With Tate, Slater, Boyd and probably Josh Morris out it creates a depleted look to the backline and much emphasis could really be put on the Rabbitohs V Roosters clash as aid for selection in the left wing and right centre position - which favours Walker and as opposed to Jennings But all would depend on who goes to Fullback out of Inglis and Hayne to decifer which centre spot.
Johnston and Tupou are both left wingers so even game there.
Thoughts?
Lets face it most people have been calling for Slater to be dropped anyway. Hayne is without question the best fullback in the world at the moment so i hardly see that as a big issue. Would Josh Morris have gotten picked anyway? Inglis would be first picked in the centres and i'd think Jennings and Hodges would be likely to be in front of him.
On the wings i don't think Tate and Boyd are big loses. Australia should be picking specialist wingers anyway. Brett Morris should be first picked without question so they only need one other. I don't think Tate and Boyd are the best choices.
Say Australia line up with:
1 - Hayne
2 - B Morris
3 - Inglis
4 - Hodges/Jennings
5 - Topou/Hopoate
That's hardly a terrible backline. I daresay it absolutely shames anything that England or NZ will be able to muster and i don't think it's really any weaker then what Australia have had in recent years.
I don't think the Australian team will be weak at all this year.
