Tomane eyes Wallabies' open wing spot

Is it just me or does feel like the first time in a while that I haven't felt like we've got enough depth on the wing to fill the Badgers spot. I disagree that Tomane is, or should be at least, 1st choice. I think he's been found lacking defensively when it comes to playing in the Wallabies jersey. Great foot work though but even he admits Speight is so far ahead of him. To be honest Speight is so far ahead of the pack it's silly. To the IC debate while Beale has a sweet straight pass (almost as good as QC), can make something out of nothing and is unpredictable he is best used later in the game when there are tired bodies on the field and the wallabies are ahead. His problem is that every time he has to take the ball to the line he gets driven back and driven backwards far. This would be a massive liability for the wallabies with power and strength the ABs and Saffas have outwide. I think he's too busy thinking of options and how to step through gaps while not thinking about how to build momentum into busting a tackle. To say that Toomua is lacking offensively is a joke. He's proved it time and again at both levels and his efforts in defence are a joy to watch (even if he does come out of line occasionally). My pick on form would be Horne right now. His defence is also of a great standard. He's fast enough, he can weave and I think plays with the right spirit. I think to beat Betham and Crawford for that spot is pretty good effort. McCabe on the other hand runs great lines and does a lot with a smaller frame but I just feel he's a liability from an injury point of view. Yes, Horne has had his hamstring issues but I'd take chronic h/s strain over fractured cervical vertebrae any day. There's also something about the way he runs that looks awkward. When he changes direction he keeps his upper body very straight and changes his feet to direct where he runs which doesn't enable you quickly sidestep. I'd have to say Id have White at HB over Phipps even though he's stepped up massively. I was really happy to see him leave the Rebels. But now wish that McGahan had just beaten the useless box kicks out if him. In saying that, when you've got such an exceptional hard working forward pack to give you great ball and an even more exceptional back line (and of course Izzy outside of you) then why wouldn't you just send it wide. Phipps running game has always been good. Defence not so good but boy it was great to see him finally get Nadolo on Sat.

I don't think that Phibbs is a sure starter, as he hasn't started a test under Link. He could very well become the first-choice, but I still think White is the favourites for 9 in the first Bledisloe.

Fair points but I cant believe that Toomua deserves a spot as an automatic selection. I think you're right about 9, 10 and 15 selecting themselves with AAC a definite depending on position. I just dont think Toomua would make any of the top three squads. He's good not great. You can add the likes of Toomua, Mogg, Horne as guys who's standard, in my opinion, is super 15 and not international. Yes Beale's defence needs work. But from an attacking view point he is miles in front. Whats that old all blacks strategy...score 30 points and you usually win the test. Ahh what the hell BRING BACK GITS!!

The backline has three open spots really 11/13/14. Phipps (9), Foley (10), Toomua (12) and Folau (15) should all be sure starters. AAC will start, the only question is if he will wear 13 or 14 on his back. If Kuridrani is at 13, then AAC will be at 14, which leaves McCabe, Horne and Tomane fighting for no.11. If AAC starts in the centres then two of those three wingers will start.

Well said JB - a brilliant line bender/breaker and hole runner. He was awesome against Argentina last year and was also fantastic against Wales.

I can see where you're coming from. I think being competitive now requires this sort of mobility and speed from the get go. Look at the mobility of the all blacks and springboks. I think we need to benchmark that and I dont believe Fardy offers that standard unfortunately. Lets not forget him outpacing Habana...

Seriously?! One swallow does not a summer make, nor one fine day. If your bearing on crash ball is wrong footing Billy Twelvetrees a metre out then, yes Toomua is a great impact runner. Just to embarrass me some more, please give me one other example of him doing this in any test match. Ask Billy Twelvetrees indeed.

I'd go with Tomane, still not totally convinced after he was at sea defensively in the Lions decider. That said he did have a good Spring tour. We need one winger with wheels before Speight is eligible. Tomane and AAC on the dingalings. I think Link will go with Toomua and Kuidriani in the centres.

Ridiculous assessment of Toomua. Ask Billy Twelvetrees if Toomua is a threat "crashing the ball in".

personally, i don't like the idea of Hoops and Higgers on at the same time unless it's the last quarter of the game and things have really opened up.

I agree with you that this centre pairing is a worry defensively but looking at the balance we need to pose more of an attacking threat. Toomua doesnt offer us enough in attack. He's not a threat crashing the ball in and just hasnt added the spark in my opinion. If Foley is ten I think we need someone more dynamic and creative at 12. Beale was the form 12 in the comp this year and did some nice things off the bench against the french. I believe we have to score points against the All Blacks in areas other than our stock move of ship it out to Izzy. Beale gives us another dimension in our attack that Toomua doesnt offer. We should pick to our strengths not to simply limit opposition strengths. Do you honestly believe Toomua would make the boks or all blacks squads?

I'd go with tomane, every wallaby game he has played he has been the pick of the wingers, provided he's fit an assuming AAC is on the other wing Horne misses out completely, bench to be Phipps and Beale. or if they go fo four forwards (unikely) add McCabe. I think you need a damaging ball runner that can bend the line like Tomane as does speight, I think we might lack a little power in the go forward particularly with TPN no longer participating.

Had Beale started on the wing throughout the season as a few suggested Cheika should try, I'd say yes. But the Bledisloe is not the place to start such an experiment. Personally I still don't trust his defense enough either, for as much as people say he improved this year, he still missed a third of his tackles.

Beale and Kurindrani and no Tomua you have to be joking and you are worried about defense. Turnstiles all over it , conrad and Nonu would have a field day

I had thought of Horne to replace the badger, but McCabe is a great call, I'd love to see him starting on the wing.

Agree , Horne is quicker off the mark a short distance though. My preference would be Beale considering the form he is in. Beale is quicker than both McCabe and Horne and Tomane and AAC. Beale is a player the most similar to Speight.

Frankly, I'd be happy so long as the Wallabies pick a winger that can outrun the flankers for a change.

Agreed DB. I'm sorry to say but Rob Horne is seriously overrated from an international perspective. No disrespect but he's not up to that standard. While McCabe's courage is legendary, could anyone actually see him troubling wingers from the All Blacks, Sprinboks or even England for that matter? Our problem for the upcoming tests is that of our top three wingers in the country AAC is ideally an outside centre, one is off to Japan and the other is injured. Going in against the All Blacks this is a massive problem. Tomane hasn't impressed at international level and hasn't gone on from the schoolboy who was running over lesser weights for fun. Considering the strength the All Blacks have out wide I predict McCabe will be picked as he is a much stronger prospect defensively. Anyway for mine here' stone line up Props Kepu and Slipper 2 Charles 4 Simmons rep by Skelton at 50 mins 5 Carter 6 Higginbotham 7 Hooper 8 Palu rep by Hodgson at 50 mins. Higginbotham to eight. 9 Phipps 10 Foley 11 McCabe 12 Beale 13 Kurindrani 14 AAC 15 Folau

Tomane is the best of the three!! Not even debatable! The game against Argentina last year and the game against Wales - he was unstoppable! I have never seen Horne or McCabe play like that, it's quite simple beyond them!

mccabe would be awesome on the wing , Tomane is not much chop