Wallabies can savour win after sneaking past England

judging by your capitals there on your heartfelt statement of "no way!" i can see you have a preference for the spectacular over the substantial. throwing a petty insult in there and stating other peoples opinions for them completes the neat comparison to tpn's game (looking good to at a glance but then at crunch time just drops the ball/throws crooked and wastes everyones time). i wish my memory was better and would stop getting involved in exchanges with you. this will be all for this one.

The ball went forward, the question is the momentum ruling, but for me it looked like it was angled forward. Two questionable tries - both given. Also, I suppose that if Australians think Cummins' was a try then they should have no argument about the South Afriica one which wasn't given in the World Cup quarter-final!

"If Hooper were to add turnovers to his game next season, it’s hard to see Pocock making it back to the starting XV." What if Pocock improves his attacking skills? He's only 24 remember there is potential for improvement in his game also. Hooper is very good, but to quote Monty Python "he's not the Messiah".

JOC isn’t exactly a turnstile in defence. Yes Cooper has been but I think that’s one area of his game that has improved over the last season and a half. But as I said, if he’s still not up to test standard (and his most recent form suggests that he wasn’t) then I’d have no problem with him being dumped for Lealiifano. With Taps, I think his best position is at 12 but so is JOC’s. O’Conner is obviously someone with enormous talent and ability and I’d really like to see him given some time to establish himself in the 12 role. Don’t get me wrong, I recognise and fully appreciate what Taps brings to the team but I think JOC’s talent at 12 stretches a little further. It’s unfortunate for Taps but as I said, he’d be my first choice to slot into the midfield if either JOC or AAC went down. And having said all of this, I’m looking forward to a fully fit and firing on all cylinders JOC coming back and doing his best to fight for the 12 spot because Taps form definitely warrants incumbency and his position should only be given to someone who proves they’re a better option.

This is true. Beale has been poor under the high ball this year. He’ll need to work that aspect out because Barnes has looked way more comfortable and teams have used the up and under a lot to target that weakness that’s existed this year. But as far as attacking weapons running from depth go, I really put Beale in the same category as Dagg. For the last 2 years till this one he’s been an absolute asset running from the back and creating space for others or running off guys and into gaps.

Did Morne Steyn play or did the Bulls play? Tobe "Morne Steyn" Floodis a fail. The guy does exactly what his Saffer counterpart does and that is standing too deep. Ball takes longer to get to you, you are attacking from behind the gain line and a flat Wallaby backline will you eat you up as you have a predictable direct runner at 12, a predictable direct runner at 13 so all Aussie s had to do is tackle in midfield and you will end up behond the line and robbing your backline off any creativity.

so no Taps? A turnstyle black whole of defence at 10 and 12? And a 12 whose first thought is run, second kick, third pass?

The problem is we are assuming CLL will turn out to be a genuine Test centre Option A Genia Digby Cooper Leali’ifano Tapuai Judas Beale option B: Genia Digby Leali’ifano Tapuai Honey Badger Judas Beale (Cooper out) Option C: Genia Digby Beale Tapuai AAC Honey Badger Judas (Cooper & CLL out) Beale is not a 10 if Cooper and CLL are available. Judas is not a Test centre. AAC is past it but good cover on the bench. Cummins is worth a shot at 13 with Taps on one side and Judas on the other. Digby needs to lift his game. I know he was coming back from injury, but he is increasingly tap dancing and going nowhere. Its great to have Shippers Cummins and Judas as genuine options, with Tomane Mogg and Morahan in the "wings" lol

so long as he can get solid under the high ball. having someone reliable back there takes this heavily used tactic away from teams so its pretty essential thats been the best thing about having barnes back there.

there was one he was lying on the ground and kicked the ball out of the ruck right in front of the ref. another he pulled his way around the side of the maul to get to te back, also right in front of the ref. cant bame anyone else for those

Peter I think Sharpie had a great game as captain. Its all very well barking out orders to keep the ball in last 15 mins and not kick it straight back to them, but seeing as both Barnes and Beale have been doing it all year it seems to be part of their genetic make up and NO instructions or orders are getting through to them. I think part of the "dumb" penalties might be because Timani and Dennis are not involved enough in the breakdown enough, with Sharpie getting a bit exposed (and he is visibly slowing up). I am seriously concerned at Mitchell, he looks dreadfully overweight and out of condition. He is risking a career ending injury. They really should have taken someone like Alfie Mafi on this tour, the guy put in an excellent season in a malfunctioning Force backline, is fast and silppery as an eel. Mitchell and the rest of the injured brigade should be recuperating at home, getting in a proper pre season. Tours and Tests are NOT the forum to be bringing back players who have been out for a months.

bringing on Mitchell with 10mins to go! This is the type of inept use of the bench Deans and Nucifora give us week in week out. Could you imagine the scenario of hium chasing Ashton down the sidelne at full pelt for a try saving tackle? NO. Mitchell looked fatter then ME, and faced the distinct possibility of major injury. A better option at that point in the game would have been Harris for Digby. Fully fit, match hardened. A strong defender, can also kick. All he has to do is defend as if his life depends on it for 10 mins with us 6 points in front.

Cummins is probably good enough to play 13. I would wait a year and ease him into 13 like Mortlock

Sharpie walks the lap at every Force game from 2006, after making the captains interview

Jordan Rapana

I couldn't agree more about Palu's game. His first 20 minutes were awesome. the hits on English forweards paid no small part in their weakness at the scrums. One of the young English props (grown out Mowhawk) was hit by Palu and didn't get up for some time and then was useless in the scrums after that. It was the best game I have seen Palu play. His running was pretty well contained but his defence outstanding. Plus he lasted the whole game.

the "missed tackle" stat is misleading, he was in a dysfunctional backline that were headless chooks under Graham

There was that ’10 o’clock’ angle of the Flood pass that made it look well forward but the overhead wasn’t as convincing. Definitely could have gone either way and I’ve seen far worse let go before.

Good analysis there jameswm. Completely agree Beale belongs at the back. He’s been brilliant there before- he was nominated as an irb player of the year in 10’ and the John Eales medallist in 11’. He’ll find his mojo again and we’re best served with him at the back. I’m probably just leaning towards option H: 10. Cooper 12. JOC 13. AAC You’re dead right though, the names we have in our inside backs ranks are impressive and becoming plentiful (when everyone’s healthy). If Cooper can also get his mojo/confidence back in 2013 then I’d start him ahead of Lealiifano. But if not I think Lealiifano more than showed he’s up for it before he was injured. Taps is definitely a 12 but I’d have him as injury cover at both 12 and 13 if either JOC or AAC went down.

Your 2nd comment at him was trolling.