Deans puts Wallabies on notice

[NTT]

did anyone watch sports tonight where they said that the tahs halfback, not valentine, is the best bet for Australia's next best #9? any agree or disagree with this?

burgess is a great halfback. should be a wallaby bolter i reckon

[gotheforce]

Luke Burgess has been fantastic in halfback and definitely deserves a call-up. cant really see any other form halfback in Aus, other than Cordingley if he can stay injury free that is.

TQ1, true. I think Giteau will be the first one picked. and Sharpie will be close behind, but not neccessarily the first one picked. Mind you, James Horwill and Dan Vickerman have been on form of late, as is Mark Chisolm. I have faith that Sharpe will make it, but itll be a tough one for the selectors. Not too sure if Vickerman will be picked cos he's leaving for the Europe in a bit.

[no.8]

I'm guessing as the first game is against Ireland Deans liable to pick a 'B' team. Mainly to take a look at few of these grey areas in certain positions.

1. G Holmes, Henderson/Hardy
2. Moore, Polota-Nau
3. Shepherson, Edwards/Dunning
4. Horwill, Hockings/Campbell
5. Sharpe, Chisholme/Humphries
6. Chapman, Mumm/Fava
7. Smith/Waugh, Pocock
8. Hoiles, Brown/Palu
9. Cordingly, Burgess/Lucas
10. Giteau, Lealiifano/Beale
11. Turkey, Gerrard
12. Staniforth, Barnes
13. Mortlock, Cross
14. Mitchell, Turner
15. Latham, Shepherd

But the team should pretty much pick itself.

[jono]

And i thought Dunning was going to get pushed aside cause of Ben Franks who plays for the Crusaders under deans.. could of been dreaming agian but.

gigs and i had a conversation about this after one of the home games.
it might be an option that could be looked into.

[no.8]

gigs and i had a conversation about this after one of the home games.
it might be an option that could be looked into.

en Franks has laughed off suggestions he will soon follow Robbie Deans across the Tasman.

Sky TV commentator Murray Mexted unleashed this conspiracy theory when the Crusaders beat the Waratahs last weekend, stating that because Franks was born in Melbourne he will be targeted by the Wallabies when Deans takes over as coach.

Franks, however, poked several holes in Mexted's argument. Firstly, he is contracted to the New Zealand Rugby Union until the end of 2009. Secondly, he does not hold an Australian passport and, thirdly, he wants to play for the All Blacks.

"The goal has always been to be an All Black. I wouldn't say I would never, ever, think about it if at some stage I have not become an All Black a bit further down the track.

"But it's definitely not in my thoughts at the moment."

Prop Franks can play both sides of the scrum but has been preferred at loosehead with Greg Somerville at tighthead.

Younger brother, Owen, also a prop, joined the squad this week as a replacement for Campbell Johnstone who has been sidelined for the next two months after having surgery on a finger.

With All Blacks coach Graham Henry having been signed for another two seasons and set to continue his rotation policy, the older Franks could be selected for the end of season Bledisloe Cup match in Hong Kong which will be followed by the grand slam tour.

"I have got a Kiwi passport and a British passport, but I don't have an Aussie passport. I was just born in Australia when my dad was in the navy."
Click on Ben's nose for the original story!

[jono]

ahh well.