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No Horne, Link? There's a pill for that.

I'd love to see a study of junior players' perceptions of the size of the opposition compared to the actual figures. I remember exactly the same feeling - they can't all have been bigger!

I think rugby has benefited from the previous experience of rugby league in using the technology, making for a smoother transition as the use has increased. The fundamental flaw in the cricket system is giving the players a say in choosing reviews. It's so against the culture of cricket to see...

Yes, I don't disagree that it has affected QC (Quade Cooper) - just that he will need to harden up and play through it. I think he briefly enjoyed the notoriety of being Public Enemy #1 in NZ prior to the RWC, before being rattled by the depth of ill-feeling towards him at the games and showing vulnerability...

I think link will want to be consistent with his words of the past 12 months and select Cooper for the first Bledisloe. My feeling is that Quade will be locked in as 10 for the first two games unless he's a complete disaster, which I don't think he will be. After that, it'll be up to his...

According to a News Ltd article, he was there as an "ambassador" for ANZ stadium, also with the boss of the Bulldogs. Same article said he was as good as lost to rugby. EDIT: By which I meant the article said he would likely re-sign with the Tahs.

P'rhaps the Rebels are looking at a swap deal? http://www.news.com.au/sport/rugby-gold/payto-panda-james-oconnor-could-switch-to-rugby-league/story-fndpt9s1-1226681596579

Their fitness was a great improvement over 2012. Whilst their execution let them down late in a few games, they generally still had plenty of running in them at that stage. I saw a lot more bodies in motion giving the playmaker options this year compared to last.

Probably just means that Cheika is having a few days off after the end of the Tahs' season: "You signed f***ing who whilst I was gone!?!"

Yesss, but the ARU can't really compete with NFL contracts, especially for untried 18 year-olds.

I don't disagree that we need a kicking coach, especially, as you point out, to work throughout the game to improve the general standard of kicking in this country. But in the short term, pick Cooper or To'omua, Lilo and Mogg and the problem will go away. We have guys who can kick.

The evidence of the last few years suggests Link thinks very carefully about what comes out of his mouth, well noted. He was discussing last season about how he has gone away from the concept of "leadership groups" and the like, and back to having one captain as the clear leader of the troops...

IIRC, Foxtel have all rights for Super and international rugby in Australia - it is they who then on-sell the rights to FTA. Wallaby games have to be on FTA due to the anti-siphoning legislation, but Super games do not, and Foxtel want to keep those games exclusive to them to drive...

So the ARU has apparently managed to interview Link and Jake as part of a process to replace Robbie, since Feb this year, and it would appear that it didn't leak to the media. Are we forced to think this was an impressive effort by the ARU?

Was Todd Louden an assistant coach for Link at the Tahs, or have I got my timing mixed up?

I can't imagine that this is anything more than a journalist's fevered imagination or a junior official's idle speculation. Link would be too wise to accept a plan like this - he's in a great position to take the job now, how much more preparation does he need? How is two years at the Rebels...

^ TWAS, I'd prefer Link too, but if you're talking about Jake's record, there is a RWC win to take into account. . .

Why not? He's a warrior at the breakdown, let him go at it for as long as he can, then bring on the fresh legs of Gill/Hooper.

Yes, I guess they need to commit one way or the other. If they go for solid scrums and less mobility, though, they will need to defend even better than last week because, as we saw, one try can make all the difference.

I think the Lions realise that they don't have the impregnable set-piece required to just play field position and score penalties. Neither do the Wallabies. My gut feeling is that both teams will go out there looking to blow the game open. Not that either defensive line will be easily broken...