Wallaby RWC squad looking better by the day

What are you doing reading this within minutes of the result? If you read the author's comments in this thread, you'll see how my comments relate.

In the rotation years we had the depth and skill to beat sides comfortably, now we rely on the same guys every Test. That's why people doubt that we can keep winning this year because Henry hasn't introduced a lot of successful newcomers in recent times. The pressure on Henry to win and all of the lingering feelings about 2007 have hindered us a bit, I think. The Boks will be tough to stop in this Tri-Nations. As much as I hate to admit it, they really have replaced us as the No.1 rugby nation in the world.

Fair dinkum. Have you no life? Don't get me wrong, I detest the Brumbies as much as the next self respecting Tahs fan. But you make a point to come here and post within minutes of a result, a result that is only tangentially linked to the topic under discussion? That's just sad, man.

Crusaders beat the Waratahs. Hurricanes beat the Brumbies. It's all starting to look a bit familiar, isn't it fellas?

I think there is only minimal difference than during the rotation seasons, with more players being on a similar level now. A player like Hayman was light years ahead of Somerville, for example. I also think it's worth remembering that whilst NZ was excellent in that period, other teams were all pretty bad: Ireland, France, SA, Australia, England & Wales. There was no stand out team beyond NZ. Kahui is a proven player, Ranger is erratic, and Smith is reliable, but the point is that all three of them could make a good fist of 13 at test level. I don't see the same options for the SA midfield.

Site administrators changed the heading so I was not trying to deceive anyone. The article is based aorund a group of players that I believe deserve a shot as Palu is now injured.

Forgot to mention that NZ has a proud history of locks. The Boks just happen to have a formidable pair at the moment while we haven't had the luxury of a "pair" since Williams has been injured. Still, Donnelly was tremendous last season and a great under the radar story. It's a shame he's injured right now.

All Black performances were much stronger during the rotation years and the side was less reliant on key players. The lineout is only really a problem against the Boks and at the last WC it was statistically the best lineout in the tournament. If I were to sum the All Blacks up, I'd say their biggest strength is their defence and their biggest weakness is dealing with rush defence and the kick and chase. I think people are being a bit stupid about the NZ Super 14 sides. The Chiefs have only ever made the semis twice, the Blues have been eratic since Henry left the set-up and the Canes are perennial underachievers. I don't see this season as being particularly special. Perhaps people are comparing it to last season where the Chiefs and the Canes made the finals, but last season was probably the worst Super rugby season on record. The problem with the Canes and the Chiefs is that they're too loose and not tight enough in the forwards. They've been that way for years now and are unlikely to change with their current coaches. But I still maintain that the Waratahs and the Brumbies aren't much better and I don't see what difference it makes if one or both of them join the Canes and the Chiefs on the outer. Do people really believe that the Waratahs and Brumbies are out performing the NZ sides to the extent that it will have an influence on the Bledisloe Tests? The Reds are overachieving and the Force are showing some spine, but I still get the feeling that Australia are light on match winning players. Ranger has been benched this week and it's my suspicion that Henry will ask him to play ANZC and perhaps take him on the end of year tour.

OJ I dont believe the rotation years really benefited the All Blacks, but I suspect they will be peaking nicely for 2011. The lineout is their main problem, but historically NZ does not produce locks in the same way they seem to breed em on the highveldt. Aside from the Crusaders, I think the NZ super sides have been pretty average, the Blues may be a bit unlucky and have certainly entertained, but the Chiefs and Hurricanes are having horrible seasons, especially considering how well the Chiefs started this year, yet they well and truly shot themselves in the foot last week against the Bulls. However super form does not necessarily translate to the test arena. Have been impressed by Ranger, but Im not sure if he could replicate his super rugby form at test level yet, but I think he should get into the test squad, as he can also cover the wings.

The All Blacks will need to start the season well. We don't have anywhere near the depth that we did during the rotation years. Using your centre example, Kahui is struggling to recapture his pre-injury form and Ranger isn't ready for a Test spot yet, which leaves Smith as the only truly reliable All Black centre w/ Toeava being a strong option off the bench.

This just seems like typical Springbokism. You're mostly talking about players who have looked hit and miss in reasonable-good Super sides. - Duane Vermuelen has been both good and terrible this season. - Olivier has proven that he is no more than a durable test centre so what's new? - Morne Steyn has looked good and bad, reliable and unreliable. - Pietersen is unlikely to ursurp Zane Kirchner (another mediocre test player). What does history tell us about the 3N? Not a great deal. Three NZ sides made the knock-out stages last season and then NZ had (by their standards) a poor 3N. IMO, with their combined team NZ has far more talent than SA. Just take the 13 spot for example, Ranger, Kahui and Smith. The same applies to the wing etc. NZ finished far stronger than SA did last season. SA cannot play the same brand that they did last season, and personally I can't see many genuine non-Springboks putting their hands up to shift the tried and tested units. Let's also not forget the fixture list this coming 3N. I just don't think it's as simple as citing the Super 14 ladder. If the Stormers don't make the finals do the SA 3N chances reduce?

If S.Africa's pack play like the Bulls and the Stormers forwards have, Genia and Cooper aren't going to see much of the ball against the Saffies. The AB's pack aren't too shoddy either.

The key thing is for the Wallabies to win their home Tests. If they can perform like they did in Sydney in 2008 they'll get a bit of buzz surrounding them and maybe sell a few more tickets. Only the dyed in the wool rugby fans will care how they go in South Africa. Why the ARU agreed to another Asian Bledisloe Test is beyond me. Why give away your 2-1 home advantage by throwing in a neutral Test?

I thought past history didn't matter.

Genia and Cooper looking good doesn't mean anything to until they either win the competition or do it against the Boks/All Blacks. Personally, I would be careful with Cooper. If Deans rushes him into the first five position too soon it'll be back to Giteau as soon as the Wallabies lose a couple of games. I would have him oust Giteau from the bench. The Aussie backs are poor in attack. They either drift laterally or bust up the middle without any support. Why do you think the All Blacks have beaten the Wallabies seven times in a row? I'll tell you why -- because it's far too easy to read the Aussie attack. The All Blacks have learnt how to shepherd the Wallaby attack and cover defend the breaks. The Blues, Chiefs and Canes are all midtable having lost a couple of close games each. None of them are firing, but you're insane if you think the Waratahs or Brumbies are that much better than them. The Bulls and Stormers are the only truly impressive teams in the competition.

Just on the schedule for the 3N - JON needs to start to realise that the Wallabies and rugby in this country will get better crowds and ratings if they win Test matches. So instead of having the Boks in Perth because there are so many SA supporters and the ABs in Syd/Mel I suggest he swaps it around so that AUS actually have more of a home ground advantage. The more Tests we win the more people will jump on the bandwagon. At the moment we make it much easier than we need to for the touring sides coming to AUS. Its a lot longer to Sydney or Melbourne from SA than Perth and Perth is a lot further away from NZ than the AUS east coast. Wake up ARU!

As far as this year's TN is concerned the AB's have a favourable schedule - 2 home tests against the Boks to start and they are the only side that doesn't have 3 tests in a row sometime. All 3 Springbok home tests are on the high veldt and Australia plays two in a row there. I can't see Australia doing well in all this; Whilst they may get their backline firing they simply don't have the forwards ( as usual)

You mean like in 2004? NZ two teams in the Semis. Won by the Brumbies then SA went on to win the 3N? I'd say a whole lot of nothing.

You article about the Wallaby RWC squad looking better by the day is about players you'd like to see in the side? That's deceiving.

The entire Stormers loose is new possible springboks… Places the boks had problems in besides the front row was 12-13 combo (thanks Adi Jacobs) That’s should change with Olivier and Fourie combining. Wings, Van der Heaver is a possible new bok, he has the tri of the S14 so far? Morne Sten the 10 is also leading points scorer in the S14 and don’t tell me he just kicks because the Bulls backline has done fine with ball in hand. Fullback Joe Pieterson and Zane Kirtchner are both extremely good… we know who is on the wing and finding form again. All this with Du Preez at the base. Let’s not talk about the loossies as you should know how staunch the SA talent is in this area…Spies? So that leaves the front row, ok not world class but can hold their own. All we need is the magical soup that connects it all, John Smit… sadly he is the glue that holds it together. I rate the boks chances this year simply because I think the bulls and the stormers will finish top two, now add all the talent in the sharks… You could say the same for Australia with the Warratahs and Brumbies holding their own and the reds impressing the socks off everyone. Then you get NZ… Hur, Blue and chiefs all disappointing thias year. Even the mighty crusaders don’t look their best. OK I am taking this all on S14 for but what does history tell us about the link between S14 and 3N?