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Well why didn't you just say that instead of throwing up strawmen to support your view? It's a huge, huge, career defining series - of course his natural instinct is going to be conservative. Look at how Graham Henry ran and selected the All Blacks at the last WC. That doesn't mean Deans is...

It's potentially a phenomenal backline. Having a second playmaker outside JOC (James O'Connor) is good news for everyone. He's an outrageously good runner of the ball with an exceptional short passing game, an underrated long passing game, an acceptable kicking game and very solid defence. What he isn't too...

He's done it all the time. McCabe, Timani, JOC (James O'Connor), Vuna, Pocock over Smith, Barnes at fullback, Digby at 13, Cooper at 12, McCalman at 7. You might not like those selections, but that's a different issue entirely.

I agree that 15 isn't his best position, but saying he's 'really bad' under the high ball just isn't true. He had a shocker against the All Blacks when he was, what, 19? He's been completely adequate so far this season, and was excellent against the Chiefs in that department.

Meh, more Deans bitching. You might not like it, and I don't especially either, but there's an easy logic there. If Lilo and Folau play that's two debutants already. Barnes was one of our best players on the EOYT, and was the player of the series against Wales in June. He's a calm, senior, voice...

Think Beale's written himself out of the picture now, which does open the door for Mogg at fullback - although I expect Deans to play it somewhat safe and go with Barnes. This is what I expect we'll see, note that it's not what I want to see. Genia JOC (James O'Connor) Digby Lilo AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) Folau Barnes

A lot of people keen to sink the boot in here. He's clearly a very unhappy young man with a lot of deep-seated issues. Hopefully he can work his way through them without hurting himself any further.

Have a look at who's posting.

Phillips is close to the most limited player in world rugby. He's not even a little bit worrying, certainly doesn't deserve someone to be selected to counter him.

Forget 'why Burgess', how about why Phipps?

How is Daley even getting mentioned? He makes Pies Dunning look like Patricio Noriega.

He's much, much, better than Neville at lock and is an excellent six as well. Big loss if he goes. Hope he's heading somewhere with a decent coach.

I just said I thought he'd kicked maybe twice all year. I've got no idea what his strategic kicking is like. I'm sure it's not quite as good as that of our lord and saviour, Jesse Mogg, but it will be fine. Will have to go back and have a look at that Bulls game. Missing high balls like that...

There's no reason why you can't in theory. Teams don't, but that's not to say it couldn't be done. I'll track down some footage of him kicking a footy around for GWS, he's got a fine boot - better than the popgun Barnes is carrying anyway I'd say.

He's kicked, what, twice in the entire Soup so far? There's no way he can't kick, Cheika's just decided he's way more of a threat running the ball back. How's his positional play lacking? Serious question, if you can point out some specific instances I'd be interested to go back and have a look.

God I hate Marto.

Shane Williams was good at scoring tries and getting run over the top of. I know who I'd rather have.

If we can sort out our defense and technique at the breakdown those sort of games will turn into wins. We were well and truly outclassed for most of that game and were still able to score five tries. I'm pretty happy with it.

Why would we want another Shane Williams? JOC (James O'Connor) is already better than he ever was. We'll have to agree to disagree, because I don't think JOC (James O'Connor) has ever had the top line speed to match guys like Mvovo and Mogg. Anyway, he's definitely our best bet for the right wing at the moment and our second or...

He looks like he's put on maybe a couple of kilos tops. His acceleration is just as good as it's ever been and he's significantly stronger in contact than he was before his injury troubles. We haven't really seen him stretch out this year, largely because he hasn't had the space out wide he's...