markpat says...

@Trinats2 "I'm sure you would have bashed them after the S15 last year too !!! See how you feel at the end of Int. season."

No, as I suggested, last year, after the S15 series, I thought they had the best backline, (although certainly not the best team, as was shown when they came up against better teams, such as Ireland). This year they haven't got either.

Posted 08:33 08th August 2012

Trader2 says...

Trinats having a bit both ways mate? That is unusual for you - Deans is useless but by inference you will take the "best backline in the world". SBW doesn't have to be the best in the world but he is still better than what you guys can throw up. With Deans it is all about cattle, cattle and cattle and this can be seen by his selections, he is a few heifers short of a herd.

Posted 01:01 08th August 2012

InternationalXV says...

In fairness to Deans he doesn't have a great deal to work with.

Still I see them coming a distant third in the Championship and possibly even dropping a game to the Argies (which even NZ and RSA are capable of).

Posted 21:08 07th August 2012

ruckingkiwi says...

Many surprising picks as mentioned.

The Aussies have largely been poor this year but last year they did show some promise. Problem is they're very inconsistent, which means they'll win a few but also lose a few.. point is they can cobble a decent looking 22 together and if they click they will win a few games, so don't write them off completely. Still my pick for third... just that NZ and SA will win more.

Posted 12:55 07th August 2012

markpat says...

Best set of back s in the world? Really?

Not sure how anyone can claim that the Aussie backs, at the moment, are better than NZ.

Genia > Aaron Smith

Carter > Cooper / Barnes

Nonu / SBW >>>>> Mike Harris / Barnes (anyone else at #12, opther than JOC)

Smith > AAC / Fainga'a

Jane > Mitchell / AAC (current form)

Savea / Gear > Ioane (current form)

Dagg > Beale / AAC (current form)

Out of 7 backs, I'd only take Genia this year. I'd even take the NZ 2nd choice over tha Australian 1st choice, more often than not.

Even Genia isn't that far ahead of the NZ scrum halves (except Weepu!).

Not wanting to sound like I'm Aussie bashing, as, last year, I would have agreed with the comment about Australia having the best backline in the world.

Posted 10:46 07th August 2012

tha_mai says...

I wouldn't call Radike Samo a Veteran, he's only 36.

Good to see Wallabies developing this young talent from within the country.

Half Samo's lifetime ago he was playing for Fiji Under 19s.

Posted 09:35 07th August 2012

kid_diablo says...

58 caps at any age is a veteran

Posted 09:33 07th August 2012

ArmchairGeneral says...

58 caps I guess puts him up there.

Best set of backs in the world.

Posted 08:55 07th August 2012

Centre12 says...

I wouldn't call Mitchell a Veteran, he's only 28.

Posted 08:07 07th August 2012