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Well there is only one team that has beaten the All Blacks this year! On a serious note, I'd prefer to avoid England and play NZ in the final - this would be the best (realistic) scenario for the Wallabies. Of course before any of this can happen the big deficiencies (including scrum and...

I agree with you both. Servat was doing very well until he went off injured, which coincided with the improvement in the scrum fortunes of the Wallabies (France got worse and Oz got better). When Chabal was substituted the French folded. He is tough and determined, and a guy who can pick up...

spikhaza - the guys on the left are the NZ starting XV. The players listed on the right are the ones who I'd prefer over the All Black incumbent. Naza - I did consider Juan Smith (who is pretty awesome), but Elsom's performances of late (even against England) have been very strong (but I'd...

Now that the 2010 international season is over, and considering only the players who are still standing. New Zealand are top dogs at the moment, so I still think to get into the World XV you've got to knock one of them off : 1 Tony Woodcock - Gethin Jenkins 2 Keven Mealamu - Stephen Moore 3...

No - but he looks like he could be one day

The question is: Does he make valid points? Does he raise pertinent questions? I think he does. One that cannot be disputed is that Young is scrum coach at the Brumbies, and that the Brumbies believe Alexander to be their best LHP and accordingly, will play him at LHP - it is the Wallaby coaches...

Agree with you there Scotty. 1. is always an issue, and we can be sure there will be at least one 'first choice' player injured come next World Cup - an unfortunate aspect of the game I'm afraid 2. We could also select experienced players who are in form if the young guys are lacking composure...

They played what was in front of them, now all they have to do is scrape it off their boots before they get to customs and quarantine back home in Oz. Whilst very happy for the win (it is what I want and expect after all), the French got it all wrong (except maybe the scrum). Why start with...

Bill Young provides some food for thought: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/young-lays-blame-on-deans-for-wallabies-scrum-woes-20101127-18blp.html I would have to agree that Slipper is not yet there, but his improvement is the big positive this season.

Always close (look at the size speed and skill of those guys!), but often not quite there. I'd love to see them realise their potential.

3. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) 2. Elsom 1. Robinson Slipper moving into THP and Robinson coming on made a big difference - as did the injury to the French hooker Servat. It was really a good team effort, which was very pleasing. All worked well, and many could have had points (except maybe Cooper, McCalman, Alexander...

So how did we go? ....one win against NZ, victory in the veldt, pounded the (poor) French Are we World Cup contenders? What is up with the scrum? What part does Dingo Deans play in all of this? I think we have the players to beat any team on our day - but some of those players have...

Have a look at that Springbok forward pack - a little different from the one the Wallabies played in the 3N. Bismark Du Plessis, Beast, Bakkies Botha (suspended at the time), Stegman, Smith (who was just coming back IIRC). Could the Wallaby pack for tonight's game deal with this Springbok pack...

Maybe Lièvremont is trying to outdo Deans in the puzzling selections department

It has to be out of Hairy Donkey, Pocock and Beale. I'm not sure of the judging criteria, but for all round excellence and importance to his team, I'd have to go with Pocock. Beale may have left his run too late, but if he keeps his standards up during 2011 I'd back him to take the award next time.

Ranting probably covers most of us at least some of the time. Much though I would love to rant to a wider audience, the 'rant slot' is sadly not convenient to me.

Horinordoquay has been great this year, especially in the 6 Nations. Between him and Chabal I'd say he provides the sliky skills, but not the same level of power and aggression that Chabal does. Either way, this pack is up there with England and the All Blacks in terms of teams the Wallabies...

My minimum criteria was s14 experience at 12. JO'C has not played any tests at 12, but he did play the whole of the 2009 s14 season at 12, and played very well. But for a horror season of injuries at the Force, he may well have played there this season.

It looks like the consensus is that most want Slipper, Simmons, Barnes to stay, plus Genia if fit. Most expect Deans to do something different. As for the French, this is an opportunity to see if they are pretenders too (I'm pretty sure they are). For me, their main problem is that they think...

Chambers? Given the options we're going with a 'zero test veteran'? I think he has potential, and did pretty well in his first year of professional rugby, but I thought we were thinking about the World Cup here, not an experimental side to take on one of the rugby minnows. If Mortlock manages...