Drew Mitchell over groin surgery, should be fit for All Blacks

Let me be clear, I have full respect to Kaino and having him at #6 would not be a bad decision. Also, I may be a bit biassed as I have seen more Highlanders than Blues games. I don't put much weight on the Lions Semi, playing at altitude after 3 weeks on the road visibly took its toll on the entire team, Dixon was no exception. Kaino's Blues weren't good enough to get to play that game. I used these 2 players as an example to illustrate the point. Like Mitchell, Kaino is approaching the heavy side of 30 with a younger hotshot snapping at his heels. IN contrast, Dixon single-handedly neutralized the line out and ruck during the Brumbies QF. Arguing both sides of my point, I believe that if it wasn't for Stephan Moore mouthing at the ref, Dixon could have had a 10 minute rest after incurring 3 penalties in a row, the last one being in the red zone. This may have been enough of a shift to give the Brumbies a chance at winning. Kaino has 7 years more experience and is more skilled knowing when and where to bending the rules. So, which one do you choose? - The guy that can neutralize the powerhouse that is Fardy and Pocock or do you choose the guy who isn't quite as good in a line out or not quite as good scavenging but won't concede "Undisciplined" penalties. But what about Ardie vs Cane? Pure Talent vs tactics and Discipline. Me - I would have Dixon and Savea starting - get them some game time against a toothless opposition. If they don't cope, sub them off.

" No, Im a NZer and just like so many "Australian rugby fans" I dont support the Wallabies " You are a strange individual.. Well you are a kiwi so that justifies it .

Nothing at all wrong with the way Kaino finished off the super rugby season Timbo. And Dixon didn't exactly cover himself in glory in the semifinal in Jo'burg. Kaino is the AB's first choice 6 on merit. Has been for a while and Dixon, or anyone else for that matter, has a long way to go to knock him off.

At the risk of Harping on,... some more, The return of Mitchel and AAC could force a return to a balanced side. Horne, Folau, DHP, Karevi, Pocock, Mumm, MacMahon, have all being playing out of position. Add Hooper to this list as he is playing a hybrid #7/11 role. Maybe this will force some common sense into player selection and put the right people in the right position.

One Name: Luke Morahan. Chiek gave him 3 minutes of game time and then Dropped him for a TAH fresh out of rehab. He and DHP are a potent combination sharing the 14/15 roles at the Force. Both have the skills needed to play either position. Morahan is better on the run, DHP has better long boot. Together they compliment each other, a bit like Dagg and Smith do for the Kiwis. And yes, Hodge at 12 or 10 if Foley doesn't step up against Cruden.

pformag I can't agree more. I think a lot of the negativity comes from supporters knowing that there are better players out there but they aren't on the field. The general consensus is that there are about 5 players that are under performing. Whist I may not agree with the alternative players proffered by Roarers, the underlying message is that there are 2-3 genuine alternatives for these spots that will be playing in France or the NRC instead of donning a gold jersey. The negativity is misdirected anger that is really meant for the Coach-Selectors.

Kirky, Do you actually think the AB's will Start Ardie Savea or Eliott Dixon or will they play them off the bench? Subjectively, to an outsider, they are clearly the form players of the SR series, yet Cane and Kaino will still run on. Why? It could be as simple that they are more experienced and less likely to get caught infringing. In SR penalties are simply "breakage" and are easily offset by the high number of tries scored. In an international match, they are toxic, and as England proved, may mean the difference between a win or a loss. NZ is not a stranger to selecting past their prime players with international experience. Ritchie McCaw was past his prime at the last WRC but somebody decided that his years of experience was more valuable to the team than the skills offered by his alternate. At some point a distinction has been made between the "best players" and "who are the best players for the team". The general consensus of Roarers on this forum is that the Wallabies didn't use options or variety and suffered the consequences. The argument to have what you call greybeards on the field is compelling - they have the experience or "intuition" to know when to kick, when to run and when to pass during the pressure of an international match. My view is more of middle ground - MATCH FIT, experienced players are going to give you a better chance of winning and will teach the younger players how to. I emphasize "Match Fit" - an older player carrying an injury and a lack of match fitness are a liability. Not only are they giving sub-standard service on the field, the risk of re-injury can cripple a side with early replacements or preparing the bench with the expectation that this will happen. Are the 4 War Horseman ready to step back onto the battle front? It is up to the coaches and medics to decide and for Roarers to say "I told you so!" if it is unsuccessful. I think it will be as sad day if Mitchell plays at the expense of DHP. I won't complain if his inclusion finally pushes Folau out of the #15 spot into a position that he is better suited - #13 or #23.

Its hard not to be negative, when the National coach has very biased selection policies, and we keep losing to the AB's.

Good comment Mr Offside While I don't agree that OZ fans are throughly negative in comparison to NZ fans, (heard and read plenty of Kiwi trash talk on their own players over the years) However I do believe that thee is far too much negativity in our fan base. Though I don't believe that the likes of your good self are gonna stop the nay Sayers naysaying. I've been trying for years. All people are blessed with inner and outer ears. People listen through their inner ears mostly and usually. I appreciate your accurate criticism of OZ fan culture and pray for the day that one of us is welcome to return the favour on a NZ rugby site. I, for one, have some suggestions.

'As far as young wingers, you dont have any standouts except DHP' Haylett Petty is 27 that's not as young as a winger. He had to go overseas to Biarritz and Japan to get consistent game time that the Force didn't provide him in his early 20s.

Cheika has a habit of picking players back from injury with little to no preparation. Detective Chief Ruck Inspector Douglas ended up back in hospital after a few games in the RWC, he hadn't played at all since January in the lead up. When he did he was off the bench or playing badly as a starter. Kepu missed a few months with a busted shoulder straight back in to the Wallabies without at least some club games. As predicted he got reamed and played like a mule. Previous coaches in Australia also picked Mitchell too early that's why he ended up crocked. People accuse him of running and taking the money but he had no choice otherwise he would have ended up like Juan Smith with two years out of the game, as an outside back that's basically career over.

It's up to me you reckon?, well I wish it was as, neither of those old stagers would be near a Wallaby squad, ~ World Cup was a different scenario but this is only a local Derby so to speak and one which dare I say it, the Wallabies can't win!

No, Im a NZer and just like so many Australian rugby fans I dont support the Wallabies. Although I do support my team and unlike so many Australians I dont feel the need to put the Wallaby team down all the time. I hoped it would be like white noise to Cheika and the team, that they would be used to the constent attacks from shock-jock media and the culturally unhealthy fanbase but unfortunately Cheika and Mitchell have felt the need to respond to the pitchfork sharpening villagers. Its sad that they need to explain themselves to those who dont want to hear it. The unusually negative Wallaby fanbase wont change, they want to hold the Wallabies down for their own reasons and its been happening for a long time. For one of the best and most successfull teams in the pro era they have, without doubt, the most negative media and fanbase in the world. Im sure its just a perfect storm thats made the fanbase so unhealthy. Its state bias, the fact that its seen as a private school sport, Australias mistrust of authority and the comparrison to the rival rugby codes.

There is mate, quite a few good young wingers, but they won't get the ''light of day'' for Australia as long as these 'old dudes' are around! I fail to see Cheikas logic, as those guys won't make much difference to any Wallaby team whatsoever. ~ it appears to me that he's of the opinion that they will strengthen the side, ~ not a good assumption at all! It won't make one iota of difference who they have in the Test Day squad as the All Blacks certainly would never care who the hell they play!

Lucky we have your positivity

Like qc , kepu and pocock play for their own country?

And this is a perfect example of what I was talking about. Negative as... Its almost like a hope for things to go wrong to justify negative feelings towards the team.

Hodge looks like Australias next 12 to me. I like him a lot. I imagine Giteau, Mitchell and AAC being phased out this year. AAC is the only one I see being part of 2017 if any.

"As far as young wingers, you dont have any standouts except DHP". Reece Hodge is a standout, he will score a try from any position from 10 to 15. I agree that Mitchell will do well though, he has loads of experience and can kick left footed to compliment his speed and agility.

Mitchell is a watered down version of his former self without the pace in his old legs to chase headaches for any defences. This is the beginning of the end for Chiek and Pulver