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Gordon inability to punch pass off the deck has been the perennial issue for me - core skill for a 9. Lonergan throws the best seed. Bc of the short lead in, I suspect combos might be in focus for the Wales series which also counts against Gordon. Am expecting to see one of the following...

For me, he's promising but needs to dominate tight contacts more before I'd look at him for Wallabies duty. Clearly has good skills and a bit of ticker. I have the same criticism for Frost. My current locking preference would be Skelton > Rodda > Salakai-Loto > Swain > Frost > Canham > Neville...

Tizzano a long way off for me. Tenacious defender but very limited in attack. My power ranking for 7 would be McReight > Wright > Scott > Reimer > Gamble > Browne > Tizzano

And could still field a handy team (pre-Rebels influx) of: Bell Porecki HJH (Harry Johnson-Holmes) Holloway Amotosero Lee-Warner Gamble Gleeson Wilson Edmed Jorgenson Walton Foketi Sua'ali'i Kellaway I want Carter Gordon, Tupou, Salakai-Loto, Canham and Leafi Talataina.

Reds seem to favour him at THP for some reason bit can definitely do a job. Though at 33, unless a major injury crisis I'd be picking Slipper / Hodgeman / Schoupp / Vella % Kailea ahead of him.

Scott has been good, and I think is robust enough for test match rugby. I still prefer the option of Wright at 7 - opens up ability to pick Valetini/Wilson in the same pack, or Valetini/Skelton later in the year.

Harrison needs time in the saddle - has been error prone in early weeks back. I rate him though - Aus A program would be perfect. Also want to see what Pasitoa could do for Aus A. Both have the talent. Lolesio and Gordon for me atm. Donaldson third in line.

Any views on strongest team from that squad? Bit surprised to not see Hooper, Finau, Toufan make it from the prelim squad. From the limited sample size I have seen, would have thought something like: 1. Barrett 2. Edwards 3. Alatini 4. McPherson 5. Cordukes 6. Di Staso 7. Liddy 8. Harley...

Poolman is poor. I don't see it either. Henry O'Donnell and Harry Potter both solid options at 13. I'd back O'Donnell there. Porter is great, but I think the Force might be better placed backing some of their promising young outside backs coming through (e.g. Tipene Grace, Ryan McGloin, Ronan...

Yes, they will argue that. But the idea that broadcast value is created by Rebels v Dunedin playing in front of no one in Tarneit is also fanciful thinking. The drop in value to Ch9 is principally the number of ppl who drop the Stan sub if the Rebels fold (I dont know what that number is). There...

True, but there's still broader issues IMO. - Talent ID is a big one - too many powerful players with low footy IQ (Pietsch, Perese, Gleeson). - Need a 9 who passes off the deck. Gordon has an excellent exit box kick, but is taking so much time off his 10 because he can't pass off the deck...

100%. The wallabies are the golden goose. Buying a Stan subscription is quite binary, so am not convinced that cutting a super team will materially reduce the value of the broadcast rights. Cutting a team is better than cutting the cap. If RA can save $4m p.a. by cutting 1 team (who if...

It doesn't. A $30m equity cheque to pay off $22m of debt to prop up a franchise with minimal cultural relevance to play a beleagured competition in a niche sport on the outskirts of a city with 20+ other professional provincial sporting teams. It's a tricky one - both a cost and revenue problem...

Agree with this. I think with McReight at 7, and Frost likely at 4, more girth is required at 6/8 or we'll get scrummed / mauled to death. Balance works well for Brums with Hooper at 7, Cale at 8.

I expect so too. Was outstanding amongst his Aus peers, including as a scrummager. But the point that he's been blooded 2/3 years before he is ready (as are many other super rugby forwards) stands.

Don't think Hodgeman is eligible until Nov 24 unfortunately. Otherwise, mine would look fairly similar: 1. Slipper / Bell / Schoupp 2. Faessler / Porecki / Lonergan 3. Ala'alatoa / Tupou / Talakai 4. Frost / Holloway 5. Neville / Salakaia-Loto 6. Swinton / Hooper 7. McReight 8. Valetini / Wilson...

Will not solve for poor crowds/engagement in Melb (probably would make worse), but a couple of games in Apia could sell out. Pros: - Maintain presence in largest Aus city which is helpful for broadcast revs. - Potentially cost efficient solution for RA if Vic gov and/or World Rugby co-fund...

Some talk of a Rebels-Moana merger out of Melbourne with World Rugby funding invilved. Could Melbourne Pasifika be a neat solution and solve problems for both RA & NZR? Any chance of cut through? Appreciate die hard rebels fans will hate it, but frankly they've seem to run a Pasifika first...

I think Jahrome Browne might be the man by the end of 2024 if he stays fit. More abrasive than Wright and McReight. Better suited to test rugby IMO.

2024 Wallabies - Projected Squad: 1. Bell / Slipper / Vella 2. BPA / Porecki / Nasser 3. Ala'alatoa / Tupou / De Lutiis 4. Rodda / Frost 5. Skelton / Salakai-Loto 6. Hooper / Holloway 7. Gamble / Gleeson 8. Valetini / Wilson 9. McDermott / Lonergan 10. Gordon / Pasitoa 11. Jorgenson /...