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Scrum technique is still a question mark for Skelton. He looks to have improved significantly this season, but Super Rugby can be deceiving. We'll know more in that regard once the test season starts.

well it's all hypothetical anyway. I just tend to think you'd be better off having Giteau in the squad than taking a third halfback (who will most likely do sweet fuck all for the whole tournament). You might be right re Giteau no longer being able to slot in at 9.

Not sure. I've read a lot of comments from Giteau admitting that he had his head up his arse when he was in Aus, and how going to Europe has made him more mature. I wouldn't describe his position in the squad as a "utility dirt tracker". I'd probably have him on the bench covering 9/10/12...

I'm torn regarding the game plan. Watching the first half I was so frustrated with the Reds kicking away good ball. And like you say it was executed very poorly. As the game development it appeared to be a sound strategy in that:- 1. our scrum and line-out were both dominant; and 2. our...

If Giteau was eligible I'd have him in the squad in place of a third halfback, mostly for his versatility/experience, but he wouldn't make my starting side. Drew Mitchell would be no where near the my squad. If you're an outside back you need to prove you can match it in Super Rugby with the...

The Reds wouldn't have won on the weekend if it wasn't for JOC (James O'Connor). He's struggled a bit this season with some lingering injuries and has been a member of a static backline. Certainly showed his class against the Cheetahs. I'd have him down as a certainty.

My pack after this round 1.Slipper 2.Moore 3.Kepu 4.Simo 5.Skelton 6.Fardy 7.(Hooper or Pocock) 8.Palu 16.TPN 17.Sio 18.Holmes 19.Carter (Horwill if his form is decent) 20.McCalman / Timani 21.(Hooper or Pocock) I'm really hoping Horwill can string a few good games together before the WC...

i think the least risky approach is a 6:2 bench. By and large, reserve backs are a luxury more than a necessity. Our campaign will live and die on the performance of our pack, so we want as many fresh legs in the pack as possible. bench backs are useful for added impact, but 9 out of 10 times...

Pretty good performance all round. Nice to get the win. Can i just say I actually really like Frisby as a rugby player. He did some good stuff last night (mostly kicking-wise). BUT, he's just not a great 10. I think he's a good 9 and I'm looking forward to seeing him starting at 9 next year...

Simo has looked good in his two games back. Comparing some weekend stats for the locks Jones and Simmons are fairly similar in terms of what they are used for on the field. Neither are major ball-runners for their team, both make a lot of tackles. Jones work-rate on the weekend was...

Hooper gets my vote this week. Pocock was good but didn't match Hoopers impact.

Some timely performances from some of the Reds players. Simo showed his class, Genia looked good and JOC (James O'Connor) really stood out. Even Horwill should be back in the selection discussion. He was great in all facets of the game I thought. However the one guy I'm hoping Cheika noticed in this game was...

It'll be very interesting to see how Cheika approaches the Rugby Championship. Obviously with so little time before the WC kicks off, you want to settle on your best team pretty quickly and get as much consistency as possible. At the same time, Cheika needs to somehow address the following...

I'd be pretty happy with that pack (although personally I'd go with something slightly different).

This. I have been enjoying watching the 'classic' match they play every Thursday night. I really wish we could go back to this type of scrumming, a great contest with much much less collapsing and much less technical penalties at the scrum. I love a good scrum contest, but the way that aspect...

what's that have to do with the rumor? o_O

some interesting analysis of Fardy v McMahon tonight pn Rugby HQ. Looking at backrow balance, you could really change things up depending on your no.7 6. Fardy 7. Hooper 8. Palu 6. McMahon 7. Pocock 8. Palu Still, I'm not sure I'm sold on havign a light weight no.6 for reasons I've...

ha. touché

wow. i didn't know that. shocking. I had thought that it was our shit scrum that lost us that game, but clearly not. Surely Foley has a lot to answer for. losing a game with that much possession and territory

Therein lies the rub. Against the likes of England, we are going to be getting less than 50% possession. The scrum will be a major source of extra possession for the poms.