DPK said:
1. Alexander 2.Polota-Nau 3. Robinson
4. Sharpe 5. Chisholm
6. Elsom 7. Pocock
8. Hodgson
9. Genia
10. Cooper
12. O'Connor 13. Horne
11. Ioane 14. Hynes
15. Ashley-Cooper
Rate this team out of ten, then post the changes you would make and why.
7/10 - Not sure about the 2nd row and centre combination. You got your props mixed up as well.
This is what I would like to see at least tested in the early picks, not going to happen though.
1. Robinson
2.Polota-Nau
3. Alexander
4. Sharpe
5. Mumm
6. Higginbotham
7. Pocock
8. Elsom
9. Genia
10. Cooper
12. Fainga'a
13. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
11. Ioane
14. Mitchell
15. Hynes
Bench: Moore, Baxter, Humphries, Hodgson, Giteau, Barnes, O'Connor
My team has big, strong and hard runners in it that will have a physical presence. Mumm and Sharpe are the 2nd row because they are both leaders and in good form. Higginbotham starts because he is an athletic freak.
I have Fainga'a starting because he has been the form Australian 12 and has brought a style of play that suits a test inside centre and doesn't try to out shine the flyhalf. His combination with Genia and Cooper cannot be underestimated.
The bench has experience forwards and quick, smart elusive backs to run rampant over tiring opposition. I see no point in having a reserve half back when Genia will most likely be play all 80mins in all Tri-Nation matches, and Giteau can cover it if he has to. Versatility is the key word this season when selecting the bench.