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It's not as if McCabe is not new to the position. BB & Gits know the position at this level well and JOC (James O'Connor) is in tune with the requirements also.

Should be interesting to see how Higgers goes in that role against the big SA pack. He may just land himself a starting role there for the RWC.

Surely for the RWC JOC (James O'Connor) or BB at 12 inside AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) is the way to go. McCabe and Horne(if selected) can play a couple of pool games or warm the bench. I hope we see JOC (James O'Connor) get some time at 12 this weekend.

I disagree Gnostic. It is against a regimented defence not so adept at adjustment on the run that the likes of Cooper, Genia and Beale can be very effective. They have a new defense coach and most likely a new system which they will roll out for the first time this weekend. I do agree about...

I think it is highly unlikely. Even if he does regain fitness in time he is notoriously slow at regaining form.

We are really missing that go-forward Palu provides close into the ruck. Higgers made good yards there late in the game in Auckland and it will be interesting to see if he can do so early against the Boks. Samo is the closest backrower we have to Palu in the current squad in terms of strength...

Why would you have both McCalman and Samo on the same bench with no back-up for 7 with a 5:2 split? We have seen McCalman over the last few tests and know what he can do. Should have been Hodgo or another back there instead of McC.

Samo has to be given a chance this week. Deans would be crazy not to have a look at him with Palu a mediocre chance at best to be ready for the RWC. The inclusion of Sharpe, Higgers and Samo in the starting side would stiffen up the pack considerably. That is a bit of a pipe dream with Elsom...

We live in hope. When is the side named?

When he was named captain, and it was a good decision at the time with Morty not available, it was totally unnecessary to state he would be the captain through to the RWC. I had thought that every time the selectors sit down to pick a squad, they do that and then pick a captain from that group...

I guess Deans is thinking that if AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) does not find form he does not have an alternative 13 in the squad. McCabe or Ioane could fill the position but they are not specialists. Horne is going to be seriously under done and still has it all to prove at test level. P.S.He doesn't seem to rate...

I did not see the Uni game. The question stands, who would you take as the 4th lock instead?

In Auckland last week and against Samoa. He has more game time than Barnes of late but you seem to think the latter is ready. Who would you take instead?

If Samo and Higgenbum perform well over the next two tests I would not select Palu. He is a great asset when in form but has always taken a little while to get there. We could go through the whole RWC without him hitting his straps. Probably Barnes will be selected and Mitchell, TPN and Fat...

It really is time for Deans to give JOC (James O'Connor) a go at 12. Every time he touches the ball something happens. He proved himself at the Force this year at 10-12 and he should be Quades backup at the RWC. When Mitchell returns, which I think he will in time for the RWC, JOC (James O'Connor) must move to IC to accommodate...

Deans did allude to JOC (James O'Connor) spending at least some time at 12 during the Tri Nations. This would be the one to blood him there(in tests). He was excellent at 10 and 12 for the Force and I think he has shown his ability to play at the top level physically. Samo at 8. Higgers at 6 and Elsom on the...

I would just make this change and have Sharpie and Rocky on the bench. Also JOC (James O'Connor) to 12 and Turner on to the wing.

We spent a lot more time in their 22 than they did in ours which indicates that their crucial tackling in that zone was probably better than ours. Every time they came into our 22 it felt almost inevitable that barring an indiscretion they would come away with points.

The execution was poor from the Oz backs but the AB defense was top shelf.

More often than not lately their forwards have steamrolled ours and we have kept the score respectable(most of the time) through slick back play. I thought our forwards were OK last night, McCalman and Rocky aside. Our backs were trying to score off every possession and I agree that having...