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Do you guys think O'Conner and To'omua will make it through to the 2023 world cup? They're both 30, not exactly old, but definitely in the twilight stages of their careers. I'd be really sad if JOC (James O'Connor) didn't make it through to 2023, it would be such a great redemption arc to his career. I was...

Yes, I absolutely agree. And this is precisely the role Ardie Savea played when he debuted for the All Blacks in 2016. Samu and Savea are very similar players in that regard, as probably not big enough to start at test-level, but with being your more lighter, more-mobile, nimble and athletic...

Does no-one else feel that Pete Samu seems like another Ardie Savea situation? They are both the favourites for the 8 jersey for their national teams, The Wallabies and All Blacks respectively. This season they've been playing entirely at No8 for their Super Rugby teams (and have been hugely...

If I was Rennie I'd want to fight fire with fire. One thing to remember is that Irae Simone and Jack Goodhue were midfield partners back at the Mount Albert Grammar 1st XV. He's a born and bred Kiwi. Having watched Super Rugby AU I reckon Simone has been the most similar style-wise to the NZ...

How about let's not select 90kg To'omua over the 105kg Simone at 12. Besides it's fair to say To'omua has not performed greatly for the Wallabies over the last 2 years (2018, 2019) since his return from Leicester. Why should he be guaranteed a starting spot?

If pace is your criteria who starts for the Wallabies then? I would much rather have Tom Wright at 15 than past-it DHP. Either Wright or Maddocks. The lack of quality fullbacks in Australia right now is astounding. Even more reason to start O'Conner at 15.

No, it really isn't. playing O'Conner at 15 is more-or-less no different to playing Beauden Barrett at 15. In 2020 Highlanders did the dual-playmaking roles with Mitch Hunt at 15, Blues with Barrett at 15, Chiefs with Mackenzie at 15. What do these players have in common? They are all...

I think you need smart, tactically intelligent operators at both 10 and 15 to help spread and organize the backline against the All Blacks. tactically and organisationally To'omua and O'Conner are the two best in Australian rugby currently. Why not have them in a 10,15 dual-playmaker role...

There's no screaming obvious choice for fullback at the moment so there's the option where (to have more leadership on the paddock) you could have JOC (James O'Connor) & To'omua alternating at first-receiver in dual-playmaker roles. Like Mo'unga and Barrett do at 10 & 15 respectively. 10 To'omua, 11 Wright, 12...

But To'omua played at 10 for most of Super Rugby AU didn't he? Why select him ahead of Simone who's been consistently playing at 12 and has been arguably the best performer in that position?

A potential Wallabies back-line from Rennie's squad is already one of the smallest (weight-wise) of the top 10 tier-1 rugby nations, if not the smallest. The wingers are fine to be picked solely on current-form, athleticism & finishing effectiveness, but for me the midfield needs some bigger...

I'd like to see JOC (James O'Connor) 10, Simone 12, Petaia 13, with Lolesio on the bench. To'omua misses out entirely.

I'm starting to reminisce of the Link era Wallabies again. It was such a crying shame that he resigned when he did. He just needed more time. The direction he was taking the team was looking very promising, fast-paced, fluid attacking rugby and tactically smart - In contrast to the...

It was pretty farcical how they unceremoniously dumped McKay as backs coach yet retained forwards coach Andrew Blades after Link resigned. The Wallabies attack looked really good during that period. Unfortunately, were quite unlucky to lose a few close games under Link but you scored a lot of...

Is Thorn rated much in Aus? I noticed Jim McKay returned as an assistant coach at the Reds last year. Could you pin the Red's recent resurgence down to his presence?

If Rodda was brought back to start would anyone be tempted to select LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) 6, Hooper 7, Wilson 8? It could improve the balance of the back-row, you have two guys either side of mini-Hooper who are above 110kg.

the roar, rugby.com.au and red's official website have Paisami at 91kg

What players will Rennie be bringing into the squad from overseas?

If you looked at the average weights of centres/backs in general of NZ teams compared to Australia, I would guess it would be significantly higher. I would speculate because many of NZ's top athletes go through the rugby pathways at school, whereas in Australia a lot of your bigger bodies and...

Laumape is only 1.77 m