I'm surprised some of you are already trying to pick the June Test series squad before any rugby has even been played. Let’s at least wait for the first round of Super rugby before we start talking about likely squad selections.
In terms of the bigger picture issues, it’ll be interesting to see Chieka rebuilds the squad over the next 2 years. I think the plus for him is that a lot of the players in the 2015 WC squad will potentially still be young enough to play at the next world cup. In particular we have the core of a pretty decent forward pack for a change. Sio/Slipper/Smith are all quality long term options at prop. Ironically 2nd row looks like it could potentially become a log jam for the Wallabies over the next 4 years. Simo/Douglas presents as a strong long term locking duo and then you have the likes of Skelton/Carter/Coleman/Arnold all in the frame (we might even see Pyle return to Oz at some stage). Still too early to say which ones will step up and which ones will flounder, but the tall timber is certainly there. Hooker looks relatively stable, although I doubt Moore will make it to the world cup. TPN will be young enough but again there has to be a question mark over his head. Hanson though will likely be a main stay in the team. The backrow will need to be rebuilt but the foundation remains, given that Pocock and Hooper will likely be the 7/8 combo as long as they are healthy. Finding a replacement for Fardy will be interesting. I like the look of Luke Jones. Probably a bit unlucky to miss out on WC selection but has a lot of the skills that would make him a good replacement for Fardy. He’s a good line-out option with a strong work rate.
Cottrell, Vaea and Timani are the other guys that I’ve got my eye on this season.
The backline I’m sure will sort itself out, although my gut says debreczeni and stirzacker will become big players.