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We still have a ways to go before any squad is picked. There is a lot of time for fluctuations in form and injuries to play a part in the first squad chosen. Hopefully the latter will not play a major part. At this stage there are decent options across the board. Hopefully there will be even...

I think we are going to bring through the next tier. If we rely on OS players the next generation will not be ready come 2023. Rodda, LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) and Phillip is a good place to start. We also have Simmons and the the young guns, who are pretty handy.

Two years ago Stephen Moore, TPN and Uelese were not available and FF (Folau Fainga'a) and BPA were our Wallaby hookers. While both were good Super Rugby players neither excelled or were able to physically impose themselves at the next level. Then comes the RWC and Cheika ends up taking a punt on a player who...

Hopefully “hasn’t been that bad” is no longer a viable selection criteria for making the test squad. Naisarani has been in stellar form and backrow spots will be hotly contested. I can’t see how Dempsey will be considered on current form with the options now available. Test rugby is a different...

Let’s just see if he can stay fit for the season first. If he can then I’m pegging Rennie to pick him and for him to challenge for the starting 15.

Hahaha........according to your overwhelming bias. Lets see how it pans out.

It was his first throw in Super rugby after his return and he is the best scrummaging Oz hooker by some margin. His lineout work is generally good. Keep your eye on him if he manages to stay fit boys. There was good reason to select him ahead of FF (Folau Fainga'a) at the RWC.

Yes, his first throw was off but he physically dominated the opposition like no other Oz hooker has done. He bossed them. i don’t get the anti-Uelese sentiment. He has yet to get above his injuries but when he is on he is a beast.

As most of you know, I am not a Kerevi fan. While some of his stats are top notch, line breaks, defenders beaten etc. He stifled both the Reds and Wallaby attack by running away from support and with his lack of distribution skills. Its pretty obvious to see that the Reds attack is much more...

No, I’m not trying to do that. Rodda was the captain in waiting and following in the foot steps of others like Eales and Horwill. It just seems very odd to throw the captaincy to a nipper, as good as he is. Last night when the game was still in reach Rodda was subbed off as was McDermott. Surely...

The Reds lack of experience was cruelly exposed by the Sharks. One has to question Thorn overlooking Rodda for captain and his substitutions in the second half. They were unlucky with injury but they were left with an onfield 15 of rookies when the game was still in the balance. The more senior...

FFS leave him where he is and let him mature. Wonder why talks with Fisher broke down? He’d be my choice, at least for now.

It will be interesting to see how it unfolds throughout the year but the current Reds 9/10 with the Brumbies 12/13 might look good?

He was a teenage hotshot who played on the wing and had a reasonable amount of success there. I think he had played one other test at 10? He just did not have it in the top two inches. Not sure what Dingo was thinking by pitting him there against the enormous experience the lions had throughout.

It’s early days in Super rugby and JOC (James O'Connor) might develop in the 10 role throughout the year. When Dingo threw him in against the BILs it was never going to end well. He looks good and has better vision than the others. He needs to solidify his kicking and option taking. The young guys look ok too...

I happily retract my Samu sentiments of last week regarding his Wallaby chances this year. He was one of the Brumbies best again. The back row will be interesting. Lots of options.

Yes.

Wrong thread

There is a long way to go in this domestic season and there are some excellent prospects in the back row. I would guess that Rennie will be looking for both the starting 6 and 8 to be genuine lineout options. Basic test rugby requirement.

I previously would have thought that Simmons was a fair way down the list but he put in a very decent shift yesterday. There will be many changes, especially if Rennie is true to picking on Super rugby form.