I am wondering about the selection of Slipper. The guy is for the future, but at 20 and with just a few S14 caps is too young (for a prop) to be playing Aus A level games against decent/strong scrummaging nations like England. Tim Fairbrother, although a bit of a pot plant, might have been a better selection, along with Dunning, Baxter, etc. By all means, add guys like Slipper to the squad, but 20 year old fairly inexperienced props shouldn't be running on in those games.
I just don't know how we can select a competitive scrum without a good LH fit, and with perhaps the next best TH (after Alexander), Baxter not in the squad. I agreed with Baxter not being selected initially as he has failed at the international level with keeping him bind up in the past, but with Alexander out for the Tri-Nations, I think Baxter should now be called up. Unfortunately, Baxter does not solve our LH dilemma. I don't think Daley is up to it yet, either. He's still a young guy with only a few seasons of S14. Another year or two and he'll be ready, but he's still a baby in prop terms.
Additionally, Moore and TPN are out two best scrummaging hookers, and both are out injured. I don't rate Edmonds as a scrummaging hooker, and am unsure on S. Fainga'a, but would take him ahead of Edmonds.
All I am hoping is that our scrum isn't completely destroyed and we're not shunted back 5m every scrum. For me, our scrum against Fiji rang alarm bells. They had club level props getting parity, or better, with our supposed test level front rowers. Really poor showing.
