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Pocock was the only one who could manage Gus Gardner before he came good, and it's near impossible to dislike the guy. I don't think it solves our problems, but neither Carter nor Lilo are either.

I'll go to bat for the players here. Everything I ever hear from the players is a total lack of faith in the system. They knew McKellar was going to be appointed and that he wasn't up for the job, but now he's here and it's worse than they thought. It's clear that Fisher and Palmer are good at...

I was at Royals-Uni; Uni are clearly up for it this year (the perks of having a higher turnover of coaches and players), but I still think the top 4 will be Whites, Royals, Tuggers, and Easts (!!!). I'm happy to see a more competitive league this season, and one-sided results are now more the...

If McKellar isn't fired before the start of next season, it's a disgrace.

Thrilled to see McCaffrey back, and I like the look of that backrow. Wallaby Bolter status re-engaged! I think it was good to give Lilo the game time overseas. He’s clearly up to the standard of Super Rugby mentally; he has an uncanny ability to deceive defenders, great vision, and good...

Until he was injured, the only Brumbies player who looked like he might be a bolter for test selection was Lachlan McCaffrey, who had come back from Europe with a point to prove and was playing like a Fardy-lite (and there is no shame in not being as good as Scott Fardy!). As it stands, I...

I haven't seen him around the grounds, but that doesn't tell us anything! I haven't really had the inside scoop at Royals since Russ Ingram left :( Bodman came through the same age group Tom Staniforth, Jake Gordon, Andrew Robinson, Connall McInerney, and Joe Powell, and was recognised as one...

How long have people complained that all they wanted was a gold jersey with green trim? I'm happy with the new jersey, and I like that we seem to be keeping the indigenous one for "special" occasions. The win over the All Blacks last year will forever be associated with the one time that...

The only difference in personnel between the team that lost to Easts and the one that beat Vikes and Gungahlin is Ben Brown in at 10 in place of Matt Cole. We've lost five of the starters in last year's final to Super teams (Sione, McInerney, Staniforth, Cussack, and Muirhead), and Johnston is...

I'm a big fan of Royals, and, though we should have really put Easts to the sword, I'm impressed by how they played. The warning signs were there for us against Vikings in round one, and we haven't acted to fix those issues. However, Tim Cornforth has done wonders with Easts and I hope to see...

I'd love to have Tomane back in the country, but I also think he'd be behind a few other back 3 guys. Folau is a nailed on starter, and then the wings are fought over by Hodge, DHP, Koroibete, and Naivalu. The one advantage Tomane has over those guys is his ability to cover 13 in a pinch, which...

Fardy's gone, and Cheika is more likely to try and talk Mumm out of retirement than he is to try and get Fardy back. But, unless injury strikes, we know Hanigan is going to be the 6.

JP is a rock, he was stuck behind Sio at the Brumbies but definitely a good player. Ruan is probably the better player, though! Edit: thought above post was about JP Smith, was wrong.

Without Kuridrani, we'd concede a ton. JJH brought a heap of energy when he came off the bench, but I think the Hawera-Godwin-Kuridrani spine of that backline is a good one and should be maintained. I hate to criticise Speight after he just put up his 100th for us, but how many times are we...

Went to both Royals games this season. Thought the first round win was a massive fluke (two tries coming off forward passes and a knock on), but we played to the whistle and definitely showed the spirit needed to win. The Eagles game somehow felt more even, yet also ended up being a more...

AB's will certainly go for Ben Smith at fullback, with Ioane and Naholo on the wings.

Folau Fainga'a on the other hand......... I'd say Mann-Rea is a good 4th choice, the kind of guy who puts in a good shift when the best are all injured, but he's out for the season so no point in discussing him. Abel is trash. Folau Fainga'a has potential, but Uelese has much more, and his...

The kid's only had 2 minutes, let's not write him off just yet! Mann-Rea is a real miss because he is a strong scrummager, throws the ball well in a lineout, and is good around the park. Both Abel and Fainga'a are generally better around the field, but Abel's lineout work is average-at-best, and...

If it helps us keep some sharpness during the internationals, I'm fine with it. But please no injuries like losing Smiler in the 10s a few years ago.

Maybe don't do it all at once (I agree that it's over the top, I'm just angry), but there are a lot of people in the side who need to be reminded that they aren't safe just because they started last week. In particular, guys like Powell, Lealiifano, and Speight need to be reminded that starters...