Can The Wallabies Beat The Lions Without Quade Cooper?

First topic message reminder :

Back in form Cooper is the star 10 in Super Rugby, and making a star combination with Genia who is also in lethal form.

Deans looks set to ignore him for political and personal reasons. Is this rift between star player and coach handing the series to the Lions?

""I think its in part because the conference system means they play each other more.... AUS' conference is simply weaker then the SA & NZ conference. ""

I think that argument about a weaker conference is a bit "old hat" with respect to the current season. It suggests that the Australian teams get it easier because their intra conference games lead to "easy wins".

Consider this:

- the Brumbies and Reds lead the overall competition

- Western Force beat the Crusaders - the all-time giant of the super rugby competition

- the only games the Reds have lost this year have been to Australian teams (Brumbies and Western Force); the only draw they have had this year was with an Australian side (Brumbies)

- Reds have not lost a game to non-Australian teams yet

- Out of the 9 games played between New Zealand sides and Australian sides so far, the result is Australian sides 7 wins; New Zealand sides 2 wins.

Not crowing about it, but a weak conference? I think not.

SUFTA!

Good on ya Rob for writing that - I was going to but was too lazy to look up the stats.
I think the tough year with all the injuries will end up being a blessing for Deans. Lots of young players bloodied and old fellahs coming back after having a rest.

Look how good C Smith was in the Super Rugby last year after having a good break. And now he's a bit tired and just good not great this year.

I reckon once Horwill and Genia get 100% back into it they will have a great year. Win the SR, beat the Lions, win the RC (not the Bledisloe) and go unbeaten for the end of year tour. Then hopefully have a crap 2014 and 2015.

No team has won a Lion's series and then backed that up by winning the following RWC.

Maybe this quadrennial tour messes up five nations' plans rather than just four?

We have a secret agreement in the SH, we share the trophies around, like the movie says "Everyone gets a turn"



Can't remember the movies' name though.

Biltong wrote:We have a secret agreement in the SH, we share the trophies around, like the movie says "Everyone gets a turn"



Can't remember the movies' name though.

Sounds like England's No 9 shirt in the 1970's!

Biltong wrote:We have a secret agreement in the SH, we share the trophies around, like the movie says "Everyone gets a turn"



Can't remember the movies' name though.

Debbie does dal... Nah that can't be right?!

The Great Aukster wrote:No team has won a Lion's series and then backed that up by winning the following RWC.

Maybe this quadrennial tour messes up five nations' plans rather than just four?

83...87?

Cyril on 606v2 wrote:It doesn't matter anyway. The 'Welsh' Lions will destroy all before them. So I hear.

this is completely out of context wumming. What is your problem ???

Watched highlights of reds v blues last night and was impressed with cooper's defence of all things! The man seems very sharp and very focused. The aussie commentators also seemed to think he has the 10 jersey nailed on against the lions.

Too much pressure on Deans not to put him in.

My view is without Cooper yes they could still win, if their pack gives Joc/beale/barnes a bit more time on the ball...