What's your choice for the Wallaby backline?

9. Genia - Is the best half back in the country by a mile! He works well with the fowards, and always exploits the blindside! Distributes the ball quickly to first reciever, and his running game is awesome! HE MUST START! 10. Cooper - Best attacking number 10 in Australia and possibly the world. His passing and running game is breathtaking and unpredictable. His conbination with Genia is a plus. He and Beale work well together and seem to know instinctivley what each other are thinking. This is dangerous and can very easily and quickly win you games!!! 11. Mitchell - only if he recovers in time overwise Lachie turner takes his place. 12. O'Connor - is much the same as cooper but his defense is much more reliable. Can do anything and everything. 13, Ashley Cooper - Big, Strong ball runner and very good defensively. 14. Ioane. Better winger than centre. 15.Beale - Best fullback in the world!!! can ball play, run hloes, kick, and his counter attack is something special. One of the 1st players picked in the backline for sure!!!

Doesn't the weekend just gone make that team look dumb.

Not surprisingly, there is always a lot of interest in these sort of posts. Usually I don't bother to comment, but I can't resist this time. It is true that there are a number of positions in the Wallaby backline that should be up for review based on recent form and combinations. However, there are some that are simply beyond debate right now. These are: 9. William Genia. To suggest anyone should be picked in the starting XV in this position ahead of him is ridiculous. 11. Drew Mitchell. As one of the previous posters said, he's 'killing it'. You need finishers with real speed in this position, and he's clearly it. 15. Kurtley Beale. When he's fit, he's quick. And when he's quick, he's brilliant and cannot be overlooked in what is clearly his best position. After that, the question is whether there are any other "must pick' players for whom a position ought be found. I can only think of two players in this, being JOC and AAC. JOC can play anything, and if he's not 10 or 12 (which I would love to see him play) he simply slots into 14. AAC is also a must have, but I'm open to whether it's 13 or something like 19. He's versatile and talented, but right now has some problems in the head. These can be sorted, or course, and he'll be back.

of course you ignore my qualifer of having to wait and see his form.

"I could see Vickerman starting" Going by his university form against armatures he should make the run on squad hey Peter…

jameswm agree with nearly all of that. I too would have AAC at 13 but have Mortlock ahead of Horne. Against AB's if they start 2 big centres I would consider Mortlock at 13 since his defence is better, AAC was palmed off easily by Fruen and SBW. I could see Vickerman starting, have to wait and see his form. I would have McCalman as 6 behind Rocky ahead of Mowen. Mowen went badly missing against Crusaders. McCalman never goes missing even if he doesnt have as much size and power.

Geez there are some state biases showing here. 9. Obviously Genia or Burgess. Genia has been the one standing over the ball this season, and Burgess brings an incredible intensity and vitality to a team - his defence, snipes and all round activity. He does work well off the bench and his pass has improved a lot to the point where it is no longer a problem (if not as good as Genia's). I don't really mind here 10. JOC has done well this year in Super Rugby, but I still don't think he's an int'l 10 yet. I think Cooper has shown great maturity this year, and last year will have taught him a lot. Defensive issues or not, I'd leave QC there. He was a big part of why our backline functioned so well last year and he makes Giteau look like a try-hard (skill set wise) in comparison. The defence hangs off Quade. 12. Barnes or JOC. You have to be kidding suggesting the one-dimensional AFaingaa ahead of either of them. With Barnes there JOC goes to the wing. Barnes is a very good low tackler. JOC is surprisingly strong in contact. JOC has a better step of course and is quicker off the mark, but I think Barnes puts people into gaps more. Both are good goal kickers, JOC better though right now. 50/50 call for me. Giteau left right out I'm afraid, because if Barnes starts and JOC goes to the wing, you can have a winger on the bench and JOC covering 10-12. 13. AAC - you all seem to have forgotten how briliantly he played last year. He used to be a hog at fullback, but his setting up his outsides has improved a lot. His defence is brilliant and he has a big fend, and is quick off the mark. Mortlock may come back into consideration but I think he's too slow. Ioane's hands are nowhere near good enough for 13, and he gets lost in defence in this toughest position (defensively). AAC was the straight man our backline needed last year so poor form or not, he is class and will deliver. Horne has done well when on the field this year - I'd have him next cab off the rank behind AAC. 11 + 14. Mitchell and Ioane, unless Barnes plays 12 and JOC moves to the wing, in which case one of them (Ioane/Mitchell) goes to the bench. Mitchell has been better than Ioane in SupeRugby this year - Mitchell is a constant threat and has really tightened up his game in the last 2 seasons (since coming to NSW). I think Ioane is still re-finding his feet, which is fair enough. Turner next cab off the rank, others to maybe put in train-on squad include Davies, Cummins, Vuna and McCabe 15. How anyone could consider not putting Kurtley there after last year, defies belief. He was the best fullback, and close to the best back last year - in thw world I mean. He was unbelievable, and can just be a loose cannon in attack back there. His defence has muscled up a lot and he has a good boot. No one else close. JOC can cover there. Shepherd has to show a lot more and I'm afraid Gerrardo is just too slow nowadays. While we're at it the pack looks like 1. Benn Robbo, then Kepu and Alexander vying for it. BenA hasn't been at his best yet 2. The wrecking ball TPN, and Moore to come on later depending on the game. TPN is a game winner and probably the best scrummaging hooker in the world. 3. To be honest - right now Slipper or Dan Palmer, Alexander needs to pull his finger out and is playing loose head anyway. Ma'afu is useless and a powderpuff. 4. Horwill then who knows. The rest are 5s 5. Notso right now, Kane Douglas to challenge. Simmons going OK and Vicks to come back. 6. I guess Rocky, but Ben Mowen to push him. Higgo needs to re-find his form. Rocky needs to actually play - and as part of a team. Maybe one pass a season would be nice too. 7. Pocock, then Pocock. Pocock next. Maybe then Hodgson. Shame Lipman (really an Aussie) isn't eligible 8. Palu by miles. McCalman has improved this year, but he's be tussling with Mowen for a bench spot.

I like your backline. I have the same issues with AAC, he is a selfish centre. He is a very good runner, defender and has a great fend but lacks the real skill of knowing when he has done his work and it time to pass it. We have an excellent back 3 who can effectively finish off the attack and they need the ball in space.

No, it was not a joke option. I like him on the park. He kicks well and is a very elusive runner. When not injured he has looked very good in a lack luster side. That is quite hard to do. Unlike someone like A.Fiangaa who has all the athletic talent of an ice cube being made to look good by Genia and Cooper.

Beale and O'Connor better runners of the ball than Ioane. Don't be ridiculous. As for 12. You are too caught up with the two 10's at 10 and 12 idea. It's dead. Australia seem to be the only team sticking with this idea. Move on. Barnes is not a genuine 12. Far from it. O'Connor, I wouldn't know because he never actually plays there. He has the attributes for it but just never plays there. Stick him at 12 for the rest of the year at the Force and then I may share your opinion.

I'ld have Mortlock at 13, simply because his hard, uncompromising tackling could help account for QC's lack of such. He's still a good offensive player too. The world cup would be a good way to send him off. His current form certainly suggests he'll be in the squad at least. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.

What this debate shows is that Australia has a good number of backs in a wide range of combinations that could be competitive at RWC level. If the untested (at test level) backs lift their game then this number will only grow – players such as Cummins, Mafi, L. Mitchell, Vuna, Chambers, Davies, McCabe, Lealiifano, Toomua etc. And that’s a good thing. Could we have said this from 2005 – 2008 when most people would be in agreement straight away about a wallaby backline. What is still the issue is lack of depth at 8, 2, 7 (if both Moore and TPN are unfit, which TPN seems to be injuried all the time now) and THP which are such crucial positions. I think we have enough second rows now to avoid having Mumm on the park and number 6 is looking ok.

Shepard. you are kidding right?

9. Burgess 10. Barnes 11. Mitchell 12. O'Connor 13. Mortlock 14. Shepard 15. Beale Genia and Ionne on the bench. Turner would also be in my squad and could swap in based on form.

A. Fiangaa is terrible. Actually both twins are terrible. They try very hard but sadly they both have extremely low ability and no natural talent. If either of them are picked in the Wallaby squad we might as well not even bother boarding the plane. Colby is pretty good, I think he is looking solid and with room to improve over the coming years.

9: Will Genia 10: Quade Cooper 11: Drew Mitchell 12: James O’Connor 13: Digby Ioane 14: Cameron Shepherd (or 15) (a talented long range kicker as well) 15: Kurtley Beale If he keeps playing the way he has so far this season Nick Cummins on the bench.

9. Burgess 10. JOC 11. Mitchell 12. Barnes 13. AAC 14. Beale 15. Gerard I know people will not like me moving Beale to the wing, but I don't think there's any reason he can't play the same sort of attacking role from 14. JOC was a roaming winger and slotted in for the counter attack all over the place, and having Beale do the same will be very effective. I just think in a world cup having Mr Reliable (Gerard) in the full back position with his awesome kick return and decision making will be very handy. He is one of the main reasons the Rebels have done as well as they have this year. The hardest position to fill is 13. I really want Mortlock there, but only if he gets a little better, he's just not quite there yet, but hopefully will be soon. I don't really like AAC or Ioane because whilst they have the running game of a 13 they lack the distribution game that a world class 13 really needs. The ball will always die with them. Plus they would be awesome impact players to bring on half way through the second half.

Also Beale and JoC are better runners than Ioane. Have you noticed how poorly the Reds backline is going?

JoC is a genuine 12. Barnes is a genuine 12, remember thats where he played excellently for the Wallabies with Cooper at 10, far far better than Faingaa at 12. You are obviously a biased Reds supporter. You would have Chambers in there if you could.

I see that people are warming to Stirlo at 13 for RWC, and quite rightly so. The real challenge will be to manage him properly. He needs plenty of game time to regain form & there's the rub, as older players are more likely to be injured. But such is the life of a Rugby player. Imagine if it were possible to have him fit, fast & injury free? Okay here goes on my current backline choice:- 9. Genia (not much between him & Burgo but he seems calmer under fire) 10. JOC (has it all but for the long pass of QC) 11. Mitchell (killing it) 12. Gits (I reckon if he could sort his head out he'd be our best) 13. Stirlo (maturing, power, respect) 14. Iaonne (a machine with the ball) 15. Beale (seems to have found his natural spot for the while) With AAC & Barnsey off the bench that could hopefully make an impact. I'd also like to think that come this weekend Lachie Turner will put in such a good showing at 13 that he's a very good chance as back-up 13, 15, 14 come RWC time.