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I read this morning the articles regarding SARU resting players this season. I'd like to hear people's thought on whether we should be resting players either during the season or during the Rugby Championship. I think you need to look at each player separately and work out what's best for them...

You wont find many heavier, more aggressive ball carrying locks than Will Skelton. But yes I agree, behind him Arnold looks like the best option. I haven't been watching his game that closely but can anyone tell me:- 1. Whether the bloke has any agro? Has he been making big hits in defence? 2...

Doesn't look like we are going to get a great indication of how they fair against each other this weekend. A returning Pocock off the bench in the last 20-30 minutes with no rugby under his belt against a battle hardened/weary Hooper. Good to see Pocock back though. lets hope its smooth...

Cant say I'm very familiar with the Lions line-up. Not sure I could name any of their forwards, but their pack has certainly impressed given they don't boast any big name players or boks (as far as I can recall). I think Boshoff suits their style of rugby very well. They'll centre their game...

Hard game to pick. The Brumbies are playing better rugby at the moment, but the Tahs aren't far off. I could see the Tahs winning with home ground advantage but certainly wont be risking any of my hard earned money on this game.

Yeh given that the Tahs are starting Skelton this season, they might benefit from injecting Pots into the game at the 50-55 minute mark.

Yeh, unless JOC (James O'Connor) doesn't play a good game all season, I wouldn't leave him out of the squad. He's been consistently good at test level, is extremely versatile and is arguably as good, or better than our other wing options. Plus he offers a point of difference to other wing options. Neither...

I tend to agree re Carter/Rory - perhaps we can put up some stats after 10 rounds have finished. I think what people like about Arnold more than anything is his size and physical presence, rather than his work rate or effectiveness. Re Simo - I dont think you could say that Carter is the front...

I agree that based on the first 5 rounds, the combo of Simo and Skelton would probably be my starting pairing in the Rugby Championship. We already know what simmons offers, but Skelton appears to be making good strides for the tahs. He's playing longer minutes and apparently contributing to a...

You'd be a ballsy man to bet against Horwill being in the World Cup squad. Not that I think he's playing that well, there are a few other young guys who are in better form, but form really is only part of the puzzle. We're just so horribly short on experience in that department and we have no...

It wouldn't shock me if Cheika tried out a new lock during the Rugby Championship. I still think its unlikely any of them would take Horwill's spot on the plane to England, but you never know. Still too early to say. If Cheika does look at someone you would think it would be Arnold or Timani...

I've found it a bit hard to get a read on Weeks' form over the last few rounds. In his last two games, he's given away some penalties and dish out a few of his own (against Sio and Cowan). I'm still not sure where he's at. The Force's scrum has been terrible u until this week and I probably...

Last night on HQ they very briefly discussed Backrow balance. Despite my love for Pocock's inclusion in the 15, at this stage I'd be leaning towards this as my starting Backrow:- 6.Fardy 7.Hooper 8.Palu / McCalman Theoretically, Fardy/Hooper/Palu looks like the most well balanced. Fardy's...

haha. that backline is horrible. Drew Mitchell and Jesse Mogg in the 13?! wtf The only thing I like about his 13 is that it includes Giteau, rather than a 3rd halfback, which would be pretty handy (although a bit unfair to Nick White, who deserves to be in the squad)

Genia's pretty decent too IMO

Hooper is obviously an outstanding 7. In terms of the question of "how do you fit both guys into the 23", the fact that Hooper has those abilities (akin to an outside back) that most 7s don't is a real benefit. Hooper's unique skill set is a major positive from my POV. His versatility allows...

Richard Graham must be crying himself to sleep. The man's fighting for his job and this is the best team available? Geezs not that I have a lot of sympathy for Graham at this point, but you'd at least like to see what he can do with a full compliment before he gets the flick.

This thread seems like nothing more than a way to pass the time til the world cup really. I guess it's more enjoyable to spend 6 months agitating over which of our world class 7s should start, rather than worrying about a inevitable injury crisis and poor scrum that will lead to our demise...

What are people's thought on Quade Cooper covering Fullback. He plays there a lot anyway, can counter attack and can probably play a territorial kicking game better than any of our other backs

back in 2011 and prior there certainly was a certain "fear Factor" (if you want to call it that) or probably more just a "recognition"n of certain no.7s. You had to come up with a specific plan to deal with the likes of McCaw, Pocock and Brussouw at the breakdown. That seems to have changed...