May I extend the definition of 'squad' to one of total Wallaby organisational capability, just for a moment?
What REALY MUST CHANGE AND NOW in the preparation for all of 2013's Tests (especially the BIL) is much more fundamental than who plays 12 or 15 or such like.
It is surely this: a major factor underpinning the obvious deterioration in the attacking skill, prowess and game success of the recent years Wallabies' attack is clearly, without a shadow of a doubt, the fact that the Wallabies have no specialist and dedicated Attack/Backs coach, and have never had one since 2007. Deans himself has largely assumed this role and the most deliberately polite description of his demonstrated success in it would be one based upon the notion 'he's just too busy with other tasks to do this one well'.
I can think of no other successful (or otherwise) national coaching team (or even S15 team) that does not appoint a dedicated backs/attack coach with known credentials in that skill area.
The no-specialist-attack-coach model hasn't worked and what is now critical is that Deans appoints such a support coach pre-Lions (and ideally for all of 2013) and, whilst there are conflicts in this suggestion, the two candidates who are best qualified and who could do the job and are available now are McKay or Larkham.
Pre-BIL, adding this long-overdue capability to the Wallabies organisation is even more critical than would normally be the case in that (a) there is only a three week intensive preparation period available pre Test 1 and (b) amazingly the ARU has arranged no Wallaby trial games of any kind pre-June 22 for the BIL Wallabies squad and thus a specialist coach with skills in designing and training in excellence in attack and back line play is simply essential and (c) the Wallaby attack and quality of ensemble back line play since at least early 2011 has looked ordinary at best, and weak and exposed at worst.
The development and progress of the Reds, Brumbies and (just now) the 2013 Waratahs highlights the paramount importance of pre-eminent and complete coaching teams in realising the immense potential of Australia's rugby players. All of these coaching teams clearly possess competent attack/backs coaches playing specialist roles for their supervising head coaches. These head coaches by their actions make it obvious that it would be inconceivable for them to progress their players without an adequate team of specialist coaches advising and supporting them.
