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Hewat would be my pick of those named. Very complementary coaching ideas and game plans to what's offered by the current coaching team. Nathan Grey would be at the bottom of the list. As TSR says coaches sometimes improve. The same ought to be said for Bernie Larkham but Bernie at least has...

Do we? Skelton, in his early tests, was a monster at rolling maul time. His other talents as a Lock were not so honed. By the time he he left for overseas, he was a handicap at both scrum time and at lineout. His ability to break the line and attract numerous defenders also never reached the...

Saw it reported that they had joined on Monday, this week. Still not a lot of time to learn the plays and develop combinations in training.

Agree on all points JB. Have to say that Colby was a bit of a groundbreaker. Played No 7 at the Brumbies and in 2011 captained the Aussie U20s, playing at 6. Moved there to allow one Michael Hooper to play the 7 spot. Both played very good. I always personally thought Colby was the best of the...

Thanks Claw, even if the news is not good. It will be interesting to follow his career over coming years.

Greed is good, WOB. I had a higher opinion of you before that post. Have to say that NZ taking advantage of USR like that is consistent with their approach to Aussie rugby in relation to Super Rugby negotiations.

Is that why the Lions (or England?) based themselves in Queenstown and got into so much trouble Lindo? I don't think we should totally rule out NZ. A joint exercise with an appropriate level of NZ involvement would still be an attractive proposition I think. Perhaps just Auckland, Wellington...

JK, and how do you think those players from the qualifying teams who have to drop out to make way for the stars from the also rans would feel? I reckon it would destroy any semblance of culture or cohesion in those sides that qualify. I'm with Tom on this - it is a hair-brained suggestion that...

To some derision, I did recently nominate Mack Hansen as a possibility for the 15 spot call-up. Just to put it in context, Mack was a member of the 2018 Australian U20s squad alongside such luminaries as Rob Valetini, Len Ikitau, Tate McDermott and Jordan Petaia (all Wallabies), and sometime...

"Rennie also confirmed Kurtley Beale will join fellow Aussies Rory Arnold, Tolu Latu and Will Skelton in joining the Wallabies squad on Monday, with further inclusions expected to be announced in the coming days." From the RA website. Who would be the 'further inclusions' mentioned? Fullback...

Perhaps intentionally just for the fun of it, RR. Otherwise, why would someone who wanted it corrected be referred to as the Fun Police?

I don't agree Adam. At the start of the RC we were ranked, what? 7th in the world. With Cooper/Kerevi in the side we moved up to 3rd. What do you think would have happened if they hadn't been used? Four or five more losses and probably a further drop down the rankings towards 10th. What would...

Good pickup Pfitzy, brain explosion! Pete Samu missing.

I think it's unlikely for any of the recent call-ups to be included in the 23 for Scotland. I'm not even sure that Arnold, Skelton and Latu are available for this match. But, if they are, they are more likely in my opin ion to just be squad members while they learn the ropes under Rennie...

Personally, I'd go with Maddocks in preference to either of these. Is he playing in Europe?

I don't see much evidence of Rennie trying other options when a player has a bit of a downer. More likely to replace him with a proven performer in form or leave him there to show what he can do. I can't see Perese replacing Paisami against the Scots, nor would I want to.

Just going on Rennie's selections lately, I think it might be Wright on one wing and Petaia on the bench for his versatility. And I'm not having a go at Petaia because I reckon he had his best game for years against Japan. I am just questioning a winger coming off the bench and another coming in...

Leopards and spots, and knickers and knots KOB. I intend to just ignore his presence while-ever he is in the background training and making up the numbers, or until he either fucks up again (high probability) or loses the Wallabies another game through poor technique or wayward decision making.

Reg, out of those options, I reckon Petaia would be best. He was very impressive with his high ball takes and general solidity at the back last weekend. But, as with most of them, I think he/they need a full Super Rugby season at 15 to learn the position before starting there regularly at test level.

Agree Ignoto. KB (Kurtley Beale) has had numerous incidents that proved disruptive to whichever team he belonged to. Doesn't seem to have the temperament to be a team player, nor the maturity to recognise how his behaviour affects those around him. Leave him alone or I'm sure it'll finish badly again.