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Some random Wallaby thoughts after last night's game: Uelese and Petaia are made of glass. Great talents, but we may never see how great due to their nasty case of Ben Tune syndrome While a fan of AAA, Thor must be our starting loose head LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) must be one of our locks, the other spot is still...

The spot we need to fill is lock. It's already our weakest position, but with Simmons, Hanigan and Tafa all going, we're left with Staniforth, who is bench quality at best, and McCauley, who on the evidence so far is not a Super rugby level player.

A pity to lose him, but makes good sense for Robbo. He's had 20 odd tests, but unlikely to get another as our prop stakes are now so much better, and he's pretty small at test level. He's been a great servant for the Tahs, but surely must know he's now only holding down a starting spot until...

Another issue here is inconsistency. Let's say Maddocks has three blinders and two shockers, and makes TOTW three times, but would probably rate last among 15's for the other two weeks. Hodge has a big game one week and makes TOTW once. Then, say Banks makes TOTW once, and is second best among...

Mark N (Nawaqanitawase) will be fine, he just has to get stronger. The difference between a 19 year ols (Mark) and a 22 year old (Ramm) is significant, you are getting a lot stronger at that period of life

It seems to me Bobby is raising here three completely separate issues in what seems to be an almost obsessive anti Tahs, anti Hooper line of thought. The first is the long and lucrative contract that Hooper (and as others here have pointed out) some others were signed to. This is a point worth...

While Moeroa is a gamble, I think it a necessary one. With Hunt out, we desperately need someone in the centres who can get over the gain line, and IMO for the last two weeks Foketi has offered absolutely nothing. That is a very good Rebels side, if we get five points and make the final...

Just as an aside, I see McCaffery and Swinton as very similar players, that will be an interesting match-up.

Brums obviously think they can afford to rest a few key players for this, and on form over the year you would have to agree. It's still a tough ask for the Tahs, Walton and HJH (Harry Johnson-Holmes) in for Faulkner and Foketi drops the average age considerably, although I'm happy with both those. TK won't be missed...

Re Tahtrajic's comment on the lineout, I note on Friday night Hanigan came on, within a minute was in his first Force lineout, got in front of their jumper and pinched the ball. The guy has had a bashing on this site over the years, but there are few better in the lineout.

I thought Harrison clearly outplayed Lance on the weekend, and I don't think Harrison's ready yet. For mine Lance is a journeyman, reliable at Super level, but certainly not test quality. With Lolesio injured, I think it's JOC (James O'Connor) as stop-gap 10. Deegan has only had two Super rugby starts, in one of...

Harrison is like Foley in that he is a similar size and plays 10 for the Tahs. At this point Foley's running game is better than Harrison's, but Harrison is a way better kicker, both out of hand and off the tee, and defends in the front line and is a far stronger defender.

Rebels3, I went to school with Strachans who pronounced their name Strawn.

I'm happy to follow whatever rules are in place (and I believe the first rules stated you could select a player in a different position to the one he played if it made sense, see KOB's post #2), however if we are actually picking our best side from the weekend's games, surely it would make sense...

1. Orr 2. Uelese 3. HJH (Harry Johnson-Holmes) 4. Philip 5. Hanigan 6. Dempsey 7. Hooper 8. Isi 9. Gordon 10. Deegan 11. Korobeite 12. To'omua 13. Paisami 14. Ramm 15. Maddocks 16. Horton 17. Robertson 18. Tupou 19. Hosea 20. Valetini 21. Powell 22. JOC (James O'Connor) 23. Hodge

That wraps up a weekend of rugby I didn't expect. As a long suffering Tahs fan, that was very gratifying, couldn't have been a greater contrast to the Rebels game. Apart from their starting scrum, the Reds just couldn't get anything happening. Lineouts, handling, tackling, nothing seemed to be...

Sorry to see Ned go but it makes sense. Was probably selected prematurely for the Wallabies, but been a great Super player, huge work rate and there are few better line-out operators in the country. I really like the look of Donaldson, but I would be sticking with Harrison at 10. He's got a very...

Well, I didn't see that coming. The Rebels just played wet weather footy at it's absolute best, ie kick out of your own half, and then just pour on the defensive pressure. Very few Brumbies played up to their reputations tonight, the test front row got monstered (Brumbies got the better of the...

Okay, I need to understand what we're trying to do here. Are we picking our team based on what our Wallaby side would look like based the form displayed, or is it just the TOW? Because, if I have to justify why they 'played better than those who actually played' which of course is a stupid thing...

I'm selecting from all five teams Slipper FF (Folau Fainga'a) AAA LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) Philip Wright Hooper Isi McDermott JOC (James O'Connor) Daugunu To'omua TK Korobeite DHP BPA Sio Thor Simmons Wilson White Simone Petaia