Just trying to let this sink in.
Without a doubt the biggest shock is only 2 hookers. This is a huge risk in order to allow a 6th backrower or 5th winger. I just can't make any sense of it at all.
Firstly, in most games, Beale is going to be the outside back reserve, so even a 3rd winger is merely squad cover. One of Horne/Speight/Tomane is just excess baggage which would be far better deployed as a backup hooker.
Secondly, how does McMahon fit? McCalman can cover openside as a last resort. I can't see him ever playing. Again, a 3rd hooker seems way more important.
Thirdly, as I understand it if Moore cops a head knock and misses a game against Fiji, he's out for the tournament, and with him any Cup hopes we may have had, in order to cater for a 5th winger or 6th backrower who won't play anyway.
The other less important surprise omissions were White and Horwill.
White missing out is a shock but not a huge one in hindsight. He's clearly looking for a state halves combo that already works. So it will be either Genia and Cooper or Phipps and Foley, not a mix. White doesn't fit with that. Also Giteau has covered halfback adequately enough to provide a potential 6-2 bench play and negate the need for a 3rd in the squad. Not my preference but at least understandable.
Douglas over Horwill is surprising due to his limited game time, but not a call that worries me.
