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I'm the opposite. Slipper v Bamba seems odd, depending on team systems they may not even line up against each other in genernal play (any more than the rest of the tight 5). The scrum is a major issue for props, Tupou v Bamba will be fascinating.

Nor is there anything PC involved in sample sizes. Pop'n NZ 5M, Pop'n Aus 25M. Our sample size starts at 500% of NZ.

This maps my understanding though my "knowledge" is decades old now. I'd add that explosive power is actually anaerobic. The trick for rugby S&C, I would think, is integrating these into a cohesive whole for the needs of rugby.

ILTW, I just think you may need to temper expectations. If not expectations then timing at least. Coleman is on board, he will need time.

Thanks Adam. I had difficulty seeing Stiles in a DoR role, but that clarifies things. Great guy with huge rugby experience if he can find the right role. And he may well have done that.

How do you define "success" here? Over-expectations on Coleman would seem counterproductive. The guys will need time and it's hard to think that he won't be learning on the job, at least a little.

Out of interest what would be the expected difference between a DoR and GM of Rugby?

Bad news! Chloe's photos do not look good.

My understanding is that the French Top 14 teams tend to require the locks primary role to be taking it up and general play, relying on the back three for jumpers.

Ditto though someone on the inside. Which begs the question - can we de-shit the shiftfest?

No. But the rules need consideration for sure.

Fair enough. Needs someone though preferably experienced with opinions that can be harnessed. I know Link is thrown around by people who don't get his cutting loose, but I wonder.

Yep. Thought is needed to the DOR role too. My mind wonders to Cheika, but what about Dwyer?

Now commit to at least 4 years. Like Thorn you have to give him a year to "learn on the job" and then the statutory 3 years to build the team to top level. Pick and stick NSW.

Fair enough - the idea hasn't gained a lot of traction. However, do you see the top two Aus clubs ever meeting a criteria of "Super test standard"? I just see a long term issue with the Aus input at TT never being up to speed. Which is a silver bullet to the werewolf of NZR-RA TT from my...

I really don't see a lot of alternatives to this approach, short of RA biting the tongue, digging in with NZRU and crossing fingers on how it pans out. That seems quite a black and white pair of alternatives to me. So if you consider that doubling down on domestic is the obvious choice, noting...

My understanding is that Australia $support in the Pacific is way ahead of everyone else combine. Certainly if China really dig in we can't compete, but so far I believe we are up there.

Oh tosh. The govt position is not about bolstering Aus rugby per se, it's about Pacific diplomacy in an increasingly difficult India-Pacific region. We just happen to come out of it well. Hopefully. Agree. Fiji is an obvious start in this for the govt. Wonder if the thinking has continued to...

I really don't think that we will get past these Kiwi attitudes for them to gain an appreciation for involvement in Australia, until we withdraw.

When you get to the point of recognising that is not happening, get back to me. Until then everything you suggest is based on a straw house.