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He could also be a good option at 12 or 15. I think for now he stays our 1st option at 10 or he moves to one of those positions and Noah starts at 10. He often plays at the back in defence. We have him, Petaia, Vunivalu and White who hopefully all will be available for the Bled.

3. Hooper 2. BPA 1. Tate

He offers a lot more than Banks. We may end up seeing JOC (James O'Connor) or Petaia at 15 eventually but for now Hodge starts ahead of Banks. If not at 15 hes on the pine. He seems play better at test level when surrounded by quality. He just does not have a bad test. Hes not a winger but his experience and...

Hodge is quality. He takes a bashing from many fans here and elsewhere but he has class. He will be in our top 23, most likely at 15. He has experience and skills, reads the game very well and always takes the right option. Still has a good turn of speed as well.

He’s got test second rower written all over him.

I doubt it. He will go hard but be keeping the hits below the chest. He has to if he wants to have any kind of test career. Valetini will be amped when he gets on as well.

If we can get a bit more space at the breakdown it augers well for Paisami and Ikitau. If they have a bit more space they could reek havoc

Which side is Petaia playing with today?

They should get better with each outing. Missing experience in the backs. Might be a good thing?

Last Tuesday or this coming Saturday? With a 4 day turnaround changes had to be made. Daugunu and Swinton are the only changes in the starting side that have not played with the side recently. Surely they, Uelese and Hodge will blend in well enough. Its really minimal change under the circumstances.

I think thats right except BPA will scrum well with either AAA or TT, same with Uelese. The problem was that despite playing together at the Brumbies the AAA/Lornegan combo was not strong enough. As Fitzy suggested, there was some issues with Bell and Swain and the other two could not compensate...

BPA is going to have played a lot of minutes having started every test. Switching AAA and TT makes sense as it does seem to even out their time a bit. I reckon it should be a horses for courses arrangement. They are both world class tightheads which is a luxury we do not have anywhere else...

Hope he goes well

It’s a very young and quite inexperienced backline. They will need to hold it together when put under pressure but it looks an exciting mix.

Super Hooper going the distance!

I like it. Should be another great game.

Thats a shame. Has Lolesio played every minute of the first two tests? That 9/10/12 axis has not been very productive. I really do not know what the answer is? Where does Hodge fit in? Why do we have such an extensive injury toll after what is another shortened Super Rugby season?

I watched the replay today and Valetini was one of our best. He got through a ton of work at the ruck and in defence. He put on some mammoth hits and many times 3 or 4 big tackles in a row. I look forward to seeing him in space with the pill but he is looking the part.

Yes, preferably Daugunu. He brings a similar energy to Koriebete albeit he is not as accurate. However he is great at challenging at the breakdown and wins a lot of turnovers out wide. He has genuine strike power. I would bring Hodge into 12 or 15 depending on JOCs availability.

We lack attacking spark and intent in the backline. We have a lot of talent on the sideline that can provide it. There is too much pressure on Paisami to provide the break and the French have shut him down two weeks in a row. He needs someone to run off. White, JOC (James O'Connor), Vunivalu, Petaia, Daugunu...