Tough trying to conjure up winning combination

Wallaby coach John Connolly is considering second five-eights Matt Giteau at halfback for the upcoming UK tour - one of many curious calls. Cameron Spencer / Getty Images

While New Zealanders wait expectantly upon today's announcement of Graham Henry's latest raft of All Black selections, the Wallabies have already made theirs and fly out on Friday for their four-test tour of Italy, Wales, Ireland and Scotland.

There, all comparisons end. The 37-strong Wallaby squad has already been through an excruciating list of pre-tour permutations and combinations as coach John Connolly searches for his best line-up ahead of the World Cup in 2007.

If there were such a thing, you'd need a PhD in rugby selection, strong drinks and regular lie-downs and massages to keep up with the latest news finding its way out of the Wallaby camp.

Matt Giteau at halfback; Mark Gerrard at first five-eighths; Stephen Larkham at second five-eighths; Giteau at first-five; Lote Tuqiri and Gerrard in the centres and Rodney Blake on the wing. OK, we made that last one up - but it is totally in keeping with the Wallaby selection and the barrage of might-bes that are flying out of the Wallaby camp like startled fruit bats.

If Connolly is seeking to confuse and to keep his real intentions secret then, fair play, he's done a great job. At this rate, we'll be hearing stories next about Connolly calling up Makybe Diva to have a look at her in the midfield. A question mark over the hands but very hard to bring down ...

Or maybe Connolly is diverting attention from the Wallaby prop situation (five selected but he really hasn't got any). The Wallabies are hopeful that new scrum laws preventing the "hit" (where front rows crash into each other and gain a key advantage at the engagement) will be ratified before the World Cup, allowing Australia's bedevilled front rows a much less combative footing at the scrummage.

But it is at halfback and first five-eighths that this Wallaby squad looks the most interesting and the most doubtful.

George Gregan is not on this tour and Sam Cordingley's foot injury means ball clearing is in the youthful and inexperienced hands of Brett Sheehan and Josh Valentine. Hence the interest in Giteau, who has played halfback before, playing No 9.

Though why anyone would take the man who is effectively Australia's most penetrating runner and put him close to the scrum, ruck and maul - where large forwards can see how far they can separate head from body - is anyone's guess. Recent news reports have actually floated the idea of Giteau starting the Italy test at halfback, with Gerrard at first-five and Larkham at second-five.

Certainly Connolly can't be blamed for using this tour to seek his best combinations. This Australian side, particularly in the backs, must rate as one of the most flexible ever chosen in international rugby. There are no fewer than eight backs of the 16 who have played on the wing for Australia, five have played in the centres, four have played first-five (and that doesn't include Gerrard who has some history in the position) and six have played fullback.

But Connolly's main worry is at halfback and first-five where Gregan and Larkham are coming towards the end of their careers, although attempts to pension them off still seem somewhat premature.

Replacing Larkham has always been a difficulty for Australia - rate it right up there with New Zealand rugby replacing Tana Umaga. Gregan, too, was the target of many media and past-player fusillades last season and it did seem that his days as Wallaby halfback were numbered.

But Gregan showed some good form in the last Super 14 and the recent Tri-Nations and it was quietly demonstrated that there are few options available to Connolly in the position. Cordingley might be his preferred choice but his injury run has begun to look worrying.

At first-five, Giteau seems the obvious choice to replace Larkham (as long as they don't park him at halfback). Larkham's shift to second-five could be a cannier idea, giving his undoubted distribution skills and defence-busting passes a wider stage. That would leave Connolly free to choose, as he seems to like, a muscular centre like the injured-but-still-going-on-tour Stirling Mortlock or Gerrard or even Tuqiri who made a good fist of the position this year.

Whatever Connolly decides, it will be fascinating watching the Wallabies go through their various permutations. And should they be beaten on tour, it makes for a wonderful explanation.

Team:

Hookers: Brendan Cannon, Tai McIsaac, Stephen Moore, Tatafu Polota-Nau; Props: Al Baxter, Rodney Blake, Greg Holmes, Benn Robinson, Guy Shepherdson; Locks: Dan Vickerman, Nathan Sharpe, Mark Chisholm, Al Campbell, James Horwill, Hugh McMenamin; Loose forwards: George Smith, Phil Waugh, Rocky Elsom, Stephen Hoiles, David Lyons, Wycliff Palu; Halfbacks: Josh Valentine, Brett Sheehan; First-fives: Stephen Larkham, Matt Giteau; Centres: Gene Fairbanks, Morgan Turinui, Stirling Mortlock, Mat Rogers; Wings: Mark Gerrard, Drew Mitchell, Clyde Rathbone, Cameron Shepherd, Scott Staniforth, Lote Tuqiri; Fullbacks: Adam Ashley-Cooper, Chris Latham.

* Australian tests
November 4: Wales
November 11: Italy
November 19: Ireland
November 25: Scotland