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There is always the problem with these threads that different people are working using different criteria. Are injured players to be considered? Is form to be considered? Are we trying to predict what Robbie Deans will do? Are we excluding someone like Sharpe because he won't be playing...

I have no time for complaints about the style of play the Force choose to adopt. They are playing to win in whatever manner they see fit. I have enjoyed watching them this season. Against the Reds, for instance, Sheehan and Cummins absolutely carved up. I'm also enjoying Harvey and Seymour...

I'd like to see a squad selected on form, with the aim of winning one match at a time (rather than one in four years time), but I would not be surprised to see Deans select something very close to his last selected squad (and team).

At this stage it looks like we'll only have one team in the finals, and almost all the conference teams are in with a chance at it. How much will the Waratahs regret their mistakes against the Reds and Force?

Never happy to lose, but I saw a lot to be encouraged by. A few close calls going the other way might have helped, but I think the result was a fair one overall. The Waratah forwards were pretty strong throughout. I thought the main mistake was flinging it to the backs generally a bit too...

It is a black kind of humour, this thread.

I really like Pretorius, but we need a kicker. McKibbin did well against the Sharks, so I'd like to see him start again next week (and having Pretorius on at the end when we need the right decision under pressure would be nice too). On the match, much has been said already that I agree with...

It was a big loss, but I'd have thought these last two games were not ones the Reds 'expected' to win. It is tough to come over to the Republic and get a win. Best case scenario would have been a losing bonus point or two. In terms of the season, the wins so far over the other Aussie teams...

Even when he isn't playing, he is the problem?! (with apologies to Barbarian) This is patently ridiculous. If we have learnt anything from the last few weeks it is how vital Tom Carter is to the Waratah's chances of success this season. Not only has he given them solid defence and strong ball...

Fixed. But not actually better. The playing group was actually quite shithouse. Well done to the Force. You beat the assembled Waratah playing group resoundingly. I think the scoreline flattered us. It is great to see that Michael Foley has embraced the established climate of mediocrity at...

I still can't understand Carter on the bench, and getting only 7 mins last week. If I was going to rotate the squad and give Carter less than a full 80 mins, I would certainly start with him and then replace him later in the match. He is an ideal player for doing the hard running and tackling...

Still going on about expanding the comp? I'm pretty sure that the Oz and NZ RUs will only agree to any expansion if it good for them (and dare I say it, more beneficial to them than it is for the SARU). I am not really sure how further expansion would work, given the commitments of Currie Cup...

So it is ok to miss a sitter if the other team also miss a sitter?

Anything that makes Argentina stronger can only benefit the 4N. Henry will have plenty to say about all their opponents I think.

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/graham-henry-signs-on-with-pumas-20120308-1ul9y.html BUENOS AIRES: World Cup-winning coach Graham Henry will return to international rugby as adviser to Argentina in its first season of competition against powerhouses New Zealand, South Africa and...

If Halangahu really has to be retained, I would probably have shifted Carter out to 13 and either benched Horne or shifted him out to the wing. In any case, I'm pretty sure Carter will get half a game (and if he is really so poisonous to the team culture, why have him in the squad at all?). I...

I am very surprised to see Carter dropped to the bench. I would like to believe it is part of a subtle masterstroke, or maybe an ongoing squad rotation policy, but it just looks like a dumb move.

Did you watch the 2011 RWC?

I sometimes wonder how much of Tom Carter's playing his detractors actually watch. He has developed quite a lot over the years. He started off big and reliable, especially in terms of his defence, but as well as getting physically stronger, he seems to have developed his ball playing and, dare I...

@ Gagger - Schadenfreude?