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My point is that the trophy is mostly irrelevant. I want a national champion with a trophy and that only happens with a purely domestic competition.

^^^^ But it's not saying that at all Tomthumb. Anyone who likes to and wants to watch a NZ team or two involved in a match are perfectly at liberty to do so. I certainly won't stop them while I will be very likely to not watch the match if one Aussie team isn't involved. My personal preference...

Dru, I'm with you on the NZ derbies now - very little interest in them. But I still try to watch every game involving an Aus Super Rugby side so that I can get a balanced (ha ha) view of teams, players and potential Wallabies.

Looking at a likely Brumbies side for the first trial, I reckon there will be few of the Wallaby tourists included. Side will probably be mostly made up of next level players based around the established Super Rugby players who missed the EOYT. Wallabies like Lachlan Lonergan, Darcy Swain and Noah...

Thought it might be time to start the discussion around the various trial matches starting over the next couple of weeks. Probably convenient to lump them all together in the one thread so that, if we want to, we can stay across all of the games in the one place. Brumbies have two matches...

Allan Ala'alatoa joined the Brumbies in 2013. Debuted in 2014. Has signed a contract extension, or new contract, for 4 years following the 2023 season. That is pure loyalty to a club by an outstanding individual.

Emus are still a going concern, or they were in 2022. Now part of the JID comp based in Canberra.

Do you have possession stats for the first 60 minutes v the last 20? I expect the Tahs and Brumbies to be in a fierce battle for top spot this year. Injuries and replacements will be crucial.

But just because Genia was good under the high ball (and he was), it doesn't follow that other short players will be equally as good. My question was referencing Harrison's ability, not Genia's. So, it stands - how good is Will Harrison under the high ball? This is fairly crucial for a player at 15.

LB, Ben Donaldson did not play No 9 for the whole time Jake sat on the naughty chair. In the whole run of scrums and collapses that took up roughly 5 minutes before half time, Tom Wright was defending the No 9 spot at the scrum, and doing quite an impressive job. That accounted for around half...

Porter was with the Brumbies.

The best head-to-head comparison of Lolesio to Donaldson is the Wales test in which Ben started and Noah came on in the second half. With Ben in the driver's seat, we were 31 point down at one stage. When Noah took ocer we came from way behind for the win. I know other factors are at play...

I don't think Will Harrison is in Will Genia's class yet.

Scott Sio.

Yep. I think he'll be the No 15. Wing is now well catered for with Koroibete, Wright and Nawaqanitawase, and Kellaway has it over Campbell in the physical stakes and experience at test level. And in form he is a very skilful player as you noted.

How good is Harrison under the high ball? He looks to be particularly short for the modern game at 15. Donaldson looks more like the type of player needed at the back, but I suspect he will lock down the 10 spot after playing there for the Wallabies.

With his eyes shut, lol.

Obviously the second coming of George Gregan. What's all the fuss about when we have No 9 covered like that?

Yep, Ghost has identified three players mentioned in some dispatches - Kalani Thomas, Tuttle and Teddy Wilson. All with very wild claims as far as I'm concerned. The next best is Fines but I don't think he's making himself available.

All the talk about the No 9 spot, I think is misplaced. Recall as recently as the test against France on the EOYT, where we lost in the last few seconds against one of the top ranked sides in the World. Nic simply outplayed his opposite (Galtier?) all night and that was one major factor in the...