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I'd be putting Volavola back to the bench and keeping Folau in the starting XV, if it's a choice between them. Volavola's a young, inexperienced bloke who, I reckon, will struggle with the demands of a full Super Rugby season if he's in the starting line-up all season. Folau's been hardened by...

Sorry, they were more than 9 points down at the time, but still, it felt desperate way too early. Much as crowds love teams eschewing the chance to go for the posts, it's remarkable how often it seems to break the rhythm of a team - perhaps the extra pressure of feeling that you must earn back...

My year 5 teacher would have throttled this author for their use of the word "got". Never acceptable.

Agreed, velour-covered pony mascot. It felt like the Tahs were desperately chasing the game even before the last quarter, when they were only 9 points down. No doubt, though, it felt to them like they were being suffocated by the opposition, which doesn't lend itself to sensible decision-making.

You'd have to assume they considered the yellow card to be punishment enough. Regardless, that should be made public.

I think there'd be plenty of school grounds in excellent condition, especially at this time of year before they get too chopped up by the winter sports and weather. Just need someone to push it, obviously.

Well, if the Crusaders trial is any guide, Volavola can return those kicks with interest - he's got some range on that boot.

Sydney fans love following the buzz - and it is undoubtedly the Wanderers who have that buzz at the moment, a new team going into the season with low expectations, success against the odds, etc. Let's see if they can keep it going for several seasons - Sydney FC had that kind of buzz when they...

That'd be the "full credit to Will Genia" award.

Great to be back at the rugby. I'll be buying me a ticket on that Folau bandwagon - he was very good. As mentioned, even when he doesn't make a spectacular break, he gains valuable yards and attracts defenders. Not too much pressure on his defence at 15 - I think he was almost stood up once in...

Absolutely - the premature autumn is contributing too

Positive: This thread is withering due to the massive infusion of positivity to the Waratahs 2013 thread.

I reckon if you deleted all the Folau discussion from the media reports, you'd be back to the level of coverage expected for a first trial like this - ie, next to nil. So don't whinge about Izzy - he's earning his marketing dollars handsomely. Hope it continues. It's only ten days until the...

Just wait until a player diverges from the game plan after the season starts - Monday training retribution may be in order. . .

Lee, I'm loving your reports from training. How would you compare this pre-season to that of 2012 in terms of the overall vibe of the thing?

And yet, just when you think Barnes is a one-trick pony, he does show glimpses of speed into a gap and a great ability to pass flat with square shoulders, just enough to make you think that maybe there's more there. I'm still keen to see him at either 12 or 15 in a well-organised backline...

Bardon, great post again, excellent review. My impression of European rugby, though, was that rotation was an essential element of team management due to the workload of multiple competitions. Is such rotation thus primarily in the forwards, or did Cheika just do less of it? One of the big...

Bob's demonstrated the principle that your likelihood of surviving a cardiac arrest is linked to how close you are to an electrical defibrillator at the time. If you're involved with any place that hosts a reasonable number of old codgers (like, say, a rugby club), having an automated...

Seen the photo that RugbyHeaven.com.au currently has paired with this headline on their front page?: Deans wanted to be 'the martyr': Hansen Champagne work by the photo editor there.

Well, the club that my son plays for - in the Parramatta district - has seen a healthy and steady increase in numbers at the minis level for the past few years. Take that as you like - either indicative of the patchwork nature of the anecdotal evidence, or indicative of how drastic the drop-off...