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It makes sense if you consider Deans may want to give Hooper some time on the park without Pocock. He may actually consider taking Pocock off the park.

I remember watching the other TV and hearing my Dad make this incredible noise, a cross between a battle cry and laughter. Watched the rest of game and assumed we were great at this sport I'd never payed attention to before, then the following game...

Obviously you have a different idea of "closing out a game' to me. Closing out a game is not snatching victory from the jaws of defeat, it's relentlessly finishing off an opposition once you've achieved dominance, on the scoreboard or on the park.

Yeah I agree, thought it was absolute madness on Saturday when Dave Dennis was at lock in the scrums when Hooper came to the field. Hooper was pretty disappointing when he came on on the weekend but I think he should stay on the bench. He's probably the best impact 7 in Australia in the moment.

Tom Alexander was at the Brumbies for a little while, wasn't he? Agree that he and Palamo have potential. Sione Piukala's gone overseas, he could gain more hype with that exposure. Might just be earning a bit of dosh while he can, on the other hand, before bowing out.

As it should be. He's at the most risk.

Well the problem doesn't originate in the backs. But to humour you: Just Cooper? May cause more problems if he gets put under too much pressure. Just JOC (James O'Connor) or Beale? May get some half breaks, not much of a difference. All three? That would make a big difference.

Not if we continue to dither around at the breakdown and play too flat. Our lineout was excellent last night, and Pocock is still our ace in the hole. But I think New Zealand would be looking at the way Wales shut down our attack by pushing up hard in defence and licking their lips.

I can understand that sentiment. Don't totally agree with it though.

Who said I'm not? I didn't think it was as thrilling a match as some around here did but it had its exciting moments and a great finish, and I'm happy we won. Look, the reason the All Blacks are number one is because they aim to be champions on and off the field 24/7. Every game, every day...

OK Groucho, do you think the Wallabies played well enough to beat New Zealand? Or, for that matter, whichever team you think are the best in international rugby?

The same New Zealand that has never lost to Ireland? And put 40 points on them last week?

So, I'll bring out the good ol' measuring stick. Was that performance good enough to beat New Zealand? IMO not at all. Only the goal kicking was good enough bar Barnes' miss.

They have at least one fan who will never desert them. WJ.

For the record I think he did bomb the try, badly. I don't like 13's who think they need to do it all themselves: a lot of their time should be spent making their outsides look good (and I don't mean focussing on their hairstyles). I'm with Groucho on this one. Horne looked solid without...

To the people calling for Horne to be dropped; is the only reason the bombed try? I didn't notice him do anything particularly poorly other than that episode.

Well not Higgenbotham's try.

Nice enough guy, though.

If you're not already saying that you should drag yourself into 2012 with the rest of us... :P

I'd rather see them use these games to settle on a solid XV and let them forge some consistency. As little changes as possible.