Just a point on the halves after the last discussion. Having seen Barnes now only for fifty minutes, albeit in a purposeless “crap” miserable Reds outfit, there’d have to be a bit of concern about his predeliction for kicking. Maybe there were other reasons for him not passing it on – their backs were indeed without cohesion or blitz intent – and he chose what he thought was the safer option, but if he does that sort of thing as his natural game, it could well be hello the dreaded TenMan fizzer.

And having now caught a few more games watching Larkham, the old cripply bugger who yet still looks a bit like a club darts secretary more than the tough, mercurial playmaker he is, I’d pick him immediately. He’s been a stand out.

As for Gregan, well, he’s as good as any others running ’round, no doubt about it. On principle, however, I’d choose Sam.

That would suggest Rogers at 15, and, Mr Connelly, let’s play rugby.

Jeremy can’t even get a starting position for the Brumbies this year

Injured calf. He is a certain starter for the Brumbies if he is fit.

I’m a big fan of Paul’s mobility, but you have to see Freier this year to believe him “

Baxter? Heh. Hmm. You haven’t seen his form this year, is my guess, Aiden. Moreover, there is at this stage a clear gap in the class of the Tahs and Brumbies up front. The Brumbies are still struggling, like the Wallabies last year, whereas the Tahs are simply braining other packs. If you don’t go along with Baxter, how do you explain the fact that the Tahs completely destroyed the Blues forwards on Friday night, the same Blues forwards who got over the Brumbies the week before?

How is Turinui’s kicking game? Excellent, especially for overhead chips, grubbers and centre-kicks. He rarely gets line-kick responsibility, but can no doubt manage them if pressed, for he has all the fine skills. Turinui is the full textbook rugby back. Rogers is no slouch in the kicking department, either. However, I also expect Giteau to start, even though I would keep him in reserve, and pull Gregan for him at some stage if he is otherwise not required. A beauty of having Bernie and Rogers in the team is that they can replace each other. If Bernie has an early shower, Rogers can take over 10, allowing Hewat to go to 15. However, again, I expect a conservative Reds-favoured selection, with Latham of Socks Down.

With regards to your team .. no Jeremy Paul? He was the the only froward making yards for the Wallabies last year. If he is fit he is an automatic first choice I reckon. Baxter? Heh.

Giteau not starting? Can’t see it myself. How is Turinui’s kicking game? Connolly will want a first rate kicker to back up Larkham whose kicking game is not good.

George Smith has been an absolute standout at openside. He should be the first pick and let Waugh ride the pines. The rest of the loosies are a bit up in the air. Connolly will want a lineout winner at blindside, so he has to be a big bastard. I don’t know how his form is this year, but Daniel Heenan is an ex-Queenslander playing blindside for the Brumbies and he has the physical attributes Connolly will be looking for.

Don’t forget Mark Gerrard either. He is a quality player. He is probably not going to start, with Rathbone and Tuqiri ahead of him, but he isn’t far behind I reckon.