George Smith to play against the Lions?

I am curious Johnno, I saw you on here stating that Hugh Mcmimmermon should never be contracted to an Australian provence because he left Australian shores and left our second row stocks low. I think you even blamed a world cup loss on him. But now your happy George Smith is returning. Its a bit confusing?? George left just after his prime but still had a lot to offer Australian rugby.

G Smith has alreaady ruled himself out of the Wallabies. When he left, he mentioned that he would like to return to Super rugby but emphatically ruled out test duties.

"would free up the Super 15 franchises to bring on the new talent" i dont they're in any way restricted from bringing in new talent at this point. if a good player popped up they would easily find a place for him.

As if he wouldn't of got picked if he stayed at the Force, he wants a title so he switched, plain and simple.

Fair call Scrumjunkie. Gregan played about 6 years too long therefore deliberately left Gregan out, I thought he was overated I know I will get crucified for that, so what. Why would Pocock stay at the force really, he still wants to claim a wallaby jersey and with Foley one coach verse JW the other who is going to get the best out of him ?

I love Pocock I think he's a great player, but he's no GS, and as far as the Brumbies are concerned, he's a blow in. He deserted the Force because he saw he could win a title at the Brumbies. Can't say I blame him, it still makes him a blow in though. If the Brumbies hadn't come so close to the finals last year Pocock would still be at the Force. You left Gregan out of your list of greats, he'd have to be up there as well, surely.

Agree George No.1 but Larkham, Owen Finnegan, Roff not far behind and Pocock is no blow in a great player he is, just review the test matches he has played, he will be there abouts after a few seasons. I dont get the roars hostility to pocock. Him and Genia are the two world class players who continually turn up for the wallabies and are having a real go after suffering injuries. Pick on the three amigos

With that amount of turnover ball you just throw it to 2 . Lineouts wont need them, with them three. Let the 2nd rowers do some work.

My 2 cents, as if Pocock was, is, or ever will be as good as George Smith. George Smith is possibly the greatest Brumby of all time, Pocock is a fair weather blow in. It won't do any harm to the Brumbies having GS play, as I'm sure Colby Faingaa considers it an honour and a privilage playing in the same team as GS, whether they're on the field at the same time or Colby's on the bench.

Agree that backrow needs a jumper. Step forward Ben Mowen who, admittedly after only two games, is the form player in Super Rugby. If he keeps it up he's a far better prospect than the sporadic, predictable Palu.

out of interest how are the Brumbies membership numbers for this year? I notice the Tahs are up susbstantially from 9000 to 13000 ( still poor in my eyes) are the Brumbies at 10,000 with all these new recruits? Would be nice o see a full Bruce Stadium for the game vs the Tahs.

Malu that backrow you picked has no lineout jumpers of note

i worry about u sometimes KPM. not often but sometimes. sure smith was naturally in physical decline. his speed and acceleration wouldve declined but his strength wouldve increased. however what didnt diminish was smiths intelligence. smiths not perfect, but he's easily one of the most intelligent players ever to have worn the green n gold. smiths rugby brain easily made up for his physical ebb. KPM i've said this countless times before, brains will always beat brawn. to this day i still dont believe that pocock is a better 7 than smith. pocock is younger stronger faster but smiths intelligent. my money would be on smith every day of the week and twice on a sunday ps - theres a reason why he's the highest paid aus player ever.

Smith's running game, pilfering game and linking game were all worn down and he had little impact in his final international season. All good things come to an end.

That's ridiculous mania. All players decline. Smith was outstanding for 100 caps, and then declined at the end.

i agree DB. i never thought that pocock had ever outplayed gSmith. pocock was better at the rucks but gSmith was always better all round and more importantly smith could read the play and be in the correct spot to spoil a lot of attacking movements. pocock doesnt anticipate, he just follows the ball like lawyer does an ambulance. deans did not push gSmith out but he made a big mistake not convincing gSmith to stay till after the WC. deans was short sighted in letting gSmith go.

Don't worry rl he has left the litany of other selection howlers alone that you mention, that says enough...

KPM - i'm aghast that you would talk of one the greatest players (if not the greatest) aus has ever produced in such an off hand way.

Awesome if anyone can do it George can , good luck. Smith Palu and Pocock back row, forget about all these dynamic pretenders, class, toughness and experience wins the breakdown and matches. i dont know why he was not at RWC. The reserve breakaways were poor.

George Smith, one of my favourite all time players. The greatest Wallaby openside I have seen and one of the great players of the modern era. Geeez we could have done with him at the World Cup. Pocock has a long way to go to be in the same discussion as Smith.