Wallabies casualties mount

I think the aus rugby players are being compared to a currently superior system and are not comparing well. I'm hoping the ARU sees all this and gets their act together. The problem is the ARUs, not the supporters but.

If he'd pulled out he'd have been able to play in Argentina.... I'll get my coat.

If Moore & Pocock are fit, Moore will be captain and Pocock will be #7. At which point Hooper plays #6 (unlikely) or drops to the bench where he'd be hoping Link wants to carry a specialist - it could work if Higgers plays #8.

ABOS, MS - I don't think it's the players themselves that are jading Australian rugby fans, it's the national coaches. I was a big supporter of the call for Link to take over from Deans, but our expectations have been met by a slow drift into the familiar problems that plagued his tenure. Honestly, I think Wallabies supporters could get behind a tough-talking chest-beating coach if he backed up his attitude with brave (not stupid) selections and created an environment of confidence and unity. All we see instead is fragmented playing styles, an inexperienced 22 year old captain, face-saving persistence with selections and an unsavory blame-game policy (AAC 2013, injuries / bench players 2014). The players you listed would/could be at their peak if only they were used correctly by their coach. - If you insist on Hooper at #7, pick two other backrowers alongside that complement his playing style. - Instruct your halves to give Folau the ball at depth or put him on the wing where he has a license to hunt the ball instead of constantly dropping back at every turnover (plenty of these lately) - Let Toomua have a run in his natural position at flyhalf or if he must play #12 demand he never kick the ball again. I fear the frustration will continue until 2016 when (for success or failure at the big tournament) a new era will begin. Let's hope for a relatively injury-free 2015 where we'd welcome back some real leadership (on the field at least) to give us hope for RWC.

Firstly, the "people" said it before and since McKenzie did, and I loved Cheika's retort. Second, I suspect our scrum could be slightly better with him while our line out would probably be worse. Lastly, I have seen him use his size very well - destroying mauls, cleaning out 2 or 3 at the ruck at a time, holding 2 or 3 at bay protecting our ball, smashing through the defensive line... My point is IF he can increase his aerobic fitness without dropping any weight I suspect he would be more menacing than the lighter weight version you propose... But he also deserves a place on the bench now.

Unfortunately roarers are targeting the best wallaby players. Hooper , Folau and Toomua. . I don't get it.

Yep. Thought Faiangá was a pretender but turned up on Saturday night. Good effort. If he keeps playing like that, I'll be a believer!

Hi carnivean/Tahdan.. Yep I can accept and respect your views as much of it based on fact. Constantly we hear that rugby cannot do this, they cannot do that because we are in a competitive environment. That, I do not accept. The $43 million that the ARU made as a result of the RWC 2003 was not insignificant carnivean, it was not insignificant then and it is not insignificant now. Just ask Bill Pulver. We know rugby cannot compete with NRL or AFL in this country so why are we comparing. The failed ARC platform reincarnated this year as the NRC cost the ARU $5 million then was scrapped in 2007 after one year. The ARC/NRC gives exposure to those who choose to play rugby, the stepping stone between club and S15 and importantly, exposure. The NRC is now self-funding. Wisely spent, much of the surplus from 2003 could have been spent developing the code rather than to build ivory castles and pay fat salaries. If that direction was taken, then, back in 2003 might I suggest the issue of depth would not be nearly as dire as it is today. The building of depth has to start at grass roots level, to sink everything into the National Team ignoring the lower levels was folly then as it is folly now. Too much money as I see it has been wasted and perhaps spent out of kilter. Players, I am lead to believe generally are paid more in Australia than they are in for example NZ (where the general All Black contract including top ups is worth between NZ$300,000 – NZ$400,000 in 2011/12 – this is not for example McCaw’s income which would be significantly more) and certainly more than the average Springbok in South Africa. I am unable to ratify the average paid on contract to Australian Wallabies (not referring to the Folau’s). However for example Cruden had to forsake test match payments of NZ$7,500 for each test (say A$7,000) he misses for his indiscretion, Wallabies are paid A$10,000 match payments (reduced from A$13,100) on top of their contracts. I am not going to adjudge who is worth more but these salaries are paid by the respective unions. AIG sponsors NZRU to the tune of what I understand is NZ$200 million over 5 years, Adidas is also a major sponsor. Primarily, this money is directed to development. How much has the ARU directed towards development over say the past 10 years, anyone know? I also agree that the code must have wider appeal in all schools in order to flourish, why was a small part of the 2003 surplus not directed there, say $1 million per year? Other codes will entice some of the budding rugby stars to switch codes, I have no doubt. If that happens, let them go... why enter into a bidding war you cannot win. The game turned professional only 1995/96, before that League and AFL were already professional and were raping the rugby ranks so nothing really has changed. Rugby lost many players to the professional codes in particular league in rugby's pre professional era yet it was good enough to build the code on an amateur basis with players who wanted to play the game for the sake of the game itself then as there are now. The numbers quoted in my earlier post supports that. If it is solely money that players want or want to play rugby for a living, then then there is no better opening than to play rugby in Australia before touting talents overseas..AFL and NRL generally does not come near what rugby can offer to competent players. France, Japan, UK are more a threat to playing stocks that other codes in Australia. Yet I am of the opinion that will peak soon or quotas will be introduced. Development of the platforms will strengthen the pillars of rugby in Australia, sitting back watching the code explode elsewhere suggesting it is too hard here due to other codes is a cop out. It has less to do with the competing codes which is the easy excuse. Australia has depth … that it is not up to the standard of certain other countries is directly as a result of inaction by the ARU to do what their charter guides them to do.

I seriously doubt it. Thats like saying NZ are going to drop Savea for Gear.

Why do so many Australians hate the Wallaby players? Its a real problem.

lostintokyo - thanks for your considered reply (compared with the schoolboy efforts above). I know what you're saying about Izzy, but I believe he could inject himself more effectively off the wing. Yes he is solid under the highball but you see plenty of wingers dropping back with the 28 metre bomb so in vogue. For the ABs, both Savea and B.Smith take a lot of highball and combine beautifully with Dagg to create space to run into. As for Hooper, it was a part serious suggestion, part dig at his 'style' in the #7 jumper. The Wallabies badly need a hard running #12 to straighten their attack, Kuridrani can't do it all himself. I admire Toomua's work ethic but he looks lost in the gold jumper this year (likely due to evolving combinations). If I'm being totally serious, I would suggest bringing Godwin in for a run-on debut this weekend. I can't say I agree with "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" when it comes to the 2014 Wallabies. The flawed selections and coaching 'tactic's are beginning to expose cracks in the team and they could/should be doing better - even with the deepening injury crisis.

LT18 - chill babe. MS - I think he will, to either Hodgson or Pocock.

Hooper will never lose the 7

MiB. Agree with the two additions to bench and most of others but, Folau has scored more tries at fullback in two years than any Wallaby in history over the same period. Leave him there. I think he should pick his moments to inject himself into the back line and he will be scoring tries again. He is taking the ball too flat at present. Additionally there is no better player on the planet under a high ball than Izzy. We should not give away that advantage. If you wish to see Hooper play in the centers it should be done in pre season trials, not a test match. I recall he played 15 mins or so in the centers a year back or year before when we had a spate of back line injuries and no backs on the bench left and he was at sea. How would he not be with no training and to my knowledge high level experience in the position. He too is one of the best players on the field at present. If it ain't broke don't fix it. My view anyway.

Hooper in centre? Kill yourself.

@ Mad Dutchman : first of all , it was not the " people " but the coach who said Will lacked fitness. In fact his super coach came out firing more than the US air force in defence of Will. the people just picked up on the reason and went to town. Secondly, the 2nd row's primary skills are ate the line out and scrum. there has been no noticeable difference in either facet of the OZ team with him or without him. (for example the NZ scrum is not the same without Bid brad thorn and even Romano). Thirdly his size may seem like an advantage but at world stage there are quite a few big boys who have been neutered by one team or the other. for Example Billy Vunipola could not do much against the NZ or SA teams. The 120 kg French center has a very meager strike rate and impact against the better teams (including OZ). Some really big Islanders are hardly used in their national teams. There is size and then there is ideal size. the Puma Lavanini is a large unit but he is athletic, mobile springy and has most of the skills of a 2nd row ( and some skills more useful in WWE also ). Samu mano is another big guy who has adequate skills to play at 8. Even Billy V is good against some opposition. IMO if Will can lose say 10-12 kg and improve his aerobic fitness , he will be more menacing.

sorry did not see that one :( my bad apologies.

Agree we must be careful of making excuses but Tahdan's point is not the number of registrations but quality players chase the big bucks and AFL and NRL have budgets many times that of near bankrupt ARU. The top players in ARU are quality but problem is depth. Imagine if rugby in US becomes huge! Player depth will kill us.

I agree too regarding Fainga. His line out throwing, defense and breakdown work were all good. A good back up for Moore with Polota Nau.

Hopefully this week we'll see: 6. Fardy 7. Hodgson 8. Higgers 9. Phipps 10. Foley 11. Horne 12. Hooper 13. Kuridrani 14. Folau 15. AAC 19. Skelton 21. Genia