RWC Fever

Don't get me wrong, I will be glued to the TV at some obscure times of night and day in 5 weeks time, for the following few weeks.

But I am more than a little annoyed by the speculation in the rugby press.

Nathan Sharpe has been left out of the Australia squad for this Saturday's Bledisloe Cup and Tri-Nations clash with New Zealand. People are saying this means he'll be left out of the 30 man squad for the world cup.

Why?

There's a 22-man squad for Saturday and 30 for the world cup. We've seen Australia, South Africa, and less overtly New Zealand rest key players. Where, for example, were the battles between Thorn and Matfield last Saturday? Both players were rested, that's where. No one thinks either of them will, barring injury, be left at home in September. So why must Sharpe be washed up and out of Deans' thinking? He's a veteran lock. Everyone, certainly Robbie Deans, knows what he offers the squad. He could easily be in the match-day 22 for each match Australia play in the world cup, whether starting or on the bench. OK, resting him for what could be a huge game in the Tri-Nations seems like an odd choice, but it gives Deans a chance to see 3 locks up against the All Blacks, which is a big test for them, and rest his veteran player.

Of course he could be out of favour and never pull on the green and gold again. But reading that into this choice is silly. I'm sure both Deans and Henry have talked to their larger squad. Players like Fruen have been told "Sorry, there's too much competition for your place this year, but we want you for 2012, and if there's an injury to those ahead of you, we'll still be taking you," no one doubts Kieran Read will be back into the squad. Picking wingers is going to be a nightmare - because all four he's tried so far, probable or possible say, have really put their hand up and looked good. Sharp could be dropped, but he could be rested and know that's all it is. We don't know. So why the shouting?