Apart from Hynes, Palu got closer to the try line, and more often, than any other Wallaby. I reckon you were just a bit tough on him saying he dropped the pill twice.

No doubt the kick was meant to go a lot deeper, but so what? What is the point of putting up that type of kick at all if you don’t run your team mates on side so that the ball maybe contested? Schoolboy coaches don’t coach this into their back threes and I refuse to believe that an international coach would do so. Please if you know better then enlighten me on what the object of the tactic is. Please remember that in this situation no other player was behind ACC and therefore able to chase the kick, he and he alone could do it, should have done it.

Stillmissit …. the problem was that there was no one behind ACC when he kicked. He had to run people onside. Yes, one of the wingers should have dropped back in behind but no way should ACC have kicked right then and there.

Mudskipper, I can forgive a wayward kick occasionally, what I can’t forgive is what he did after the kick. You simply cannot retreat. Also when he saw it was a poor kick it was doubly important for him to run people on side so it could be contested and defended.

Sorry, but that simply isn’t good enough for a test level fullback. I like the guy as a player but wearing No 13 and nothing else.

Backline for now (due to injuries etc.) should be:

15. AAC
14. Hynes
13. Ioane
12. O’Connor
11. Mitchell
10. Giteau
9. Genia

The other options would be Ioane at 13 (with God knows who at 12 and on the wing), or AAC at 13 (and God knows what defense at 15).

Problem with Australian rugby is it is too forgiving.

Examples : I see the commentary from Saturday where Palu was “unlucky” where he dropped the ball going for a try …………..he dropped it because he is not good enough. Another where the lineout was appalliing but the set pieces had improved ? Great improved from where ? 2005 when England tore us apart.

The fact is our depth in terrible and the ARU do nothing to make the game any more appealling in Australia.

I would prefer a wing to fall back and cover FB but this is soooooo old hat these, smart, informed, days. Rather to let the opposition just have the ball and we can all sit back and watch what they do with it.

Of course we have 8 forwards in the back line ready to pounce! or should that be ponce!

Put it this way, I’d say he’d be the first to be given a jersey but they wouldn’t stick a number on the back of it until everyone else has theirs.

Armchair, I’d reckon the selections go the other way – Ashley-Cooper is one of the first picked, but just not in one specific jersey…

Fortunately, he’s made a very good fist of the utility role. Compare with M.Rogers, for example..

From reading discussions I get the impression that he is so good at a number of positions that where he plays is dependent on those around him.

i.e. pick the best available players we have, in their best positons, and then use AAC to fill whatever gap is left.

Think you’re right about Lealiifano and Toomua, but I was under the impression that Lealiifano comes up at the end of next year, and hence my thoughts on his returning home. I know the Force made enquires about getting him for 2010, but he said he was keen to play out this contract in Canberra. Toomua was super impressive in those last few games, I really hope he continues along this path…

I’m pretty sure Lealiifano and Toomua both signed for another 2 years with the Brumbies. However he may request to move, I hope he sticks around as he has really come on as a great young player in the past year. But Toomua is one every talented kid, he could be Australia’s Dan Carter if he keeps his head and works hard.

The idea does have merit and it would certainly sure up the last line of defence.

My only question mark would be does he still have the pace and also could he handle the positional play. But he seems the kind of guy that knows rugby well enough to handle that.

All of these discussions have made me realise how many injuries there have been. What with Barnes, Mortlock, Shephard, Horne and Ioane just returning.

For what its worth here would be my starting backline if everyone were fit:

If Shephard rediscovers his best form:

9. Genia
10. Barnes
11. Ioane
12. Giteau
13. AAC
14. Mortlock/Hynes
15. Shephard

Otherwise:

9. Genia
10. Barnes
11. Hynes
12. Giteau
13. Ioane
14. Mortlock
15. AAC

Both of this are big powerful backlines with agile and fast players like O’Connor to come on in the last 20 and combine with Barnes, Giteau against tiring sides.

Anyway Justin, this is the sort of converstation best enjoyed over a quiet post-game beer or rum, so if you or any of you Roarers get to a Brumbies game next year, I’ll be happy to pick it all up again

If the fly-half plan to to think of something on the spot and try it, then you probably need a second-five type of 12, in which case I’d look for Cooper (or maybe Toomua) of the remaining squad. Barnes has shown himself to be very adaptable to either game, and in this case, Ashley-Cooper at 13 and O’Connor at 15 makes a lot of sense.

For what it’s worth, the time to try O’Connor at 12 is probably as good as ever now. And Ioane looked very good last Sat, so maybe he’s worth trying at 13, with Ashley-Cooper at the back. I agree with points above that kicking isn’t Ashley-Cooper’s strong point, but him in 15 makes for a pretty potent backline to take on England..