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Personally, I still think Petaia's best position is 13. He was great there in the last RWC. He could push to be the best player in the world in that position. Ikitau currently has a mortgage on the spot, he is defensively and positionally solid. But if he goes down, I think the next in line is...

Based on his form this year, could very well make the squad next year.

Bit harsh on Gordon, he is such a solid half-back. I disagree on that theory he is a poor decision-maker. He was a key playmaker in the Tahs fight-back this season. Likewise with Tate's game being over-rated as his decision making this year, especially against the NZ super xv teams, was poor...

I agree, I think as starters Gordon would probably get the nod ahead of Tate for his better game control and kicking, but as finishers off the bench you'd think Tate wins out every time. Kind of like Samu at the moment in the backrow.

I have a feeling McReight is going to have a blinder. He really picked up his game in the second half of last match, and I think there a lot less pressure on him to perform now, he should start the match in a really good head space.

Gordon can take the Captaincy again.

Wow had no idea it was that bad. Surely that is some kind of record for number of cards.

Nah we need to start winning. The best team starts. Maybe tinker with the bench a bit. We can't build confidence in a group without wins on the board and we simply don't have the luxury to start B teams given our current win percentage.

Was pretty handy last RWC though, I know that's going back a bit far. But if Cooper can mature then surely Latu can too. He has proven runs on the board.

I like Porecki from the bench too, having that certainty at line-out time at the back-end of games. I think FF (Folau Fainga'a) suffers at line-out time coming off the bench in those dying moments of the game. It seems to be the time he has had most of his throwing issues.

Important to note, Wilson hasn't exactly been a poor test player. He hasn't set the world alight but he hasn't completely looked out of place either. In fact he had a couple good tests already. Impressive stuff really.

Lonergan's name on the team sheet really sticks out to me. He is going to get destroyed by the Boks. Despite his off-field issues, I wouldn't mind Latu back into the fold. Another genuine turn-over threat at the breakdown is just what our pack needs too.

Agreed, his balanced game reminds me a lot of Keiran Read (although Read was a gun at the line-out), and from memory he didn't hit his straps until later.

If you judge him just on his on-field performances then he is definitely up there as one of the great forwards, probably the best forward currently in League, for his age that is a massive achievement. He is a freak athlete. I saw a game where he dived and picked up a ball on the ground like a...

Interestingly you could clearly see them target Cooper with every chance they got whether it was run at his channel or kick high balls to him when he was at the back. Such a shame he got injured, he was just starting to get into his groove.

Pretty sure it was Wright who said "let's go for the bonus points"

Yeh I think you bring him straight in, gotta see what he's got. Like you said, Phillip was okay, and he's experienced enough that it's not a huge risk. It would be nice to see Frost kept on the bench to keep developing.

Yeh I agree, but then you would want to balance that thinking with planning for the future, especially the RWC next year, in which case Foketi and Paisami would both more likely be there. Building cohesiveness in the backs will need these guys playing together more often.

It seems FF (Folau Fainga'a) has really sorted out his throwing. His last 2 games have been superb and not just at the line-out. He is a genuine try-scoring threat 5 metres from the line and at the back of any maul. Porecki is so consistent but I think FF (Folau Fainga'a)'s last 2 games have been better then anything Porecki has...

Lolesio is suited to the simpler/more direct game plan.