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Yes, but Packer and Murdoch bought into Ten in order to push channel ONE away from sports, to stop it devaluing their Fox Sports. Unlikely they would have done a good job with the RWC this time around.

Teach, spot on. My son has just completed his season in Under 8s, and having a great coach has meant a great season for all concerned - even if the scoreboard would disagree. He's learning to play the game in the right spirit, and learning those important skills like tackling the right way first...

I doubt people change their code allegiances based on whether a fly-half can tackle or not. Though Quade and his Reds team-mates can take credit for bumping up the ratings of Super Rugby somewhat this year. People seem to think that FTA Super Rugby coverage will change the world. But will it? I...

I think you'll find the ARU already pay the ABC to show the Shute Shield. Probably costs less that way than trying to produce it themselves and then give it away.

No, the ARU could have split the rights and sold FTA rights separately to the pay TV rights, similar to what the AFL and NRL do. But of course that would have required them to accept a much smaller offer from Foxtel, who profit from making people pay for 100 channels of rubbish just to watch...

You can already do this via the net using Foxtel on Xbox, which I think means about $40-60/month - the various subscriptions required aren't all that clear. So not free, but no contract arrangement - you can dump it as soon as the RWC finishes.

When following the Wallabies, a common feeling on Thursdays. We've thrashed ourselves and them about what happened last Saturday, the team for the next game has been announced and suddenly the possibilities are endless!!

But they do have a greater total number of players, so presumably they have a better base of players to select from when it comes to the late teens and going on to senior rep teams. I guess they lose a lot of guys who in Australia might stay on as social senior players - perhaps due to Saturday...

I get it that the siege mentality is an essential part of the Queensland spirit, but do you really think that Link is seething over a lack of public recognition outside the Reds’ home state? I think he’s received plenty of accolades from everywhere in the rugby community. Plenty of Waratahs...

So does anyone know how the various RWC matches rated on 9 over the weekend? Compared to the NRL matches?

It wouldn't be a World Cup - either rugby or soccer - without complaints about the behaviour of the ball. I remember a lot of complaints all the way back at the '91 RWC about the flight of the adidas ball.

I heard Phil Kearns on the radio this morning talking about live sites for the RWC. Does anyone know where these will be? - Another option for those of us without Fox but wanting some live RWC

Sounds like stadium designers in Australia are still in the same phase they were when they built the Olympic Stadium - that an ideal stadium is one where you can get the maximum number of people into their seat quickly before the game, disperse them ASAP after the game, and...that's it. Any sort...

The "Rocky as captain" issue resolved itself? Harsh - I don't think Rocky offered his resignation. Even when Robbie does make the right decision, he doesn't get the credit.

My son just finished his season of under 8s rugby with the local club. I think it's primarily the local clubs that drive the usual comp, but the ARU can help out with development officers, etc, for special events - I think the club is planning a "Try Rugby" afternoon in the scholl holidays to...

But then I don't think the ABs attacked the breakdown quite as aggressively at Eden Park as they have in previous matches, in terms of numbers. They were happy to leave 13 guys in the defensive line most of the time. Hence the pick and drive worked well for us late in that game, so I'd like to...

From the blog entry quoted earlier, the Wallabies would overrun the start of the NRL by around 30 minutes. I suspect Channel 9 will lean on the NRL and they'll delay the start of the semi, but I love the angle taken by Dean Ritchie - so typical of Daily Telegraph-style league reporting: it's...

Am I right in thinking 9 is not allowed to show one game on the main channel and a different game on Go or Gem? Bizarre, but I think that's the rules at present.

Coach rumour du jour: Cheika and Gaffney. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/sport/its-all-on-track-to-retaining-deans/story-e6frg7o6-1226094199290 Noted. As you were.

Don't worry, we can only be a season or two away from when some S15 or national team comes up with a proper jersey with a collar and is lauded for their "marketing genius", in giving the fans what they want.