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So, Derp, what are we doing? Announcing the end of the Waratahs, and the creation of the NSW Banksias, to be based in Western Sydney? The issues are many and varied, but I can't see what that solves. The flashing problem at the moment starts and ends with on-field performance. We need better...

Borders between NSW and Auckland are back open, so that's good news for RA you'd think.

I thought Melbourne was the better option, yes. Australia's second largest city, big corporate support, good stadia, history of strong support for Wallaby games. It has been successful in some ways, unsuccessful in others. On the field it's been mixed, they have developed some good talent, had...

And it wasn't just the decision to jump ship, but the way it was handled. They hid behind their manager, anonymous leaks to the media, never fronted up and explained themselves to the public. Rodda had secured a Wallaby jersey, the pinnacle for all players in this country. To walk away from...

What do you base this on? The Eels and Panthers were dominant, as they have been pretty consistently for 25+ years. Massive leagues clubs raking in millions in revenue, enormous junior programs, huge footprint in the region. This was just as true in 2005 as it is now. It's rolled gold league...

I can't agree with this. NSW can't draw a crowd with one team, how would they go with two? That's obviously an oversimplification, but the 'base' out there is just not big enough to sustain a pro team. Perth and Melbourne had serious financial backing, with a population at least on par with...

Two things can be true here. Davis as Chair doesn't have a day-to-day role, and as such him taking leave isn't a big deal. But it's undeniably a bad look. He's out of contact, apparently, which in 2021 I struggle to really believe. I don't think he necessarily should have cancelled his...

Honestly? Yes. The AFL had issues with this last season, with team-mates groping each other during the team song. It could be construed as sexual harrassment. If it happened in the NRL and AFL it would be an issue, given rugby only has three or four full-time journos it will probably pass by...

The red card rule is a revelation and it's working every bit as well as I thought it would. With four RCs in six games, under the regular system the discussion of Super AU would be dominated by the refereeing. Are the refs killing the game? We'd be replaying RC incidents ad nauseam, saying...

I want to question this as I've seen it repeated a few places and I'm not sure it's true. At the outset of the NRC, the decision was taken in NSW to let the clubs take ownership of the local sides. I remember that being applauded at the time as it was seen to best harness the power and...

But non-playing Tahs squaddies still play Shute Shield, don't they? It's not like they are warehoused. I actually think their youth identification has been pretty good these last few years. HJH (Harry Johnson-Holmes), Swinton, Dempsey, Harrison, Mark N (Nawaqanitawase), Horton, Walton all look pretty good. It's the pieces around...

Once the West Metro comes in (in next 4-5 years I think) then you'll be able to get from the CBD to your seat in about half an hour. It's not perfect but combined with the Westconnex I find it a breeze to get to and from.

Yep. It's a pretty shit experience. But they still draw a crowd there, because it's easy and familiar for a lot of members. I'd love to see them spend a season travelling through the NSW countryside, I really would. Add in a game at Brookvale, one in Wollongong, couple at Bankwest. But with...

But they've been doing that. Playing games all over the place, as well as in Sydney's east, which is still the easiest place for a lot of their fans to get to.

I can't remember the details, but I recall reading they had some obligations to the SCG Trust?

Because the bulk of their membership sits in the Eastern Suburbs, and they also have a commitment to SCG/SFS members too. While Bankwest would have been a good option on a number of fronts, they still need to cater to their base, most of whom would be travelling one hour plus to get to the...

One exchange that I noted in the Tahs/Brumbies game: Late in the game the Waratahs threw to the back of the lineout, tried to set up a maul but it was thwarted by Pete Samu who came around, entered from the Tahs side and stole the ball. Andrew Mehrtens said what many were thinking, namely...

Yes Joe I'd like to see a bit of analysis about that fact. I don't think anyone disputes they are more or less broke, but I haven't seen any deep dive into why. The only factor unique to NSW in the last 18 months has been the stadium. Surely they have taken a hit from having to relocate to the...

I might be a bit biased as I really want Stan/Nine to succeed, but I really enjoyed the Moloney/Mehrtens/Turinui commentary team on Saturday night. There was some really sharp analysis that I feel like I haven't had in many years in an Australian rugby game. Also just nice to have a mix of...