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I can't see anything more than 1 lock coming in to cover the back 5 at scrum time, there's already 3 locks and 6 backrowers. Anything more and the locks and backrowers will be overrepresented in a squad of 31. In my book, there's already one too many backrowers for a squad of 31 (unless Deans...

I wouldn't be surprised if Deans doesn't take a 5th prop, but does take a 3rd hooker and 4th lock. Logic behind the no 5th prop is that he has a couple of guys who Deans probably thinks can cover both loosehead and tighthead in Kepu, Alexander and Slipper. Palmer or Ryan would've likely been...

Everyone please hurry up and get the Cooper omission off their chest. I have - and moved on. Sure, no Cooper still rankles me, but I'll still support the Wallabies come Lions time (without supporting Deans, if that's somehow possible!). A loss to those stodgy NH type will suck, with or...

Unfortunately, there's no way Godwin will get picked, regardless of McCabe's injury. Godwin would only cover 12, and there's already three 12s selected, and JOC (James O'Connor) can cover there too. 13 is the spot that needs more cover, and probably 10 and 15 too, hence why I think Deans wants Beale so badly...

So, Douglas may be out for a few weeks with concussion which may explain his non-selection. Otherwise, if Deans is waiting on MMM, then it appears that Deans regards Timani higher than Douglas, which confuses me based on how Douglas has played for the Wallabies last year, and how both Timani and...

Is Horne fit to play? If Horne is fit to play, I'd be tempted to bench Foley, as well as Foley has been going. Otherwise, Barnes at 12. Although I think that Barnes' best position is 12, where he can step into 10 as needed, I think that the Tahs will get more from 10. Barnes 12. Horne then...

I would like to see this backline: 9. Lucas 10. Cooper 11. Shipperley / Davies / F'Sautia 12. Taps/A. Finger 13. A. Finger / F'Sautia 14. Shipperley / Davies / F'Sautia 15. Morahan Reserve backs, assuming a 4:3 split, will be: Frisby Lance Taps/Shipperley/Davies This way, Cooper gets to...

This is unacceptable in my opinion. People have a right to their own opinion. Again, please tone down the abuse. edit: Calling a mass of people "thick" is not the right way to go about it, either.

Please tone down the aggression and abuse. It's not required to get your point across. Regarding your own point, my own personal opinion is that Deans would not select Cooper short of Cooper being the second coming of Larkham, and maybe not even then. Blaming Cooper for Taps' drop in form is...

No doubt. Overlooking a guy who is playing better (according to the podcast) for a guy who is playing off the bench in Europe, hasn't played a game in Australia for years, because of experience? Bizarre selection, in my book. You can see why Deans did it - for experience - but really, I...

I replied to those statements from Deans in the 25 man squad thread, but to me that means that Deans is looking for excuses not to pick Cooper. Blaming Cooper for Taps being out of form is crazy; Taps made his own mistakes, Cooper doesn't make him drop good balls and miss tackles he should...

A few great comments on the podcast on the make up of the squad. Let's ignore Cooper being missing, I covered that above and now have had enough of it myself. Cooper would be mine, and most people's here, first choice, but I think that Deans has personal issues with him and it just won't...

Amazingly, JOC (James O'Connor) was really poor vs the Blues before he went off injured. A similar performance from Cooper would have been panned, and people would have been pointing to that performance for reasons to not pick Cooper. A classic example is how many have pointed out Cooper's miss vs the Cheetahs...

Timani's ball carrying has been very poor in the last few weeks, he's been caught high more times then he's actually "bent the line" as people claim. Now if you think about what is a popular tactic to get a turnover in NH rugby, you might be excused for thinking that the selection of Timani as...

There's a lot of justification of why Cooper should be there, and why he shouldn't, but really I think it's personal with Deans (despite the denials). I just can't see Deans selecting Cooper unless absolutely forced. Greg Growden's opinion supports this...

T-minus 1.5 hours until the squad is announced. Just before the howls of complaint/happiness/derision/whatever in 1.5 hours - please try to keep it calm and not personal. We already know that Cooper is likely to be omitted, for instance, and everyone's favourite Brumby is likely to be there...

I don't think I'd have Cooper at 15, he is not good enough under the high ball. I would play Cooper at 10 and have him defend in the line. He defended in the line vs the Cheetahs last night, and apart from one slip which unfortunately was complicit in a Cheetahs' try, he defended well. If...

With refs, I think Hanlon's Razor applies, and should apply unless there is evidence otherwise. Reds were their own worst enemy, sure some calls didn't go their, but the finishing wasn't there and the Cheetahs defended very well. Some games things just don't go your way, and to be fair the...

Reckon Deans hint at defence and the Lions' playing like the Welsh - straight and direct and physical (not sure I agree completely) indicates his feeling about Cooper not being able to defend. (Ironic part being that Cooper has defended better than JOC (James O'Connor) this year, Deans' likely choice at 10.)

Kearns pushing on about the Tahs. As bad as Marto with the Reds. Argh. McArdle asking about the style of rugby the Wallabies will play vs the Lions. Says attack to win, and defence. Stresses about defence, Lions will be direct and physical. Kearns interrupted McArdle's line of...