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If we are really going to be bringing Will Shelton in, our 6 needs to be a hybrid lock/6. I also think Hooper could expect more jumping (with Skill lifting). It doesn't directly impact the Scotland game but if we introduce that player (and bench) now it can only ease the transition later.

Grappa? Tequila? omg Ouzo?

We're talking about Hooper for God's sake. If he's back you have to assume he's ready. Start him.

Not sure on the pizza, or at least it would be with Coopers. What's your favourite Rugby Red. (I could be obtuse and say LFG but I'm actually talking wine here.)

Thanks and yes. You'd never guess I'm studying math. Or maybe you would, plenty more study rqd.

Half I understand the despondency but to be honest I've never been more hopeful that RA are taking the issue seriously. There is a natural and strong push to continue Super Pacific if possible. Like you I'd be happier to simply move on. All the same as a minimum it looks like finally RA are...

I won't find any quotes for you but definitely Simmons had a rep in the scrum. Love Nick's work and his review of Big Will is to his usual standard. What it doesn't achieve though is how to handle the impact on the back row selections, change in game plan once the nature of the back row has...

Simmons was a set piece master. Line out calling as well as jumping. Huge reputation in the scrum as discussed by the props. That is two of the three key characters required by a lock. Unfortunately the third is digging deep in attack leading it up through the heavy stuff. Simmons constantly...

I think this is mis-characterised. We have two major Unions which have traditionally provided rep teams, have traditional and well established club teams, and more recently each union also has it's own franchise which have displaced the traditional rep team. Then we have have a further three...

You've got my vote.

The domestic games in Aus seemed to do fine. More so the season prior when there was actually a Domestic champion.

Yes, though we'll have to see how things pan out as we run into the new season. To be fair in the modern game, especially at Super level, I don't see a lot of difference in the back row, especially at 6/8. Though I'd usually anticipate 6 being the first choice back row jumper ahead of 8 (or 7)...

I don't see Wilson getting 6 ahead of Uru. And I don't necessarily see Uru as our (Reds) first choice 6. Wilson is a shoe-in at 8 though.

I'd swap Daugunu to 11. I've had this conversation elsewhere but it baffles me that Wright is in the conversation. Kellaway at 14 is fine but I'd number him 15. Nawaqanitawase ahead of Vunivalu. For now.

Love it. But I would have Petaia at 11 and Vunivalu at 14.

I seriously don't see whatever it is you are seeing in Wright. He'd be the first cut for me. Vunivalu didn't really do enough either but I'd have him in front of Wright and suggesting he's one of the best wings in the country seems a long way off. Hard to know what the coaches are seeing but it...

It's a lot easier "coming in" from 11 than from 14. Mostly. One tends to be blind side a lot more than the other. Which is where Koroibete excels. What I find strange is that people here are mostly happy to consider the positioning as team set up issue for Nawaqanitawase and then to divert to...

That would make sense if they (wing) stayed out in the tram tracks with a gap to the inside defence, wouldn't it? It's not what I saw. Wings positioned 15m or more from the touch line on the end of a tight backline set up (and the attacking line spread out wide). Derpus, you've always had a...

This is what I was wondering, so thanks. There is no way for me to tell, but if the key was trained structure both Nawaqanitawase and Vunivalu can be tarred for something outside their control. That wide defence seemed to be missing something.

Derpus, what were your thoughts of the defensive positioning on the wings? Not just Vunivalu but also Nawaqanitawase? Both of them seemed to come in a long way from the tram tracks even when there was a pretty clear overlap building by Japan. The Japanese took the challenge constantly and left...