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Thor has been most disappointing. Does very little in open play and is a perennial penalty generator under non-Aus referees.

Good player but terrible hands.

I'd include Foketi too and Ryan Lonergan would be OK but really isn't needed with three very good test match No9s in front of him. Both hookers look like they could make the big time down the track while I was also impressed by Tom Ross in his cameo. Better than Tom Robertson I reckon.

Just my observation, but I'd say backline players in headgear play a lot more timidly than those without.

Wouldn't be surprised to see that towards the end of the game.

I fully agree that we need players who are going to start stronger, and have been pushing that barrow all week, but I disagree that Leota hasn't been in excellent form. His defence especially and workload has been excellent and I hold to my view that Harry Wilson is behind him in the pecking order.

I'd say Rob Leota is in the same boat. His form in Tests 1 and 2 has been excellent and surely he doesn't deserve to lose his spot. The injury problem in the locks could see Rob Leota move of course, and I agree that Harry could be next cab off the rank in the 6 spot, but if that occurs it will...

Reg, would it be reasonable to consider 1. and 2. as separate incidents. That is, any intentional knock forward (like Perese's for example) earns a penalty (or YC) regardless of what happens in the aftermath (even in the case that the player is able to retrieve the ball before it lands or...

Harry might make into the starting side but not necessarily on the basis of his Super Rugby form imo. Rob Valetini was the standout player in both SRAu and SRP (Super Rugby Pacific), and there is no way Harry will displace him on form. Injuries might open up an opportunity for Harry, but I reckon he is a bench option only at...

Ikitau, Ala'alatoa and Holloway all possibly available for selection.

So we stay with the pack that has been knocked senseless in the first 30 minutes of both tests and expect a different outcome? Insanity. The Brumbies front row is the strongest in the country and at least stood up against NZ sides in Super this year. It really looks to be our best hope of...

Doesn't it seem to be more often than not that the player going for the intercept is one who otherwise has some problems defending?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I didn't think LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) was even in the squad. If not, no way he comes into a test match under-prepared. Front row needs to be beefed up in the first half. Back row could be stronger, physically too. I'd go with : Slipper, Fainga'a, Ala'alatoa, Philip...

I am not familiar with schoolboys rugby or age groups Reg so I can't offer anyone. But I'll be damned that I would believe the average sized player in this country is substantially smaller than counterparts from elsewhere. Small and pretty doesn't cut it against tough opponents. Maybe as...

Selectors and coaches deserve some of the criticism. A lot of small bodied players seem to be favoured in Australia. Just can't handle the power of the top teams. Particularly looking at Gordon and Grealey in this game, but same comment applies at Super Rugby, Aus A and Wallabies.

some poor referee/TMO decisions had an impact on the game. Perese's YC, which I think was legit but Hill's attempted intercept treated differently. The 50/22 decision that I believe was incorrect. The injury causing tackle on Neville. The catch outside the field of play and knock back into...

Why have a law if it's not refereed?

Yet such a small margin was all required for TMO to state the ruck before the 50/22 was very clearly over the half way line.

Don't agree. Too many others binding on to him before contact with the defence. That is a penalty.

I'm with you on Hooper's captaincy, KOB, but where we are losing to these Poms is in the physicality in the first half hour. The forwards are almost to a man bigger and stronger, more aggressive than our reps. And Michael Hooper is one of the smallest, and it has to be said of the least...