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It's not about "allowed," but that he hasn't played there for the Wallabies already. JOC (James O'Connor), Barnes, Cooper and Kurtley all have.

Lilo at 12 is a very real possibility. He's been the form inside centre in Australia and might well have been the 10 against Wales if it wasn't for that awful injury. I think Beale is the likely 10 based on a mix of form, fit within the Wallaby setup and experience. He's not ideal in any...

I don't think it's a bad squad at all. But it is a squad with a history of problems with fitness and application. I also think the shift in playing style is substantial and that most of the senior players had longer-than-ideal layoffs after the EOYT. By contrast, Jake White -- with very few...

I suspect we'll see some of the blokes off to Japan or Europe slip more and more out of favour, especially if making the finals becomes impossible.

I think that's gotta be the first time anyone ever compared a current Waratah to Michael Jordan! I disagree with your premise. Almost all top coaches have some kind of system. They recruit and train players to fit that system. It's why coaches get influence or control over personnel -- they...

I don't think people are ignoring that question, they've just been asking it in a slightly different way: are the current players the right ones for Cheika? I think he has decided he wants to build a particular type of team, rather than cobble together what he can with the players he has. This...

I'd like to see a lot more of To'omua playing at this standard.

Speak for yourself. ;) I think Aussie rugby fans expect our team to be the best in the world most of the time, but we don't often have the cattle. That expectation encourages a hunt for scapegoats rather than recognition of more systemic problems, including reality.

Carter is a strong defender, too. As was Bernie.

Slow start, yes, but the structure and culture at the Saders always kicks in eventually. Even when they play badly, it's usually making a lot of errors or not timing things rather than them just plain sucking.

That's definitely the simplistic, bird's eye view. Foley lost close games playing dire, unadventurous rugby. Cheika is losing games installing a new system with players he didn't select. Chalk and cheese, IMO.

Having now watched the Brumbies destroy the Sharks, I think it's becoming increasingly difficult to argue that they shouldn't be very strongly represented in the Wallabies. They play a direct, skilled game with excellent timing, strong support runners, etc. Their pack is dominant and To'omua...

It was interesting watching the Saders game in contrast. They play that side to side game but support is always there and players know when to come back at an angle to reverse the direction and shift the defense. The Tahs are a long way from that sort of play, but it's good to see the seeds there.

It's very hard to sustain success and contend each year. That's what's so remarkable about the Crusaders franchise. Player turnover, shifts in law emphasis, injuries, assistant coaches moving on -- small changes can have big effects. Only the very best teams are able to make their culture...

Says they have Dan Carter.

The fact that we're debating about who is the best prop is a nice change. Used to be we talked about the least worst. IMO, between Robinson, Palmer, Alexander and Ryan/Slipper, we have a better stable than we have for a very long time.

There was an A-League game at the SFS on Saturday night. That may have been scheduled earlier. It certainly had more fans.

IMO, the problem with McKibbin is very specific, #1. His pass is so erratic that it frequently blunts the attack and leads to turnovers. Much of his game is fine, but his pass is rubbish -- it hooks, goes high, wide, etc.

I am absolutely fine with senior players being stood down if they don't perform. The blokes that work hard and play to the plan should get the minutes. It's not like last year earned anybody the right to a spot. We're going to see some serious turn over in 2014 anyway. Might as well get the guys...

I might have had a few when I wrote my posts. Probably made a lot more sense in my head ;)