Mitchell not happy at Waratahs axing

If that's true, I feel sorry for Tom Kingston. He played well last year and was in form in the trials but due to Folau may lose a Super Rugby season and a chance to push for test selection (given the injuries to wingers last year, that's not unrealistic). Many moons ago the Tahs lost a good winger in Scott Staniforth who lost game time due to league players in his position at the Tahs.

Ashley Cooper hasn't performed in Super Rugby for several seasons now. The Brumbies knew this and yes 2011 was bad but I don't think that Rugby was the real reason for him moving (his then gf is a model and wanted to be based in Sydney). There was talk in 2011 that a lot of Wallabies at the Brumbies didn't put in at pre season training as it was below them. AAC was players rep on the board and singled out as one of the trouble makers. Mind you Giteau was targeted too but I don't think either were involved despite what was said or people wanted to believe. He was highly regarded by the fans and local scribes. I don't know if his heart is in to playing for the Waratahs so I am not surprised that he is looking for contracts abroad. There is no real way back in to the Brumbies. His previous contract with the Brumbies was for 4 years so he put in a lot of work and loyalty in Canberra. Not even home grown Brumbies like Larkham, Gregan, Roff would have signed four year deals in their prime. He did play some good test Rugby last year but you are right he needs to starting lifting his game at Super Rugby level.

Dear Matthew Mr Carter may have been dropped ,he has the second most tackles for the season , having only missed two, you must have a personal hatred of him

Mitchell has played very little football over the past 2 years and has been selected on reputation, certainly not form. Can't see how changing the winger helps, the ball never gets to him.

OK so Cheika has so far dropped established Test players Robinson, Kepu and Mitchell. I have no problem with it if not performing. However does this policy extend to his skipper ? On current form he shouldn't be in the team. Douglas and Timani need to lift there games or they could/should face the axe.

It's about time Mitchell was dropped , the silver spoon has been taken out of his mouth and shoved somewhere else hooray!! Also heartening is that Mr Carter has been dropped too -deservedly -I don't know why Mr Cheika persisted with such a slow , defense- shy centre anyway -he was asking for trouble and he got it -it will be interesting if AAC and Mr Barnes share the same fate -their attitude is typical of past and present waratah 'stars' -"it doesn't matter how badly /indifferently I play -i will still be picked in the wallabies at the end of the season"

For a winger I'd say Mitchell has lost his accelleration off the mark,but overall he's fast & a good defender & link man,cannot believe that new winger is better than him.

Mitchell is finished a lot of better wingers for the tahs, wont player many more right to be dropped. Folau can only get better Mitchell only worst. Mitchell has had a dream run in selections for the past 3 years so cant complain.

Rob, I agree whole heartedly. But for the wallabies the tahs have, no one has underperformed more then Dennis.

Cheika inherited the player list and has to try and work within it before recruiting his "type" of players. Clearly no options when Carter takes the field for example. He needs to get a dominant forward performance and then see how the backs go and on that basis agree Kepu was cruising, hopefully Paddy will take his chance he looks likely. But the message is cruise and you'll be chopped. Would have expected more "leadership" and "attitude" from the Wallaby types who have been in hotter cauldrons than last weekends game Can't cruise till the Wallaby camp. Why is it the Waratahs always have to be chopped down, Brumbies take out big brothers, Reds kill to defeat Waratahs etc. Need attitude and if Cheika can't transfuse it then we're out of options

I didn't see too many issues with Kingston but I try to ignore the back play anyway! Turner definitely got burnt for pace a couple of times which is a worry. I think Mitchell can use the week off, refocus and hopefully comeback stronger and hungrier. Folau's defensive reads at FB have been poor - will he make better ones at 13? Who knows. I think the major change of bringing Barnes in to 12 for Carter while having Lucas, Horne and Volavola on the bench is plenty of changes for the pretty boys. The changes up front are the key. I like Chapman being back in the second row - whether that is starting or from the bench. I think both starting second rowers need to lift as Timani in particular I believe is well below his best form. McCutcheon deserves a chance and will be interested to see how he goes. Key question is will his support at the breakdown start getting the best out of Hooper for us. Will be interesting if Pat goes well to see if Cheika will sub Dennis to bring on Lopeti. I hope Ryan is ready for 80 minutes of rugby as if he can't play out the match it will require Ulugia to move from Hooker to TH and Holmes to come on. Either way we are vulnerable to fatigue as one of them will play the full match and neither has significant match fitness. Tilse is back on the bench so Robinson should play as hard as he can and try and empty the tank by the 50-60 minute mark. Challenging match for the Tahs and can't wait to see how they bounce back from last weeks match - hoping they take some positive steps.

Those are two positives for sure, Terry. Ryan does look to have a future and Betham looked good in NZ's ITM Cup last year.

Yeah, and I am stoked that Paddy Ryan has got a start. I like the look of this young prop and I reckon he could be a mainstay prop at Super and International level for quite a few years. Its interesting here that the vast majority of comments have focussed on Mitchell, Folau, ACC and Turner but have ignored the positives of Ryan and Betham both getting starts.

Agree Chapman is probably the key to the lineout - when Palu is back he provides a secondary option and Lopeti Timani provides a jumping target as well. Question is whether McCutch can be an option as well.

Markus, the problem with the tahs pack is simple to many impact players not enough work horse players. Dennis is nether a impact player or a work horse. Players like Vickerman, Mowen, Waugh, Baxter. We're all players who knew there roll in the team & they done it well. They may not have made the big line breaks or carried the ball much (exception Mowen).. But there off the ball work was tremendous.

Kingston didn't look so great. Betham we'll see. How about putting Folau at 13? It's easier to play for him than 15! He played centre in league and it's surely less demanding than 15, although obviously demanding. It's probably his best position ultimately too. Lucas, Foley, Barnes, Mitchell, Folau, Turner/Betham, Volavola.

Wing is the position in the squad that is overloaded with Mitchell, Turner, Kingston and Betham. Pressure would be relieved if he wasn't committed to the Folau development project and if he hadn't found what looks like a good young player in Volavola. When you list all those out it is 6 outside backs for 4 spots meaning two are going to miss the 22 every week. I think Cheika has been pretty clear that he expects greater work off the ball. Cheika has also said he backs Mitchell to do the work and break back into the team - I believe him. Robinson was on the bench for one week and has been better than he has in years as a result. I'm happy to watch this one play out.

Jez, I can't understand how Cheika can justify axing players like Drew. When clearly he isn't the most under performing wallabie in the tahs. I believe Cheika is starting to lose the respect of senior players, for his cow boyish like coaching. & his going away about it the wrong way, if he thinks this is the way to gain control of the dressing room. IMO

I personally think that Cutch would be a great captain. A backrow of McCutcheon, Palu and Hooper could be just what this Tah team needs.

Jez, I just hope Horne rediscovers the sort of form that first brought him into the limelight. He's got talent, but his game has regressed in the last few years.