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Maybe finding the fattest kid and putting him the front row isn't tha answer, but I think it is important that the ARU does make it clear that there is a position for all body shapes in rugby - I think it is yet another big selling points that is under sold.

Blacks and Boks seem a pretty good bet for the RWC final. Right now they are the best two teams. Eddie Jones really talks a good game and makes some intersting points. I think the South Africans had it right making him an assistant to Jake White, rather than the head coach. That point Arsene...

Nice to see the Parramatta catchment area given some much needed attention. One talented young fella is a start - now for all the other hidden gems...

You have got to be kidding - how many games did he play? The Brumbies used to be the most creative team in the competition but it looks to me like they have really run out of ideas. Shit, maybe he'll win in next year too, despite playing no games for them. On the other hand a glimpse at the...

Higginbotham is often mentioned as an alternative 6 or 8, but I don't agree. If he was fit for the June tests or (more realitically) the 'Baa Baa' games I would have put him in for sure. Due to his injury I can't really see him coming in except in the case of multiple injuries, and even then it...

There are other threads for discussing the specifics of Deans' tenure as coach but the salient point for this thread is that he inherited a team that was winning more often than it has under Deans. The team he inherited won its first 4(?) matches without extensive changes to the team or time...

The interesting development this s14 season (as opposed to the previous) is that ball retention and expansive play are the best way to secure victory, and also secure s14 bonus points. As of this season we are not talking about a choice between winning and attractive play - they go hand in hand...

When I was working on the piece on Robbie Deans' tenure as Wallaby coach so far, I looked at the records of the Wallaby coaches from the last 30 years. We all know Deans currently sits in bottom position in terms of win/loss, but the really remarkable thing is how far ahead of everyone Rod...

Front row and back row (particularly 7) depth are the areas slightly lacking for me, but in both cases there are very good young prospects who could develop fast (of course the huge improvements in 2010 make us all believe they can take the next step up in 2011). The locks and back line are...

I've got to agree that phrase is quite ambiguous. Is it just Deansspeak for "be observant"? I'm not sure. Maybe it is a very reactionary way to play - watch the other team and try to adjust accordingly. Does it preclude dictating terms to the opposition? Is it a way of getting out of backline...

I think John O'Neil is doing a pretty good job. The Sevens team is being supported and developed, as is the u20s team. O'Neil managed to negotiate an excellent 'compromise' s15 set up, with the accompanying TV/revenue benefits (except I'm not too keen on the 'top of each conference' finals...

Beale had many situations where he could have kicked but didn't. In fact, apart from that glaring error, I thought that he played well. He needs to be more judicious in his play - maybe taking the ball into contact more often if that is what is required, rather than trying the magic pass or kick...

On the injury/rotation policy issue. I think they are related. It is not good enough for the coach to keep playing the same players until they are exhausted or injured. Players are bigger and faster than ever, yet they are playing more games than ever, and it is very difficult to strengthen...

WJ - haven't seen you around for a while - you make some excellent points re the potential value of Wallaby legends and on the Wallaby defence. RedsHappy - the 2010 Reds and Waratahs may well have been able to beat Ireland well, but it would depend on which players were available, and which...

Another suggestion is that you need a number of World XV players to win it - best case, how many do we have? Maybe 1 (if fit) - Robinson. There might be a couple of others who would make the bench in a World 22, but that is it.

Don't worry, I'm not feeling guilty at all for insisting Robbie Deans should be scrutinised in his performance as Wallabies coach. I just like a challenge...and finding the positives seemed the trickiest option.

Has he been reading G&GR?

I'm going with the positives. There is a big positive - the Wallabies won. Maybe they could have won better, but I'll take the win. There are no bonus points for execution or tries scored in test match rugby. Pocock and AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) were both excellent. The scrum didn't get reamed (that shouldn't be...

3. Pocock - hate to be a copy cat, but the guy plays consistently well at the breakdown and in defence 2. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) - solid in all aspects, very strong under the high ball 1. Mumm - for his lineout work, and involvement generally

How can he possibly say Anesi is still an option? I'd be happy with Cross or Staniforth. Can Staniforth play 12 too? If he can I'd go with him, if not Cross.