Some of Michael Cheika's Bledisloe Cup selections don't make any sense

Hanigan and Phipps are straight up just not test quality players. Foley is borderline, only there because of a lack of other options. Hooper will not be match fit and ABs will target that as well as the likes of Hodge at 13 who is a good player, but not experienced starting there in tests. At least unlike the aforementioned players in other positions Hodge is actually talented though, like Banks and Maddocks. Simmons has proven time and time again he is not up to it either. Yet we persist. It'll all only reap the same results, surely. I also do not understand why the likes of Arnold is not there. It's like Fardy. Some players Cheika just keeps on the outer for some reason. Then they leave Australia. Hopefully Toomua can slot back in starting asap too, with a few more runs and time back in the mix. Once again, much more of a natural footballer than some of his other contemporaries taking up space and hindering our chances.

Couldn’t agree more, David - the ditching of Timu and Arnold makes no sense at all. This Pooper thing will be the death of us all. I remain hopeful that we can beat the ABs on Saturday night, but we are not giving ourselves the best possible chance. Go Wallabies!

Perhaps the jocularity of the 10/13 statement escaped you Phil. Or maybe there is no humour on your planet.

Phil, The Wallabies have been without a 10 for 4 years.

I agree , Scott Higginbotham should be there, but will never be under Cheika and Folau is a wing. Reece Hodge at 10 should be tried at 10, at least he can kick long, kick for goal better, tackle, run harder and passes about the same as Foley. Bernard offers nothing to the Wallabies, but missed tackles,missed touchfinders and missed goalkicks.Hooper can wear the number 20 jersey .

Yes,pretty smart selecting a team without a 10 and a 13 plus an 8 who only performs in people's dreams.Apart from that,not a bad team!

Gee Hooper has given Lordy some inspirations for articles this week.What with getting the 5 year contract and now passing a fitness test.Maybe he should have failed the fitness test and then we would not have to have seen another anti-Hooper rant from him?

I have seen McGaw play. I've seen Read. Richie was a nemesis of mine. Hooper is no Richie McGaw.

Matt Tomua was one of the biggest losses to Aus ? because of Chieka's idiot Waratah bias. Chieka's had more chances than Robbie Deans, thankfully he's returned hopefully long term and better treatment from Chieka not that that would stop him from doing whatever was required of him by Chieka.

Timu had that big run in test 2 and then got an ankle injury. It means that we can't put any real stock in the rest of the second test. If someone is injured of course they won't play well. Very few players look great at international level immediately - they need time to settle in and get used to it. Timu was already looking better in the opening stages of his second test prior to the injury (his big run being key in setting up Beale's try). And he was decent in the first test, if unspectacular.

Hoy see my post above about Maddocks. They will do the same to him too.

spot rahrah.. started by d grade rapper a while ago.. jumped onto by people, and their fanboys, who can't defend themselves with with an articulate counter argument.. so they go to 'hater'

yep i know peter.. but as i said.. this is the team i would choose with the players available..

Even if we fielded this group sans-flyhalf and centre, that’s a better team than Michael Cheika has selected in four seasons. Nice shootin’ Shirley.

Or Hoy, he is Super standard only at this stage of his career. I want Timu to come on in Lewis and bounds. But he failed in June. Interesting that the coach gets the blame for this failure, when other tunes it’s the player.

Thanks James. I actually don’t believe we are disagreeing philosophically. Rather, our opinions would only seem to differ in terms of what makes “the team better and more likely to win” as you’ve stated. That is: skills/capabilities (rather than just individuals). Once this is decided, selections become much clearer. For mine, with Pocock finally wearing the jersey number conversant with the role he actually fulfils for the Wallabies (tackling, backline linking, breakdown contesting & securing: tick) in composite/complimentary forward-centric skills, I most value: set piece, tight running, maul wrestling, central collision impact, ruck cleaning. None of these qualities are satisfied with the selection of Michael Hooper in the starting side. It’s not a slight on his many great qualities, his character or his effort, he just does not possess the skills to fulfil what I view as vital, indispensable capabilities within my starting pack and backrow. I believe this compromise has cost, and will continue to cost, this post-RWC mid-40% winning Wallabies team. By comparison, if one doesn’t place the same value on these capabilities (or believes some of this currency can continue to be sacrificed to accomodate extra pace, backline set piece running, support play, general workrate - or any other of MH’s great qualities), I can see how Hooper’s selection might seem viable to some. My distinct hope is that supporters aren’t simply saying: “these are our best players, get them all into the starting XV somehow.” (Not what I think you are doing James.) Because it really shouldn’t be a conversation about simply, “who’s the better player?” This is my issue with the “until we have another Toutai Kefu” argument. The premise is flawed from the beginning.

Amen!

As an AB fan this is the team I would fear the most: Sio TPN Thor Coleman Rodda (I really rate him as a long term prospect) Pocock Tui Higginbottom Genia Nobody on Aust Beale ???? (Karevi from those currently playing) Naivalu Folau Banks

Nice post, but we;ll agree to disagree. It isn't a question of asking what skills one paritular position requires. It's a question of what selections make the team better and more likely to win.

Yeah :D The Force then the Rebels. Double whammy!