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I love that we're signing a clearly talented backrower for a few years, but why is it that we apparently couldn't offer Speight two years but we can offer it to a guy who hasn't played ten games for us?

I agree, and yet I stand by it. I know it's not like people can just go and watch every game White has played in for the last three seasons, but I seriously believe he's ahead of them. He wasn't when he left, I'll grant that, but he was still bloody good then.

Look, you can shit talk a good player if you want. You can be the guy who cheered the loss of Gill, Barnes, Fardy, etc. They don't just go away and magically become better by drinking special NH juice. They were always capable of the magic they produce, and a lot of player development is the...

It's been discussed many times, the Nic White that people choose to remember is not the player he was, and he is an even more well rounded player now. Even his weakest attribute, his running game, is now good-at-worst.

JP is the third choice LHP option in my opinion, but, if we're only bringing five props, then it will be Sio, Slipper, Ala'alatoa, Tupou, and Kepu.

Injury risk is pretty constant from the late teens to the late 20s, but after that it skyrockets. However, injury severity is much higher between 17 and 23, and more likely to criple potential or end a career.

Just persistent whispers since November last year, but nothing concrete (much like Skelton).

ARU have put their hands on the scales for the Rebels in a lot of signings over the last three years, don't be shocked if they do it again and White ends up in Melbourne with Skelton and Gill close behind.

I don't understand the Speight departure to the Reds. The closest I can come is that the most recent contract extensions have been until the end of 2020, and maybe the Brumbies are not yet certain on their financial situation beyond that? If that's true, then a two year deal is just strictly...

That's a slipperly slope to post-Beijing-2008 style uniform material restrictions, haha.

He'd be in the top four locks on form. Whether he makes the 23 is another question.

I just don't get the glossy circles making a pattern on the jersey. Otherwise, I quite like it: it's green, it's gold, it has the right crests, cool.

One of our real strengths as an institution over the last eight years has been player retention and squad stability. The occasional player simply can't be convinced to stay, but, otherwise, we have so much stability that it's no wonder we have been constantly knocking on the door of the finals.

Yeah, Hyne is a big if. He was Mowen-esque when playing consistently, and generally considered to be on track to play most Brumbies games this year (though not likely as a starter), but the best ability is availability and he doesn't have that. You get away with it when you're Pocock because...

I don't think Brown and Hyne are similar players at all, and, if Hyne is retained, it will be as a depth option to cover McCaffrey and Valetini.

We've been spoilt by greatness in our 7s. I don't know why it happens, but we've never been without a legitimately good one in the professional era.

I never knew why Speight chose to come here from Waikato in the first place, and lord knows how much he gives to the community here and to the game as a whole. He clearly loves Canberra, I'd be shocked if he left for somewhere in Australia.

Plan as if Pocock isn't going to be available. If he is, it's a very pleasant surprise.

It does include years of service, doesn't it? 60+ caps, 7+ years in Australian Rugby. I never blame the guys when they go for the money and experience that is on offer overseas. As you say, short career, and one that could be over tomorrow if they tweak their knee badly in their sleep...

I want it scrapped. I don't care that it gives a pathway for my favourite Aussie players to be in the Wallabies again: they left. The guys that are here are good enough.