Back Line

If I had to pick a Wallaby back line based on what I saw from this week's opening of the Super 14, given that the Reds and Tahs looked decent while the Brumbies and Force looked decidedly average, I think it would look something like this:

Half Back: Sam Cordingley. So clearly the best scrum half, now that Gregan is gone. He would have almost certainly displaced Gregan if he hadn't had such a bad run with injuries over the last 18 months. However, at 31 (turning 32 in a month) it doesn't seem likely that he will make it to the next world cup. Such an intelligent, accurate and tough player!

Flyhalf: Kurtley Beale. The surprising thing about the game on Saturday was that Kurtley didn't run the ball very much at all, often either offloading or kicking. It will be intriguing to see where he is in his development by the end of the season, but unless he misses some significant playing time through injury I think he has to be the guy.

Left Wing: Lote Tuqiri. Lote gets a lot of criticism, but he makes line breaks more often than not, and he draws defenders. He's still a world class winger.

Inside Center: Matt Giteau. Easily the best inside center we have, assuming the coaches don't decide to play him elsewhere.

Outside Center: Adam Ashley Cooper. If Mortlock is healthy, he owns this position, but when he's out, the next best in the country ends up being Ashley Cooper. While the Wallabies and the Brumbies like to treat him as a utility player, it became obvious in 07 where he is really suited. At Outside Center and Wing, Ashley Cooper almost always shines. At Inside Center or Fullback, he's typically a dud.

Right Wing: Digby Ioane. I like Mark Gerrard, but I think his best days are behind him and I think we need genuine speed in the back line. Outside of Lachy Turner, the most electric back-three player is Ioane. He was sensational in the Reds opening game, and is a threat every time he gets the ball. Who can forget the look of pure joy on his face when he got his first test try last year? What a great ad for rugby!

Fullback: Clinton Schifcofske. Schif gets the nod considering that Chris Latham will be departing our shores after this tournament (otherwise Latho is a no-brainer) and that Schif has a much more accurate boot than Lachy. I'd love to put Lachy in here, but I just can't. Yet.

Bench (4 Players):
Luke Burgess at half back. He's competent in the skills, but his incredible speed makes him an ideal guy to bring on at the 60th minute. Berrick Barnes covering flyhalf and inside center. While I wouldn't say he was brilliant in the opener, he's quite good at both positions, and also has a developing kicking game. Timanha Tahu covering the centers and wings. It's early days to be picking him, and this is the one I would waiver on the most (I'd strongly consider Ryan Cross), but his upside is massive. Lachlan Turner at wing and fullback. One of the Tahs' favourite sons at the moment. His flexibility works against him, but I'd bring him on at the wing at around the 50th minute, and if anything happened to the fullback I'd move him there.

Players to Watch:
Force: Scott Staniforth, when he comes back from injury. Ryan Cross, who was right on the cusp of getting into the test side last year.

Waratahs: Brett Sheehan, who has impressive toughness but maybe not enough finesse for test level. Tom Carter, who I think has massive upside, but has to stay healthy to fulfill that potential.

Brumbies: Josh Holmes, who has shown genuine promise when he has gotten his chances, and is potentially a Wallaby starter at halfback if he continues to develop. Julian Huxley, who is a better fullback than flyhalf, but is probably not good enough for either position at test level.

Reds: Quade Cooper, if he matures in his attitude (and the NRL don't sign him), could become a tremendous player either at flyhalf or inside center. Amazing skills for his age. Chris Siale, who the Reds are experimenting with at inside center, but who is potentially a good utility player with enough speed to play at wing.