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Of course they are illegal substitutions, if not technically so. It is a bit redundant now that there will be 2 bench props in future. Teams will play to the absolute limit of the letter of the law (or past it) on the field. It is no different.

Not on the scoreboard Slim. Not on the scoreboard.

Cool. Apparently Mafi has signed with a Japanese club so that might soften the blow.

Looking at some of the uncontracted names there, you could roll out a 22 of players who aren't in a Super Rugby main squad that I reckon would be competitive against the Kings.

Always bet again the Force when they are favourites.

Maybe. Maybe not. At the moment I'd pick Charles fourth behind Moore, TPN and Hanson. It isn't unrealistic that two hookers are injured at the same time- especially when one is TPN- so yes Charles is a potential Wallaby. Charles' form hasn't been great this year, but he has only really played...

Stubbs has only played a few minutes for the Force but I really liked what I saw. Enthusiasm coming out the wazoo. Unless there is some glaring problem (e.g. defence) that I didn't get a chance to see, I'd definitely start him over Dellit.

It is a waste for the Force to sign Hanson. As much as teams have a responsibility to build a squad with depth, it is a waste to have two potential Wallabies (Hanson and Charles) in the same squad.

James O'Connor represented Australia in the 7s in 2008 before being capped as a Wallaby. Pretty sure playing for the Wallabies was not necessary to keep him tied to Australia. He played for the Wallabies at a young age because he was highly talented and we were lacking quality outside backs.

I think JOC (James O'Connor) should stay in the outside backs. I reckon the pecking order for 12 should be Tapuai, Lealiifano then Godwin. All have great skill sets. I'd prefer a Tapuai style 12 if Quade Cooper is the 10. Which foot is Lealiifano's preferred for kicking? Pretty sure both Tapuai and Godwin are...

Do you mean financial support? I thought that the Rebels negotiated to get them same $4.2 million franchise grants that the other four franchises get. I think the reason that the Rebels are struggling a bit is because there wasn't the surplus of playing talent that there was when the Force...

I reckon the Rebels are just getting into the same growing pains the Force had/are having. It might be a tough two years but things will pick up for the Rebels and Victoria is the place to have that franchise.

I am assuming what Harris wrote is true. Sure there is no direct quote of him saying that, but I feel pretty confident that Harris didn't just pick a place at random- otherwise he would have just said overseas and chosen his words more carefully. It sounds like he is having a whinge because, as...

I'd strongly disagree. You know what you get with Michael Hooper and George Smith at Test level and both are proven starters. Super form is all well and good but everyone looks shit playing for the Waratahs and the physicality of the Lions is likely to be well beyond what Super Rugby teams offer...

Pretty sure McCalman signed for another 2 with the Force earlier this year. Ben Whittaker might be interested in heading back east. He was really good for the Force when fit. Apparently the Force have expressed an interest in James Hanson so it sounds like Whittaker isn't on the radar...

Sounds to me a bit like Gill needs to harden up. He'll get an ARU top up in time and will make a lot of money out of rugby, but at the moment he is 3rd in line for his position and 4th if George Smith became available.

I reckon the best balanced back row we can roll out at this stage would be McMeniman, Smith, Palu.

Depends on which team turns up. If the Waratahs revert to type and the Force play well it could be a narrow win to the Force, which at 4:1 is fairly good odds. If the Waratahs keep it up, it is likely to be the Tahs by 12.5+. Funnily enough, the Force have a better record against the Tahs in...

Pretty much his only Super Rugby has been on the wing, hasn't it?

Yeah- where is Beau? Why isn't he playing?