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I was thinking the same. If it is a minor fracture he could still be available. If not Hanson should be called in as back-up. None of the Reds really did themselves any favours in the selection stakes today except Digby. They just could not get in any kind of rhythm.

We are really going to miss Smith being in the mix. He was everywhere before he was injured tonight. He reads the game so well and is invariably in the right place at the right time. Hope the scans prove that it is not as bad as predicted. TPNs Kamikaze tackling technique once again injures him...

It is very hard to predict a result for the series at this point. How are the Lions going to come together. On paper they will be a very good side but can Gatland get them to gel as Ted could not? Deans has all his players available with the exception of Pocock, and actually has one or two extra...

That would be my backline.

They pretty much all do it in test rugby at least some of the time. Generally 5/8s have a very good boot and as playmakers can make things happen with space and a couple of fast blokes around them. If there is a chance that the opposition will kick they fall back. Carter M. Steyn Wilko etc etc...

The ref is not helping the Tahs but they are their own worst enemy. No cohesion in the pack or the backs. They are defending well but it is pretty sad that their all wallaby pack is performing, or under-performing, like this. It looks as though they have not played together before?

They will likely have JOC (James O'Connor), Lilo and Quade in the starting side. That would be the order of preference.

Starting Smith at 7 allows you to have another 7 on the bench as he can cover 6 and 8. He may be an 80 minute player but Palu is not. We need to play an up tempo game, particularly late in the second half, and having a back row of say Smith, Hooper, Mowen/Higgers or MMM, Gill, Smith in the...

I doubt we could have the luxury of both Fotu and Palu in a 23. If Mowen or Higgers start at 6 they are legitimate lineout options as are Smith and Gill at a push. Palu's lineout work will not be all important. If we start with 6.Mowen/Higgers 7.Smith 8.Palu we can finish with 6.Smith...

I think Mowen would be a great starter at 6 with Smith at 7 and Palu at 8. MMM on the bench to cover 4/5/6 and Gill or Hooper as the back row reserve. This gives you a lot of flexibility with your back row throughout the game.

Great game of rugby with two very different sides basically cancelling each other out. The Reds left plenty of points on the pitch but the Brumbies defense had something to do with most of them.

Yes Qwerty, George Smith is clearly better than both Hooper and Gill , neither of whom are anywhere near world class like Smith. He can also play all 3 backrow positions at the highest level and despite his many years in the game and vast experience he is still playing pretty close to his...

The difference in the two scenarios is that George is now playing a complete Super rugby season, a portion of which is before the Lions series and a portion after and he never had his eye on the Lions series when he agreed to play with the Brumbies. This is not an elaborate scheme devised by him...

He would need to be playing for an Australian Super rugby side under a contract for the season and he should be available during that contract period. But the reality is that he could not entertain, and Toulon would not entertain, a brief stint in Super rugby while he is playing for them. Not a...

again?

I have to agree with Jake White on this one. Deans would be mad(that is for another thread) not to bring him into the fold. Start him at 7 with Hooper or Gill on the bench with MMM...

Is it not a requirement for all Australian Super rugby franchise contracted players to be eligible for Wallaby selection? I don't think you can just say "I'm retired from test rugby" as they do in cricket. If you are playing Super rugby and they select you then you turn up. I assume that someone...

Seems as though he is now eligible http://www.news.com.au/sport/rugby-gold/george-smith-to-play-out-season-with-act-brumbies-now-available-for-selection-against-the-british-and-irish-lions/story-fndptwp4-1226622006215

If he is under contract to the Brumbies...and Suntory at the same time, is he not eligible?

Without Pocock our backrow lacks experience and direction, in fact 6 and 8 are far from decided. George Smith is currently the best performing 7 in Australia, with Gill close on heals. That is enough for him to be considered. More importantly he would bring to the backrow exactly what Stephen...