I am excited to see what this squad can do, and I don't mind that Eddie took the scorched earth approach with many of the out of form players, some of whom they've identified as being past it...
There's certainly some inconsistencies in there though...
I was always resigned to the fact that Vunivalu, Uelese and Donaldson would be there... despite that whole process of dumping out of form players.
But in saying that, after dumping Quade and Foley having a mare in Tonga I'm not as upset as others of Donaldson being included.
I'm surprised Eddie didn't go further and dump Nic White for Ryan Lonergan.
I can't help but feel a bit aggrieved for Ikitau missing out... obviously one of our few world class players, and the explanation of leaving him out doesn't hold up when there's other players included in the same situation.
I would've thought Petaia would be more than capable of starting in the first couple of tests and then easing Ikitau back via the final two pool games.
I don't think it's a 4D chess move by Eddie planning for future injuries, but rather he sees the position adequately covered by Petaia and Perese and he can add in more players where there's more uncertainty.