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Isn't it a tragedy that he and Dickinson are not going to the World Cup but Poite, Bryce Lawrence and Kaplan are.

The Lions prior history under all refs is part of the overall judgement call that the appointments board makes. If its too subjective then you can't rate referees. So how do you know who to take to the world cup? What you are saying is that previous history, no matter how outlying or...

I agree entirely with the bolded part of your quote. I want neutral refs back as soon as it can be organised and the definition of neutral to incorporate previous game history.

It would be great if the Crusaders lost, but the ramifications for them would be disastrous. They would be facing going to SA two full games behind the Blues and fighting with the Highlanders and others for a wildcard spot. They will be VERY focussed. Clearly they are in a slump, if they had...

Cyclo, It appears I set him off in my comments on the Tahs/Rebels game. Kaplan has been put in a no-win situation by the board in being appointed to that game. Whoever loses, Kaplan will be perceived to have favoured the other because of the history. Having played football at a fairly...

This team selection seems to confirm three Hickey coaching characteristics: To be consevative about picking young backline players even when the incumbents are playing so poorly that their performance lost the match the previous week (Cross over Kingston). Selecting players who appear to be...

The referees appointments board seem determined to give Kaplan a chance to prove he can ref a match that the Tahs win. The record at the moment is something like 15 losses and one win. I think the one win was the Lions during one of their dire periods, even Kaplan couldn't help them. Why...

It was perhaps not audacious, but some of the tries Rupeni Caucaunibuka (I win the spelling comp) scored for the Blues left me short of oxygen.

I thought I read that they were bringing in Roberts, which would indicate that they think Seymour is too young/inexperienced. Also its not clear (I think) that TPN is definitely out. So maybe he could come off the bench if Ulugia goes haywire. Timani was OK last week, I don't see that Douglas...

Conrad Smith's injury looked ugly when I saw it. Be surprised if he's back for another month.

It would be better if you swapped Bennetts for Cross and kept Turner at fullback with Anesi on one wing. Barnes for Hangers is just dependant on medical issues, and starting him allows you to bring Hangers on as soon as any problems arise. Starting Hangers means you can't bring him back on...

He's had one reasonable game and two shockers. I think Alcock would be a far better option. But he's not favoured by the powerbrokers.

That was a real positive step this year but it won't have immediate effect. I expect to see the influence of that separation in the selection of next year's coach/coaching team and changes over time to the marketing and business plans. But that will take time to filter down through the...

The Canes tight five this year have been less than stellar. Despite the fact that the Reds will be bruised and tired after Saturday, I think Link will plan for a fair bit of close encounter forward work before unleashing the backline this week. And I don't think that there will be much...

Yes it does matter. Alexander is a very poor prop compared to Robinson and Kepu. But he scores way more fantasy points. The scoring should be related to rugby skills.

Its been dealt with on a number of the previous pages. The only team going backwards was the reds and they were going down to prevent a pushover try. That's illegal. The only thing a scrum can do is go backwards and stay on its feet if they cannot take the pressure. They didn't. They...

For the first week I had Robinson and Kepu as props because I thought the Reds scrum was vulnerable (only person who didn't was Smith). So I was absolutely salivating over the points possibilities from all the times they murdered the QLD front row. Result - Robinson 18 (including one tight...

Low scoring week this week, I moved up in the rankings after only scoring ~350. Some other people must have had a real turkey. The high scorers seemed to be not the usual suspects.

Can I just say that after the sour experience of last night this thread has sweetened my day!

How can you possibly comment on a game you obviously didn't watch.