Palu back for Bledisloe Cup opener

PS- If you've got some links to footage of Sheridan at his former athletic best, I'd be grateful to see them

KO- Can't say I ever witnessed Sheridan playing at lock or back row myself so can't comment on his efficacy there, but certainly at tighthead he seems to make a few solid yards and fall to ground in the carry (ala Sharpe admittedly, but with the added handicap of never passing or offloading in the tackle). The argument that a tight head can't fulfil these roles though doesn't hold any water though- there are plenty of props (including tighheads) who get around the park very well, pass, offload, make tackles AND scrummage well i.e my personal favourite at the moment big Ben Alexander :-)

'in today’s professional game there is surely no room for a player who can hold up a scrum put can’t run or pass i.e Andrew Sheridan' TommyM, completely off tangent here but you're totally off the mark with that comment. Sheridan's professional career began in the back and 2nd row. He even played non-cap games for England at lock. Prior to his conversion Sheridan was perhaps the most damaging ball carrier in England. Obviously his career change has stopped that as England seek to use him differently and his powerful charges are less powerful due to the nature of scrummaging and the fact that Sheridan has changed his body shape and fitness programme.

The pressure on the ABs comes from the fact that they lost to the French (and the Wallabies last year) at home. If they lose in Oz or SA this year, well, that's one thing - but they're aiming to contest the final of the RWC at Eden Park, so a loss to the Ws on Saturday at that venue would be doubly disastrous. Some people think it doesn't matter because the ABs have this year's Tri and next year's Tri before the WRC. But that's not the way Henry thinks. He's looking ahead to the prize of prizes, and he doesn't want Fortress Eden breeched by the Wallabies' trebuchets. The AB's will fight to the last man not to lose this one.

5:2 split on the bench loads up the pressure on the backs to go the distance - This may be difficult as Genia is on debut The problem with the bench is when do you get the value for the two/three opensides - He will not take Smith off early and you risk your possession against a smart lineout defence as each week goes by the opposition will find ways to exploit this selection (use the maul perhaps by example). if you only use Waugh and Pockock in the last 10 to 15 mins it does not seem to make great sense. Deans only uses his bench late so in effect there is no great tactical advantage but perhaps a greater tactical risk - we shall see

Also - re: the draw creating pressure on NZ to win this weekend. I would doubt that has entered anyone's minds, whether in the Australian or NZ camps. The pressure comes from the match itself.

How is there a sameness about Eaton and Read? They play different positions in a different style?

There's no way in hell that bench is a tactical victory to Deans. Not that Deans has shown any great tactical use of the bench to date.

Another thing: this is definitely a 3N draw that favours Australia. After Australia this weekend, NZ have to play tests in South Africa on the two weekends after that. If NZ lose this weekend, then they will be staring at a 0-3 start, given the difficulties of (1) playing 5 days after arriving in South Africa, and (2) playing 3 matches on successive weekends. So there's a huge amount of pressure on NZ to win this weekend, whereas the same is not true for Australia.

Seems odd to me that both teams have chosen No. 8's who haven't played for about 2 months and who are going to be seriously gasping for breath, especially Palu. This is no doubt why Deans has named 5.5 backrowers (in this case Mumm is more there to cover 2R just as much as 6). However NZ have taken a bit of a risk by not choosing any backup to McCaw, who is also short of a gallop. The captain rarely comes off injured, but if he does pickup an injury or run out of steam, then So'oialo is the only real backup ... and as I started by saying, I'd be surprised if he can play effectively for anything like 80 minutes. I also think there's a sameness about Read and Eaton, NZ's two reserves for 4-8. I mean, let's say that So'oialo and Kaino need to be replaced. Then NZ's back-row will be McCaw, Read and Eaton, up against an Australian back-row which by then will contain 2 No. 7's. This looks like to mismatch to me. In short, a likely tactical victory for Deans. The mystery is that NZ could have also gone for a 5-2 bench, because of the versatility of players like Weepu, McAlister, Jane, Nonu and Muliaina.

Guys - Brown is a decent 3rd lineout option and the Wallabies will use him at the front of the lineout. NZ don't exactly have a tall back row. The back reserves are fine. It'd be uncommon to get more than one injury and O'Connor is really only there for injury cover. AAC can play 13 or wing so we've got all the positions covered. With the side Australia has picked it will be a furious contest, as always. When Elsom returns, Brown looms as the ideal bench backrower, as he covers all three spots pretty well. Kimlin is the guy to bring in to 2nd row - tall, strong, tough and physical and very fast. He just needs to be brought on for a couple of years so he's in prime form to partner Horwill at the 2011 WC.

I am happy with the team and the make up of the bench. I can't think of too many times a team has lost 2 backs in 1 game before. I'm sure it's happened but it's not likely. I think the people who are questioning the decision to have 2 7's on the bench may want to wait until post game before making a call on it. If I had to stake my life on any of you making the right call or Robbie being the wiser head I know where I am betting.... Deans seems to get a better feel for the subtle and not so subtle rule changes more than most and this I suspect this ruck ruling will be no different. In terms of bulk I don't think the AB's bring it in large doses so ground speed is probably a better option. I suspect a different configuration would be selected against the Saffa's. All in all it shapes up as a great game. Ab's would be favourites but only cause it's in NZ..... Let the fun begin!

On Rocky for a moment - Delighted he's back home again But what gives with his injuries? Anyone else wondering if he was being played in Europe despite injuries galore?

TommyM Elsom would be ideal if uninjured. A good combination of aggression at the breakdown, lineout ability and ball running. Mumm is sadly not quite a lock and not quite a flanker. Good bench cover for either slot but not really a starter. Kimlin is much the same. As much as it pains me to admit it (as a Tahs supporter) Kimlin may have better potential if the selectors/coaches would just pick a position for him and stick to it. Frankly, in the absence of Elsom, I would have quite liked to see Mowen given a shot. He offers a bit more physical presence at the breakdown than Mumm or Kimlin and was one of the Tahs best in the lineout this year. A bit young and raw, but no more so than O'Connor. Brown, for mind, needs a few more centimetres and kilograms. I see him as a big No. 7 rather than a small flanker or No. 8.

Hope they keep their game straight, young guns can be a loose canons in most cases. Palu on the on other can really pull off an interesting game, just keeping the crowds off their feet.

Overall the selection looks right. Obvioulsy there are some concerns over some of the young guns, however they need their chance, and have earned their chance. I think it is a backward step to have Waugh on the bench. Kimlin would have been a much better option. Brown at 6 is a good call as he can play both a physical role and a fetcher role. I also think Brown can match Kaino for bulk (not as tall but the same weight). Can some one provide the average age of the 22? Must be one of the youngest ever: Pocock, O'Connor, Genia, Barnes, etc. Also an interting split of the age ranges: half of the Guys 25-30+, and Half 18-24. A lot of U21 reps from 2005 also.

BTW - Ben C- I'm not implying that that was the gist of your post, it just reminded me of the theme

Just following on from that., I've noticed a common theme in many posts on this site calling for more 'specialists' in certain positions i.e 'a tight head who is big and fat and can't pass but can hold up a scrum all day' or 'a lock who just wins lineouts and pushes'. The fact that a player does one thing superbly does not mean that he need necessarily do other things poorly. Indeed, in today's professional game there is surely no room for a player who can hold up a scrum put can't run or pass i.e Andrew Sheridan. People have ago at Ben Alexander because he can run and scores tries and is a prop. His skill and athleticism does not mean that he is somehow weaker than some fatty, or that he CAN'T scrummage- certainly he needs some work in that department at tight head, but having not played there for years, he held his own against some fo the best front rows in the world recently. I suspect that people who post comments like that are driven by the fact that the type of player they are/were is what they advocate should be reintroduced (a fat, slow prop, a fast winger who couldn't tackle etc etc.) Anyway, rant over :-) Carn the Force! Carn the Wallabies!!!

Ben C- who would you have at 6 in place of Brown? Mumm? He may a few kgs heavier than Brown but I'd disupte that he (or Kimlin) offermore power or aggression at the breakdown. Brown Dog's got the mongrel!!! Elsom will most likely slot back in at 6 when ready, but in his stead Brown's a damn good option. The fact that he can pilfer does not mean taht he CAN't hit up or clean out.

Have to agree the backrow & forward bench looks unbalanced with Smith, Brown, Waugh & Pocock all in the 22... Does anyone know when Rocky Elsom is going to be back from injury? The sooner the better!