Wallabies stare down hard-hitting Fijians

The Rebels will be the most multi cultural side in World Rugby and will add Dan Carter to their list of imports come the end of the 2011 season. I assume the off the ball stuff is jumper pulling as sure the likes of Cannon punching Mealamu was in plain view and the only one that stands out would be Mr Brial (spelling?) How long will it before the Highlanders sign some Aussies as it seems no Kiwi worth their salt wishes to stay in that franchise too long. Maybe the Tahs should send some forwards on the fringe their to toughen up so no repeat of the game that cost them a home semi final is repeated. ABfan agree any big forward running at Cooper is a concern especially with an off load but that has to be looked at in the context of how many times this may occur in a game and that the forward i.e SBW will have a wing man there at exactly the right time. Both Cooper and Beale go high in the tackle and not sure if this is just a lack of low technique or just how they have always played. It is a problem though as means a second man is then required to complete the tackle. On Gitteau's courage, didn't really see him take a backward step and as of yet haven't heard Robbie Deans cry fowl as Henry did when Carter was targeted a wee while back by the Boks. As for the Maori playing the NZ barbarians I haven't seen the team lists so can't comment but I would question that it would be stronger but only due to the selections of the first 15 with Lock, Hooker and Carter's understudy the examples. I am reserving my intial assement of the Wallabies until after the England test match on Saturday and for the ABs, as they haven't had a hit out yet give them until the Welsh game in Hamilton as by that time as well they should have Donnely back with Kahui and Mils.

An the "win by 30 points everytime" Ab supporters aren't? I can see perfectly straight with my one eye and look forward to the arrival of the silverware.

The back 5 of the pack is still a huge concern for AUS. From the weekend and this years S14 performances I only rate Pocock and Sharpe. The other lock is wide open. I want someone with some real grunt not a wide running lightweight like Mumm. He couldnt run through a paper bag. Give Douglas a try, at least he hits and has some aggression. The backrow is a massive concern without Palu. Brown isnt up to it. He has fitness and a huge competitive heart but he lacks size, impact and skill for a number 8. Elsom? If he is the best player BOD has played with the he must not play with much. I am not sure where he is at. He doesnt make big tackles. He is a decent ball runner but he is very awkward and tends to run when he should pass and pass when he should run. His skills are average at best blowing an easy try with that drop ball. Basically he plays League on a Union field. Pocock is a star and while not gifted like George Smith in a ball playing sense he has all the other attributes. He is one of the only Wallabies in the pack he makes DOMINANT tackles. While watching last night I thought Hoiles would have been a good choice. He would up the skill level 10 fold and have a similar work rate to Brown. I will watch young McCalman with interest on Tuesday, from what I have seen so far he is big strong and very aggressive.

You are joking surely???

The Wallaby apologists are out already.

first of all, nobody can compete with the Aussies when it comes to off-the-ball stuff. Secondly, Cooper, Giteau and Beale are gun shy when it comes to tackling (especially one-on-one). I'm not sure this has to do with combinations gelling. Beale thought he'd be safe from that attention at fullback but the Fijians drew him in. Giteau may have coped one or two illegal hits (can't argue with that) but the more hits he received the more his confidence waned. This is a physical contact sport after all so he better man up! Or play tiddlywinks! A player like Ranger (or even SBW) running it at Cooper (or Giteau) then offloading to support (in and out) will cause Saturday's Wallaby midfield problems. During the game, that inside centre area (around 10-12) was one area where Fiji made some good yards -- consistently. They just lacked the talent to finish it off. Still it is early days. As for desperation in chasing unproven ex-league players, I freely concede that Australia are experts in that field. (It's worth noting that the NZ Maori will play the NZ Barbarians next weekend and that the Maori will be a strong team comprising players outside the AB squad.) Talking about lack of depth, how are the Rebels doing? Signed any more Kiwis have they? And the Reds? And the Force and ... et al.

Assume it was pack? Answer is yes and after Tuesday will be x 2. Why didn't the ABs have a hit out match or roll the second unbeatable side out, oops sorry not enough depth. Lets give all sides three tests before we start making judgements as anyone saying thumbs up pr thumbs down currently does not understand that the remaining internationals for the SH sides at least is all about building the squad and combinations. My one eyed Wallably view on this is that the Wallabies do have depth and although having the same number of first choice Wallabies on the injury list as the ABs do on theirs at least the guys coming in have been selected on merit, not put the finger in the Dyke policy the ABs are currently confronted with.

Same question-does Aussie have a forward back? That is all. Answer...

AB fan, first test and they cleared the pipes against a suprisingly up for it Fiji side who must have got some money from their Kiwi cousins to do the off the ball and dirty hits. New combinations showed some very good glimpses in the second half and will improve very quickly. Not sure why the All Blacks will be drooling mate, after watching the Welsh v Boks think the Red Dragons are going to tip you guys as both these teams showed pretty good form. Remember the Fench B side from last year? Obviously not. The head lines in NZ papers today, " he's ours"! SBW is the saviour for the ALL Blacks. How farsical, the AB's really need a Nick Evans to cover Carter and Hayman to bolster the forward pack yet publicaly chase a good union player who has yet to show anything against an international side which will have him as worthy of an AB jumper. Smacks of desperation from coaches now realizing the cupboard is a little bare and that the rest and rotation didn't create depth just the fear of the 'second string' guys not knowing if they had a chance or not so they sign three year overseas deals because AB coaches forget to tell them they are in the frame.

Dexter AAC is injured

Beale, Cooper and Giteau together in the same team; the English, Boks and All Blacks will be droolling. Those three are good on attack but defensively ... ouch!! I thought the scoreline flattered the Wallabies a little. The forward packs were fairly evenly matched while the Fijians' pick-and-drive seemed to bamboozle the Wallabies. The Fijians played surprisingly intelligent rugby but lacked the class to pull it off. Halfback Emosi Vucago who plays in Fiji's domestic comp was clearly out of his depth but their No 8, Jone Qovu, gave Brown headaches with every attacking play he made from the base of the surprisingly steady Fiji scrum. The Fijians were constantly putting small kicks in behind the defensive line, turning the Wallabies defence around. And when you had a bloke like Caucau, Waisea Luveniyali (another Fiji-based player) and centre Saula Radidi pouring through in the midfield, it was enough to really pose problems (especially in the first half).

PK Perhaps you’re right about Mumm but I have seen a number of things about him that I like not least his mobility and defence. I agree entirely that he doesn’t dominate at the breakdown but hoping that will come in time and be useful backup blindside breakaway. I know there are other young players coming through in this position but they are injured and until they are on the paddock consistently we have to look elsewhere. If we can put a pack on the field that can hold its own and maybe even go forward then I think the backs will look after themselves. There is plenty of depth there and Genia will be back soon which will alleviate the problem at half. AAC Obviously will be there if his injury from last night is not too serious. I thought Cooper looked good at ten but only the pressure of the games to come will tell the story. PK the front row you have chosen I think is the way to go, best to see how they go now rather than wait till we get an injury next year and have to throw them in at the deep end.

I wouldn't quite go that far - but certainly a worthy backline for the 3rd ranked IRB team. Although France is 0.13 points behind and a win against the Boks next week (which will be a hard task) would push Aussie down to 4. I can't see Gits being benched let alone dropped - Deans can't afford to lose the experience.

Like your team, but where is AAC? I would get rid of Mitchell (Mr Flaky) and put AAC there.

STASH - the backline will be more than competitive this year. Potentially the best anywhere. The one interesting comment Kearns offered, which is one more interesting comment than he usually comes up with, is that the backline on display will be far different in future. Didn't elaborate on that. Is he too thinking that Gits won't be a starter?

Cooper impressed in this game and looked decidedly comfortable in his role at 10. When Genia is back, Cooper will benefit. Drew Mitchell, I've always rated as a good international and hard to take down - he's got stronger and it surprising to see him on the bench. Ioane is the goods as well. Up front is going to be a problem for the Wallabies this year - Sharpe had a good showing on this outing and Rocky's Kung Fu leap was classic! Terrible first 20 for the Wallabies but good showing thereafter - the backline will be competitive this year but the real test is the 2 games against England to see how far Deans' team has come after a decidedly average 2009.

Cooper was Man of the Match unless I switched the coverage off too early. Perfect grubber kick, relaxed at first receiver, great inside and outside passes. And Beale proves that a top strike player should always make the team despite defensive lapses. For the England game in Perth, the front row comes down to the best three that aren't wounded. Sharpe had a damn good game. Pair him with Chisholm. Rocky's undroppable because they made him captain but is bench material. Brown did okay - he backed up to score a try - but he's no Cliffy. Pocock at 7. Genia ASAP - Coop was fielding basketball passes from Burgess. Coop at 10. Horne at 13. Ioane and Mitchell on the edges. Beale at 15. That leaves the 12 spot and Giteau isn't it. Great place kicker but no thrust in attack. He doesn't run he scampers around. And his punting is appalling. Definitely a bench warmer. Let Beale and/or Cooper take the place kicks. Who plays 12? AAC. He's a big boy, he can play wing, FB or 13. Why not I/C?

The team that I would play against England 01 Daley 02 Faingaa 03 Weekes Note far better scrumaging option than Edmonds and Maafu. 04 Sharpe 05 Chisholm (Mumm too soft and went missing) 06 Elsom 07 Pocock 08 Brown 09 Genia 10 Cooper 11 Mitchell 12 Giteau 13 Horne 14 Ioane 15 Hynes (better option against England and the highball from Wilkinson) 16 Edmonds 17 ? 18 Mumm 19 Hodgson 20 Burgess 21 Beale 22 JoC Does anyone know how long Davies injury keeps him out for?

Tock what you said about Sharpe is true BUT it all applies to Mumm but more so. When do you see Mumm counter ruck? He never dominates the breakdown, but he cant even run the ball in traffic like Sharpe does. He gets monstered and thrown around like a rag doll. I would get rid of Mumm before Sharpe.

The big issue that came out of this game for Australia was the front row and the forward pack in general. The injury to Alexander means that we will be without our first string font row for some time. I would think that Alexanders injury will put him out for five or six weeks. The question is who does Deans go with for the next test? Experienced players or youth, I hope its youth. As for the balance of the pack Sharpe has the biggest questions hanging over his head. While he played well last night and took the ball up well it is his lack of drive in counter- rucking and the fact that he does not dominate at the breakdown in the fashion of a Botha or a Thorn. You may say that it is unfair to compare him to those types of players but unless we match that dominance we will not beat time with a stick. The other major question that hangs over Sharpe is the scrummaging and whether he really gives the grunt behind the front row that a man of his size ought. Only the props that play with him can answer that question, but he has been an integral part of the Australian scrum through a period when the Australian scrum has been one of the weakest in international rugby. Elsom has the potential to be a great blind side breakaway, but he has to keep working on his hands and again look to dominate over the breakdown. Brown and Mumm are solid but not dynamic although I think both are worth persevering with to develop more depth across the back and second rows. It is a pack that is not going to worry the AB’s or the Boks. Deans has got some huge decisions to make in these next few games and I don’t think the answers are going to be obvious.