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Sharpe's scrummmaging prowess and work rate in the tight had been debated on this forum numerous times before he was dropped. He is conspicuous in the loose because he spends a lot less time doing the less glamourous work, ala a McCalman. Agree with Qwerty that he is not nearly physical enough...

Suspect Deans sees Sharpe and Giteau as part of the old guard that, rightly or wrongly, has never won anything of note. While I still think there's a place for both on the bench (subject to Vicks and Horne I would argue), I don't think theyll be in the starting team again barring injury. Simmons...

The way I see it, the Walllabies have a marginally superior backline, while the All Blacks have a more noticeable edge in the pack. However, it's the bench that is the key differentiating factor and, hope as I might, I think it will be the difference on Saturday.

Yet they still scored 60 points

Davies was awful, but it's a gross overreaction to disregard him completely on the basis of one poor showing.

Was at the game, ie a million miles away from the action, and haven't had the benefit of the replay, but as I saw it from the stands: 3. Beale 2. Elsom 1. McCalman

Horne is very talented, but evidently not particularly durable. He has chronic hamstring problems. Nevertheless, emphasising Skippy's point, he only needs to be right for a few games come RWC. He would be an excellent back-up to AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) and I believe would be effective at 12 as well. He is brutal in...

Or Chariots Carter for that matter. No, there's no difference. It's a double standard and for whatever reason he is a protected species. FWIW, I thought Higgers started the match really well with some good, hard tackling. However, there was a moment later in the game where I noticed he was...

What's the ETA for Rob Horne? Deans mentioned he wasn't considered for the 3N squad.

Crockett and Sivivatu shock omissions in my view. Also think Freuen is unlucky.

Horwill Tapui Lance

Re: comments about Higgers, this is a thread discussing squad selection, accordingly it should be expected that some people will take differing views on the merits of various players. For me, I think It is somewhat telling that he was the one who took out Mitchell, suggesting comments about him...

Mitchell was the form Australian winger before Higginbotham took him out. I hope he recovers in time, but I would have Rocket Rod as back-up ahead of Turner, with JOC (James O'Connor) moving to 12 (not sure I understand Dean's comments about JOC (James O'Connor)'s physicality, given he played Gits at 12 for most of last year).

3. Cooper 2. Davies 1. Genia

The minimum number of tackles prerequisite seems arbitrary to me. Is this why we don't see Sonny Bill and Nonu in the lists? Are these all the relevant stats or a selection that presents Carter in the best possible light? One glaring omission is try assists. Regardless, you can quote all the...

The non-neutral refs experiment has been a spectacular failure.

3. Dennis 2. Beale 1. Timani

Great tackling by Hangers, but his decision making in attack is decidedly poor.

3. Genia 2. Gill 1. Cooper Genia controlled the Reds attack brilliantly, always seeming to choose the right moment to go wide or put boot to ball. Gill was industrious and a dominant force at the breakdown. Cooper was classy as always, although I wish he were more committed in defence. I...