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I think I agree with your post Brown Hornet. It seems like McKenzie's main dilemma is whether to go with the Tahs' backline (Phipps/Beale/AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)) or whether to keep the established combinations (White/To'omua/Kuridrani). If we lose, people are always going to criticise him for doing one and not...

doubt it. Would be sorta dumb to go before the world cup, when you're guaranteed a spot in the squad and probably a shoo in for a spot in the 23...and for what? a chance to maybe be an injury back up in origin? then again Kurtley doesn't strike me as the sharpest tool in the shed

Unfortunately no TPN means we lose a primary ball runner and a bit of strength in the scrum. That is now where I see New Zealand having the advantage (i.e. slightly stronger scrum and slightly more physical pack). We otherwise match up ok. No glaring weaknesses. some good backline play could...

I tend to think Hansen would fit into the set piece better, given that he spends all year throwing to Simo and packing down next to Slipper. I've never played hooker so I really don't know if those types of combinations assist, but I would think there would be slight advantages in those...

1 Slipper 2 Hansen 3 Kepu 4 Simmons 5 Carter 6 Fardy 7 Hooper (c) 8 Palu 9 White 10 Foley 11 AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) 12 To'omua 13 Kuridrani 14 Horne 15 Folau 16 Charles 17 Sio 18 Alexander 19 Skelton/Horwill? - not sure 20 McCalman 21 Phipps 22 Beale 23 McCabe

The loss of TPN undoubtedly hurts our chances of winning the Bledisloe but on the plus side we should otherwise have a close to full strength forward pack. Hooker is not an area where the All Blacks are particularly strong anyway and whoever we put in will have a strong pine-out to throw to. TPN...

AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), Palu, Hooper and Folau are already big match players but this game really felt like a coming of age for Phipps and Foley. both were outstanding and proved to me that they are big match players.

Last night's game did not make me think that Beale should be in the starting side. His defense was poor at times. If TPN is out, I'd go with Hansen

Any news on TPN's injury? my first impression was he looks touch and go to play in the bledisloe

Even with 3 to 4k walk up, i suspect it will fall well short of 60k

The Crowd wont reach 60k, but Let's face it, if at the start of the season you said there'd be 55,000 fans turning up the ANZ Stadium to watch the tahs play in a grand final, you'd be over the moon. Even up in queensland the hype behind this game has managed to wash through the mainstream...

Pumped for the game tonight!!! Carn Tahs!! all of Australia is behind ya! Tahs by 2

Kurtley will be fine. The Tahs are playing games me thinks

This is wallaby watch. there should be no mention of mogg. I agree that if Morahan was/is fit, I would hope he would be someone in the pecking order ahead of the likes of Betham, Shipperley, etc

Betham's choice highlights a bit of a shortage of depth at wing ATM. No disrespect to Betham, but hopefully we don't need to use him during the rugby championship. I will say tho, i remember him crying during the anthem on his debut. The guy definitely has the passion so I think he's a good...

I never said the bloke was crap. he wouldn't look out of place in the squad. I was simply responding to Fatprop's comment that was 'near the best lock in the country'. Without a doubt the tahs players are pretty much all in good form this season, and that includes Douglas. At the same time, when...

I think that's the way to go. either Skelton or Horwill on the bench. After watching the tahs game last saturday the idea of Skelton coming off the bench is becoming very attractive. the guy certainly has that ability to turn a game like no other wallaby forward (barring Michael Hooper). Higgers...

Plays long minutes, but doesn't get through nearly as much work as Simo, Horwill or Carter. Is decidedly average in the line-outs. Makes the odd big hit, but Skelton usually makes more of an impact in 30 minutes than Douglas does in 80. I just don't see it.

It's frustrating that Lilo didn't sign with the Rebels, as we'd perhaps see him move to 10.

Anyone who thinks Horwill shouldn't be in the squad is delusional. Jones, Wykes and Neville, aren't better options. Even if Kane Douglas was available I wouldn't pick him. Overrated imo. The only second rower playing in Australia that might push their way into that top 4 is Pots.