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Jeez it would be tough to stomach as a team member. How long have they spent holed up in Narrabeen, running around cones, training, training, training for that game. And to turn up and have that be the result.

What number Quade comeback is this, three? Four? I like the bloke and he should be applauded for his service to the game here. Great to have around the guys, many of whom would have idolised him growing up. But jeez I'd be worried if we had to play him at any stage.

Why do you think we'll get reamed? Every year there's a cohort who loudly proclaim the All Blacks are going to beat us by 50, and every year it's more competitive than that. Sure we don't often win but if you take last year's form then there's an argument that things will at least be tight-ish.

Will shamelessly promote my piece on the front page: http://www.greenandgoldrugby.com/eight-observations-from-the-french-series/

I think Banks has earned another shot. His kicking for touch on Saturday was particularly impressive, and he didn't really do much wrong despite being dealt a tough hand losing both wingers. But I'd be lying if I said I was confident of him holding the jersey through the Rugby Championship.

I'd be looking to throw Jordie on a wing if he's fit, and then think long and hard about Banks vs Hodge at fullback.

So what's our lineup for the first Bledisloe? The key dilemmas: Does Tupou start or come off the bench? Has Swain earned a starting spot? Swinton or Valetini? McDermott or Nic White? To'omua or Paisami at 12? Banks or Hodge or both? Assuming JOC (James O'Connor) isn't going to be right for the first game...

This is the key for mine, there needs to be an acknowledgement of doubt and a reduction in sanction because of it.

From the Wallabies 2021 thread, Reg made a good point here and it flips both ways. Losing our winger early saw us forced into a tighter game plan, but it also saw the French change their tactics too. All of a sudden their usual territory game was replaced by trying to spread it wide in their...

Reg - am moving my reply to this to the match thread as I think you raise a good point.

Just looking at the 3-2-1 thread, and I'm happy to see Hooper dominating the votes as he should. Rewatching the game, you can't help but notice he's just everywhere. It's something that you can't quantify in tackle numbers or metres gained or breakdowns hit. When Lolesio's kick was charged...

Yes but if he just hit and dropped it raises the likelihood of our guys sealing off and getting done for going off their feet. Closing out a game like that is always fraught. I reckon it ends in a penalty to the defensive team on at least 50% of occasions. I thought we were at least smart...

I haven't rewatched the game, but I thought Banks was pretty good on Tuesday and seemed our only back capable of breaking the line. Hopefully that gives him a bit of confidence and he can build on that performance. There's a world where he builds into a genuine test fullback - good under the...

It's nice to have the depth to make eight changes and the team could arguably be better. Interesting that To'omua was benched, he's a bit older and fragile but I can't help thinking that's more tactical than attritional. Likewise Daugunu for Wright.

Yes

Daugunu showed more in one game against the ABs last year than Wright has in his four starts. I can't see the logic in starting Wright at the moment, I can't see what he brings. Skills? He's dropped at least three easy pills, and cost us a try. Kicking? No evidence of that. Line breaking...

The rate things are going the whole SA squad will have pretty strong COVID immunity, so should be good to go!

3. Hooper 2. Koro 1. Tupou

It was an improved performance. Hard to be too disappointed, the French played well and had the better of the big moments. The damning statistic of the Rennie era is that we are yet to score more than two tries in a game. And we've now played seven games. Though that to me is a reflection less...