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Could this be real?: http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/story/2011/06/15/stingrays-selected-for-reds-side-caleb-ralph-union/

Gee, if that's correct, could be some tough issues for the Reds ahead of the finals, with the backs injury load we are carrying late in the season. Lance for example will only play 2 games max pre finals.

bloodred: The fact that the two players who consistently top the tackle count, Ant Faiinga and Ben Lucas, were not playing could have everything to do with this stat Too bloody right, good point.

A thought occurs. I speculate that the ARU may have missed a trick in not arranging a proper series of elite Aus matches whereby 2011's Australia A squad could be fully formed as a 22 and either play a Wallabies side in, say, the type of 'Possibles v Probables' format that, IIRC, the NZRU has...

Daz, great point re the first 20. But it was worse: needless penalties were also given away in both games in this crucial period of play, and whilst there has been justifiable focus upon the injury log, IMO our Reds were actually not playing to their usual high standards in both games in terms...

I have said numerous times that in 2012, I want to see at least 2, ideally 3, Aus S15 teams all knocking the socks off each other and the SA and NZ opposition from Rnd 1, and playing fan-friendly win-plenty rugby that pulls really good crowds (gate and TV). I want to see the Tahs fulfil their...

Agree 100% Ruggo. IMO, it's particularly impressive that from about Rnd 1 or 2 S14 2010 to today as No 1 on the S15 table, there has been a more or less consistent line of improvement. Setbacks yes, but recovery and further growth of the team's performance soon followed. All this in about 16...

Whatever the merits of FOXSports' involvement in the TV rights, let's all remember that a big motivator for the 2011 format change was purely economic - the greater number of games coupled with the assumed higher TV and gate audiences for the increased 'local derbies' materially increases the...

Do the letters AB come to mind as well?

Some of you may have seen this already, but a good article today by Link re, most appropriately, squad depth and its relationship to an S15 campaign: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/depth-is-the-greatest-test-in-super-rugby-20110609-1fu29.html

Or, like last year, a bad cluster of injuries conspires to convert this swiss watch of a Reds playing machine into a lesser time piece that cannot adjust quickly to less seasoned (or less good) players. That's no pre-emptive excuse from me: as you imply Daz, a championship team has to have...

Two crucial differences to previous post-loss Reds response situations: one, now, we have major injury absences throughout our backline, two, prior the oppositions concerned were not in a 'nothing to lose, just play for pride' mode which IMO emboldens the lower-ranked sides to relax somewhat and...

Amongst many other potential dimensions for the assessment as to what team will likely win this match, let's recall the last Reds game that A Fainga'a did not start, v Canes - the Reds defensive structure loosened badly and the Canes scored multiple 1H tries as a direct result...AF comes on later...

Hmmm, not so sure. He's a poster that rolls out detailed recollections of Aus teams and games over 20-30 years ago, so better be careful glad...;-)

What to say that hasn't been? - The Brumbies deserved to win, period. Congratulations to them, and most positively, many good omens for 2012. We need at least 2 consistent top tier 15 teams for rugby to re-build in Australia, 3 would be excellent, under JW and with all the ACTRU drains cleaned...

That's how it finished.

Very relevant comments from Braam Van Straaten re JO'C's kicking, his own coaching role with the Wallabies (largely via remote communication), and his desire to aid the Wallabies in the RWC (implying that such has not been confirmed yet)...

If, as quoted in the Perth media, DS 'loves Perth' etc, I don't get why RugbyWA didn't fight much, much harder to keep him...was it top unmatchable $s from France, 'I just want to play in Europe', or what, that allowed or drove his departure ? It strikes me that with WA's much thinner player...

S293 - Can I say that I genuinely admire and respect your objectivity over a number of your team's problems and coaching flaws - Aus rugby doesn't thrive on fawning Fan rabidlity, it thrives on passion and team-love coupled with good, open analysis of all aspects of play, coaching and...

Please God, not more ref-bashing and 'we wos robbed'. IMO, over time, it really starts to spoil the constructive analysis and fun-to-be-here-vibe that is the very best of what GAGR is, and should always be. Thanks for the guidance Cyclo.