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Yes but Fardy goes for lots of turnovers too. At least his penalties are based on pushing the boundaries just a bit too far. Most of Simmons penalties are just complete brain-farts. Although he's getting better.

It's not just poor ball carrying, its weakness in the contact-zone. He makes lots of tackles but they are fairly passive.

Nah, but he's been solid and no other lock has been outstanding for the last couple of years. We really need some-one in this area to step up. Otherwise you will always get posters searching for answers in fresh players like Arnold.

Bit Harsh on White. Didn't he only play like 2 Test matches? Phipps starting a heap of tests and was very average for a couple of test seasons before he lifted his game last season. I certainly would be starting with Phipps but I wouldn't ride off a player as fresh and young as Nic White.

I disagree. I think both players will fit into any game-plan. They are both that good! Hooper will have a slight advantage on attack and Pocock on defense. Both WILL BE EFFECTIVE. In regards to tracking players Pocock is one of the best, he basically covered Coopers 10 channel his whole Test...

It's pretty simple. Do you want a solid breakdown operator and a master ball runner (Hooper) Or do you want a solid ball runner and a master breakdown operator (Pocock). Both great workrates and both great tacklers. I'd go with Pocock. I think the value of a breakdown master has been...

Yes to be fair, Pocock needs to continue his form for the remainder of the season. And more importantly stay injury free. But I think the value of his breakdown work was highlighted last game. Something I think the wallabies need more-so then a ball-running forward.

It's funny when you read all these comments like "Pocock was only good when the laws at the breakdown were different", "He isn't effective anymore because its harder to make turnovers now." etc. Then he comes back and dominates the breakdown and makes countless turnovers. IMO, if Pocock can...

Countless turnovers forced by the hands of Pocock and not against light opposition either. Sorry Hooper you had your fun but its time for the master to step back in.

Putting Fardy at lock won't help the scrum woes. I really liked Bob's article and the points you raised. Although I think McCalman is more workrate then impact, at least at Test level. Whilst he isn't on the top of his game at the moment I think Higgers could potentially have more impact. I'd...

Oh yeh for me it would be JOC (James O'Connor) then Tomane/Speight.

I would pick the same. Crazy to think how low Genia has fallen from the pecking order. He used to be one of the wallabies best. What happened!!!

This is his biggest advantage over Cooper at the moment. But Cooper can kick goals too so we'll see how that goes this season.

1. Cooper was coming back from a serious long-term injury. His match fitness or lack-their-of was the main reason he didn't get a start. So realistically he could have only started the last 1 or two games. I do believe Cheika made a mistake not giving him more game-time. But it's a bit of...

Quality post @TWAS. I agree with it all. Beale has way more shortcomings as a Test player then Cooper. The biggest indicator, like you mentioned, Cooper has improved his shortcomings significantly whereas Beale has not.

If I was a selector: Proven Test players. (These guys are proven starters. Super form is taken lightly. Only way they will be dropped is if they have a very poor season, or if the challenger has a player-of-the-season effort). Slipper Moore/TPN - form decides these 2, but the next guy in line...

I never said he should be a must. I said it should be considered, Meaning current form as well as past Test performances should be taken into account. Personally I think a good/solid super xv + great international Test history > superb xv form with poor or no intentional history. In the Foley...

Form is used loosely in these forums. I think I need to remind everyone, that whilst Super Rugby form is a great indicator, it does not equal Test level form. This is why players who have proven themselves at Test level should be preferred over those that haven't. Cooper HAS played very...

I think its the ball skills that set them apart. Speight is superb at offloading, and using back-hand passes.

I agree. It's still a nice thought though isn't it? A player of Coopers skill with Larkham's vision and mentality. The ultimate 10. Although obviously just a thought. I was pretty happy with Coopers performance last game. I think he is on the right track and definitely has a good chance to...