Cheika makes seven frontline changes, but baulks at benching Hooper

Did you not see the abs scram dismantle the Argentine scrum or was I watching a different game.

I agree ☝️, they are our two best players. It isn’t an either or or. Both have to be on the field . Hooper for his speed and attack and Pocock for his defence and strength. Complimentary to each other that is why Cheika believes in the Poooper. Pooper rocks

Reasonable comment but your answer is for the birds.

So I take it you've got nothing to back David's claims about Pocock being the best captain around either?

In Bled 1 Samu came on and missed two tackles and made none? I believe he did get an intercept that led to a try for Australia did it not? Well he brings a never give up attitude, not many in the Wallabies have that. He makes meters with the ball in hand, he makes double digit tackles. He's a solid operator

Hooper is never at his mythical best ; he’s BS .

Kane, Why exactly are you allowed out of the hospital?

Actually TWAS, not even The Roar readership agrees with your assessment having rated McMahon across the entire test season and all games as the standout Wallaby backrower by quite some distance. Indeed, across a NSW based publication with an historically regime friendly editorial bent, and assumedly a NSW heavy readership (pursuant to population and interest concentration), Hooper also trailed Beale, Coleman, Naivalu, Koroibete, TPN and Falou, coming equal 8th best with Will Genia. You might argue he was consistent (without qualification of the actual standard of that consistency), but there is zero evidence to back up the statement he was last year’s best player, forward or even loosie. Even so, “having the same weaknesses” wouldn’t be an issue if they weren’t selected together in the starting lineup - that is the entire point. The inference that McMahon was not - that least quantifiable of measurements - “in the conversation” for 7 has no bearing on the proposition that he should have been (and would likely have liked to have been given his subsequent public commentary). Given that the “conversation” starts and ends with Michael Cheika, backrow selections played out exactly as they always do. Calling his attributes the same as Hooper’s is spurious. Whilst he has similarities across workrate and pace, McMahon provided notable differences across tight running, rucks, set piece, discipline and resilience in contact. Despite playing 60 less minutes across the RC, McMahon had more ball carries than Hooper, more metres gained (closer to the fulcrum of the forward battle), less penalties given away, less turnovers conceded, almost identical tackles attempted but 700% less tackle misses. It is a fair mountain to climb to suggest he was outplayed by Michael Hooper last year.

Beale would never be in consideration for the ABs. Way too many flaws. Whilst his strengths tend to be over-rated. Folau could be a wing, but he would not replace Ben Smith or Naholo, and since a specialist wing is not someone you have opn the bench, Folau would probably be a injury replacement if Naholo or Ben Smith got injured and could not start. Pocock I could see starting on the bench, especially since if he was playing for New Zealand he would be playing a bit smarter. He (and Folau) are the Wallabies only World Class player at the moment.

What does Hooper? In the last Bledisloe having him on the field was a net negative for the Wallabies. His presence actually weakened the Australian Defensive line, since he removed himself from it so much to hang around in the All Black Offensive Line hoping for an intercept? His tackle count was atrocious for a loose forward. Like Rocky Elsom refs just don't like him, so they are less likely to listen to anything he says. So what does Hooper Bring?

If you are going to tell people to go easy on history re-writes you should do the same. McMahon had a couple of good games but wasn't one of our best across the season. It was really the Argentina and final Bledisloe that he stood out. And the fact is that McMahon was not even in the conversation as a first choice 7. He has the same weaknesses as Hooper, but is probably further behind Pocock in those areas.

And lets not forget Gill. IMO the best to slip through Aussie fingers.

Easy on the history re-write. Hooper wasn’t even the Wallabies best loose forward, let alone player, last year. And the one that was, decided to pack his bags as he was getting bashed around in a position to which he was physiologically unsuited in order to extend his career and get a shot at honing his skills in his preferred position. "The way I'm playing, lasting until I'm over 30 is probably not on the cards.” "I'd love to really keep focusing on and working on my over the ball skills as well, so I can get a bit more specific to that No.7 role.” Sayonara Sean McMahon. Another victim of Michael Cheika’s parochial tenure and the Wallabies lost years. If The Roar had a dictionary, “hater” would be defined as: “any bloke that disagrees with me”.

Finally some sense on TheRoar!

Now, thats a nice way to end the week, with a giggle.

Foley would make the AB`S easy . He is the " ICEMAN "

Still early days for Tupou, but sure I like him. Interesting he wasn't mentioned by David. The rest for me is white noise. Beale would never be a current All Black for his sin's Defence. Pocock who would he take out of the 23???? And again who would Folau take out???? Can't see any Locks anywhere near the current boys just due to skill levels and ability. It would seem that all combinations are built around Coleman, who for me is way over rated.

Jeeez....there's some over the top Hooper hate going on here. I agree Pocock is better over the ball than Hooper & Hooper (coming back from serious injury) definitely wasn't at his best against the ABs (maybe he should have started on the bench in those games). But man, he's been our best, and most consistent player for the last 5 years. Forgot what number he and Pocock wear. Pocock plays over the ball like a traditional 7, Hooper (while smaller) has the running/cover game that you'd want from a 6. Forget their numbers...they both are (and should) be first picked each week.

What does Samu actually bring to the table?

Hi Kane, I disagree.