<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (cyRil of Ospreylia @ Apr 14 2009, 03:24 PM)
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This isn't me picking a fight with Aussies, but looking at squads being purported it seems apparent that there really is a gap in class and depth of player pools between Oz and the other 2 SH countries.[/b]
The Wallabies have some really strong players but just lack enough depth in certain positions... mainly tight head prop, locks, blindsie flanker, halfbacks and back-up hookers...
We've got two really good loose head props in Robinson and Alexander but really lack a powerful tighthead. Shepherdson and Baxter can do the job... but...
Stephen Moore is currently one of the best hookers in the world... behind him the only decent hooker in Australia is Polata-Nau who is awesome around the paddock, but he can't throw a lineout very well...
Australia's locks have been the biggest disappointment for me so far this year... Mumm has probably been consistently the best lock... but otherwise the performances of the other Aussie locks have been mixed...
With Elsom gone Australia is really lacking a world class blindside flanker... McMenimum has always been overrated in my book... Mumm could do well if we play Sharpe and Horwill in the second row... Chapman has been awesome for the Brumbies but has only played 3 games... Higginbotham has been both great and awful for the Reds...
Smith is an obvious choice for openside flanker... with McCaw injured he's the best in the southern hemisphere...
Palu has been pretty devastating for the Tahs but has also a yellow card magnet... but he was great for the Tahs last year and still lacked any real impact for the Wallabies... I'd probably start him anyways and have Brown on the bench as he's a very versatile backrow replacement...
In the halfback department we've got two young excellent prospects in Burgess and Holmes... if Deans persists with these two they'll be ready for the World Cup...
We're covered for flyhalves with Giteau and Barnes... Barnes likely to play inside centre...
However, if Deans wants a powerful ball running inside centre he can't further than Tyrone Smith... and of course O'Connor is another fine option there...
Mortlock will cover outside centre... no doubts there... always inspirational for the Wallabies... then you've got backups like Cross, Smith and Ashley-Cooper...
Digby Ioane has been one of the best wingers in the competition and must start for Australia... behind him I've no doubt that Lachie Turner is the next best winger in the country... both can create something out of nothing... Australia are pretty blessed with outside backs at the moment as we've also got Mitchell, Hynes, Tuqiri, Ashley-Cooper and Shepherd...
Fullback - Gerrard... no doubts there... then we've got guys like Shepherd, Mitchell or even Ashley-Cooper...
However, New Zealand are going to be tough to beat if they can incorporate the Chiefs' powerful backline display...
