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Haha - given the ARU's history BH you could be doing us a favour in our trace for the veracity of the declared ARU executive salaries as well. Can we get the inimitable JO'N back to help us understand the true meaning of the ARU Accounts? Jokes aside, QH has a good point, and formally audited...

Are we not forgetting: this purported letter is seemingly not just written and endorsed by Papworth alone. Bob Dwyer for example is a man this site has been delighted to have as a prominent rugby analyst on many, many occasions. He is held in high regard by most who know him.

Excellent points TOCC. Plus remember the Reds early 2016 home crowds were materially better than the late season ones, the latter were into only the high teens of '000s. (So Reds' $ annual gate income for 2016 is moderated by an initial 'just OK' crowds level that fell away to a 'just terrible'...

That's a positive for sure. It'll be needed if all the Assistants are rookies at Super level and it has to be said that Stiles has not existed as yet in a successful Super program. He's only known poor HC's and largely losing environments at this level. So mentoring and wise counsel could be...

Re Reds 2017 Assistant Coaches. Reading the above speculative posts re possible Reds Assistants, I get scared when I see names that all seem to be just 'part of the QLD rugby family' with experiences and proven track records not much beyond that. I would like to see at least one the...

I agree S2050. In essence the NZRU has evolved an incredibly potent and impressive elite rugby development and performance system that continues to invest in relentlessly effective rugby R&D programs, and we in Australia have not, it's that simple really. They're ever-improving, we are ever...

Thanks Reg, perhaps he was concerned he'd be behind both QC (Quade Cooper) and JMc...? Who knows for now.....but IMO he could be coached into a very good 10.

Indeed. He was a good captain of Nudgee's 1st XV but what else has he proven more recently - genuine question. And has the issue of Mack Mason's whereabouts for 2017 been answered here, or elsewhere? Please tell me he's not lost to QLD rugby?! Surely, surely Mason and Greene (now in Japan)...

Let's wish. But as I think you and I have agreed here before: Aus Super Rugby history clearly, very clearly, shows that the difference between having a 'Title winning squad' and 'winning a Title' is the calibre of the entire coaching group, and not just a very good HC alone.The assistant and...

Of course BH there is the nature of the player and then in complement there is the calibre of the player development systems, coaching quality and related structures and cultures. This combination, when sound, forges excellent player growth and enhanced skill over time, or the opposite can...

It was a wonderfully executed event in the golden period. When everything was so positive and the mood was high and bright. I've been to a few equivalent rugby events all over the globe and this was certainly one of the very best.

Just btw re the above and Fisher etc. It was something of a tragedy, the M Foley end-game, sacking from the Force and all that. He was not an HC and should never have risen quite that far. In 2008 - when he was Wallaby forwards coach and before the fall-out with Deans - he was widely...

I consider a glimmer of a major positive I had long hoped for is that players are starting to openly credit the inputs and impact of M Byrne on their skills and/or confidence. This is precisely what should be happening as the Wallaby coaching group is enhanced. This today from Kerevi...

As usual, the abusive swearing and knowing deviation from the core argument commences. If only your analytical and predictive track record in rugby matters was better. The core notion was/is this: what was a footballing CV in the relatively distant past, when combined with a career in twilight...

June 2010 v England and wasn't it almost as bad for dear ol' Gits v Scotland 2009....?

I can recollect one 'very good and sustained that way all match' performance by Hunt, and it's the one you mention above. 'Great', I don't think so. Virtually all his other Reds' performances could be lumbered together under the epithet 'we hoped and paid for wonderful things, though it was but...

Just go and have a look at his skills, in Cowboys and GPS videos. He's just the sort of player we need to revitalise the Reds. He's QC (Quade Cooper) at that age, plus more, a lot more. His potential is enormous. And I'd argue his particular skills are better suited to union than league. Hunt was a player...

Would we rather have an expensive Ponga or an equally (or more) expensive Hunt?

Such a valid point with much applicability. The greatest single recent example of which was how many otherwise sound Reds' players badly deteriorated under R Graham and how many flourished (in terms of personal player confidence and skill development) under both Link at the Reds and Cheika at...

No mate. You don't understand the particular way W Smith works. His own rugby-world gestalt. He has pets, hero and villains, as favoured subjects. Lately, as a result of close relationships with rugby persons he likes within the WARugby protectorate, he's running a singular campaign to defend...