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I think it’s a real issue for us. Hoopert & Gibbon were the Aussie A props. Hoopert’s selection for Australia A I was a bit dubious of. Terrific around the field but struggles at scrum time. People have wraps on Cameron Orr - but not sure on him either. Eloff can play LHP and would be my next...

I think HJH (Harry Johnson-Holmes) will be a big chance too - but he’ll play THP again this year and Tupou & Fa’amausili are both exclusively THs, so won’t threaten Slipper’s spot.

The one I think will be interesting will be Vunivalu. Based on Jones’ background you would imagine he will very much back himself to get Vunivalu firing and would be excited by what Vunivalu is capable of. But, from comments last year, it sounds like Vunivalu might not be the best trainer. I...

From everything I’ve heard Petaia is an excellent trainer and very respectful to coaching staff and always looking to improve. I imagine Eddie will test everyone’s boundaries but I would think he will be very good for the likes of Petaia and also McDermott and Wilson as well as guys like...

Great to see another guy rewarded for form in the Hospital Cup. I am a bit concerned though that we are just training up the Melbourne Rebels depth at hooker. :)

I suspect your right about Campbell Adam. But I will say I still find Petaia at fullback an intriguing prospect. I thought he was excellent when he played there last year, and that is despite still having some very obvious issues with positioning and making a couple of glaring errors. From...

Agree - and if he makes a good fist of it Hodge becomes less likely. Tom Wright also sounds like he will at least get some time there and maybe the Reds will continue to run Petaia there - although I suspect Campbell will be first choice. One the one hand it is good there is now genuine...

Slipper looks to me to have peaked, but he is still solid at test level. His scrummaging has gone backwards a little so I think he’ll be at risk of losing his starting spot to Bell but I can’t see him being out of the Wallabies squad this year. Who would replace him? As I see if the realistic...

Do we think they’ll play Campbell or Petaia at fullback this year? Also - will we see Lynagh in the match day squad this year?

Most of those games were in 2020 & 2021 when the Tahs pack was getting pummelled. Gordon was out injured and he had rookie centres outside him. He still did a fair job in pretty tough circumstances.

And I think you are probably right. But he and Campbell are still the only specialist fullbacks in fhat group. In any case I do think Hodge is a likely pick and Koroibete a definite so equation is still the same.

I think it was only me, and all I said was he was probable, but I didn’t think he was a certainty. If Jones picks one or more from Hodge, Banks & Campbell then you potentially have Kellaway, Wright, Petaia, Nawaqanitwase playing for 3 (or 2) spots in the squad (I’m considering Koroibete a...

I think 14 & 15 are pretty open. Agree with the rest. Possible pack Bell/Slipper ??? Ala'alatoa Rodda Skelton Frost Hooper Valetini

Quite likely - but not sure he’s a definite anymore. Koroibete is a definite. Any of Nawaqanitwase, Wright, Petaia, Campbell, Kellaway, Banks & Hodge could push him out. But I’d class Kellaway as a probable at present.

Agree - but Skelton was on the list.

Also not sure Kellaway is a shoe in anymore. Slipper & Ala'alatoa will be in the squad at least.

Rodda & Frost. I don’t see him using Arnold unless several of the other locks are unavailable.

Seismic change occurring to the game https://www.theroar.com.au/2023/01/20/fabric-of-the-game-watershed-moment-for-rugby-as-rfu-introduce-radical-tackle-change-to-reduce-risk-of-concussion/

Are you thinking he might have just bought it in the merch shop :)

That’s a really important pick up. Great news.