I know you saffas respect Eddie and he calls it exactly how it is here:
Memo Robbie Deans. Please, don't treat the rugby public to the sham of media speak on Quade Cooper.
Tell it straight that Cooper has missed your 25-man Wallabies squad because you think he's not good for the team environment. The ball is then in Cooper's court to show he can change.
So, the best fly half in Australia will not face the British and Irish Lions? This is just rubbish when built on the case that he needs to be more assertive in attack and dominant in defence.
It means no room for the No.10 who plays every minute of every game; no start for the guy who made three tackles in a row against the Cheetahs last weekend; and no need for the attacker who has made more line breaks than any other top Australian No.10 this season.
I'm still scratching my head. Cooper's understanding of the gain line, of finding space, is far ahead of any other No.10 in Australia so if Deans isn't picking him, there must be other reasons.
Deans does not forgive players who cross him. Just ask Andrew Mehrtens and Matt Giteau.
I watched the Reds-Cheetahs game closely and Cooper was easily the most enthusiastic and creative player in a misfiring attack.
In a rare off game, Will Genia had more loop and spin on his passes than a Shane Warne wrong 'un yet Cooper continued to attack the gain line playing off poor passes from his halfback.
The Wallabies squad looks well-equipped overall with a strong pack, a brilliant halfback and good outside backs. The only problem is that there is no fly half.
O'Connor is a part-timer. He is an instinctive runner who looks to use his natural skill rather than build an attack. It's a huge task pitting his limited experience in the position against the Lions.
Barnes is an excellent inside centre but at flyhalf he plays far too deep and plays a conservative field position game. He has looked good this season but only in 70-odd minutes of cameos before playing the Rebels last night
