God that team sucks, here is the people I would throw out.
Mark Gerrard: He has shown in the past he doesn't have what it takes to play Test level, old butterfingers Gerrard, Cam Shepherd has had a rubbish season but seems to finally be hitting form right at the right time. He is the obvious selection.
Adam Ashley Cooper: Horribly over-rated player last year, did nothing last year at all besides that try against the All Blacks. He showed in the game against England why it was a mistake to play him instead of Mitchell, who is ideal for number 11, with Tuquiri (as much as I dislike him) probably needing to play 14.
Stirling Mortlock: This selection shouldn't be automatic, we want to select players on merit not of the fact they are the incumbent or captain. He hasn't played enough this season to justify his position on form. Toss up between Mortlock and Cross, which hopefully would be sorted out in the training camp.
Stephen Hoiles: I don't think he will be chosen, he just doesn't have the build to be a no. 8. It's a toss up between the Palu, Brown and Houston (although Houston should probably be given a shot at Australia A first)
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Gerrard has been the best fullback all year. I don't know where you get butterfingers from? He knocked on the ball once against SA in 2006 over the line and somehow he developed a reputation? Otherwise he was the Wallabies top try scorer that year.
He's got the best kicking game out of any Australian player, great positional play, solid runner and calm under pressure.
Adam Ashley-Cooper had a blinder last year. He was the best outside centre in the Super 14 and was solid for the Wallabies when he got an opportunity. I agree he didn't have a good game against England in the QF. However, he's an incredible line breaker. He's got an excellent ability to shrug off multiple defenders and create metres. His best position is outside centre but he still makes a great winger.
As for Mortlock - I think you're being harsh on him. He was one of the few Australian players doing anything against England in the QF. He was making some great line breaks and unfortunately there was no one around to support him to finish off with tries (ala Staniforth in the Bledisloe). Mortlock probably hasn't had the best Super 14 since coming back from injury, but it was the same last year. Yet, he was Australia's best player in the tests. I still believe he's the best outside centre in the world, and is really the only candidate to lead the side.
As for Hoiles - I have a feeling he won't get picked because of his size. Which is a shame. I don't want to see a Tahs dominated backrow because quite frankly they don't cut it at test level. The Brumbies definately have the best looseforward play but it's hard to find room for them in the team due to their general unconventional makeup. Richard Brown has also gone quiet in the last half of the Super 14, otherwise I'd have him automatically selected at no. 8.
I would preferably like to see Deans do something unconventional in the backrow because I find that Elsom and Palu don't really stand up when it counts in the big tests and it leaves George Smith to try and do everything. Maybe Hoiles could play blindside flanker with Palu at no. 8? Maybe Deans will try to bring Brown's early season form out of him? Maybe Deans might've noticed Salvi's great work in recent works?
I don't know, but there needs to be some kind of change there.....
Anyways, here's my team, for now -
1. Holmes
2. Moore
3. Shepherdson
4. Chisholm
5. Vickerman
6. Elsom
7. Smith
8. ?
9. Burgess
10. Giteau
11. Mitchell
12. Barnes
13. Mortlock
14. Ashley-cooper
15. Gerrard
16. Polata-Nau
17. Robinson/Blake
18. Sharpe
19. Hoiles
20. Phibbs
21. Cross
22. Staniforth/Tuqiri
I think a team similar to this could work. It relies on the best of the older players with a few fresh faces. I haven't chosen Waugh because Hoiles can cover all 3 backrow positions, and most of the time acts like another openside flanker. Chisholm has been in top form again and just edges out Sharpe. Outside of Burgess I'm not too impressed with many of the halfbacks, and with Cordingley leaving I've gone for Phibbs because he's tough and a bit more consistent to the others.
With Giteau controlling the backline, and players like Mortlock, Mitchell and Ashley-Cooper outside of him, there's plenty of room for good attacking rugby.
And yes, Tuqiri is lucky to be bracketed there on the bench. I'd rather have Mitchell and Ashley-Cooper in my team anyday.
