Tri-Nations Recap: Australia v New Zealand

I have yet to see a better first half of rugby from the Aussies. It was one of the best games in a long time. The Wallabies destroyed the All Blacks in the first half and managed to hold off the World Cup favorites in the second. A great try by Radiki Samo and a faultless performance from Adam Ashley-Cooper helped the Australians to their first Tri-Nations victory in 10 years under debut skipper James Horwill.

Tri Nations PreJudgement: Australia v New Zealand (Brisbane)

Suncorp Stadium is having its fair share of Finals this season, as today sees the last game of the 2011 Castle Tri-Nations and winner take all game between Australia and New Zealand. New Zealand have come off a loss to the Springboks while Australia have had the luxury of a bye. The log sees both the All Blacks and Wallabies on top with nine points and today's game a winner takes all encounter which couples as a nice boost with less than 2 weeks to the World Cup.

Quota of a different kind:

Being a World Cup year brings all sorts of crazy feelings to rugby fans and players alike. One thing we mustn't forget is that the Southern Hemisphere boys have a small matter of the Tri-Nations to fight for beforehand. I have been keenly watching the Springbok Squad selection and the management team have recently cut a few players which brings me to my quota concern. It's not the usual crap about quota's that you have heard for the last couple of decades but the 'There is no replacement for experience' quota's. 

Basically, are we  going to fall into same trap that the FIFA world cup champions (France & Italy) did? Are we going to be knocked out in the first round because we sent the experienced players instead of inform players? So many questions that are burning me right now and I wish I had answers for them!

Judging by the team that has been announced I see way too many of our inform players playing second fiddle to the older more experienced (and slightly off form) guys and sadly some inform players being dropped. Firstly I would like to briefly tackle the two players that have been dropped from the squad and I think should still be there:

Bjorn Basson and Keegan Daniel:

What else do they need to do in order to move into the International set up? Both have had an awesome season and both have been overlooked by players that are either injured or not playing well at all. 

You can't please every "coach" on squad selections but I think these two have something to offer and will be missed.

Secondly I am worried we will have the likes of Andries Bekker, Bismark du Plessis and Lwazi Mvovo playing behind guys that are not in form or being played out of position. I understand there needs to be a squad in place to help the entire Tri-Nations and IRB RWC campaign but when it comes too big games are we going to pick game breakers or settle for the rugby we saw 4 years ago? The rugby 4 years ago was great...4 years ago. Now that the rugby powers have evolved and changed their game are we going to be able to compete with new innovation or hope to get by on old experience?