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Why would anyone mention the alleged punch-up in Paris between Quade Cooper, Kurtley Beale, and James O’Connor when the more important issue is the countdown to Saturday night’s blockbuster Tri-Nations decider against the All Blacks?
The punch-up was nine months ago for heaven’s sake. And who cares?
Surely it wasn’t a thinly-disguised beat-up just to take away on-air and newspaper space from the naming of the All Blacks’ 30-man squad for the World Cup?
Three questions, no sane answers, a waste of space right across the board.
Not so with the naming of the Wallaby lineup for Saturday, especially the inclusion of Radike Samo, Dan Vickerman, and Anthony Faingaa.
Samo, what a comeback story.
He came off the bench during the 14-9 win over the Boks in Durban, roughly 2,500 days since the last of his six Test appearances in 2004.
But the 35-year-old is starting this week, testimony to his dedication and the coaching powers of Ewen McKenzie throughout the successful Super 15 campaign.
Vickerman (32) is on the comeback trail as well, but from a different direction. He’s been given an arm-chair ride back to Wallaby status after spasmodic appearances for Northampton Saints and Cambridge Uni, where he’s spent the last three years earning his Land Economy degree.
Saturday night will go a long way to prove if Wallaby coach Robbie Deans pulled the right rein or took a calculated punt that bottomed out.
But for Faingaa, it’s justice at last.
He should have been outside centre all season instead of the out-of-form Adam Ashley-Cooper, who moves to the wing to cover O’Connor’s suspension.
The pairing of Faingaa and Pat McCabe in the midfield will give the All Blacks plenty to think about. Both are solid defenders who thrive on taking the ball up, hard and straight.
They will set up the back three of Digby Ioane, Ashley-Cooper, and Beale in what would be a welcome return to some razzle dazzle rugby compared to the lacklustre performances of late.
The All Black lineup for Saturday night has yet to be named, but their 30-man World Cup was released yesterday.
Immediate reaction?
Selectors will regret leaving out impressive flanker Matt Todd. It’s not too long a bow to suggest Todd’s omission could cost the men in black the William Webb Ellis trophy.
The 23 year-old Crusader stamped his credentials in the Super 15 filling in for All Black skipper Richie McCaw after his surgery to insert a screw in a foot stress fracture.
Todd was man-of-the-match material every time he took the field. The real bonus: he’s a rare breed, equally at home on the open, or blindside.
There wouldn’t be a country in the World Cup that isn’t relieved McCaw and Todd aren’t on the paddock together.
Tried and tested wingers have been slashed from the squad. Joe Rokocoko, Sitiveni Sivivatu, and Hosea Gear missed out, so too burly centre Robbie Fruean.
That leaves only Zac Guilford as a recognised winger, although the selection of Israel Dagg, who had a blinder at fullback in the 14-5 loss to the Boks at Port Elizabeth last weekend, will admirably fill the other wing gap.
Interesting stats:
* A total of 1,133 caps makes it the most experienced squad in All Black history.
* Nine have played over 50 internationals: flanker McCaw, and full-back Mils Muliaina, share 97, hooker Kevan Mealamu (85), fly-half Dan Carter (82), prop Tony Woodcock (75), lock Ali Williams (65), Ma’a Nonu (58), hooker Andrew Hore (54), and lock Brad Thorne’s 51.
* Two more will top 50 during the World Cup: half Piri Weepu, and centre Conrad Smith, both on 48.
* And six have won 12 caps or less: centre Richard Kahui (12), prop Ben Franks (11), centre Sonny Bill Williams (7), flanker Victor Vito (7), winger Guilford (6), and fly-half Colin Slade (5).