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But on the other hand many a quality Wallaby has been selected based on their ability and then fit into the side. Coaches/selectors need to take a pragmatic approach to things. It's not unusual for the way things are done (particularly in the backs) when personnel changes - Henry certainly did...

I forgot to add, many have touched on behaviour and personal discipline and I believe there is merit in such things. Many a coach has talked about having "good men" No coach wants these distractions I'm sure but very successful rugby teams in the last 20 years have always had individuals...

Maybe not the first priority as setting the agenda will probably come first, but IMO very high on the list will be to build a hard nosed tight 5 that hit rucks and tackles all night long. A group of tighties that play in each others back pocket and hit the line hard and hunt like wolves in 2's...

This reads like the hospital / exodus thread! Tahs by 10-15.

That 2003 team was an awesome attacking side no doubt but there were issues defensively and McCaw was still learning (refer WC semi vs OZ when IMO he thought he could try and win the game on his own and got pinged). 2007 was a shocking year and many an AB supporter had huge reservations about...

A. Finger started at 13 at the beginning of the season (and for several games thereafter) despite being the no1 12 in the squad last year, which got him higher honours. Then he is moved back to 12 during this season to accommodate for CFS. Taps is on the bench. So Link either played A...

I don't have an issue with the 'suggestions' :) themselves and of course there's a reason that we armchair critics can come up with to justify why or why not, but I wouldn't say the Taps and A. Finger chopping and changing has helped either of them. Whilst they may have skills, the positions...

Did you write that with a straight face Hawko? If you look at some of the selections Link has made at Super level for instance there have been players selected "out of position". Now may e they were to cover an injury or maybe to plug a hole because of lack of requirements in the squad or he...

I would say it goes back a number of years. There were contract transparency issues with the lure of Matt Rogers, Lote and Wendall. Then there was the expectation upon national selectors to pick said players because of these astronomical contracts and the supposed value factor. The slate is...

Pat Lam.

Bring back Burgo I say :)

Braveheart - I doubt LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) applies here because I doubt Deans is an "employee". He'd basically be a contractor/sole trader

A fresh McCaw back. Can't wait.

How would he be "groomed" by Link. He won't have controls at what happens with Quade at super level. So if he plays 10 at Super level, Link would have to select him out of position. Haven't we seen that song sheet before and it would be the cause of vehement outrage.....

I think this is in the "emergency" appointment category, when decisions are made based on the circumstance. But generally I think there is huge merit in an interview process. An interview process is very useful on finding out about direction, what influences them etc. It's the setting that...

Jason Woodward. Played for our juniors. He must be only 22-23. A biggish unit for a fullback. A lot of NZers were very surprised when he left given there was a lot of promise base on ITM form.

And in breaking news Link selects McCabe to start at 12. G&GR forum explodes :)

Damn. Just when he was maturing. Sad news for Brumbies and OZ

Given TPN, Pocock and Higginbotham were IMO dead certainties to make the 23, they will be back in the frame under the new coach. That means S. Finger will be back on the fringe and one of the young opensides goneski, I would say Gill at this point. Big question marks over what they do with...

Deans does know how to win the Bledisloe, he did a fantastic job as attack/backs coach in 2003 :) It wasn't risk averse, conservative or kick dominated. I'd say it was more high risk that centred on limited numbers to the breakdown Spencer and Mauger operating from either side of the ruck with...