12 Weeks In...

...and the Test side almost picks itself. There is an impressive amount of emerging talent (Australia has never had so many good prospects at flyhalf), but there are also a few positions where depth is a real concern (Loosehead, Tighthead and Fullback).

For obvious reasons, the Waratahs dominate the forwards selection.

Right now, Pat's starting Wallabies XV looks like:

Loosehead Prop: Benn Robinson (Waratahs). This is the shakiest pick of the lot. Robinson overachieves as a smallish player, but I do not think he is a Test level prop. However, this is the weakest position in Australian rugby. The other players under consideration are either inexperienced (Ben Coutts of the Reds, and Sekope Kepu of the Waratahs) or out of form (Greg Holmes of the Reds).

Hooker: Tatafu Polota Nau (Waratahs). Clearly the best in my opinion. Already a terrific athletic specimen, and strong in line breaks, intercepts, and defense. Now showing consistency in the pre-requisite skill of line out throws, his selection is an absolute no-brainer. If he keeps delivering on potential, he could become world class. The next best hooker is Stephen Moore of the Reds (either going to the Brumbies or Force next year) who is starting to regain form, but after Moore there is a notable drop-off in talent.

Tighthead Prop: Matt Dunning (Waratahs). It's hard to believe Dunning is the best in the country, but he is. I consider him solid but not spectacular. At least Dunning is more mature than he was a few years ago. The biggest knock on him this year is that he only plays about 45-50 minutes a game. After Dunning, Dayna Edwards of the Reds looks like a rough diamond, while incumbent Guy Shepherdson of the Brumbies is out of form (often on the bench in favour of Selesi Ma'afu).

Locks: Nathan Sharpe (Force) and Dean Mumm (Waratahs). The best lock in the country is (without doubt) Dan Vickerman, but he is off to the Northern Hemisphere at the end of the year. Nathan Sharpe, in the last 2 years, has finally started to repay the ARU's faith in him and has evolved into a Test-level lock. Dean Mumm benefited from the hard knocks of last year and has had a really outstanding year for the Waratahs. Behind these two, I would consider Al Campbell (Brumbies) and James Horwill (Reds). I think Chisholm (Brumbies) is an outstanding ball runner and works hard at the breakdown, but he's too inconsistent at the line-out, and in the tight-5 set piece always comes first.

Blindside Flanker: Rocky Elsom (Waratahs). The ARU need to find a way to keep Rocky - he leads by example with his work rate, and is a Test level player a lot of countries would love to have. After Rocky, there are not too many other natural blindsides that I would consider at Test level. I think I like Stephen Hoiles' (Brumbies) flexibility even though he's played No 8 for most of this year. Alternatively, switching David Pocock (Force) from Openside might be the best way to get him into the Test side in a timely manner.

Openside Flanker: George Smith (Brumbies). As per usual, George Smith and Phil Waugh (Waratahs) create a pleasant selection headache at this position. Both of these players have had a great year so far, in terms of both positional play and leadership. Two genuinely great Test level players.

No. 8: Wycliff Palu (Waratahs). Palu's performance at this position is the most dominant I have seen for many years. After Palu, Richard Brown (Force) has been very impressive and the next best, and Julian Salvi (Brumbies) has done a very nice job filling in for Stephen Hoiles. Leroy Houston's (Reds) comeback is admirable, but lacks consistency at S14 level (let alone Test).

Halfback: Luke Burgess (Waratahs). Now that Sam Cordingley is off to the Northern Hemisphere, the decision is clear: the future is now. Burgess has very impressive speed and stamina, and his quick clear out has had a positive affect on Kurtley Beale's game. Also, since Cordingley has been injured, Ben Lucas (Reds) has looked like an excellent young prospect. There is also decent halfback talent in James Stannard (Force), Brett Sheehan (Waratahs) and Will Genia (Reds), but the Brumbies prospects (Patrick Phibbs and Josh Holmes) have been disappointingly inconsistent.

Flyhalf: Matt Giteau (Force). It seems like a long time ago since the debate of whether Giteau should play flyhalf or Inside Center, but the answer has become obvious over the last 2 months. The more interesting question is who the backup should be. Quade Cooper (Reds) likely edges out Kurtley Beale (Waratahs), but it is really, really close. Cooper's fluid pass is exceptional, while Beale's inside step can be a game breaker when he isn't overplaying his hand. (The most positive thing for Beale is that he has stopped the directionless kicking). Also, Christian Lealiifano (Brumbies) is quietly having an impressive year.

Left Wing: Lote Tuqiri (Waratahs). Lote's power and physical size still make him a world class Winger (when he's not chipping the ball), but his value to the team has improved even more with the leadership he has shown on the field and in the locker room for the Waratahs this year. Drew Mitchell (Force) has been in good form lately, and would be an excellent backup.

Inside Center: Ryan Cross (Force). This is where the hottest debate is going on, and the contenders are Cross and Berrick Barnes (Reds). Cross has had strong impact running the ball at Outside Center for the Force, and was arguably Australia A's best player last year playing at Inside Center. Berrick Barnes has also had an impressive year, building on his passing and kicking game with new strengths in tackling. Very different players, but both have great potential as Test players.

Outside Center: Stirling Mortlock (Brumbies). When he hasn't been injured this year, the incumbent Wallabies Captain has looked as good as ever playing for the Brumbies. Behind Mortlock, realistically it's Ashley Cooper or Ryan Cross, but as I've named those players as starters elsewhere I would instead name young Waratahs sensation Rob Horne as depth. Horne can do it all, is incredibly fast, and at 18 years old has a great career ahead of him. I don't know what's in the water in Canberra, but Leo Afeaki deserves an honourable mention for his massive hits in the limited game time he's had at the Brumbies.

Right Wing: Adam Ashley Cooper (Brumbies). Ashley Cooper has had an instant impact and has been consistent since coming back to the Brumbies from injury. He should definitely start for the Wallabies. After Ashley Cooper, Lachy Turner (Waratahs) deserves consideration but his poor play at Fullback will have hurt his selection chances. Brando Va'alu (Reds) is also quietly emerging as a talent.

Fullback: Mark Gerrard (Brumbies). Before the season kicked off, I would have never guessed Gerrard would be the successor to Chris Latham. However, Gerrard has taken one step forward (his kicking has been sensational) while his rivals have all taken one step back. I also would have expected to have named Clinton Schifcofske (Reds) as a backup, but after moving from Wing to Fullback with Latham's injiry at the Reds, Clinton's had a form slump. Which leaves a mediocre duel against out-of-form Cameron Shepherd (Force).