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I wonder if Maori assistant coach Tana Umaga made that request ;)

Jaco Van Heerden was legitimately terrible last week, and I wasnt exactly cheering for the Highlanders as a Bulls win would have been really helpful for the Blues playoff chances. Each of the main countries really seem to have some trash refs - Van Heerden and Berry for South Africa, Hoffman...

It will be interesting to see Stormers Assistant coach Paul Feeney up against his old team and who has the advantage of inside knowledge. SBW needs to fire. Blues by 1.

Nanai at fullback for Collins finally! Faiane at 12 is a good call too - a genuine 12 who plays to space. The Blues team is: 1 Pauliasi Manu, 2 James Parsons (c), 3 Charlie Faumuina, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu, 5 Scott Scrafton, 6 Steven Luatua, 7 Blake Gibson, 8 Akira Ioane; 9 Augustine Pulu, 10...

Obviously the travel back might affect things but I think the Crusaders might take this one based on the strength of their forwards. The Canes pack hasn't really stamped their mark lately (which has been masked by their awesome backs). I thought they got dominated by the Stormers pack for a...

This game reminded me a lot of the Canes - Tahs game a few weeks back. Tahs came out with a very defensive mindset and very passive approach and got dominated in the first half by the Blues. The Blues handling and accuracy in everything they did for the first 40 was pretty impressive - they...

If they wanted a kicking option from fullback so bad they'd be better off chucking Duffie at fullback (where he played for Harbour) and Nanai on the wing. Other than a boot (and a fairly average one at that might I add) Collins offers nothing meanwhile the attacking talent of Nanai is wasted on...

Nanai not starting over Collins is just woeful selection (copy and paste every week). If Nanai moves franchises for game time the blame should strictly go to Tana. I'd have Gatland over Francis too.

I think Kepu shuffles his feet to get in line with the Cane who looks to be trying to run a dummy line into the gap between Kepu and Skelton - the Canes player slows down as he gets to the line and Kepu shows no sign of pulling back on his hit - its not about coming off second best but Kepu went...

Given that Luatua got 4 weeks for a late, high, off the ball hit i'm not sure Kepu can have too many complaints.

I think it was pretty poor form for the PM to comment at all.

The only games they play in Singapore are versus South African opposition because there is no direct flight to and from South Africa/Japan. They'll still have to play 2 teams in the South African conference at home (one of those could be the Jaguares one year). Although this year they did...

SBW starting, Moala benched and Prattley out altogether. Blues team: 1 Pauliasi Manu, 2 James Parsons (C), 3 Charlie Faumuina, 4 Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, 5 Scott Scrafton, 6 Jerome Kaino, 7 Blake Gibson, 8 Steven Luatua; 9 Augustine Pulu, 10 Piers Francis, 11 Melani Nanai, 12 Sonny Bill...

Not to derail but did Souths actually win the case? They got reinstated but I thought legally the High Court backed the initial judgement that rejected Souths legal claim.

I actually agree Clyne comes across well - much better than Pulver. They should be using Clyne for as much media as possible moving forward. Here is a link to an interview with Cameron Clyne on Alan Jones program this morning. It is certainly not dull...

Their average attendances at games in Tokyo would have to be one of the highest in the whole competition

http://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/australian-rugby-union-give-western-force-and-melbourne-rebels-time-to-build-case/news-story/4a26b5922883039a217b751c88c6962b THE ARU has opted to give the Melbourne Rebels and Western Force more time to mount their cases for Super Rugby survival beyond 2017...

NZ's position would be that next year's Super 15 format would be more competitive and more financially viable than a Trans-Tasman competition.

I think Tew was speaking from a SANZAAR point of view with the comment to the Japanese. There's really not going to be much less travel with this new deal for nz teams. They'll play 8 out of conference games instead of currently 9 out of conference games. And one of those 4 'Australian'...

They want a more competitive tournament than is currently being presented because they know the current structure/unbalance of the competition is not sustainable. If you continue with a non-competitive competition in the long run the whole competition will be in big trouble regardless of how...