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I say pick him. There's enough politics in rugby without overlooking good players on this basis. The EOYT tour may be a different matter, but for this, the peak of the rugby year, pick the best players available. Keep it simple.

Yes, Steve Walsh can be pedantic. He should go with the flow more - for instance, he disallowed a try for the Brumbies in this match 2 years ago when AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) did more than just reach out with the ball after being tackled. This time, I'd like to see him let that go and award the try.

True - which is why it would be best used when there's a penalty advantage on offer.

Edit: Go to ground, team may score try in a later phase. Chip kick: Team does not score try.

So what are you saying Cyclo? That's he's an alcohol abuser rather than alcohol dependent? Does it really matter? Can we agree on calling a Problem With Alcohol?

Think I saw some Instagram photos from Izzy. In the Daily Telegraph. That's the cool way to check Instagram now. Anyway, they were from the South African safari, confirming that the Tahs had shown him all the good stuff on the trip there.

At this point I think he is purely a bench option until an injury or drop-off in form occurs. Much as I'd love to see better goal-kicking from minute 1. As McKibbin's general play has improved in the last few games, his goal-kicking seems to have dropped off.

Yes, we don't know how Barnes has been going in training, and you're right that they have played it light since their return from SA. But I don't think the rule has to be: no exceptions, everyone plays a match for club before returning to the Tahs after injury. Especially if they are as...

I don't argue with the concept, but realistically, how is Barnes going to earn his jersey back playing for Uni? We might not like his playing style, but he's an extremely dependable player, and has shown it over and over. We know he will play well for his club, we know he will play well off the...

To my surprise, the inside back page of the Daily Terror in Sydney was a full page story on Izzy and his impact, specifically that Jonah Lomu thinks he's actually quite good and should be selected for the Wallabies. I was quite pleased until I read: "He will learn more and fast-track himself...

Despite the positivity on the field, this year will likely be worse for Tahs Inc. The 15K crowds may be passionate, but last year's average attendance was certainly higher. Perhaps the Lions game will come to the rescue here as well.

So the ARU will work with the Sydney RU to "re-energise" and "drive initiatives" with the Shute Shield. The ARU also has responsibility for community rugby in NSW. Remind me again what the NSWRU actually does, other than no doubt consume some of that overhead expenditure?

I agree Barnes won't go back into the starting XV, but I'm sure Cheika would like to have him as a bench option - I would have been much happier to see Berrick running out at the 65 minute mark last Saturday, instead of Volavola. VV is definitely one for the future, but not for closing out...

As was being discussed on the "Thoughts on Folau" thread, where will Barnes slot in if the side goes well against the Kings? Hard to say that any of 10, 12 or 15 need replacement at present. He can kick goals, which we desperately need. I would guess Horne would be the most likely to move to the...

Law changes always have unintended consequences, which often reverse the intent of the law change. The dire kickfest referred to above, between the Wallabies and the Boks, was, if I'm not mistaken, a result of the ELVs which sought to make the game faster, and to increase the contest at the...

Cheika's in the press saying that he's picked Kingston because he's a hard worker off the ball, which will be particularly useful against the Bulls kicking game. "Hard worker" appears to be the highest form of Cheika praise - perhaps also a caution to Betham that he needs to pick that part of...

Let's get back to approaching the actual topic with new zeal and prepare for 2014.

This last page has been great to Peru-se

Of course they want the replacements over there ASAP if required, but it would be no fun sitting in an airliner seat (economy class I presume) for several hours less than a day after a full game of grade rugby. They'd be doing a few laps of the cabin to unwind those muscles.

It emphasises the point Cheika made - that Hooper has been carrying others, and will do better when the others step up so he can focus on his own job.