Ione and Hynes are threats to any team, but it would be a miracle is either touch the ball during the entire match. We have a centre playing 10 who does not have a long pass, while AAC and Cross dont know the meaning of the word pass…

The are only 2 options. JOC goes to 12. Its an established partnership from the force, and where JOC made his name. Give him a chance. The other option is to move Giteau to 12, and have Cooper play 10. That combination saved us from complete humilation in Perth.

If these idiotic selections from Deans continues, then I honestly dont even see the point of watching the Grand Slam. We may fluke a grinding win or two, but thats it. Considering that Ione is back and Mortlock is soon to follow, we have a real chance of having a great tour. Those two being available for the entire Tri-Nations would have made the world of difference. Yet even their return means nothing unless they can receive quality ball. That cannot happen wth AAC at 12.

We know we cant win tonight anyway, so what have we got to lose Deans?

We have 1 ball player who is a centre playing 10. Ione and Hynes are dangerous, but if they happen to touch the ball in the entire match, it will be a small miracle. Giteau doesn’t have a long pass, while AAC and Cross dont know the meaning of the word pass…

There are only 2 options. Move JOC into 12. The combination already exists, and he has made it to this level playing 12. The other is to move Gits to 12, and have Cooper play 10. That combination saved us from complete humiliation in Perth when he came on.

Surely blind freddy can see that AAC at 12 cannot work. I honestly dont even feel like watching the tour now with these idiotic selections. We know the Wallabies CANNOT win by picking such a headless team. Its so frustrating. AAC had an average S14 season at best – and this is coming from a Brumbies supporter who has been a cheerleader fro AAC since some amazing starts in 2005. He is a solid player, but not world class, and cant perform miracles. Let him play to his strengths – same with JOC.

We may fluke a grinding win on tour, but the hopes of a Grand Slam are now gone. UNLESS that is, Deans picks players in their correct positions, and gives us a chance. Ione is back, Mortlock soon to follow – that makes the Wallabies DANGEROUS – really dangerous. We have not had these two this season to tear apart defences and let our speedy backs feed off them. None of that is any good if we dont have a 10 and 12 who can give them the ball (It goes without saying that the forwards need to put in enough effort to give some opportunities to unleash our backs)

That’s a great response. I’m going to use that in future if you don’t mind, Chris.

Besides – your logic falls apart when you consider that Toomua is 182cm (6ft) and 90kg. I would have thought that was more than big enough – especially considering Giteau is 178cm and 85kg.

http://news.rugbyheaven.com.au/breaking-news-sport/toomua-called-into-wallabies-squad-20091030-hpt8.html

He is prone to going down during games, and missing games due to injury. Sure, great talent, but jeez he is frail.

Shoulder, concussion, ankle etc. He has missed a few games in the past to injury and I have commented so as well.

I dont think O’Connor is a 15, so if he has to be in the side (which for some reason he apparently does) then I’d play him at 12 rather than 15.

There isn’t a fit, stand out, 1st five to push Gits into 2nd five, so the best option is to find a good 2nd five. Smith fits the bill both offensively and defensively, but he has only just joined the squad and the coaching staff may feel it’s not enough time to prepare for a test.

If Barnes was going to play at fly-half with a 12 on his back, then the left field option is to slot Quade Cooper in at 10 and Gits to 12, or if you insist on leaving Gits at 10, put KB into 12.

Geez starting Kurtley at 12 in a Bledisloe game would give the country the jitters before the match!

And yes the other more logical option was to put JOC at 12, given he, Cross and Gits played the same positions at the Force. Then you can keep your best available fullback at fullback.

I’m sure they’d be worried about having Gits and JOC there for lack of size countering Nonu and the big AB backrowers.

However, would be interesting to see how the forward play will respond to this….

Agree with what you say. However, isn’t our problem that our best 10 is Barnes (now injured again) and our next best is Gits? So what’s better having Gits at 12 and working with a replacement at 10 (Cooper, O’Connor or Beale) or shifting Gits into 10 and having the problem further out?

For mine I’d love to see Gits at 12 (that’s his best position IMHO) but the if the new 10 doesn’t deliver the pill, direct traffic and take smart options it’s all for what?

Hey what’s it matter anyway? Robbie had made his mind up before the injury that Gits was to be at 10.