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Having the support of the players is one requirement of being captain, and it's pretty clear that Hooper has this. However, things like in-game decision making and referee management are also key to the role, and Hooper has his shortcomings in both (not saying he is incapable, but he definitely...

Hunt is a good option to cover 12 and 15. If he's not playing in Queensland, send him somewhere he might play. Melbourne and Canberra are full, so, if the Tahs could use him, then it's a good move.

Under the current self-imposed rules? Ineligible. But the rules are arbitrary. Anything could happen. It wasn't so long ago that you couldn't play for Australia if you weren't playing for a Super side.

The Hurricanes played a version of it with Jordie Barrett that was undone by locks running in a straight line. We did a similar thing with Hodge and were killed by props running in a straight line. Slade can pull it off because of his exceptional defensive positioning and decision making...

My fear remains that we saw a similar dominant season from David Horwitz in the NRC a few years ago, and it became apparent that he was more of a flat-track-bully than a Super-level player. I 100% agree that he deserves a go if he keeps serving up what he gave in the NRC. He really did bring a...

Anyone have any news from the first few weeks of pre-season? I'm still hoping for a Simone-Kuridrani partnership.

Experience appears to help, but it seems that most players either "get" how to defend at 13, or they don't. Totally agree re: decisions. Nobody could watch Kerevi play and say he is not a technically effective tackler. Kerevi puts in key tackles with the same effectiveness as Kuridrani...

The annoying thing with so many of our good players who are overseas is that they finally came good here the year before leaving. Lots of people want to talk about an improved training regimen in other countries, and I'm definitely willing to concede that we don't do enough skills or match...

I'm personally hoping to see Petaia develop into the form Australia 13. I know I have argued against wingers/fullbacks/etc. being played at 13 in other threads, but the thing that really gets me about Petaia is his defensive positioning and ability in the tackle. Those are the trademarks of a...

People wrote off the Kerevi-Kuridrani centre partnership after the England series, but Cheika was still willing to try in on the 2017 EOYT. I think it's a good one for us to have up our sleeve, but it just isn't worth dropping Beale, Folau, or DHP to try it as our main strategy. I don't think...

I think I cheered that penalty and the "fuck off, I'm the captain" as if it was a match-winner. Beautiful memory.

If their finals push was on the line, I wouldn't ask the Rebels to drop Genia, Hodge, and DHP, nor would I ask the Tahs to drop Foley, Beale, and Folau, nor the Reds Rodda, LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto), and Kerevi. If they were asked, I'd hope they turn around and say "I'm not throwing away our season". Don't get me...

Best 6 in the country, and has shown that injury isn't going to rob him of that. Great signing.

I got one of their Royals beanies, and have been advised to expect one of the jackets for Christmas. Personally a big fan of what they've done for both Royals and the NRC Vikings, let's hope for a good showing for the Brumbies. That 2013 BLK jersey was a thing of beauty that they'll struggle to...

The rot continues if people aren't excited to go watch their provincial sides play. The comp survived because there was a time when the line between Super and Test was a blurry one indeed; the best of the best at Super level actually change how coaches, commentators, pundits, players, and fans...

So RA were fine with three of the five teams in 2017 had a foreign flyhalf (Hawera at the Brumbies, Grant at the Force, Garden-Bachop and Volavola at the Rebels), but won't let you guys have a talented backup? Jeez, the first-choice 10s around the country are Australia-eligible anyway (Foley...

If Ala'alatoa goes down, I expect Slipper will start at THP. I also think we’ll see some rotation as McKellar tries to work out his best front row.

I really wish we kept him. He was on track to be the next Bartholomeusz.

Even Farrell https://www.rugbypass.com/news/owen-farrell-posts-worst-tackling-stats-since-italian-player-18-years-ago/

That said, I will say what I want to see: Scott Sio Josh Mann-Rea Allan Ala'alatoa Rory Arnold Sam Carter Pete Samu David Pocock Ben Hyne Ryan Lonergan Christian Lealiifano Andrew Muirhead Irae Simone Tevita Kuridrani Lausii Taliauli Tom Banks And we can basically consider this our second 15...