Mumm is back in Australia to play for at least the next two years. To say he is not eligible for the RWC is in my view unfair. He meets the laid-down criteria, so why the big whinge.
Had Cheika chosen Simmons, Mumm and Jones as the three jumping locks would you be as upset? Maybe not. In my view Dennis is the jumping lock who has not done enough for selection; and had Jones taken his place I would have been very happy.
Of the bruiser locks Skelton and Arnold look good to me and it was either Coleman or Horwill as the third, with Horwill getting there on experience. Neither have played nearly well enough and I think that injury has cruelled the chances of Lousi and Carter, who would have been fighting for the third bruiser lock position until injury struck.
Yes, I stand by reasoning for why Mumm shouldn't be there. It's Rocky Elsom all over again. I was against that for the same reason. I'm happy to agree to disagree on that front because I am firm on my view.
I think you are a bit wrong to bundle Horwill into either of those two groups. He is capable of fitting both briefs in the style he plays. With this capability and his level of experience he is the one to fit the head jumper/lineout general brief in the event of Simmons going down. The catch is to see his previous form in the Wallaby jersey return.
Dennis I see as very handy. I like the way he has played this year. He doesn't fit the brief for a starting lock but a bloke who can play, 6,8 and 4 with a tight style of game bodes well for a handy bench option.
Covering all bases, I see Skelton, Simmons and Horwill as the main locks in the mix. I would have loved to see home talent like Jones and Coleman exposed at very least to the squad environment. For this reason and the same versatility that Dennis offers I would have like to see Tamani in the mix. Expose these blokes and give them the opportunity to take their good form to the next level. Nothing but good can come from that.
