Beale should displace Cooper in Wallabies

Guess Quade Cooper proved you wrong this weekend. Not only did he play beautifully under pressure, he also proved that he didn't need Genia or Giteau to do it. The back line won it on Saturday - and they have Quade to thank for it.

Beale never showed anything at 10 for the Tahs. Cooper showed he has what it takes through the S14. He also did quite well with burgess poor passing against Fiji.

Ben, I didn't say I mentioned that on the Roar around 2000. It was as part of blogs over past 4 years as an example of players being out of their natural position. Some sites allow a search of authorship - such as the Business Spectator - which would allow such cross referencing. For obvious reasons it is not possible on the Roar. Being involved with Rugby for over 60 years one builds up a divers background of Rugby tragics and friends and we discuss ad nauseam all things Rugby. Added another 40 odd from our 2007 RWC tour to France etc and many emails have been exchanged on thoughts etc. Even did so on the tour to try and give readers a taste from the RWC - especially when some Wallabies joined our tour group after we were eliminated in the quarters. Of course all are cajoled by me to take part on the Roar which remains the 'creme de la creme' of Rugby blog sites.

agree jiggler - mitchell needs to stand up in a big match this year or go away. Turner has been screwed by the Tahs but I still can remember his brilliant play for the Aus U20's a few years ago......I think he can get it back with the right team/coach/mentality but your right - he shouldn't be selected now. Agree re Chambers/Horne - great rivalry and options there and I also think that Chambers could be turned into a great 12 as he has the size, footwork and pass to excel in that position. all in all we are looking blessed in the backs but forwards win matches and we need to get our best 8 on the park to get an even share of forward ball against the blacks and saffers to really be a chance in the TN or WC. Beale is a great bench asset because of his versatility but could also blossom into a great starting 15 or 12 - it will just depend on the form of other players and the opportunities he gets. GO THE WALS CANE THE POMS!@

hahaha i was thinking the same

Nathan Only way Beale will wear the 10 jumper is if QC goes to france

Nathan, you have lost the plot mate. Cooper was far and away the most consistently good player not just in Australia, but throughout the entire Super 14. Kurtley Beale has stuttered in a number of positions until finding his place at fullback for the Waratahs this year. How can you seriously say that he should replace the most form 5/8 in the game, when he struggles in that very position. I'm happy to have Beale at fullback, but believe that he is pretty lucky to be there, with Peter Hynes, Ashley-Cooper (admittedly injured) and James O'Connor all in good form. Not to mention Laclan Turner and Drew Mitchell, who can both play 15. Beale is a wonderful talent with great potential, but Quade Cooper is a freakish player who will be steering Wallaby sides for the next 10 years plus. His hold on the number 10 jersey is irrepressible.

Probably not the best timed article Nathan. As inkosi suggested Beale is on the bench, so it's safe to say Dingo Deans Disagrees. 15. James O'Connor (Western Force) 14. Digby Ioane (Queensland Reds) 13. Rob Horne (NSW Waratahs) 12. Matt Giteau (Brumbies) 11. Drew Mitchell (NSW Waratahs) 10. Quade Cooper (Queensland Reds) 9. Luke Burgess (NSW Waratahs) 8. Richard Brown (Western Force) 7. David Pocock (Western Force) 6. Rocky Elsom (Brumbies, captain) 5. Nathan Sharpe (Western Force) 4. Dean Mumm (NSW Waratahs) 3. Salesi Ma'afu (Brumbies) 2. Saia Faingaa (Queensland Reds) 1. Ben Daley (Queensland Reds) Reserves: 16. Huia Edmonds (Brumbies) 17. James Slipper (Queensland Reds) 18. Mark Chisholm (Brumbies) 19. Matt Hodgson (Western Force) 20. Will Genia (Queensland Reds) 21. Berrick Barnes (NSW Waratahs) 22. Kurtley Beale (NSW Waratahs)

Jeez Bob, you noted here that Latho was a FB not a Winger when he was still at the Tahs? That's impressive given that he left NSW in 1999(?) and The Roar didn't start until 2007!

JOC in for Beale and Beale back to the bench

Beale has been moved to the bench and JOC to start at 15 for the game on Sat. Still not sure why my last comment was censored?

Agree, and to a lesser extent the Boks do it with Steyne.

I have read this article three times now and I am still not entirely sure if it is sarcastic or serious.

Didn't I read this article about Timana Tahu needing to be played at 12 for W's last year?

Beale is not a playmaker. His best attribute is his running and close kicking game. We want a passing / playmaker as a 10. That is clearly Cooper who has an amazing long pass and great short offloads setting up players. Coopers suspect defence CAN be hidden / protected against the Boks and AB's. In defence you dont stand him in the front line, thats easy. AB's did that with Merhtens and it worked.

I'll admit where AAC ranks with others at 13 and 15 could be the subject for a good bar-room discussion, he could easily be elevated to second-best in both positions. Let me say I've no doubt he'd represent the Wallabies with distinction in either position. Hynes and AAC are the best runners from 15 but the poorest passers. I can't recall AAC passing the pill once in last week's Fiji test. My original post did say "Australia is currently well served in every position in the backs bar one, halfback". Two blokes I should've included in my original table are Anthony Faingaa at inside centre and Will Chambers at outside.

what about dunning at 5-8? we know he has the drop kick to win us those tight world cup games!

I would say, except for some small number of individual brilliance like chip kicking it for himself often in his first year, Beale has not got close to the highlights package the Cooper does at 10. Beale has come on in leaps and bounds this year, when he can move a bit more freely at 15 where the defensive line is staggered. As a 10, he is not flash, or creative at all I don't think.

Thank goodness you are not a selector Nathan. Quade Cooper is a better choice in the opinion of everyone who walks the rugby Earth, bar you . I think even Kurtly would agree that he will have to wait until Quade loses the sensational form he is in And dont forget JoC's disastorous game v AB's when Cory Jane made a fool of him..

Hey Nathan, You're going to have to come up with a more controversial topic than this to beat B McKays record number of comments. How about Valentine for 1st choice 9? Now that would be ridiculous. All The Shackledraggers to replace the 1's for the RWC? Any bites?