Agreed RE Mogg and his defence, have him practice his tackling one on one against Auelua and Speigh (the slipperiest man in the Brumbies squad). Repeatedly. Beale is gone for the series, or should be. He's out of form, now injured and unable to play, as well as his disciplinary stuff. He's gone.
Cooper is getting better with each passing game, and with no other real option that doesn't make me want to just cry (besides playing Lealiifano there and banking on him pulling his 2012 form out of the hat), at this stage i've inked him into my team alongside Genia. who is obviously a shoe in.
I see the value in playing Tapuai at 12 as he has test experience and a combination with Cooper, but Lealiifano is in arguably better form, and is our best goalkicking option, plus has proven BMT, and is a much more aggressive defender.
Palu is a busted flush, and out of form. He is consistantly tackled behind the gainline, struggles to play back to back games and doesn't look at all fit.
Higgers is playing ok, in a shit team that's struggling. Mowen is kicking arse and STANDING OUT, even with everyone else at the Brumbies playing as well as they are. He's the best jumper in Aus and is running the best lineout in Aus atm. Against a NH team that is sure to kick a lot and play set piece rugby, he should be a fucking shoe in. Lineouts are far, far more important than scrums, and if we don't have a dominant lineout, then good bye Lions trophy. We must have strong set pieces or we're screwed.
Smith is a shoe in. All we need is Suntroy to extend his holiday, and the Aru to sign him on a 6 month contract, with a get-out clause that Smith can enact after the series. Simple.
MMM is a rampaging animal, we need his raw, hairy angriness. Higgers likes to give newspaper interviews about him being angry and aggressive, but so far the only evidence i've seen of that in gold is him cheapshotting McCaw and getting banned. Well played dickhead, why don't you go out and actually just smash people and rucks like MMM is doing?
Who to partner Horwill in the 2nd row?! Douglas is a good option, Timani is just too lazy despite his big hit every 2nd game. Fardy is playing so well that I don't understand the total lack of interest in him? He constantly belts people in defence, hits rucks with serious venom, runs the ball very well, and is a pain int he arse at breakdowns as well, his turnover rate is very decent. Not quite as big as Douglas though, which is his only drawback but its only by about 3cm and 4kg, if that.
13 is a bit of an issue, but AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) is finding some form at last and if he's in form, then he's our best option.
Folau turns the ball over a lot and that's probably worse than a mistackle so he gets ruled out as well.
