My Waratahs mea culpa

James D,,,,, Your comments are woeful, and its obvious you have some sort of personal gripe against Tom Carter. Carter had a great game against the reds and did everything that a no 12 should be doing. Your comments are getting old, and as I said you've obviously got a personal vendetta,,,, what is it..... jealousy maybe??? Agree with chester below,,,, former wallabies are far more qualified than you to judge a players ability.

Mad dog He passed the ball 11 times during the rebels game. Only Barnes passed it more. I suggest you start paying more attention to what is happening on the field and less attention to what the armchair experts are saying. Read this article and form a more balance opinion http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/world-of-hurt-on-and-off-the-field-20110228-1baad.html

James D your one eyed hatred of Carter is boring and ignorant Kafe (who has never previously been a fan) was complimentary of Carter's play this year after the Reds game and read this article by John Eales http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/world-of-hurt-on-and-off-the-field-20110228-1baad.html These previous Wallabies are a better judge of player than you are. Carter fills an unglamorous role that compliments his team mates and does little things that many people such as yourself fail to notice. Carter completely outplayed Faingaa on Saturday night and he played one test for the Wallabies last year

I've always rated Bowen - a real 5/8th who always had a plan. Oh fancy, that seems to be what the Tahs are doing!

I suspect Carter is looking wider because the forwards are going forward. I remember that when Palu got injured last year Hickey was looking to Carter to cart (pardon the pun) the ball over the gainline. The forwards seem to be do that job for him now.

My scottish brother-in-law follows scottish football and he knows what the enemy is, and it is "hope". I've been following the Tahs for years and they are a hard team to love. Yet I can see colours my world. Is it a false dawn? I hope, even though I expect - nay know - that it will be dashed!

Let's not go too far RK: 'even Tom Carter has learnt how to pass the ball '! A quick look at the tape from the Rebels game might have you swallowing that sentence. One pass does not make a season...

Withe loss of Barnes, and unavailability of Palu, TPN battered and bruised, Crusaders at home with weeks break and emotion charged , Crusaders will win.

That may have been the case. Do you agree he has improved this year or is your mind shut and you wont judge on what you see now but stick to the past. I was NEVER a fan of Carter BUT he has improved his game. Still lack of speed means he should not be considered for intl duties.

I believe Kepu was injured, if not then yes he should of went, better prop that Daley, Weeks Maafu. Cowan and Henderson are very weak props. Fitzpatrick and Charles are reserves, I can easily understand not picking them. Douglas I agreed may have felt hard done by, especially as Humphries an old journeyman was picked but never even got a game, that was a poor choice. Mind you I wouldnt of picked Mumm either he is far too soft. Denis and Mowen did not impress me last year. They did not make the hard yards , did not make the advantage line. Once Palu was out injured TPN was left to do all the work by himself. I agree with Deans that Higginbotham and the WA guys got picked , they were the form backrow LAST year. Since then these guys have worked on their power and size. I explained Waugh. Pocock was rested for midweek games. I explained Mowen.

Rubbish!! Steve Kefu makes Tom Carter look like Tim Horan!!

Count up the kicks in the Reds and Rebels games. You will find they aren't much less. What they are doing is defending like they never have before and Beale, Horne, Mitchell counter attacking from the back when the opportunity is there. In the Reds game in particular the ball was booted long a lot and no attempt was made to put it out. It did appear that the plan was to run the big but not mobile Reds pack into the ground, which they did. Just read that Barnes is out for the Crusaders game. Massive step up required from Hangers to lead the defence forward from 10 unless Muggleton adjusts and gets Carter to take on this role from 12.

RK - I would differ with you a major point. I too called for the head of Hickey for the last two years. I do not think that the game plan is much different this year to last or even the year before. What is different is the execution and the strength and conditioning of the players. Muggleton has improved the defence massively, and Scotty Bowen has the backs handling much improved. The error rate is now very low. In the forwards & backs to a lesser degree a player hitting the ball up is no longer isolated he is assisted from the point of contact by a pack mate to drive on his hip. On alternate hit ups, most often by Kepu, Mowen and TPN an offload will be the options as the defender attempts to contain the drive. The game plan isn't radically different but its execution is and I applaud Hickey for the direction on the off-season strength and conditioning work the Tahs have done, IMO it is a key in this execution.

Again another Deans apologist. At the time of the EOYT the following were available and ready to tour but not selected:- 1. Kepu, Cowan & Henderson 2. Fitzpatrick, Charles 3. Kepu (can and does cover THP for the Tahs), Fairbrother, Palmer 4. Douglas 6. Dennis, Mowen 7. Waugh 8. Mowen As for you love of Elsom, you are right to say that Dennis and Mowen are not at his level, if you are referring to the level he was at in 2008. Since his return from Ireland he has been average. Brief glimpses of form but nothing special. He should not be Captain and in all honesty I would not have picked him in the 22 maybe the squad. As for Hodgeson didn't get any game time so how did he see more of what he provides. Agree that Pocock is probably the best 7 in the world ATM but Waugh isn't far off him. Fact is Waugh plays a tighter role than Pocock but is no less effective.

Lion tamer, crocodile wrangler, Brumbies coach - what do the 3 have in common? ...World's most unpredictable jobs....! Must be some huge egos at work in the team room ...hope they can live up to them now on the paddock.