As a Wobs supporter I am worried about this because:
1. Scrum - its bad. Bench cover is limited. McMeniman is our reserve lock but cant scrummage. If Horwill is injured, the scrum will go to pieces when McMeniman comes on to lock with Sharpe.
2. Lineout - not sure how we have gone from having an internationally dominant lineout to having it obliterated in 2 of our last 3 tests, but there you go. This needs to improve but its the same lock pairing as in Auckland.
3. Backrow - Palu and Elsom worry me. So does McCaw. If the tight fives are evenly matched, I would love to see McCaw and Smith go hammer and tongs. I think McCaw is the best player on the planet at the moment but, as 7s, I dont think there is that much between him and Smith. We are all lucky to be able to watch them.
4. Cordingley - too old, too slow. Sheehan is combative but limited.
5. Giteau - an enigma and there is no 10 replacement if he is injured or having a shocker. I expect G. Smith will spend time at first receiver if Gits is injured. Although he doesnt have a kicking game (no George, you really dont), he has been used a first receiver in the past with some success.
6. Midfield - I suspect Mortlock's defensive display last week was mostly brought about by Tahu doing the wrong thing and not communicating on the inside. However, Morty isnt a 12. He doesnt have the hands or the fast feet. Cross will go ok at 13 but I still think this is a weakness for us.
7. Wings - Tuqiri is over rated. Hynes is over awed.
Oz reasons for hope:
1. We have won 2 of our last 4 against the ABs.
2. Its in Brisbane and we generally play well there.
Overall, I would say its a pretty paper thin Wallaby team. Bust through the front row and there is no depth on the bench. Bust through the second row and there is no depth on the bench. Bust through the halves and there is no depth on the bench. Mitchell is covering 11-15 by himself. Some of the starters are not of great quality and there isnt the class around them as there may have been in the past.
ABs by 80.
