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Yes, the man with hams for hands is the ideal choice for wet weather rugby.

Have either of them called before though? I don't think it's an impossible problem to solve, but going in with no experienced caller and no combination between lock/backrow/hooker is going to be an up hill battle to build that consistency and connection. The other question in the back of...

Be interesting to see what happens with the tahs lineout next year, Holloway has been far and away the main target for the last few. With Hanigan also gone it doesn't really look like they've got an experienced caller amongst the likely starters. It might see Lee-Warner or Sinclair sneak into...

The guys on the inside line podcast (Michael Atkinson, Tom Decent, Sam Worthington, Iain Payten) have mentioned it repeatedly, with them thinking Wisemantel felt burned. One in particular seemed to have good insider knowledge but I don't remember who specifically.

Honestly it's more likely to happen in the warm up or training based on his history. Either way he's probably a hell of a lot less likely to get hurt with a bit of returning game time under his belt in a friendly against a Japanese club side than going in cold to a test against the English at a...

I don't think Wisemantel's issue is not being offered a spot on McKellar's team (I think he actually might've been and knocked it back). I think it's more that he was all but offered the tahs head coach job before McKellar swooped in at the eleventh hour.

For the most part no, but if someone like Petaia who has been out for much of the season is fit (and hanging around) I could definitely see Schmidt wanting him to get 40 minutes warm up before taking him on tour. Liam Wright might be another, if he doesn't make it back in time for the Bledisloe...

Scott Wisemantel has signed on as an assistant coach for the Paramatta Eels: https://www.parraeels.com.au/news/2024/08/26/parramatta-eels-confirm-assistant-coaches-for-2025/ Probably an infortunate consequence of McKellar coming into frame for the tahs job so late in the piece is that...

Reds v Panasonic Wild Knights officially scheduled for November 4 https://reds.rugby/news/wild-knights-date-in-japan-locked-in-for-reds-international-program-2024825 One week before the Wallabies first EOYT test, though I doubt any squad members will be released for this, unless it's someone...

Has LeBron Naea popped up with anyone yet? He put in a great performance for Wests in their semi-final win this weekend: https://www.rugby.com.au/news/lebron-ignites-like-basketball-namesake-to-send-wests-to-storelocal-hospital-cup-grand-final-2024825 I had thought Ripley might be the young...

Not with the recent squad announcement which is a bit worrying. Otherwise there have been a variety of rumours throughout the year ranging from "he's a week or two away" to "he's about to announce his retirement". FWIW I thought his injury history might see him retire soon at the start of the...

not really beating the AI allegations with this word salad... If you mean, "Who would you have if Porecki doesn't play again?" Then yeah, Heaven comes into the 23. He's solid but should be more of a 3rd option at this point. After that it looks like it'll be between Dobbins and Fourie, though...

I'm still not convinced we'll see Porecki lace up the boots again.

Not sure there's much more to this than paper talk, but McDonald would be an interesting pickup for Schmidt's staff: https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/sport/rugby-union/worth-a-phone-call-wallabies-urged-to-swoop-after-all-blacks-coaching-bust-up-20240822-p5k4jz.html They've got an existing...

Australia is just the one body being talked about here but I don't think the argument is about taking less to prop up one member, it's about supporting the governing bodies in all local markets and working with them at a broadcast level to get more money in the game as a whole, rather than more...

The longer he takes to sign the more chance he ends up in Perth I think You seem to be counting players doing a stint in NPC as departing, might want to check your data

How far does Rob Penney make it into next season before the Crusaders look at parachuting the newly available Leon Macdonald in over him?

Official announcement: https://reds.rugby/news/sef-faagase-resigns-for-reds-in-2025-2024821 One year deal

Yeah, very happy to hear Sef is continuing, I thought he looked really strong this year, easily the best season of his career.

Kevin Foote has signed on back in South Africa as the Springboks under 20s coach: https://www.theroar.com.au/2024/08/22/one-cap-wallaby-heads-north-as-former-rebels-boss-lured-home-as-junior-springboks-coach/