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If I recall last year there was a test where I think we played Frost & Skelton together. And I think we just threw to Frost all game lifted by Skelton and it was fine.

Yeah - maybe. I mean if one of your best players has 2-3 successive 6 months injuries (Bell for example) you’d still pick him, right? I do think the fact Skelton rarely jumps is an issue but everything’s a trade off. We could certainly benefit from his work with the defensive maul. I just feel...

Not really. I get the point you are making and I agree Skelton would look better in a better team. But Skelton has never shown anything at test level to suggest he is up with guys like Retallack & Etzebeth. Not even close. These guys were dominant from a young ages and have been consistently...

I’m happy to go with Schmidt’s judgement. I think he showed last year he provided a point of difference for us in our pack but we still have to change other players to accommodate him and I’m not sure it’s worth it for a player who is only available for half our tests. I don’t personally believe...

Skelton is good. But to suggest he isn’t as good as Retallack, Itoje, Etzebeth, Whitlock etc because he plays for the Wallabies rather than because of his own limitations is rubbish. Edit: not to say he shouldn’t be picked for that reason. None of our other locks are either.

Some great things happening at the Reds in terms of recruitment, squad development, fringe players putting their hands up etc My only concern at this stage is there seems a bunch of key players who aren’t confirmed for next year. Despite all the positivity we still only ended 5th this year and...

The perfect example of the value of these games, right. An extra half dozen or so opportunities for the likes of Aubrey will help no end.

Commentators saying this will be an annual match. Well done all involved. Coverage has been excellent too.

I do love their passion for their fellow Tongans. Nice addition to the occasion.

I’m not sure they can keep calling high tackles as ‘great tackles’ either :)

I don’t mind them - but I think they just confused Matt Gibbon with Will Cartwright

What an experience for some of these young blokes. And great opportunity to put their hands up. Very tough conditions and a few loose balls at times. Brial & Uru pretty prominent and Smith getting through his normal work load. Backs have looked dangerous but just pushing it a bit too much at times.

It looked me like Campbell was. Either way both getting into 1st receiver a bit. The commentators mentioned the field is relatively narrow. That combined with the rain and the fact the whole Tongan side is big and hits hard - there will be some bruises to be iced after this.

Interesting Campbell into 10 & Aubrey into 15.

O’Connor cut in half (legally) and still down. Tonga scores off the turnover ball. O’Connor doesn’t look well. Edit: he’s come off. Apparently for a HIA. They didn’t replay the hit but I thought it was a clean shot so maybe contact with the ground or they’ve just used the HIA to give him a break.

Solid so far. Qld Scrum is getting on top of Tonga and he’s had a couple of runs. Seems to be getting through his work well.

Holy cow - it’s torrential

Looks like the game will be streamed through rugby.com.au

Although his weakness was his throwing. Strong scrummager, strong around the field and and in the tight but could be hot and cold with his throws. Hopefully he’s fixed that. As much as I’m loving Fez and Nasser getting Wallabiea gigs BPA could add some bulk and muscle in the pack.

Must admit I really enjoyed Nawaqanitwase’s cameo. Argentina seemed to be really trying to bully us. Lawson & Malouf were giving as good as they got but MM turned the tables completely (albeit in a very brief involvement).