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Look, I know stats aren’t everything, but maybe these are worth checking https://www.espn.com.au/rugby/playerstats?gameId=593081&league=289272

McReight was excellent last night

I don’t think that’s right. Pretty sure video ref said clearly that Petaia used arms and the ref agreed. So if it was Petaia was penalised it could only have been for shoulder contact with the head and we would have heard them discuss that and note the mitigating factors that led to the decision...

That was Tupou. And his hand was on the top of the shoulder so I actually thought that was right under the current rules - penalty but not a card.

My first thought was that you are being harsh Reg. But it is fair point. Fans, including me, moan in the impact of cards, but the focus in high contact is not going anywhere and LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) needs to reform his technique. Having said that if he does I would him in front of most of those guys.

I can’t comment on the validity of your assessments, but welcome. Good first post in terms of discussion. I’ll be interested to see others views on your comparisons.

Could do - and it’s a tough balance. Hopefully he gets some time next week and then, when Fotuaika is available again he gets plenty of time in Hospital Cup. Fingers crossed he is patient - although like all sportsman he probably just wants to get on the field and rip in.

1. Robertson 2. Kaitu’u 3. Tupou 4. Hosea 5. Timani 6. ASY (Angus Scott-Young) 7. McReight 8. Wilson 9. McDermott 10. To'omua 11. Koroibete 12. Paisami 13. Petaia 14. Vunivalu 15. Pincus

I think it depends a bit on who ends up at 6. If it is Valetini I think you could play him in the middle of the Park and play Samu wide where he does his best work. For that matter you could do the same with Wilson at 8 & Samu at 6. If the do go for someone like Lee-Warner then I think Samu...

Wilson had some great touches in attack too.

Nice to hear Brad Thorn acknowledge the contribution of journalist Wayne Smith to Australian rugby. Wayne started covering rugby in 1971 - and incredible innings. Sadly with the increasing prevalence of Social/online media I’m not sure we’re going to see many guys like his survive so long in the...

Well played both sides. Force have always been a stumbling block and caused plenty of issues. Great to see Robertson & Holmes doing well. What a champion Holmesy is. Though Timani was good too. Plenty of good performers for the Reds. I still think there’ll be improvement in this side, but lots...

Hooper will be available. As much as I love McReight I think he’ll still be first choice 7. I expect McReight to get a couple of opportunities though.

That’s all fair. Certainly the Brumbies backrow is great. I’ve always been a fan of Samu & Cusack. I’ve been open my sceptical of Valetini - actually no, that’s not true. I really rated Valetini as a young player but I last year he got talked up by some when, personally, I thought he needed a...

I think Hardwick has been great. For me, McReight has taken another step forward and is the pick of them. He just seems the most well rounded of all of them. Reminds me of George Smith in style whereas Hardwick is more a Phil Waugh (not that there is anything wrong with that). But maybe that’s...

I think the Rebels are building nicely. Some of their lesser know guys have grabbed the opportunity with both hands. To'omua is having a stellar season. Powell too. If anything I think Powell looks even better behind the Rebels pack - although to be fair Powell has been very good the last 2-3...

I’m not really sure what your concern was with the Reds backrow last week. McReight was best on ground for mine. Valetini was great too and better than ASY (Angus Scott-Young), but Angus was still very good. Both the 8s were good. I thought Wilson was better than Samu in the second half and contributed strongly to...

Sure, but the roster is also notable weaker than last year and, due to injuries, is weaker now than it was in game 1. At every level, players look better in better teams. The Tahs available playing roster is definitely playing a part.

To be fair I’ve seen and heard of lots of places who claim to have a no DH policy. Invariably when someone plays up they just overlook it, justify it or sweep it under the table. It’s pretty much just one of those normal corporate jargon phrases now that management levels love to lay claim to.

Yes, but I don’t think any of us are arguing they aren’t, or that winning is in any way a given. Or that we don’t want to accrue them for tries scored in a win. But as a pure maths equation if we keep winning (ie every game) than future bonus points will be irrelevant.