The Wallabies' 9 jersey: a game of five halves

Stu B is it? Im quite amazed at the way you have a dig at Valentine and Sheehan! Just wondering how many times you have represented your country ? Nothing should ever be taken away from a player whether its by injury or selection if they have worn there countries colours!

True Positive Rugby Genia hardly ever disappoints for the wallabies. Him and NFJONES best halfbacks I've seen for the wallabies.

Genia is still head and shoulders above any of the others. Take off your parochial glasses and face reality. He is the only one with the ability to turn a game, when that game is against the mighty ABs or the Boks. Genia will be the Wallaby half this year and at the World Cup, barring injury.

I never thought I would hear the words Burgess and Phipps look good. They certainly do though, but it's a long season and that will sort out who is really in contention, not the first couple of rounds. I rate White a lot as a Brumbies fan but do not think he is the elite scrumhalf we need for the WBs. White has certainly been coached to play in a more negative fashion over the last couple of seasons. I hope that having Bernie there will allow the players a little more freedom to attack the line.

haha, yep.

"IF" pigs could fly :)

re Genia: Round 2, did a good job v Brumbies in the first half. But no possession on second. Round 3, Reds forwards were monstered all game. No chance to do anything. There was one error in the 2nd half, 5m from Tahs tryline. Went into the ruck, left the ball exposed which BR picked up. If Genia had same time/space that Rebs and Tahs forwards afforded their 9, I think he would have carved it. Hes very good, but not a miracle worker.

And I have heard - but admittedly not seen - that he is exceptional at club level and engenders loyal support from the Easts faithful for his herioc efforts. I hope he fulfills his potential at the next level. But he's not there yet and he's a fair way short of: best second halfback in Super rugby.

Crash Ball 2 i can understand to a degree the sentiment. I have watched him destroy club sides and seen him play great games for the tahs, though yes he has had a couple of shockers that people seem to remember. Though I admit I am biased as am an Easts supporter and seen plenty of good performances

Burgess is still a poor passer. I would have him as a 12 or fullback for that reason.

Genia thought he was untouchable, the man, but really got lost in his own hype. But its good he's got dudes pressuring him, it might make him pull finger. Dingo mucked the Wobblies around so much a few lost their confidence and self belief, Genia being one of them. Hes a champion and champions usually fight their way back to the top. Good luck to him.

White can be quite brittle at times and can be put off his game a little too easily Burgess and Phipps look the goods at this stage

From what i've seen of Prior cameo last week he might go up a few places in the pecking order. Genia needs to pull his head in and stop drinking his own bathwater. And stop hopping and stepping from the back of the ruck, just pass the ball for God's sake. I would like to see if Stirzaker has improved from last year when he gets back on the pitch. I agree that Burgess is the best of a mediocre lot at the moment and it galls me to say that because he lacks the most important skill a SH has to have "a good pass". Genia if he is not careful will not be the first choice SH for the Wallabies and may not be for the Reds if he continues to display this type of form. I watched a match, years ago in Club rugby where McKibbon blew him away. Genia was 19 and McKibbon was 22+ and captain of Brothers, he made Genia look silly I wondered then why all the hype was about Genia, IMO Genia will have been a good SH but not a great one for the Wallabies, I will also make a prediction, Genia will not be the starting SH for the WC.

MS - there is no doubt McKibbin is a wholehearted, hardworking footballer, who clearly enjoys high regard within the Tahs set up. I hope he continues to improve under the Chieka regime. And one might argue he has had good passages of play or even good (part) games. But, he is not playing any rugby that might be categorised as "great". And there is little evidence in his bit part appearances in very early 2014 that erases the nagging memory of his stunning flaws of past seasons. There's a good reason that there exists a McKibbin bandwagon that I've, apparently, hitched my cart to.

Agreed re: the kicking. Most props have a better kicking game than Phipps. Otherwise Phipps is better IMO. His passing game has significantly improved and I like how he passes off the ground rather than the gregan/genia shuffle.

“The sporting field can be a funny thing – attain balance off it and it tends to follow you when you run back on.” Now here's a challenge for a wayward James O'Connor if iI ever heard one. James, with a plethera of backs in form and likely to keep their test spots, a door could open to return to the Wallaby 15 as a 9. Put your ego away, put your team mates interests before yours and brush up on your passing.

I like your overall summary on the Halfbacks P&G. I have a few issues with White's game; 1 He tends to make critical errors at crucial times 2 He rarely/never makes a dominant tackle But I think his negative tactics is through training rather than his style of play. I agree with your Genia summary and it kills me. Gregan would give team mates the dagger if they let him down, but he continued on in his own performance. As soon as I see Genia in that state, I know the game is gone. Burgess needs to cut out the lobs passes and continue to make the improvements in his ball disposal efficiencies. If he does this he will be tremendour this year. I think I don't give Phipps enough credit myself. But I never see him being that game winning halfback that Australia have always had during successful times.

Good article and well written. I especially loved the comment “The sporting field can be a funny thing – attain balance off it and it tends to follow you when you run back on.” Also could someone clarify the true meaning behind the below comment? "His back up, Nick Frisbee, makes sports fans more nervous than watching Zeljko Kalac try defend a World Cup football match." This is my current order of rating for halfbacks if I had to select an Australian side today. Genia (If he continues to play as he has the past few games I would put him below White) Burgess White Phipps Frisby Lucas Stizaker McKibbon Prior

I was rubbished before the super 15 season started in another article, for Tipping Phipps to half a big year, & to cement his place as one of the top two half-backs in Australia. I have never rated White, lmo his play is always negative kicking away possession when they are in good attacking territory. Genia has the skill set to be the best half-back in the world, & possesses the best pass out of all the half-backs in Australia. But to be a great back line general you need to have the mental strength & it is this part of Genias game that has let him down. Often in recent times when his team is up against the wall, Genia has lost his cool at his teammates & would never regain the focus that is needed in a dog fight. Burgess strengths has always been his defense & running game. On current form I would agree that Burgess is the best performing, just getting the nod over Phipps. But it is still early days, let's wait till the pointy end of the season. Form is temporary, class is permanent.

Phipps is miles ahead of White? Hes not. The style of play the Tahs play make him look the better player because it is constant attack. The Brumbies play a different style which doesnt show off his attacking side as much. I think White gives better ball, and his kicking game (although when its off it is shockingly off) is far superior to Phipps.