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Looks pretty good, but I'd hope that Taliauli will come good for the No 11 spot, or failing that James Dargaville or Andrew Muirhead.

Invite you to have a look at Matt Philip's recent NRC games. While he has been playing Lock, he is almost identical to Scott Fardy in size, and plays a very hard game. And while it might be a jump from NRC to Wallabies, he also had a very strong Super Rugby season with the Force. He is a year or...

Angus Allen also showing some good form recently. Incidentally, does anyone know the current status of Rowan Perry? Signed with the Tahs but not getting any game time that I've seen.

Will Hanson and Siliva get a lot of time next year, with the Wallabies reserve hooker now expected to jump from No 4 rated at the Rebels to No 1?

My favourite photo of the year so far - Korzyk and Talakai (was it?) embracing each other after Tom Banks had slipped between the two of them on his way to the try line.

FP, it might be argued that it is Hanigan's game, but it is hard to argue that he is effective at it.

I think he probably wouldn't combine extremely well with Hooper and McMahon, but most likely for different reasons than you might think that to be the case. IMO Hooper and McMahon are too alike to form a basis for an exceptional back row, perhaps no matter who the third member happens to be...

Good to see both Brian Smith and Cheika on the front pages agreeing with my post above regarding the support play more in evidence in the Wallabies' play, and their greater fitness at the end of games. Though I have to start wondering about my own state of mind when I agree with Cheika.

There are promising signs from the Wallabies. They seem to play a less structured game on attack, trusting their supports more than in recent times. Maybe, the work Mick Byrne is putting in is having some effect? They also seem to be able to keep their intensity up towards the end of a game...

And why is someone like Steve Moore kept on when he is no longer a starter? Consistency please Cheika.

Yeah, but who was Higgers competing with at those times? I suspect Cliff Palu most of the time. Hanigan surely can't be said to be in the same league?

50/50 I thought. Wouldn't be concerned which way it went. Same for Phipps' try later in the game. Most refs would have judged him not to have released the ball before advancing his position without releasing the ball. Win some, you lose some.

Matt Philip 198cm, 118kg. Age 23

Philip had a belter and was MOTM for me. I also thought Richie Arnold had a very strong game, and I think actually lasted the whole 80 minutes. He looked to be really enjoying himself out there, smashing ball carriers, disrupting mauls and off loading like a centre. Naisarani was also strong...

Gnostic, I heartily agree with every point you've made. But particularly in relation to the No 6 spot, I note in an above post there is some suggestion Cheika might consider Tui for the 6 spot. I think that could be a move well worth having a look at. Tui was really strong playing for Brisbane...

Yep - exactly the same for me. A couple of other new annoyances as well.

They are starting to look good when they hold the ball. In the first half last night, my impression is tht they kicked the ball away on first or second phase a hell of a lot. Did much better in the second half when they held on to it more.

I disagree KOB. Sean is a bit on the small side, and at test level cant impose himself in contact, to be a 6 or 8. I think he is the closest we have to an Ardie Savea who mostly if not always comes off the bench to play at 7. That would be the role I'd give to McMahon as well. His ability over...

I rather think Hanigan/Dempsey is desperation with a capital "D". When the present arrangements aren't working, something different needs to be tried. FP, there really doesn't seem to a lot of difference in the mode of play between a 6 and the enforcer style of lock that Philip is. There are...

FP, I think you have here done a better job of unscrambling the Cheika brain and way of thinking than Cheika himself has done. I still don't agree with the selection of Hanigan and Dempsey, nor the continual selection of two No 7s in the backrow, as I think they and it represents a significant...