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Messam was immense last week all game and grew to a new level.

Given what we are seeing in the media and Deans understandable practise of sticking with successful lineups I suspect Genia Barnes Digby Harris Horne AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) Beale is firming up, with I'd guess White, Cooper and Ant or Cummins (or even Vuna) to bench. As I have posted I like Harris and see him...

Or to put it another way TBH; 'the encounter could create a time paradox, the results of which could cause a chain reaction that would unravel the very fabric of the space time continuum, and destroy the entire universe! Granted, that's a worse case scenario.' - Dr Emmett Brown.

On the bright side ABs have no Smith and that's gotta hurt. Yes we all know that already just thought I'd mention it ;)

I'm inclined to agree Jiggles, but he has shown promise and he is in the squad. I think he needs another year, but Deans might see more.

I think the key is Cooper, if he is in, highly likely Barnes to 12. The curveball is Harris to 12. That gives us good kicking percentages and ok distribution, but its a huge ask.

If there was any chance of them fighting a pro fight against a fighter who had plenty of amateur fights and was a genuine contender I'd agree but that isn't apples with apples.

I think barnes, digby, ant, horne, AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), beale is likely. Cooper, digby, barnes, horne, AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), beale if Deans and co agree Cooper is up to it. Crucial game and I'd be a lot happier if Tomane and McCabe were playing, meh.

While I don't buy into the match fixing thing re Barnes, you do not need a whole team to see a match go the wrong way, or even any players. Refs can and do regularly make immense differences to games just by preferring a playstyle, let alone having a prejudice, a political influence or financial...

It was implied by the OPs sentence re a lack of world class props, second rowers, and loosies. Loosies are the least of our worries but thats where it came from.

Cooper plus Barnes vs Cruden and SBW. I have to say I have grave misgivings but I'll be as happy as anyone to be wrong. Will Deans go that way or put Ant in at 12?

or it could just be Barnes wasn't fit enough having spent years following ponderous NH teams around :rolleyes:

HJ theres a few points there I am tempted to comment on, but one leaps out at me. Do we really need an elite strength and conditioning coach at the Wallabies level? Now that would be an indictment on our Super Rugby teams.

Cooper has good reflexes, agility and acceleration, as well as access to good coaching, I have no doubt he would do well, just needs to develop skills to a decent level and to develop fight fitness. Don't see how it will improve his tackling though, maybe he should consider MMA :p

I enjoyed that article. Not sure it establishes Henry as anything other than a great coach though. Take a mix of irish, poms, welsh and scots, add 1 changing shed. If anything the kiwi in the equation was a shot at uniting them I'd think. He certainly united the Welsh. And what coach gets...

Wait: aspirin makes your car go faster?

I think Fruean's problem against say, someone like Smith is that Fruean does well against teams like this years Tahs, while Smith gets better as games get tougher. A good example of the limitations of stats.

If there is one thing that highlights Australia's fragility in terms of depth of players it is the way we constantly expect players to play out of position, then reshuffle them. It's understandable, often inevitable, but hopefully one of the fruits of us finally having a little (little) more...

It's the elephant in the room for Henry. Bet it feels good to get it off his chest now he's untouchable.