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I think the Wright dropping is more about sending a message than Vunivalu/Donaldson being there above him. If this was a RWC squad I expect he'd be retained above them. Whether or not that style of messaging works I'm not so sure, but I don't think it's unusual for Eddie.

I expect it's a consideration, but probably much less likely now Wright had been dropped. If we had a set fullback or even if him and Petaia weren't both coming back from injury than Kellaway at 13 would make a lot of sense given Koroibete and Nawaqanitawase are both going well on the wings.

That's my thinking too, most likely with Perese at 13 at this stage.

It might be a bit of a gamble starting both of them back from injury, but it's definitely an option.

Looking at his past record I don't think you can be too critical of Les Kiss' engagement with recruitment - London Irish have pulled in plenty of big names over his time there. Whether or not that was as efficient or effective as it could have been is another question, but that's as much down...

A lot of positives comments from former players about Les Kiss in that article, it does sound like it'll be a change of pace from the Thorn era, which is probably what the team needs right now. I'm still a little apprehensive about the appointment, but it's great to see the worldwide coaching...

Les Kiss set to be announced officially today: https://www.theroar.com.au/2023/07/20/hell-be-fantastic-why-les-kiss-is-such-a-good-appointment-to-take-the-queensland-reds-forward/

They bill it generally as "guaranteed access to every event" but I imagine the fine print on that might class a ballot entry as "access". I can't see them getting the same early access for a 2024 membership and you'll probably just have to wait and see for the 2025 offering.

It'll be interesting to see how they work it for membership groups. Thankfully I manage my group so I can give myself first pick of any tickets that come back from the 6+ members we're running

Yeah, my bad, I meant 2024, just typed 2023 by default

Yeah the email they sent out said you'll "increase your ballot entries for tickets to the Wallabies versus Lions Test matches". So it looks like at least one extra ballot entry from having a 2023 2024 membership.

I hate the fact that a Rugby coach with 20+ years of experience in key QLD pathways is getting picked up by the NRL as a Coach Education Manager at a time when we're crying out for coaching development programs in rugby.

Honestly, dropping a couple of E's seems pretty on brand for a sevens event

Just on that front row development, since leaving the Wallabies Petrus Du Plessis has set up a gym at the Gold Coast with a specific focus on developing scrum power and technique. It looks like he's already working with some school programs, but it'd be great to see the QRU formalise an...

Yeah, I think it'd be fair enough if a bit annoying for them to enforce a one game rest for the 23 from that game, but to extend it to the full squad (vs giving those squad palyers the choice) doesn't make a lot of sense.

Yeah, it's pretty clear with Phil Waugh featuring heavily in the marketing, as much or more than current players. They're speaking to glory days fans who may have lost connection with R.M. Williams (and probably the current wallabies).

Looks like it'll at least include some classic style supporters jerseys: from: https://www.rmwilliams.com.au/wallabies-collection.html?lang=en_AU

You can probably extend that out to the entirety of the tight 5 - a lot of locks have plenty of growing still to do post 20, both up and out.

Challenger series is back and has been expanded to include a women's challenger series: https://reds.rugby/news/queensland-rugby-challenger-series-to-return-in-2023-for-men-and-women-2023717?fbclid=PAAaZuCluG9nSjLky7IOAStFwHNWd4IV6Dx1Kg5sz--YdhwgoXpnhaIcex1cI

Cornelson and Riley yes, because they are still eligible after stand down. Players like Hardwick and Dempsey should still be treated as Internationals because they can never represent Australia again. I could see a long service exemption though - a player with 5+ years at a single super side...