That selection raises a number of issues:
Johnson-Holmes is back. That is HUGE for us, the scrum has not been as strong as we need it to be, especially against the NZ teams. He gets one week to get up to speed.
This would have been the ideal week to rest Porecki, start Latu and bench Vailunu. Porecki has to miss three games some time, because of his Wallaby season. Next week we have got the Canes, the week after the Chiefs who at this stage are the strongest team in the comp. The next two weeks are not for experimenting, this week was the week to try some things. To get Porecki three rests probably means the Force, Drua and Moana. What if Latu or Vailanu are injured those weeks?
Sinclair is clearly a favourite. I don't see that he's got more potential than Seu, who could be top rate if he applied himself better.
I would have started Hanigan and had Sinclair and Seu on the bench so that Hanigan could be replaced early if he gets a niggle. Next two weeks we need Hanigan and Holloway to start.
This was the week to rest Hooper for one of his three enforced rest breaks. Gamble is on fire, we don't lose much playing him instead, we may live to regret this later in the season if Gamble picks up an injury.
I like that Wilson is getting some time debuting off the bench instead of Goddard. From what I saw in the trials he has a big future.
Harrison is not available yet or maybe just not selected? As potentially the best of the three young tens his absence is concerning. He seems to be the most physically brittle.
Its a very strong team that should do the Rebels, though probably not by a lot. But its the lost opportunities I regret
