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Agree with the above. Why have too many rules. If people consistently pick players out of position it’s hardly going to make a difference in the long run because they are unlikely to win a spot based on the 20% of voters who do that. If by the end a Harry Wilson, Jack Dempsey or maybe Matt...

It’s a big ask for the young guy and I’d much rather he had 1-2 years coming through the system and playing prems. But it’s also a big ask in a professional franchise to cover a spot when they lost a contracted senior THP at the start of the season and have subsequently been plagued by...

But it all depends who your listening too, doesn’t it. And who you choose to believe. I heard for Hockings & Lucas it was 100% the money and that was it, pure and simple. For Rodda it was about the captaincy. Now my source could be wrong, but so could yours.

Yeah - that’s fair. I would say though that given Qld & NSW are by far the biggest nursery’s and that the money available to Australian rugby players is relatively small by comparison to our competition, we aren’t going to stop losing players we want to keep any time soon.

That’s a fair observation on Scott Robertson RR - but Thorn himself has been open about the fact that the Crusaders have excellent pathways/development systems which he wants us to eventually replicate but which we are still a long way from. The Crusaders have built this over 20-30 years, we...

At risk of taking the soft approach I am largely happy to put it down to that Dean. You are right - the occasional stinker is inevitable (and boy were they bad). However, I add the caveat that the lineout has clearly been an issue all season - even when we had our full stock of locks. As Dru...

No - that’s fair Bobby. 100% agree and I don’t suddenly have Dempsey in front of Wilson or Samu. But I do think having a strong lineout is essential and finding the right mix in the back row will be strongly influenced by that. Hooper and Nasirani were already front runners for their position...

The risk is getting too caught up in outlier performances and pushing or ditching players on the basis of these. I think Dempsey has had some good games and, when he has been at his best he is a very good backrower. A lot of the emerging candidates have been consistently better - but they...

Generally I don’t think he’s been great this year, but if Dempsey can keep playing like that he would be a very good pick at 6.

Speaking of the latest shiny new thing - Deegan was pretty good last night at a time when our other choices are compromises or premature (I don’t personally believe they’ll go with Harrison as much as I like the kid). Not saying he’s jumped into contention but if he keeps playing like that...

I don’t think that’s how it works at this level mate.

I’ll post one more time and then leave it - Do I think Hooper, all things considered, remains a better player at the moment then Wright. Yes - but I think it isn’t by much. Obviously his test experience is a big plus and I expect him to be picked and for Wright to be given more experience from...

I think you need to have another look at the lineout ability of our 6 & 8 candidates.

But this is no different to the argument that Hooper isn’t a 7 because he doesn’t pilfer. The modern game has gone beyond what you are suggesting. Somewhere in the back row there needs to be a primary lineout target and second serviceable jumper. Same as somewhere in your pack you need 1-2 guys...

I don’t dispute your view on Hooper at all Barb - but I think you are under selling Wright here. To be honest I was non-plussed with Wright myself before this year. I thought he was a decent enough player but I was very surprised when he made the Wallaby squad last year. It was only this year I...

That’s a pretty balanced article and a well balanced team. I’d be happy if that was named as the first team this year.

There is always a changing of the guard and it’s not always when people are past their best. You should reflect on the fact that even George Smith was benched and then moved on (and then bought back) when David Pocock emerged and Smith was far from finished. Smith was 29 at the time. I do...

If that’s true that’s incredibly bad form from the Rebels to be part of that.

Are you sure you want to offer Reg a life ban. He might take you up on that.

What does the Border closure mean to this game? Or future games? Will the Qld players have to stay in NSW for the rest of the comp or are there some sort of provisions in place which exempt them from the restrictions?