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There's also the inconvenient fact that Slipper and Hooper are in still in the team & are still part of the leadership group too - as they were also part of the leadership under McKenzie (co-captain & captain respectively) back in 2014, but still a fascinating idea to entertain nevertheless!

Paisami is a 13, he doesn't work at 12. Both Thorn & Rennie had to learn that the hard way unfortunately...

C'mon mate let a guy dream will you? Remember when Hamish McLennan touted Jones' return as the greatest comeback story in rugby history? Well, what if I told you there's more from that development to come? Imagine the scenes: What more plucky against-the-odds comeback story than a guy cast...

Understandably he doesn't want to be involved with rugby but he did make the effort to attend a Randwick membership event last year. Interestingly, this must be the first media appearance since his despondent figure was last captured walking down that Suncorp tunnel.... I'm sure with Eddie...

He defected to the Reds, bloke went north and coached the goddamn enemy, hence no invite for Ewen. And thereafter was considered a defector to the cause - the NSW old-boys never forgive and they never forget!

I've since found Phil Waugh at 1.33 - the earliest instigator of player-power within a McKenzie led side, it's a reunion for sure!

Isaac Henry should be a shoe-in at 12, he's the only guy in the squad with the necessary size & attributes to excel there. Look at the effect Jordie Barrett's extra height & frame had on the All Black's midfield. Henry is a bit of what's sorely needed at 12 amongst a relatively undersized Reds...

https://reds.rugby/news/reds-and-wild-knights-to-battle-for-inaugural-saitamaqueensland-shield-20221031 Like their respective Governments, Queensland and Saitama also share a similar bond with a strong culture of community, connection and legacy instilled by head coaches Brad Thorn and Robbie...

Brad & Robbie have a penchant for scrum-cap wearing playmaking midfielders.

There's one 38 capped former Waratah (also the longest serving NSW coach in Super Rugby) who doesn't appear to be in attendance. On the other hand I can see Michael Hooper and Ashley-Cooper sitting at one of the tables - clearly Ewen didn't get the memo Lol...

Yeah, but Thorn is the currently the only Kiwi who's coaching an Aussie Super team. That obviously brings with it a different territory no doubt.. Speaking of which, there are some intriguing similarities between Brad and his coaching mentor Robbie, unrelated to Wild Knights partnership. First...

Article was a while ago, basically he's gone if Thorn stays on, and he's certainly not the only one that wants to leave. I expect a significant exodus of talent in 2024 if Thorn is reappointed. What unfolds is gonna be spicy. Brad will probably attempt to paint himself as a martyr in the media...

And if that happens - I will duly accredit the improvement to Mick Heenan and Phil Blake.

Surely Thorn will be gone either way after 2023 given that key players like Tupou are rumoured to jump if he stays on.

Don't all Australian Rugby supporters live decades in the past? I gathered that was simply the default position at this point. Something something nostalgia filled 90's romanticist boomers pining for the glory years again without addressing the fundamental problems associated with the...

He was once Robbie decided his golden boy O'Connor was the future, he says so in his book. Deans did a complete 180 after 2011 SF and decided that O'Connor was the anointed one, Cooper was phased out as Deans had a stubborn personality clash that just wouldn't budge, see how experienced players...

I think there was an indication after the 2011 Semi-Final capitulation that Deans had run his course with Cooper and his intention was to develop O'Connor as his first-choice at 10. The first signal came when he picked O'Connor at 10 for the one-off test against Wales & Barbarians that November...

He probably thinks Cheika was a complete dunce for not picking him between 2016-2019.

The Lions Series is not the place to experiment. The bigger the occasion the more experience is required in key positions like 10. And existing team cohesion is important, which is developed from fielding established combinations. Quade's combination with Genia was vital, they had an almost...

People forget that the McKenzie's Wallabies played a much tougher South Africa in 2013 & 2014 than the year before. Apart from one match against Italy McKenzie didn't play any minnow teams to boost his winning percentage. He played a NZ team in 2013 that achieved a historic undefeated season...