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From my point of view I wouldn’t say I’m confident we’ll be better - but I’m not sure I get the level of pessimism either. My tendency is to be optimistic, sometimes naively so, but I do think some of the criticism’s lack context. To me the biggest two concerns are the front row and the...

Thanks mate. Good job. I found it a good watch.

Yeah - Tupou is a big hole, and Stewart is a loss but with Flook’s form and if Henry stays fit then I think it is just front row that will be an issue. Big problems there if we get a couple of injuries. Everywhere else I actually think we might be stronger than last year if you consider we...

I know right - even your own bank would rather be a Qlder!!!

Sign of aging boys - when you start complaining about the volume of the music.

I do know that Townsville Rugby Union has already sent out invites to other regions (Whitsundays, Mackay, Rockhampton and I’d assume Cairns) to send teams to Townsville for the day for trials/mini carnivals/whatever to turn the weekend into something of a festival of rugby. I’m involved in a...

Yeah - fair. Mine was a pretty simplistic statement.

Hasn’t rugby’s biggest area of growth been participation in non-traditional areas - female rugby, disability rugby, non-traditional rugby schools. We have to absolutely continue to engage with our traditional following - but personally I think this is great.

I think the opportunity is missed for Creighton. We’ve had a whole bunch of good flankers emerge and a number of them have had exposure to the Wallabies system. He wouldn’t be a priority signing IMO.

For the record I don’t in any way want him to fail. I’d love nothing better than to see him play well against England and the ABs. I would be ecstatic for him and I’d love to see him get the chance. But not simply on the basis he did well last year. I think comparing the faith in Kerevi and...

No - I don’t want to take it further. What exactly are you suggesting? I’d report the conversation to someone at RA??? I thought my question was perfectly reasonable. But if you don’t or you just don’t want to answer than that’s obviously your right.

Of course mate - and I largely agree with you. But do you mean that players have told you directly they prefer Quade. It’s not that a necessarily find that surprising - but I do find it a bit surprising players would talk out of school to a member of the public like that. Just trying to clarify...

Maybe, but O’Connors rugby smarts are very good. His rugby IQ has never been an issue and, if anything, I thing he has more capacity to play smart rugby. Although Cooper was excellent last year. Serious question - you state that as a fact. What are you basing that on? I thought Cooper was...

Quade Cooper - keeping selection debate alive since 2008.

I’d also put kicking behind our execution in the A zone. Against the Chiefs in particular I thought we generated the field position we were looking for with our kicking game. We were too ineffective with the chances we got though.

My biggest concern here with them playing against each other is that there is a lot to be gained by the B Team being a bit heavy handed in tactics to open up spots in the A Team. I can see another Rod McCall/Dan Crowley eye gouge type incident :)

I’m curious how Gamble covers the back three at test level better than Samu. He’s been terrific - but for me he’s in the same problem as McReight & Brown. Hoopers not coming off and the bench loosey needs to be able to jump. I still think McReight is next 7 in line so I think Gamble misses out...

I haven’t seen anything official, but I did read a report that Frost was expected to reject his OS offer and stay in Australia.

I won’t be surprised if Neville makes it, but won’t be surprised if he misses out either. 6 remains a pretty open position IMO. I think Leota did well last year, but not to the point where he has locked down the spot. You’d have to think Swinton is pretty much out of contention unless he comes...

I do wonder Tomkin whether you had any misgivings last year that players from the Reds were passed over for Brumbies players, given your comments about picking players from winning teams. IMO all of Sllipper, Fainga’a, Ala'alatoa, Swain, Neville, Frost, Valetini & Samu will be in the sqaud and a...