasn't got much of an idea who will fill 13 of the 15 positions; as for working out who is going to be the Test No.9 and 10 - two of the most crucial positions - good luck!

In most seasons, you can come pretty close to choosing the bulk of the Test team - especially the halves. Not this year. Only Israel Folau at fullback and Stephen Moore at hooker - due to him being announced as the Test captain - appear to be selection certainties.

At least Cheika has the advantage of recently obtaining a lifeline or two. The relaxation of the overseas eligibility laws has enabled him to bolster the Wallabies squad with versatile attacking players Matt Giteau and Drew Mitchell. Both are ideal World Cup candidates because they can be used in numerous positions: Giteau at No.9, 10 and 12; Mitchell wing and fullback.

At worse, they are ideal reserve candidates.

But now is the time to see whether their ageing legs are capable enough for them to be considered as first XV candidates. The Wallabies' opening Rugby Championship Test against South Africa in Brisbane provides the ideal opportunity to see whether either or both are still of Test quality.

The Waratahs halves pairing of Nick Phipps and Bernard Foley struggled appreciably under pressure during the Super Rugby finals so a far better Wallabies midfield option is Will Genia, Quade Cooper and Giteau at No 12. And Mitchell should be tried on the wing, which could easily see Rob Horne bumped out as Adam Ashley-Cooper, as one of the team's vice captains, is bound to be selected somewhere. With Tevita Kuridrani the most likely to be picked at No 13, Ashley-Cooper's only spot appears to be the wing. But on form, Horne deserves to be selected.

Experimentation is also required up front.

Australia's biggest concern is the dearth of quality locks, which has not been helped by the inexplicable omission of hard-working David Dennis from the training squad when several lucky passengers remain. Thankfully Rory Arnold is still there, and so it is time to see whether he is ready. If Arnold is not in the starting XV, he should at least be selected on the bench and given ample time during the second half. Also why not try the Michael Hooper-David Pocock openside/blindside flanker combination against a team that deeply respects both.

If the Wallabies don't try some selection gambles now, which could involve a bit of pain, they will not deserve our sympathy later in the year.

Greg Growden's Wallabies team to play the Springboks: Israel Folau; Rob Horne, Tevita Kuridrani, Matt Giteau, Drew Mitchell; Quade Cooper, Will Genia; Ben McCalman, Michael Hooper, David Pocock, Rory Arnold, Will Skelton, Sekope Kepu, Stephen Moore, James Slipper.