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Like I said its not too different, but not the same. I'm not sure if he assumed anything like that, what he probably thought though is that there were concerns with forward play under Knuckles and he needed to do something about it....

In my view the gameplan from Deans is quite clear and not that different to what I saw in the ABs in 2003 and from the Crusaders 2005-07. Side to side with a very flat attack line but with quick ball being created by both forwards and backs hitting rucks. Get mismatches in the midfield to...

The best stats site for ABs IMO is from Tracey Nelson. If you haven't seen here's a link which includes stats on first 3 to breakdown. http://haka.co.nz/allblacks.php

Part of it is that the players have individual sponsors and the clubs have lots of very "small" local sponsors.

They didn't cost you the game tonight though, so obviously they don't always cost matches. Carter has been charged down and both he and Nonu have thrown intercepts (mainly in Bok games) that the ABs have eventually won. Cooper reminded me of Campese tonight. When Campo was bad he was really...

What do you mean? Their side is young, very young. They are going to get a few lessons taught to them this season, especially with Braid sidelined.

daz - the last time JOC (James O'Connor) got any decent rugby under his belt he was playing pretty well. I don't htink he's hit the wall per se, but that he's been hit hard with injuries. Cooper still looks tentaive post WC. His best weapon is standing flat and taking the ball to the line. We've only seen...

Thanks BJ. Watched the 1st grade highlights, couldn't get down to the game. What was the scuffle under the posts about after the try was scored all about?

If the weather continues, blowing a gale and rain, it should a close affair. Go Wests.

Whitelock was IMO the best AB over the Irish series. He's consistent as is always among the top tacklers and/or clearers at ruck time. He's not a ball carrying lock but has been our kick offs and lineout specialists

It's Carter's defensive game that makes him a stand out player and as shown in the two Wallaby tests and Irish series, his tackling ha been very important. Cruden is simply not as reliable. Nothing wrong with Cruden's attacking game and taking on the line, but I'll hold my breath a little when...

Drop the gate prices an you might get the 100,000 crowds back.... In a market sense rugby is being squeezed between the other two codes, but there is IMO both negatives and positives that come from that. Rugby will always have a core following but it can be the code that provides a real point...

Only two exclamation marks? Why not three?

AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) back at centre is a good option. The two Ben's really need to show why the coaches have shown alot of faith in them.

As I understand it and if it is indeed anything modelled after the NZRU, then the Franchises have a huge amount of autonomy to make key decisions. Its more a quasi-centralised system if anything. Why wouldn't Jake White get the gig if he was best man for the job, just with an additional ARU...

Yes some of the defence was very suspect, but what was outstanding was the work of the outside backs in running on to the ball at full tilt from deep. That at any level is very hard to stop combined with some real pace as shown by both fullbacks and wingers tonight. Gutted for Tasman but two...

With the beauty of hindsight you'd have to say Telfers speech worked with the Lions In that 2nd test. With the Boks throwing the kitchen sink at them after the Guscott drop goal to try and win the game, the Lions showed a massive amount of grit to hold on.

Before I break out into the speech I'd commence with a few ice breakers: "New hair cut James" "Haven't seen those leopard skin footy boots before Quade" "Put the pie down Sekope" "What's with the eyes Nathan, you'll scare the kids out there" "You dropped you're comb Tetafu"

Hore is one of my favourite players and wouldn't mind seeing him start at all, but he does seem to be that impact player when he comes on - knows how to sniff a turnover and the odd try. There is far more upside of having Carter at 10 than at 12. Plus with SBW still around and coming off good...

That's all the Wallabies need, another loose forward that loves to play wide of the ruck and has a love for grubber kicks....