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I'm going to start leaving some of this stuff alone as we are all to well aware of the cyclic discussion these considerations prompt. For now though... With respect, I think another obscuration, PP. "Show my the money" is an issue for RA and pro rugby. If we opt to change what we are doing it...

That is an obscuration. The amount of talent lost in droves is due to insufficient teams. Right now with the ex-Rebels seeking a home, there are few slots been taken that the Rebels could use, that are otherwise filled. Much bigger issue right now is salary cap, available funds, and general...

If we get rid of every non-Aus eligible player right now, it would increase the opportunity for Australian players by approximately a metric diddlesquat.

Oh come on, SMI. I'm sure there are more cogent disagreements than this. FWIW, I think the Rebel scenario has set back opportunities hugely. I doubt we'll be in any kind of position to make a domestic change for quite some time. Eh? If you are talking ARC/NRC it is completely false...

One thing for sure, to start in the row at the Reds you will need to fight for it.

From my POV this is largely costs associated with Super, both current more so historically, and what I am going to term mis-management. We are told that income is largely due to the Wallabies, so nothing changes there. Nor with the 12 year Lions and a home RWC. Super should fund itself which...

Completely agree. My issue is, if as claimed, he ignored guys like Rodda, Mark etc because of selection restrictions. If he is responsible for those restrictions, he is culpable. If he has selected what he wanted and didn't want those guys, well excellent. If not then my view is it is a mistake...

Don't forget Rennie and the Azurri. It may well be a virtue to build/experience/rotate/restrict selection/whatever, but you also need to look at your opposition with respect. More than that, have a realistic view of your own strengths and ffs don't undercook your selection due to an availability...

Tom, I think you have a truism here, but not perhaps fully making connections... It has to be a mental challenge to aspire to be a tall smurf, especially if you were involved in the initial smurfification of the Wallabies.

We get into strange metrics in defining "significant", but a squad that is more-or-less our strongest isn't what I was concerned about. The view seemed to be that we don't have time to work with a better group, because something something rats and sinking ships. I say we don't have time NOT to...

On that basis Schmidt has shackled a less than stellar rugby Nation with a squad that would appear to be less than what it could be. Right now. Apparently he doesn't have enough time, but Schmidt hits key games against our peers (that being #10 and #13) in a situation where he has two weeks to...

I'm not particularly bothered by Beale's age - to misquote, " if you're good enough you are young enough". If he is good enough. I also don't buy his experience in WA being without value. I thought Quade's experience and caps were valuable in a Wallaby squad so it's only consistent to hold the...

I have yet to notice a better judge of wingers on G&GR than Derpus. They may be there, but they don't come to mind.

Appreciate these posts (and your others in this thread), BR. Wales gain double points as an away team. We'll go close to dropping out of the 10 with 2 loses. If we lose to Georgia, which is a game we should definitely post our best 23, I can't see how we stay ahead of Fiji. For those not...

I dont want RA to "lose control". I want them to hand over professional management to a professional management organisation.

I suspect that relinquishing control and allowing a management team to take control - well I think it is a much bigger more important issue with Super and both NZRU and RA. It would be better in a domestic comp as well, but nothing like the same issue, I think.

Didn't seem complex to me either. I supported both, focus on whoever was at home. When they played each other my focus was on the Reds and checking out possible new talent for the squad.

Toowoomba has a pop of roughly 150,000. About the same as Cairns and not much smaller than Townsville. It isn't much but are Manly or Randwick drawing from seriously much more? Could Ipswich be a possible country base?

No need to change the premis: But it doesn't change this: To which also an answer:

SMI, It was going to be necessary imo, should we have stuck with 5 teams, let alone any expansion under Super. TBH it the comp is going to have any chance of beiong a stand alone entity with separate management from the Unions, it is needed anyway. That said, right now into the shrink strategy...