With Samu Kerevi missing the tour, Izzy at 13?

A spoonerism if i have ever heard one.

6 months in super rugby? 6 Games in the NRC? 6 Tries against the Baa Baars in an exhibition game? For once I think Cheika might have it right. Handing him a cap this spring would be a bad idea, morale would plummet. All that talk about grass roots and player development would be sabotaged. If he can tackle he may be the guy we need to stop the bus or Wasaki Noholo.

Fardy, Timani, Pocock. MacMahon on the bench, he is a 6,7,8 utility. Hoops is a 7 only. Can't Jump, Can't ruck. Browny, I agree with you and am also not convinced that he isn't an international 13, I am however convinced that he is most definitely NOT an international 15. Good Rugby fullbacks need years of experience, situational awareness is 90% of the role, and as you point out, he is lacking. If you accept that Izzy is in the team because of the Cheika family and friends discount and can't be removed, 13 or 14 are the places where he will be most effective and/or or least exposed. I wouldn't pick him at all, I don't think he is a well rounded player, TK or Speight would be my suggestion. With big Reece Hodge at 12 TK's awesome defensive prowess isn't as important, a speedy ball carrier might be a better choice. I would support either and would choose depending on the shape of the opposition backline.. Speight for the lightweight agile teams that need to be caught, TK for heavier hitters like the AB's.

Pocock, Hardwick, McMahon, J. Reid, Butler are all fine traditional number 7's all worthy of a gold Jersey.I do not put he hoop must not be named on this list. Fardy has clearly done something unspeakable in Cheika's suitcase and we probably won't see him again. I am an unabashed hater of all things Tah, but Dempsey I approve of, From my armchair I have seen some terrific over the ball performances. I don't know nor care about his stats, subjectively he has such a positive influence at the breakdown. Allcock would be worth a look as well.

Folau will be 13 end of flipping story. He will be the best 13 in the world.

he did , rather than slide towards the side lines. when he came out tthat left the other guys to run behind him to cover the others. that is why if u come out , u have to hit the mark. if u have time go watch the tackle on F|olau by Dagg , when ALB missed his tackle. there was someone outside Folau but Dagg came in and hit folau. if he had missed , either |folau or the wing would have scored.

In the absence of Beale, Toomua and Kerevi and with Hodge already on tour, I see no problem with Godwin on tour. Really it was down to Godwin, Tapuai or David Horwitz.

The Wallabies defensive structures have been atrocious all season, hence Speight being faced with a 3 on 1 overlap in the first place. Just pointing out that Speight did not really rush out of the defensive line as there was no defensive line to rush out from.

Doesn't really defend there though. Tended to drop back and play his usual role from behind the line, receive kicks, etc.

In fairness he's probably played as much centre as he has wing, although you could argue that he drops back when playing centre so his time there is reduced... either way he spent a hell of a lot more time at 15 than anywhere else. That being said, as incredible a talent as he is, he's still lacking in particular areas that make a great fullback, let alone the best in the world. his kicking is sub-par and his decision making and positional awareness leaves a little to be desired. He moved to fullback primarily because of his marking ability, something we were lacking at the time. Realistically he can still perform that same role from the wing, it's pretty rare that only the fullback is behind the line to receive kicks, but from the wing he's going to be able to in situations that align with his skillsets more often than at 15. There's no promotion/demotion here, it's about him playing where we're going to get maximum value out of his efforts while allowing a team structure that is balanced and without compromise.

Yep got brushed for a Kiwi netballer, such is life! Sent you some lemons as well. Reckon you might just have the smarts to enjoy them.

Your banging the drum for Lopeti Timani totally vindicated in the last test, David.

Hi John, I was at the SFS in that match. I think Izzy ran like 205m in the match, tore the Chiefs to shreds and the bloke opposing him was the AB outside centre in the June matches against Wales. I.Folau cut up lots of teams in the SR2016 comp. Yes his positional sense in defence is awkward at times but he is learning and fast. Anyone who says Folau can't play OC needs their eyes checked. As with Fionn and others below, Folau could also be very good at IC, although having said that Folau has no field kick at all and his passing to left side isn't too hot. I noticed in the Eden park match that Folau's jump won a couple of ball back from the kick-off. It always staggers me that more short up-n-unders are not aimed at lone defenders behind the line with Folau steaming on. Aimed right with hungry chasers following him it would be a great attack strategy, similar to how the Highlanders and AB use it.

Hi Simon, you're pretty spot on with the Pooper thingy, the Wb have L.Timani in the tour as well as L.Houston as back up. However I would almost put a wager on that M.Cheika will bring back the pooper as soon as he can. In his eyes, Timani is 3rd choice #8 behind Pocock and McMahon. I can only hope that Cheika, who seems very stubborn in his methods, listens to others for a change. wrt Jack Dempsey, I quite like the cut of this kid. He is big, fast, a ruck monkey and goes for 80 minutes. I think he was quiet in the NRC as I do know he was playing wounded for the Tahs at SR season end, so maybe he is still not right. I do agree with you that Tyrone Viagra was very very impressive during the NRC, as was Damian Hardwick although I admit I only saw him in the semis. I only saw Bris city once so cannot comment on Isi Naisarani but he sure hits hard. I believe he is going to the Force next year so they will definitly have some class for their back row but losing Kyle Godwin is going to hurt them.

Have you sent him those flowers yet John?

Potentially one of the dumbest things to come out of your mouth Boz, though it's a significant spread.

No one is "promoting" Folau to fullback or centre Fionn, you keep gibbering the same nonsense. He has played 108 games of union in his life and almost 100 of those have been at fullback and centre. He has barely played on the wing. Yes he is capable of being the best winger in the world, the same as he is capable of being the best fullback, inside centre and outside centre in the world. You like many others before keep trying to put him in a box but he's too good for that. He's a generational footballer, always has been since he was 17. Enjoy it.

Yeah, give Folau a go at 13, he did well there in Super Rugby if nothing else it might shut up all the naggers. And for him a change may be as good as a holiday, win-win.

Yeah, dumbest idea to ever come out of Rod Kafer's mouth. He doesn't have the smarts for playmaking and with less space I reckon he would get shut down by a rushing defence.

Except that Folau is now being considered as a centre option and is a vastly superior footballer to both of them - definitely the most meaningful fact in the circumstance.