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Sign me the fuck up @MelbourneRebels We're clearly on the same wavelength

I would be astonished if the 22 wasn't one of Foley, Lolesio, Hodge or O'Connor. Hodge and O'Connor are the absolute minimum you demand from a test match reserve 10.

Korczyk just left Ealing no? I thought he was in their list of departures.

I think if Nic White somehow managed to break a leg, or tear his ACL in the next 4 or 5 days TKB would be a reasonable option to bring in. Without? Nah. White, McDermott and Lonergan provide the right mix.

Alternatively, picking the Ireland lineup from the last Test inside the window: Andrew Kellaway, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Len Ikitau, Hunter Paisami, Tom Wright, Bernard Foley, Nic White, Rob Valetini, Michael Hooper, Jed Holloway, Cadeyrn Neville, Nick Frost, Allan Ala'alatoa, Dave Porecki, James...

Depends on who the 50 are. If everyone's fit, you've selected the right type of players required to put out a pair of 23s and your 4 extras provide a strong level of cover for any warm injury occurrences then yeah. Making the presumption that the folks that are already there are hanging around...

The size of the squad will interest me. Presuming the July 14th game goes ahead, you need 46 match day players+ any injury cover + Test matchday cover across the two squads, what's that, 55 players? What will the split look like? 38-17ish? 42-13, 46-9? Fun speculation and outrage to be had.

Didn't Meakes play for the Aus Sevens side at some point? That would make him ineligible for the US regardless no?

Does Shaun Stevenson wanna turn out in Navy instead ;) Genuinely don't understand how he's not nailed on for a back 3 jersey or the 23 one at least.

I think important is reasonable succinct shorthand to compare and describe those 6, composed of 3 players who were consistently part of our strongest/most preferred 23, 2 who would have been without the impact of long term injuries, and a senior body in a position we have noted issues with...

I think it restricts your 20 jersey a lot more than it does your 6/8.

The Killer Bees man. Would still take them over the entire backrow group we have now. The fact they had to play in that pre-Cotter pre-Hogg pre-Russell era is just sad when they had such great individual and collective talent.

I've been puzzling over it in my head, and I think I've picked it. Watching Wright play reminds me (although with more physical ability) of watching Jason Woodward play.

Is this a real game or not? The attached link is dead lmao EDIT: OK game appears real but not finalised: https://www.smh.com.au/sport/rugby-union/massive-x-factor-wallabies-legend-says-stacked-tonga-can-be-world-cup-giant-killers-20230614-p5dggn.html It may cover some of that "everybody is...

I wonder if Jacky D makes that first kick the game goes differently.

I like Wright, and I'm still of the opinion that 14. Kellaway and 15. Wright is the preferred way to go. If strictly considering both for fullback, the question to me is: who brings more balance to a backline of Cooper, Koirobete, Kerevi, Ikitau, and what is likely one of Petaia & Nawaqanitawase.

Realistically, we're losing 6 important* players. Phillip, Hosea, Dickie, M Ioane, Hodge and Nu'u. the rest represent a set of Fourth string front rowers, an Injury replacement lock, a 3rd string scrumhalf, a backup backrower, and an undersized mid-20s winger. LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) and Darby Lancaster are good...

The article is definitely not laid out in an understandable way in terms of "who's doing what". Reading between the lines, Dickie likely has something lined up like Hosea and Phillip, Orr has something lined up domestically and T Ioane is going overseas, just like M Ioane & Nu'u, while the rest...

Fourie probably the biggest surprise there (at least to me) after that late debut this season. Hough the most interesting one not named. Ili not named also intriguing in a scary "lack of ambition" kind of way.

Phillip, Hosea, Hardwick, Orr, Tamati Ioane, Fourie, Vudogo, Sorovi and Christian confirmed gone, in addition to Hodge, Monty Ioane, Nu'u and Cardall. https://melbournerebels.rugby/news/melbourne-rebels-farewell-departing-players-for-2023-2023616