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It's stating the obvious, but a lot will depend on what happens tonight. If we win the game, I'd think he would be more tempted to rest some of our players, particularly those that have had heavier workloads this year (eg. Tongan Thor, Valetini). But if we lose then I think he'd be pulling...

I'm not sure we need to change much tactically for this game. I don't think that was our problem last week, it was execution - inaccurate kicking, dropped balls, poor cleanouts and defensive reads. You'd hope that we step up even a fraction, we can look to put real pressure on France and win...

I didn't mind Valetini's game. He was still going hard in the final minutes, and despite a few mistakes he's definitely worth persisting with. Clearly a tactic to have him roaming in the wider channels so I can't be too annoyed with his slightly lower work rate. I do like the balance of...

3. Wilson 2. McDermott 1. Paisami

Isn't White out for a while? I thought JOC (James O'Connor) and Hodge are the only two with a chance of a return.

The option was good I thought, just the execution was off. Kellaway was in a mile of space but with the retiring French defenders it may have been impossible to just put it through the hands. The next kick was far less defensible. I thought Paisami was pretty good overall, the only back who...

I'd be tempted to run the same XV back. A few guys were well below their best, but I'm not willing to dump them out after one game. Banks and Gordon being chief among them. A few guys looked great off the bench, but we do this after the first test of every season - we amp up the guys who came...

Is the 50/22 happening as well?

Weirdly I think this is the most important games of the Rennie era thus far. Last year was COVID-affected, some new faces, relatively low expectations. Now we're playing against a B team France who have been in quarantine, fielding our strongest available side, playing at Suncorp. A win is...

Jeez that's harsh, I recall his kicking being a key factor in at least two Bledisloe wins.

I like the pack from a continuity standpoint - I think at least six started in the last test against Argentina last year. God I'd love a win by 13+.

Wallabies team to play France at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane on Wednesday 7 July, 8:00pm AEST 1. James Slipper (100 Tests) 2. Brandon Paenga-Amosa (8 Tests) 3. Allan Ala'alatoa (43 Tests) 4. Matt Philip (9 Tests) 5. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (25 Tests) 6. Rob Valetini (4 Tests) 7. Michael Hooper (c)...

Not to mention the players themselves. Too often we let them off the hook. A recent article talked about Michael Hooper running laps post-training with regularity, why aren't others like this? I'm sure a few are, but seemingly not enough. Nick Phipps had his faults, but his work ethic was...

Wasn't Rod Kafer brought in to fix the coaching pathways a few years ago?

Did it need to be? I'm far more concerned with the cattle than the coach. Coleman has earned a shot at it IMO, but I hope we give him the manpower he needs to at least be competitive.

Thanks Juan, that was really interesting. One correction, though, on the only thing in your post I'd be qualified to talk about: Pulver and Hawker would never be spotted at a public course like Woollahra. Given their lower north shore position, I'd suggest maybe Elanora would be a more likely...

Interesting to see Stan pickup the UEFA Champions League. Big win for them. Starting to get a bit of a portfolio going now. Also good to see a few ads promoting rugby amidst the Origin last night.

I'd assume both the Wallabies and France have been in hub-like conditions, therefore could secure an exemption to travel to Queensland. Worst case they would go up there into an AFL-style hub where they can play but not leave their rooms except to train etc.

Meanwhile, Nic White has been ruled out of the France series - he's done his knee. Back by Bledisloe 1. That's a blow, but a great opportunity for Tate to step up.