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Masterful selections – Joe showcases his political, commercial and regional savvy.

And back to 7 (SA blindside) for Saturday's game...freakish player. Uber mobile 5 or rock solid blindside flanker.....which one you want to play against?

Likely off topic (apologies) but maybe we should consider 1 (or 2) OZ Teams based in Europe for the European URC? Too expensive I imagine? SA have bolstered that competition.

I'll be surprised if Tizanno is dropped - more likely, IMO, is that Wilson is moved to the bench and they change 6 and 8 around.

Tend to agree - just would swap Pietsch with Toole for outright gas - try and play a wider game. If we play two big blokes at #6 and #7 then I'd play them as left and right (like France play) and share the breakdown work, but I prefer Reimer at #7 for a start. SA don't have a pilfer specialist...

The way it has worked out - Easts won all Male Grades plus won 1st and 3rd Colts Grades, while Manly finished 6th in many of theirs. The stars have aligned for Easts and Manly such that 5 out of the 6 games at Woollahra on Saturday involve those two teams.

Agree with Hooper at 6 and Valetini at 8, Wilson to bench and Reimer given a chance at 7. I would slot Toole in at 11 (he has gas to burn, and the SA wingers are small), and replace Pietsch (he is unfortunately feckless) with Flook (if he is fit), on the bench. A starting TT is a prerequisite...

Gamble on the bench for Easts vs Uni tomorrow - Fergus LW starting at #8. Very strong side on paper.

Comfortable win for Easts 1s Colts vs Uni 46-21. Easts #6 and #7 and #13 oustanding - Uni #8 MoM on a losing team - took the lions share of the backrow work on his considerable shoulders. Easts Colts 1s and 3s take their respective minor Premierships.

Agreed - easy with 20/20 hindsight; take the points, take the points, take the points.

Gordon def in with a shout, but have lacked consistency - recent Easts vs Gordon game was low scoring (15 -5) but wasn't really in doubt - their first match-up was a very tight affair.

Colts 1s minor premiership up for grabs with Easts vs Uni, Thursday evening - Easts currently leading the 1s comp by 5 points. The (Easts/Uni) 1s game will be won up front (as always) - Uni have a solid front five but a weak #7 and #6. Easts have a very strong and mobile back row, but their...

Dominated by England as expected, some already play in the Gallagher premiership - not one of our boys make the replacements bench either.

Both England and France rotated their squads really well to rest/test players - with over 30 different starting players for each during the tournament - excellent management. Europe also has the advantage of an U20s Six Nations, plus other games throughout the year, to allow them to evaluate...

Good news is Nathan Grey's tenure is over - one to forget - he'll find himself at home in Japan. I refuse to believe we don't have at least two players who can compete for every position and not bring the standard down when used, and keep the incumbents honest. England and France used over 30...

Agreed - IMO Gamble is more of a #6.25 than a #7. Leota at #6 is an upgrade IMO, FLW (Fergus Lee-Warner) and Sinclair can backup there also.

I don't think they care imho - they have made over 25 changes to their starting XV over 3 games - each position has a genuine alternative who can slot in without a huge drop in quality - and they have won every game with those changes.

Club Rugby in NSW for certain positions is higher than Waratahs Super Rugby - NSW Waratahs Back Row is desperate for a proper #7 - but they stick with the substandard incumbent.

If we had beaten Italy (I think) this would be moot - as it is, I think we are lucky that Georgia beat Italy or we would be playing to avoid relegation to the Trophy. As mentioned by someone earlier - you have to win your games against weaker sides, or risk the consequences; Ireland beat Italy...

Agreed - a development squad that play for their Clubs in Shute Shield and train with Waratahs full squad. Certainly it can be overweight U23s, but not simply full of Gen Blue who play limited games, and some can't even get into their Club's 2nd grade. Could even create a brand new team in...