Matt Toomua is a flyhalf, not an inside centre

The Wallabies would have to change their entire attacking game plan in a World Cup year, in addition to playing guys out of position to accommodate that. Kuridrani hasn't played 12, Folau hasn't played 13. That lineup would destroy any chemistry or anything that has been built over the years instantly. I would say try that out after the WC. For the WC I think the lineup will look something like this: 9. Genia 10. Foley (or Cooper if he can find form quickly) 11. JOC 12. Toomua 13. Kuridrani 14. Speight 15. Folau After the World Cup, it would be worth trying 9. Phipps 10. Foley/Toomua 11. Cummins 12. Kuridrani 13. Folau 14. Speight 15. JOC

I agree that is Cooper can come back healthy and confident, the Cooper/Toomua 10-12 combo is the best option. I too would love to see CLL get a crack at 10, because watching the games, it feels like he is the one providing the direction and putting people into space more often than Toomua. Toomua has play making abilities, but is not the play maker on the team. He is a spectacular 2nd 5/8 playing 10, while they have a genuine 10 playing 2nd 5/8.

Shame on me for leaving Lealiifano off the back up list.

9 Phipps 10 Toomua 11 Speight 12 Kurandrani 13 Folau 14 Cummins 15 O’Connor. 12, 13 & 15 are interchangeable forfielding and clearing kicks and attack and defence situations. Bench White, Foley, AAC with backup from Genia, Cooper, Beale, AAC and Tomane

QC 10 (as long as form returns) , Toomua 12. Foley only works at 10 for Waratahs because Beale does the playmaking role and shifts defense as he drifts. Foley is good at following behind to take the pass once the break has been made. To have Foley and Toomua at 10 and 12 would create a flat stagnant backline. Works well with quick ball and dominant forwards, of which we do not have the luxury. We need a floating playmaker to put our backs, which is our strength, into gaps.

What about the 10 wins in a row Wales have had against us when he hasn't had the benefit of a composite side of 4 top 10 nations around him?

If you are saying Cooper is the unknown, then conductor is not the right term I don't think... I would say Toomua is not a 10 that would work for the Wallabies... he needs structure I think, and lots of it. The Brumbies have had good structure for the last few years, with White giving them that, and Larkham carrying it on... The Wallabies have been trying to play unstructured and a bit off the cuff... I don't think Toomua is creative enough for the game at pace...

It kills me how, after the Tahs demolished the Brums, people still can't see that Foley is a standout. Sure the Tahs pack was dominant, but in part that reflects the style of play. The Brums were looking to play ball in hand this season and I've been impressed. It's still early days, but what I love about the Tahs are the men in motion. Where will Folau pop up? Where/s Foley...oh Beale's taken the centre of the field.There's Folau and oh, there's Foley!!!!!! Sorry! got a bit carried away. Point is, there isn't another 10 who could do that for the Wallabies, except QC but he's got no chance at the Reds. (Well maybe a glimmer!) In truth, Quade couldn't do it.............he's a conductor. His card is the Carlos Spencer card. And if you don't know what you're going to do next how is the player next to you going to.

did you not watch the last lions test... he tore us to shreds

The prospect of a Folau (12) and a Kuridrani (13) pairing is simply mouth watering. But it won't happen. It won't happen for the same reasons the federal budget won't get back into surplus outside the next forty years. Short term thinking and no imagination. Folau is a dumb leaguie and he had to start at 15 so he could learn the game. It's so complicated. Better to leave an unthinking, unpassing player like AAC at centre while Folau covers the back. Funny how a dumb player like AAC is part of a numerous defensive line while Folau has a line of one to defend against a tide of offenders. You have to wonder at the ego and hubris involved in this game of ours. AAC wouldn't make a second rate league side yet here he is with his mum dominating a Wallaby side.

At 110kg Jamie Roberts is one of the biggest players in international rugby to play 12 and has not been overly effective against us.

In fact, O'Conner has rarely played there. And has been poor when he has (for the Rebels).

Very true. But we don't have the depth in the tight five to make a debate about their selection all that interesting. At least in the black line (and back row) there is some competition. Moore is going to be the World Cup Hooker. Slipper and Kepu probably have the edge for the props at the moment. But Scott Sio is developing more each season. That just leaves the locks. Sam Carter, Rob Simmons, Rory Arnold, James Horwill, Luke Jones??? I don't think any combination of these players will be putting too much fear into the top international sides (the same goes for the props). I will say that Will Sketlon is looking more interesting this season. Scrummaging looks better and his maul work against the Brumbies was great. Talking about the back line in Australia is important because for us, that is probably the one area we have the most control over. I'm a big fan of taking risks this World Cup and selecting risky X Factor players who can break the line and get us points. Because we certainty don't have the dominate cattle to win with conservative backs. For example I am all for picking Genia over Phipps/White. If we just play it safe the chances are we wont even make it out of the group stages.

Mitch Inman at 12 with Tevita at 13. We keep struggling with this 10 12 model of a second play maker. Look around Australia world rugby is dominated by BIG 12's.

I agree, Peter. One thing that's been missing in the coverage / aftermath of the Waratahs v Brumbies game is that (IMNSHO*) the best forward on the field was South African :( * In My Not So Humble Opinion

Yeah good call, 80% of your suggested players at 12 if Toomua is selected at 10 don't play there at Super Rugby level.....

Yes, it's a crime how little involvement Kuridrani has at the Brumbies, when he was a beast for the WBs last year.

Agree with PeterK here. I like Toomua as a player. Physical, calm under pressure, decent passing and kicking game. But he is not overly creative. Personally, I'd love to CLL get a crack in the 10 jersey at the Brumbies. Toomua at inside centre combines really well with Quade at 10. IMO this is our best 10-12 world cup combo. Our next best combo is currently Foley and CLL. But I would love to see CLL get a run at 10.

Foley 10 toomua 12. Guaranteed

being a playmaker does not matter to you it seems, CLL does it for the brumbies and both Cooper and Foley are playmakers Toomua is not. Toomua is far better for 10 man rugby, however he does NOT utilise the potential of his backline.