We need a lock badly but we have a number injured so lets see after S14. Other than that I think the pack is pretty solid and unless there is a bolter most will be in the RWC team.

Besides Genia I think every position in the backline is up for grabs. Next year I would guess that Gits, Digby, Ashley and maybe Barnes are the only certs, but in what positions?

Deans needs to get this sorted by the end of next year (preferably much sooner).

Cant wait for S14 to kick in to get a good look at players in the rightful (?) positions…

They’re there or thereabouts. They accomplished what they set out to do and managed to salvage their season and restore their credibility. The Wallabies made a hash of a winnable Grand Slam tour and the Boks thought they’d done enough this year, so naturally the All Blacks’ tour was better, but it has no real bearing on how the Tri-Nations will go next year and it’s not like we achieved all of our aims. We still have no back-up for Carter or McCaw.

Thats right Pete, and I agree with RK also, Giteau is not a 10. The difference in this game was that he played deeper and wider, allowing Cooper to stand the 10 position …. and Genia was able to hit either reliably with good passes …. proof is the lead up to TPN’s try …. Giteau was very deep and ran wide on the loop, he came almost from the fullback position, Genia hit him with a great pass behind the decoys, and Giteau runs into a hole outside a prop, TPN (who was one of the decoys) backs up on the inside.

Giteau was deeper and wider playing at 12, the second receiver, thats where the improvement came, he was executing, not calling. I also thought that Cooper played quite well and his defence was good.

The battle of the inside backs in the Oz S14 franchises next year will be very interesting. I hope that Link allows Cooper to run the Reds games with what he sees, rather than make him play 10 man rugby. Cheers,

We are in the same situation with Gits as we are with Deans, you cannot get rid of the cause there is noone better. Cooper is way too inconsistent and barnes way too injury prone.

Why are my comments awaiting moderation again? How have I transgressed?

Remember: “So Robbie when can we see some silverware?”!

Two I think: the Cook Cup for the Australia v England, and that one for the Welsh match. What’s it called, the second one?

Cheers.

Watch the game again and come back and tell us what position Giteau was standing at for his 3 try assits.

Is that the first game of rugby you’ve seen? I’m guessing the majesty of watching Josh Kronfeld take over from Michael Jones and then the unearthing of the best open side flanker in the world, quite possibly the greatest open side flanker the game has seen in McCaw, you are unaware of? If so, then you’re in for a treat. You’ll be stumbling for superlatives to describe the magnificence of what you will see.