bk47 says...

If england didnt have so many injuries i mite have given it to them but i barely recognise a majority of these players. Aussie should beat them but i dont it will be a tharshing everyones talking about.

On that best blindside note, there aint any dominant blindsides at the mo. Juan smith is a good mention. Im a kiwi and even i know Kaino is no where near the best. He can play well at times but consistantly goes missing thru games.

Posted 02:47 07th November 2009

bruce says...

I think there are a lot of "really good" blind-sides around. But none really "stands-out". I think to be the best you don't just have to be better than the others, but a LOT better. Consider Richie McCaw, or Fourie du Preez, or Victor Matfield or Dan Carter. Not only are they "the best" but there's no-one else who comes even close.

With the blind-side flankers no-one really stands out - there are a handful playing at the top level, and Elsom is definitely one of them. But blindside flankers don't get a lot of glory. All they do is tackle .

Posted 14:49 06th November 2009

Mongril says...

Elsom best blind sider in the world? Did anyone bother to check with Juan Smith about that? Very funny...

Posted 14:20 06th November 2009

nikid40 says...

The Wilkinson v Giteau battle should be good, but i cant help but feel that Gits will outshine his opposite as he will have a better platform to work off. The Aussies should. Australia's scrum has really come a long way, credit to Ben Alexander who has not only made a succesful fist of regular test rugby, but has also nailed the conversion from loose to tight head. His good games agaisnt the 'beast' and Tony Woodcock have shown he is true quality and he is only a young player.

I'm an Aussie and i agree that Elsom is not the best, (maybe his form on the tour will prove us wrong?) but out of interest, who would you all rate as the best blindside currently playing? I think Juan Smith is pure quality but i also have alot of time for the french skipper Dusautoir. Honourable mentions to Ryan Jones (when he plays there) and Kaino but i think Elsom is better than them.

Posted 12:18 06th November 2009

shades says...

just hilarious reading these comments..but i too reckon the pommies will lose this battle..and just how on earth is rocky elsom the "best blindside"?..the man is getting by and doing his job well but "the best"?...C'MON!!

Posted 10:37 06th November 2009

willems says...

Wallabies 43 England 6.

Posted 09:58 06th November 2009

Vagabond says...

You are dreaming! England have no chance of winning even with Wilkingson (fine player that he his).

Yes the Wallabies have surrendered leads this year but only to the number one and two sides in the world. You've got no idea what you're talking about if you think this English B team has the ability to pull a game back like the Springboks or All Blacks. Through Wilkingson the English may pull the score in a little in the second half but expect the Wallaby backs to pile the points on in the second quarter.

The English will give a typically spirited display but the injuries to key players will prevent them from being as competitive as they would have been at full strength. Wallabies by 10.

Posted 08:43 06th November 2009

bruce says...

England are gonna get creamed. They've got too many first-team players injured, and even with Wilko back they're gonna find this November hard-going.

By contrast everyone is talking the Walabies down, while they are a really good side. Sure I would have liked to see Barnes in the mix, but Cooper is a more than capable substitute. The Walabies have been playing all year against the best 2 teams in the world. Sure they've not had good results, but England is nowhere near the Boks or ABs at the moment.

Walabies to win by 20+.

Posted 06:46 06th November 2009