Wily Ashley-Cooper still has the skills

How would Colby Fainga feel? He's a similar size to Samu and a better player. I presume that Hardwick is injured coz he is a similar size to Samu, had played a lot of 8 and is a better player. Surely we need to try a bigger sized guy in the back row not Samu who in simple terms is just another 7 or undersized 6 and without the X factor of Pocock or Hooper. To be clear I like Samu. I am sure he'd play a fair bit of super rugby if he wasn't at the Crusaders - although without doubt being in the Crusaders system will have improved his game from whatever it was before. But Samu is smaller than Gus Cottrell (injured I think) and Caleb Timu (not enough love from the coach) and he is not better than Hardwick (injured a bit last season) or Colby. Apparently (from posts on the Roar only) Holloway is injured which is pity coz he's a guy would could have done with some development. But aren't there a couple of tall guys out there worth a development spot? How tall is Scott-Young at Queensland? His dad? was tough and the right height. Who was the young Brumby from Qld who got injured pretty much straight away 2 seasons ago? Ben someone? Really Timu was probably the next cab off the rank and he hurt his shoulder against the Irish and was then discarded. He may not be up to test footy but Brad Thorn would know and if Thorn tells Cheika "yes" then Cheika needs to look after him.

I was not impressed when Cheika picked AAC as I thought it showed how poor he had developed our depth and by picking him on the wing there were not even any injury worries to justify the choice. However credit where credit is due AAC played very well indeed and certainly justified his selection. However the No 12's (Beale and Foley) were hopeless and the suggestion of playing Kerevei at 12 and AAC at 13 has a great deal of merit with Toomua at 10. If Pocock does not play then the back row becomes more balanced with Dempsey and Samu and with both needing additional game time it will only benefit the Wallabies. If Cheika then picks the above mentioned backline there are two areas which become balanced in the team and will give England a real challenge. We can only wait and see!

DHP has a reasonable pass, but he's a full-back for a reason - he isn't going to slot into play 10 to international standard. He's got good acceleration and a nose for finding a gap, but his top speed isn't great. He's good at beating a defender and passing to a speedier support player. If he learnt how to consistently draw the second defender in before the pass, he'd be even better.

Thankyou. He played well in his chances off the wing against a poor Italian side. Let's see what a difference he makes against a disciplined side that gives up little space and pressures our inside men. AAC played well , I rated him a 6, but I reckon Hodge or DHP would have done just as well- maybe better given their extra pace. I mean, look how good Koroibete looked against Italy compared to his dross against good sides recently...

We played a team 14th in the world . Let’s see how he goes against England. My money is that he will be exposed this weekend, it’s going to be a different intensity game

I agree in regards to the back 3. For my 10-13 to work well the back three must have some pace, hole hitting and broken field running ability ala Beale, Banks, Folau, Petaia. Ideally when Kurindrani is fit again he would slot back into OC, then you have some straight running and even unders runners for To'omua to get his back 3 in space etc. You probably need a 15 who can also act as distributor, not sure if DHP has the pace or distribution game for my midfield to really make an impact. He is our best fullback at present but you don't see him burning players on the outside, he seems to have a good step and gets past the first tackle often but Banks or Beale would probably be the 2 that would better suit a big midfield.

If anything, I think AAC suffered from being too versatile, with various coaches knowing that he could be shifted from centre to wing to full-back and back. He can play anywhere well, but if he'd been allowed to play one consistently (and my preference would be #13) he could have been one of the first names on the team sheet, spoken of in the same breath as Mortlock, and be knocking on McCaw's door for most test caps.

AlBo, a player regains his form in lower level games and training, not in the top format of the game. Personally, I do not think it is form with Beale. I think Beale is past it; past his use by date.

Cole, good comment and correct. Agreed. But now you need to send a wire or do an SMS and advise him of your sensible selection and advise MC that he must follow suit. But mate, do not hang by the left one waiting for him to follow the instruction. I understand from a "little birdie" that he is placing Foley at 13, Beale at 12 and Folau at No. 10. Another win coming our way!!!

I do admit that the big risk is lack of dynamism and creativity. Although Kerevi does have a good offload. I wouldn't mind seeing Kurtley back at 15 to be honest. I think he could potentially regain some form without the pressure of first receiver. A back three of Naivalu, Beale and Folau would be a good mix, I think.

This comment always baffles me. He plays where he is told. No player goes, 'Hey Coach, I want to play on the wing'. He has always said he prefers 13. It's the coaches fault, not his that he's been shifted from pillar to post.

He has never lacked the skills just the inclination to use them preferring to pose on the wing instead of being Mortlocks heir.

While I was very happy with AAC's play and I agree with To’omua Kerevi AAC as no moving parts is the best defensive set of backs -- is defense our issue against England? Kerevi's crash ball should be easy for England to defend and To'omua doesn't unlock defenses -- with this set of backs our only route to the tryline will be Folau and England will be able to concentrate on him. Beale seems very out of form (tired? injured?) so Foley has to start at either 10 or 12 to give some variety to the backs.

Yep 100%. To'omua Kerevi AAC has no moving parts/musical chairs defensively. And old head running the D at OC is ACCs best option if he is starting this weekend and coming to Japan next year.

I agree totally. He needs to be 13. The reasons is because we have more back up outside backs than any other position. Banks, Maddocks, Naivalu, DHP, Folau, Koreibete, any one of them could start comfortably. What we do NOT have is depth at 13. This is international rugby and by definition it is more conservative. AAC's strength is not just his versatility, it is consistency and his game management. When he is at 13 he controls the line speed in defence, clears out very well, great over the ball and is very good in support play. He will not play poorly. He will not set the field on fire, but seriously... I don't want him to. I want SOMEONE in the backline to control the tempo in defence and run good lines in attack. I also want Petaia to learn a few things off him too. He is the future at 13. Toomua, Kerevi and AAC. This is our most solid combination right now.

If he is going to be picked in the first fifteen which he most likely is. Can we atleast pick him at outside centre and shift Kerevi back to inside centre. If it were up to me I would select him on the bench as he did prove last week that he still has something to offer and his utility value and experience could be quite handy in the final quarter of the match. I didn't think we had too much of a problem with our outside backs, it's our inside backs that we're having issues with.