Here are some quickfire observations made after watching the Tahs, Brumbies and Reds. See what you think!
1. George Smith is not as far ahead of the other 7s as some may think. Gill probably shaded him tonight, and Hooper was huge against the Chiefs. I wager all three players are better than what the Lions will have in the 7 shirt. I’d still play Smith, but in reality any of three would do the jersey proud.
2. Quade Cooper is the best 10 in Australia. His decision-making was excellent tonight, and his passing game is streets ahead of any other Aussie pivot.
3. There is still no obvious candidate for the 12 jersey. Ben Tapuai went missing tonight, and Christian Lealiifano was solid but not outstanding. Pat McCabe and Rob Horne are solid options but not quite up to the class of the aforementioned two. You’d say Lealiifano is in the box seat, but he still needs to step up and show us how much he wants it.
4. Jesse Mogg is Test quality. His kicking game is excellent, his running game ebullient. Defence seems solid enough too. I wasn’t quite convinced before tonight, but I am now. Although I pose this question: in a hypothetical Wallabies team with Quade at 10 and the Moggarithm at 15, who defends in the five-eighth channel?
5. Israel Folau is also Test quality. His ability to break the first tackle, get outside his man and offload in contact is second to none in the Aussie conference. Put him on the wing.
6. Digby is still Test quality, but so is Tomane. Those four (Mogg, Tomane, Folau, Ioane) have to make up the Wallaby back three. And JOC too if he isn’t playing 10.
7. Kane Douglas should partner James Horwill in the second row.
8. Fotu Auelua and Dan Palmer may not quite be there yet. Both were fairly quiet tonight, and were outpointed by their opposite numbers.
9. Greg Martin had a shocker tonight, and should take a week or two off to get some perspective. I don’t mind a bit of passionate provincial banter, but jeez he turned it up to 11 tonight, and some of it was just plain dumb.
10. The 6 jersey is still wide open. Neither Mowen nor Dennis nor Higgers has really grabbed it, and with MMM to come back from injury I suspect Deans may err on the side of caution and pick Higgers, who in my opinion is doing OK in an average side.
11. AAC is our best 13, Palu our best 8.
12. Aussie rugby is in the best shape I have seen it for years. Plenty of blokes are putting their hands up, and we have three teams in the top half of the competition. We have more than enough ammo to beat the Lions, so now it’s up to you, Robbie. Don’t fuck it up!
Have I missed anything?
