I'd prefer Horne opposite North than Speight for next week.
That’s the other aspect of his game that many people done understand. I reckon he is the world’s best defensive winger. He reads the game so well. Even before he got here he had that understanding. Some guys have it and Henry’s got it.
Which props should we play on the bench in these 4 Tests then? I think we're kinda stuck.I am still a bit unsure about what approach Australia should take to these games.
I think the coming games should be viewed in the context of the coming World cup.
That means players should not necessarily be played on form alone, but potential.
As such Speight has to start ahead of Horne; he has so much more potential. McMahon needs top be on the bench at a minimum. You cannot split To'omua and Lealifano of recent form (well maybe you can if favour of leli) so I would favour To'omua as I think he is a better long term prospect.
I also think Quade is a better player when fully fit than Foley so should be given some opportunity to play - albeit from the bench.
We need to move on from Alexander and Robinson, they don't deserve game time in my opinion.
I thought North was being talked of for centre. Replacement for Jonathan Davis possibly.
Yeah, I thought you meant that, but you didna say it!!@ Cyclopath
My point was more generally that neither Alexander nor Robinson should/will be in the world cup squad - injuries permitting.
I agree that in the coming tests they will have to select Robinson and Alexander on the bench.
I just hate the fact that they didn't take Alo-Emile or some other young props over instead.
Back-rower Scott Higginbotham has been ruled out of the clash in Cardiff, but will stay with the team until the severity of his hamstring injury is known.
Since he hurt his neck, Really miss the old LHP Alexander.Alexander is a decent enough back-up test prop when in good form. Problem is his form at the moment is absolute rubbish and has been since the second half of the Super season.
I really hope he gets his mojo back next year. As it stands if Kepu goes down injured in 2015 we might as well not turn up. PAE looks like a good option but with no test experience, he's a bench option at best. To make matters worse, I worry that he'll continue to sit on the bench behind Weeks in 2015.
At loosehead we're ok. Sio looks like a good backup for Slipper and Robinson and Cowan have enough experience to be useful
Do you select Speight as your starting winger now based on his past form or do you go on the fact that Horne has been in either the starting XV or matchday 23 for a while now and playing well and had a better game against the Barbarians?
I think Speight needed to have a blinder to go straight into the starting XV and it didn't happen.
A tale of two halves...
In the first half Speight got some crappy ball (I put much of this down to Cooper unnecessarily flinging it wide too often) but still managed to get across the gain line, and was very busy off the ball.....
He wasn't as involved in the second half, and Horne got some good touches....
But you'd have to go with Speight for next week.
That was his first proper match after an injury layoff, and I think we need to give him as much time as possible because he ultimately offers so much more than Horne, who at best is a very solid player.
Well, I know what I'd do, but I'll just have to wait to see how Cheika reads it.
Which props should we play on the bench in these 4 Tests then? I think we're kinda stuck.
Yeah seems to be uncertain if he'll play but there's Scott Williams too.