Based on what? The vibe?Personally, the team i'd like to see start:
1. Robinson
2. Moore
3. Alexander
4. Douglas
5. Horwill (c)/ Simmons
6. Smith
7. Hooper
8. Mowen
9. Genia
10. O'Connor
11. Tomane
12. Leali'ifano
13. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
14. Folau
15. Beale/Mogg
16. Fainga'a
17. Slipper
18. Kepu
19. Simmons/Kimlin
20. Gill
21. Phipps
22. Horne
23. Mogg/Beale
- Our front row have been solid over the past 2 tests, should stick it to them again in the decider. Douglas and Horwill get through a mountain of work, which is no surprise. If Horwill, thanks to the IRB, doesn't get to play this coming weekend, then Deans will obviously move Simmons in.
- A back row containing Smith, Hooper and Mowen would be one of the best we can field. Having two pilferers at the breakdown will bring more concern to the Lions, ESPECIALLY if Warburton cannot play. I don't think I can put it any other way but GEORGE SMITH HAS TO BE BROUGHT INTO THE SIDE! That much experience cannot just go to waste, plus him vs someone like Lydiate will be very exciting. Hooper does a lot, but I reckon play Hooper for half and Gill for half. If only we had Pocock. Mowen has been one of the standouts over the last two games, particularly against Phillips in the first. I'm sorry, but Palu really does nothing. He's arguably been out of form for the whole of the super rugby series and is not our best choice for 8.
- Genia: Best halfback in the world, by a country mile. O'Connor has to stay at 10 now, no point in changing the positions to much before the third test. I don't understand why Deans didn't select a specialist 10 for the tour. Barnes is not, Beale is not, O'Connor is not. The option I suppose is that bring Leali'ifano into 10 and perhaps move O'Connor to 12, but they alternate positions anyway. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), excellent as always. Folau brilliant and Tomane didn't play too badly. Beale realistically just needs to be there.
- On a side note, thankyou Leali'ifano for having the ability to kick penalties.
RugbyStats had him with 13 runs (most), 48m (most by a forward), 12 ruck / maul involvements (most), 1 penalty conceded (compared to Horwill and Mowen with 2 each, for example). Moore, a generally well-regarded ball runner had 11 runs for half the metres, in comparison. Their tackle stats were all missing, so can't comment there.
This oft repeated "he does nothing" is seldom supported by any statistical data, or if it is, the stats are dismissed as rubbish.
I really don't get it.