With Kuridrani out, who will step in at the Brumbies?

I don't recall seeing the ozzies claiming the best backs in the world thing. Only Kurandrani and at times Folau stood out in 2014 and a few are still finding their way. Oz don't have 9,10, 12, or even the wings sorted though they have some good choices, particularly at wing with Tomane, Speight, the badger, AAC given Kurandrani's unseated him, Horne, and a couple of others. JOC has yet to claim a spot back and there's a mix of old and new with Quade and Genia vs White, Phipps and Foley. Toomua and Christian L in at 12. Beale as well. Inconsistency an issue with the older players. Amongst that lot somewhere there is a good backline and should they click it could well operate better than any other but as always the Oz pack has majors when considering the pool Aus finds itself in. Not one of the Oz 8 would be considered world best, and their loosies are two levels below either SA or NZ's and in a World Cup in the NH that is always going to be their biggest hurdle. The way i see it is Cheikas abilities to empower a side will be their biggest advantage, the fearless factor important in one offs.

The Canberra Times is reporting that Speight will play outside centre with Dargaville taking Speight's wing.

No problem, Taylorman, with your analysis of the ABs. Part of my 'let's wait and see a bit longer' skepticism about Kuridrani is that Wallaby fans do have a tendency to label any newcomer in the backs who starts well as 'the greatest thing the game as ever seen'. It's almost an article of faith that the current Wallaby backs are 'the best in the world'. In my view the AB backline and depth is streets ahead. Savea is by some distance the best winger in the world; Ben Smith is one of my favourite players; Aaron Smith one of the best, if not the best SH (although not sure the depth in this position is as good as some others); probably the greatest fly-half the world has ever seen who may come back to form, with very good back-up if he doesn't, and the centres you name. If NZ do have weaknesses (and they're only relative) it might be in the pack. I've seen the front five bullied a bit, more than once, and I'm not convinced of the depth here, and although the back row is the best in the world, I think despite claims about huge depth here as well, that there is a big drop-off in quality from Read, McCaw and Kaino to the likely replacements.

Speight is 14, Tomane 11.

Yes that's right. Experiment. At a time when you're playing NZ in NZ. Good time to experiment. On the OP Kurandrani was the best performed centre in 2014 whether you think it was over the top of not. No one from the NH stood up, Conrad Smith had a mixed season and SA had variations on the positions as we did. Kurandrani made a real impact on the International scene for a relative newcomer. This year I Think Fekitoa just might pip them both. His defensive one on ones are becoming a key for the Highlanders, his stripping of Folau for a try at the other end a classic. Overall NZ backs looking solid. Aaron Smith and Perenara both playing solid. Cruden, Carter, Barrett and Slade all good 10 options. Nonu and SBW both on fire at 12. Fekitoa and Conrad Smith to fight out Centre. The best winger in the game in Savea, Ben Smith at Fullback in top form with Dagg on the improve. We only need to find a right winger and Corey Jane, piutau or Naholo could fill that. Couldn't ask for more in terms of form or depth.

I think it's called an 'experiment'. Presumably, similar to the one that has seen AAC move back and forth from wing to centre. Apparently, so I've been told, some coaches try things in EOYT to see if they work or not. Some of them seem to do this more a year or so before a WC - all sounds very strange to me.

Speight to 13, for mine., Dargaville or Mogg onto that wing.

I like coleman because he is a terrier and gives 110%. I remember at least 3 tries he scored or created last year where he had no rights to be even in the picture. That and I reckon he is probably the fastest bloke on the pitch

I think rule of thumb, is to bring the 14 in. Smoking Joe.

I had actually completely forgotten about Ah Wong as he got injured right before the season started. He showed real form in the NRC, and would be the closest player they have to a direct replacement. It would mean no need to screw around with 2-3 other positions as well.

oh.. Ok birdy, you being familiar with what makes a good centre and all. Having watched England Centres out here last year I'd have to say how would you actually know what a good one looks like. Pretty dire stuff. The only good one they had they stuck on the wing. Pretty dumb stuff.

From what I've seen of him he looks a good player. However, there's been alot of over the top talk about just how good, based on relatively few internationals. It's the same sort of stuff that accompanied Folau's arrival on the scene as a unique talent moving among us mere mortals making us thank the lord that we are around to see it. Whether England were 'lucky' or not that Kuridrani didn't play against them, I don't remember feeling particularly relieved when I heard the news, nor did Kuridrani's 'stellar' 2014 do much for the Wallabies win/loss record. If the new narrative from Wallaby fans like Taylorman (I'm guessing here, sorry if you're not) is that the Wallabies would have won if Kuridrani had been fit, I'll file it away with all the other terribly 'unlucky' reasons the Wallabies seem to be losing more than they win under 'could've; should've; might've; would've............. didn't'.

Yes he was, easily the best centre in the EOYT and frankly, England are lucky he didn't play.

Your comment..michael owsett 9.CLL 10.Henry Speight 11.MATT Toomua 12.Ah Wong 13.Tomane 14.Lausii 15 this backline will bring atack rugby for the brumbies

Robbie Coleman to outside centre , Mogg to fullback

Fair enough. But I don't think it takes away from how well he played for the wallabies last year. Definitely wreaked havoc pretty much all international season while he was fit. Form 13 in the world

Tomane or Speight at 13 with Mogg in 15 would leak tries.

I assumed that Tomane would eventually be given time at either 12 or 13 in the last two seasons. He played in the centres at schoolboy level, played in the centres during his NRL career, and lacks the express pace that other wingers possess. But it was actually Speight who was shifting into outside centre toward the end of games last season. Based on that alone I think he will be the first choice. If Mogg is showing any sort of form it will be Mogg to fullback and Coleman to wing. But if he is still showing the form he demonstrated during the NRC then it should be Dargaville or Lauisi (spelling?) onto the wing and Coleman remaining at fullback.

Kuridrani 'wreaked havoc in the Wallabies Summer tour' did he? Is this 'Australian' for 'played quite well in the early games but was injured early in the 2nd half against Ireland; didn't play against England and, therefore, didn't show much against the 2 highest rank teams on that tour'?

from memory Tomane has played 13 Mogg is a better f/b than Coleman especially with the style the brumbies play using that big boot. Anyway next week we will know