I'm a huge fan of Fainga'a at 12
That kid is one of the best defenders I've ever seen in either code. his speed and co ordination is exceptional. He goes in low and hard with deadly accuracy and drops much bigger men in their tracks. he gets to his feet quickly to contest the ball or make himself available for the next tackle. His acceleration, speed, fitness and timing is exceptional. Fainga'a has been given an opportunity and he'll aim up. I also feel he is much underrated in attack. His acceleration onto the ball takes us over the advantage line despite his small stature. He reacts quickly and explodes onto the ball.
The good news is that Maybelline Nonu is perhaps the most over rated allblack in the history of rugby. There would be amazing opportunity down the 13 channel if we played AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) at 13. Rob Horne is one of Deans' "protected species" and is ineffective in attack and his defence in 2012 has been soft. I just don't get Deans infatuation with Horne. he fails time and time again.
mcCabe is a plodder. I think we're a huge chance without him clogging up our backline
I like our frontrow. Big, 'ard, aggressive
Our second row is a worry for me. I feel Sharpe's best days are behind him. He just doesn't have the mongrel to belt kiwis into submission. Sitaleki has the mongrel and size but not the talent.
I'm liking Higgers at 8. He has a bit of aggro, and go forward. I like his combination with Genia at 9.
Pocock is well hyped. He always finishes second to Mccaw......even when we have double teamed Mccaw with two open sides playing 6 and 7. McCaw is still king........even with a crippling foot injury, concussion etc etc. Mccaw shows the remarkable resilience and tenacity that wallabies can only look on with curiosity and admiration. That bloke has a special motor and it's spelt DESIRE.
If we are to win this match, the wallaby backrow has to aim up and win the collisions at the breakdown. Dennis has a massive role to play. I'm prepared to give him a chance after his stellar season for the Tahs. This is a Bledisloe test in a series we haven't won for ten years though. No time to "learn test rugby". Deliver. The kiwis need to be belted backwards and this is your task. Deliver!
The bench. Deans gets it wrong again.
Phipps? dead set! What does Deans see in this half tracker?
Mitchell? has had less rugby than Cooper who is out "because he he hasn't had enough rugby"
Samo? had one good game last year. Consistency in gold has been poor
It's Link time. I'm sick of wallaby mediocrity