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I never expected the separation to make a difference in the first six months. Its a long term (3 year) reorganisation. We may know if its been worth it or not in 2012 or 2013.

I don't think that its just recruiting, and all the second stringers have been trained to death. It is the policy that Waratahs selectors have put in place that says the best player MUST always play and that a back-up player must never get more than 10 minutes unless there is an injury...

They must be using gold plated insulation tape!

Was this invitation from the Waratah side of the business or the NSWRU side? Not to be pedantic but they are two separate entities.

The first 30 minutes of this game could be absolutely crucial. If the Crusaders can post a couple of early tries in that period then I doubt that the Stormers will know how to come back. All year they have had trouble scoring tries (and no fans screaming for a fan forum to protest either). I...

Had the Tahs made the semi-final but one of our three locks was injured, the Tahs would have had grounds to apply to bring him in. I would assume the 40 minutes was so he was not injured late in the game when his body might be tiring.

He'll be the highest paid player on a per minute played basis. 74 minutes he got this year.

Buying Pretorius just means McKibben will go elsewhere (probably the Brumbies) so maybe not so great. The Tahs biggest need is a marquee 10 of the highest quality who can also place kick. If Barnes doesn't recover we are totally screwed. If Barnes recovers, he, Carter and Horne can share...

Wouldn't say an epic failure. Your other choices were McLeod 6, Matthewson 14, Ellis 3. Although I thought he had a disastrous game, Fox gave Holmes 13 so OK call. Great minds thought alike on Carter T; the other Carter I had needs to lift his game a bit though (for Fantasy anyway).

Just what I said in my post. "grab another poor performing import like Anesi with the excuse there is no one else."

Nitpicking I know, but the worst defensive halfback in the comp is Phipps, not Pretorius. He's many people's pick as the reserve halfback for the WC (not mine). If people think Phipps should be back-up Wallaby halfback then its hard to see how Pretorius, who is a better defender, wouldn't make...

If Foley goes to head coach then I see no reason why Waugh would not be a smashing success as forwards coach. But I agree with you that Barnes would be totally unqualified to be backs coach. Watching the Tahs backs this year says Bowen has no clue whatsoever. Without wanting to start a fight...

Those touting To'omua should have a look at comments in the Shute Shield club thread. Some of those have been downright ugly.

Cowan and the two du Plessis brothers are in a league of their own as dirty players. They make Bakkies look snow white.

With the same level of injuries the Reds would likely not have coped nearly as well, as would not most of the Super squads. The Waratahs and Crusaders squads were probably the deepest squads in the comp. But luck played a real part too. Take the Sharks - they were missing just one first...

3. Dennis 2. Douglas 1. Carter Honorable mentions to Robinson, Timani, Beale, Turner, Cross and Pakalani. Bernard Foley was only on for a short time but it was enough to see he should be a keeper.

Its not a bad team, but its nowhere like the team we would have run out with if we were picking the best we had on contract. Our best team would have been Ben, TPN, Kepu, Timani, Mumm, Dennis (or maybe Mowen), Palu, Waugh, Burgo, Barnes, Carter, Horne, Mitchell, Turner, Beale. That team would...

There's one way in which I hope he doesn't make it. Spelling his first name correctly is a nightmare for a typist like me. :D

When I had him he was scoring -7's. Burnt my fingers badly then, bit wary now.

This year we sent the team away telling ourselves that the forward pack was a year older and hungrier, with plenty of Super squad and game experience. We thought so highly of the backs that we brought some home to cover for Red injuries. Then came the reality check: France of all people. Not...