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Honestly I think the best way they can work it is to build a profitable 15s program and run the 7s as a high performance player development program and marketing tool, both to the public and to cross code athletes for a shot at the olympics. It's already producing the best talent...

I don't like the phrasing of "should" before the season has been played and their form has been seen, but for this list to come true the Force will have to have a massive step up in form. Potter has the best chance of those in terms of little competition for a start, but with the rest of the...

Beyond those guys Flook probably gets his start on the wing (or as a bench utility covering it) and Vunivalu will likely keep plugging away, people may not like him but there's plenty of upside to his game and he will hopefully get a full super season to push his case. Pietsch is likely in the...

I'm in two minds about it but I don't think we can afford to be too picky at the moment, particularly for our home test matches. As it stands I'd probably be picking him up until the EOYT at which point I'd leave him at home and focus on the future. Gives a bit of a chance to ease any new...

Debrezceni to 15 would make for a much more balanced back 3, they were found out a couple of times last year without a strong kicking option when it was Toole, Muirhead and Wright. A lot might depend on how Wright has come along in the off season and how much he wants to transition to fullback...

Yeah, it's definitely a balancing act and there is value to it. My major issue is probably the times where he starts to get a bit defensive/reactionary to criticism of players he played with shutting down conversation. I think it works better in the podcast format where he's talking with his...

Nothing against him, he just doesn't add much for me. Struggles to move on from his perspective as a player to one as a commentator which leaves him in a position of defending mates rather than passing a critical eye over them. If I had to pick I would much rather see Harrison gone though.

https://www.afr.com/companies/media-and-marketing/former-wallaby-drew-mitchell-takes-stan-sport-to-court-20231129-p5ent3 Can't say I'll miss Drew from the commentary, but it's not ideal for the game to see it end so messily.

The big if in all that is holding onto the players they've already got long enough to bring it all together. Really need to get their turnover down to build a team out of these players.

So a standard test calendar would usually see 3 tens used minimum. At this stage I'd say that's probably Carter Gordon, Noah Lolesio and one other. That could be Donaldson, but he's unlikely to start there at the Force. Beyond that I wouldn't be looking at Foley, Quade or O'Connor so it's...

Toole and Jorgensen are both a pretty good chance of a debut I think, wouldn't be surprised to see one of the uncapped young tens get a chance either, but it's pretty open at the moment. There may well be a few more when it's all said and done too, I have a feeling selection is going to be...

I know we love the lawyers in rugby but if you're calling them in you've already lost. Absolutely best case is you get your money and recoup the costs but you've soured relationships with one of the major unions. Much more likely is you get the money but spend a decent chunk of it to get it back...

This is true, but in part because RA negotiates and distributes the super rugby broadcast deal in Australia. This is a major issue I have with this argument (and the seperate Aus/NZ/Pacific deals and distributions). Each of these teams has a right to be paid for their contribution to the content...

He's had a solid few years with Easts in Brisbane, has worked with the under 20s for QLD and Australia and I think he was doing a bit of player coaching in France. 2024 will be his first year with the Brumbies as an assistant coach, which shapes as too soon to jump into a head coach role in...

I expect Larkham will still see out the season with the Brumbies if he gets the Wallabies job. After that there will likely be a fair few coaching changeovers in super rugby. If you look at the list of applicants for the previous Reds and tahs jobs you can expect Nathan Grey, John Manenti...

I know Manenti put his hand up for the tahs job last time it was available, I expect both him and Grey will be gunning for a super rugby head coach position sometime next year, assuming one becomes available. Hoiles would probably put his hand up too, though I'd be surprised to see him get up...

He'd be interesting to get involved as a skills coach or in a broader high performance context but he's been in 7s for a decade now and I'm not sure he's ever coached 15s, I don't think he could slot straight into Wallabies coach. Could be a candidate as a super coach if he's interested in...

Yeah, it would be preferable to be negotiating from a stronger position, but the Lions into home World cup runway is still there to sell to sponsors.

eToro I think had already gone, particularly given they signed on as A League sponsors at the start of the month. I believe Cadbury are in extension talks which may or may not have gone well, but do look even less likely to succeed after this. Whether or not they would've extended if McLennan...

I imagine the loss of eToro and other sponsors like Cadbury eyeing the door didn't do much to help McLennan's case, even with the Cadbury CEO publicly backing him.