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MT's running game was excellent last night, but I do take your point that not enough ball gets out to the wings when he's at 10. Deegan's wide passing game and more accurate kicking game from hand are certainly attractive. Harrison is in tremendous form kicking for goal but his game is very...

Generally agree KOB, but to my eyes the most detrimental aspect of the Tahs game was an over emphasis on trying to outmuscle the Rebels, especially in the forwards exchanges. It looks like Swinton's hard game against the Reds, was it, has been taken as the blueprint to be followed by the whole...

Option 2 is more fan friendly but when do we count?

Wasn't nearly as bad as some posters claim. Maybe mostly Tahs fans. Both sides played with intent but poor handling had an impact. Best on ground by a massive margin was Matt Philip. Huge workload in attack and defense. Dozens of hitups usually winning a the contact, hit multiple rucks and...

And, imo, easily the best of the locks at the U20s last year. Hoping that Frost (off topic) can be just as good.

UTG wouldn't Wright and Hooper be playing similar roles? In my mind, Valetini with either Wright or Hooper would offer better balance. And balance is something we've missed over the past few years.

Building up a good supply of experience right there.

I'm pretty sure he played lock at U20s a couple of years ago, partnering Darcy Swain in some of the lesser games. My opinion then and now is they were a better locking option than the more favoured Hockings/Blyth pairing.

Our most urgent injury recovery right now has to be Caderyn Neville. Scrum woes I think can be traced to a shortage of locks and as well as shoring up the scrum Neville had been playing excellent rugby before his injury. Anyone have any news? EDIT: Pretty handy in a linout too.

That's true WOB, but RA doing its own thing is an improvement on the TT as currently proposed while for NZ it would be a poorer option.

I don't question the ferocity of NZ derbies. Just think that there is not necessarily a big drop down in other derbies.

I sincerely hope that there is private money involved or that a better broadcasting deal is in wind. Otherwise there could soon be quite a few more Roddas looking overseas.

R3, who is "we"? Are you meaning Rebels or Australia? If Australia, then why omit Lolesio, Frost, Lonergan, Wilson, McReight etc. If Rebels how about your two young locks? Who is Gordon? EDIT : forget everything I posted above. I now see you were looking at the U20s for this year.

All part of the urban myth doing the rounds of NZ rugby at the moment.

Neither the Chiefs nor the Highlanders and possibly the Hurricanes are competitive with the Crusaders. Should they be axed too? The Brumbies and Reds were competitive this year and the Rebels have been close for a couple of years. The Tahs are on an upward trend and could be near the top in a...

Better than in the past, I agree, but I reckon his defense would always count against him being regarded as Wallaby standard even if he was eligible.

Nic White as a smokey. FWIW, I would be blown away if Rob Simmons is captain. Blown away! I reckon Rennie will be bringing the likes of Arnold and maybe Skelton back from o/s for the tests, so RS is still unlikely to get a gig.

I'd agree, playing the best for a number of seasons. Playing like a 7 with a 7 on his back. On the matter of competition for the 7 spot, Liam Wright would be next in line. Has an excellent rugby brain, plays like a forward and close to the breakdown, makes his turnovers (as Hooper has this year...

Wright could also be good bench cover as he can play 12 as well as wing.

Maybe not, but could be good bench cover for wing/15.