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I certainly hope so, tq. If there is anything stupider - seemingly induced or inferred by the ARU - than this 'mini battle' over key young players re home games vs Italy U20s, I have yet to see it. How anyone can argue that 'playing for country in a junior comp that maybe 500 Australian fans...

Yeah right, perfect objectivity would prevail. Just like it always does.

Sore loser, bet if roles were reversed, you'd post 'brilliant work again by NZ forwards, skillfully setting up the Reds into error at the breakdown'. I recoil at this basic lack of acceptance of a result, and 'we wos robbed by the ref' starts all over again, which frankly is a perennial blight...

Couldn't agree more, welcome back MR, I hope it's a while before the reverse is required from me/us when the ABs show us a thing or two (again).

IMO, more thoughtful judgement on this issue returning courtesy of Bob Dwyer: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/oconnor-has-skills-for-no12-says-dwyer-20110528-1f9hv.html

I was agitated enough in the Blues game, this will require medication before 80 is out I suspect. Where are the GAGR potions as might be offered up (take a Quade or such like, wasn't it?) for this forthcoming malady?

A top-notch rant, fp, if I may say so. Spot on to the power of 5.

Related question: has it ever been so that, in either Sydney or Brisbane, an SOO crowd was, in the same (or different) years equalled in numbers by an S12/14/15 crowd (as will likely be the case this week in Brisbane)? I find this an interesting question in terms of what might be achieved (in...

As 'the non-insiders' that have likely never packed an S15 scrum, nor have ever played in a Test, or never gossiped with coaches over tactics and players after a big game, we definitely should all stop offering opinions and advice when the following outcomes have been achieved as a new high...

Sadly for BB, your call above TBH is looking ever more prescient: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/barnes-out-with-footballers-migraine-20110527-1f8cc.html

Maybe. I rather think it looks like NSWelshpersons are somewhat faster to get off them ;-).

Cooper tweets 'nearly a sell out', and Ticketek now showing 'single seats only, any level'. Must be near 50,000 sold. Just incredible....wonderful for Aus (and maybe NZ?) rugby.

Bullrush, I am a known Deans sceptic, though around these parts, I have learnt to proceed with an uncharacteristic diplomacy of late re my unwavering assessments of The Master Coach. Nonetheless, I must echo your worthy mention of '...love of Captain...' when I see this morning's intense...

Ah, yes, Bullrush, memories do flood back! As Wikipedia has re RT: "...his captaincy ended on a low note as the team was eliminated by the Wallabies in the semi-finals of the 2003 Rugby Union World Cup. Following the World Cup, Thorne was replaced as All Blacks captain by Tana Umaga...."

À la recherche du temps perdu ....somewhat different crowd figures as well... http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/rugby-union/queensland-reds-v-crusaders-at-suncorp-stadium/story-e6frepm6-1225832364313

Scotty, not only must I agree with you, but I am staggered that any deeper fan of Australian rugby would not applaud the wisdom of prioritizing in every conceivable way the possibility of a once-great Australian rugby powerhouse recovering that glorious heritage and winning the first S15 title...

Phew! Common sense ARU<>QRU rules re Dom Shipperley's retention in Brisbane for the full Reds season: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/reds-keep-hold-of-shipperley-until-end-of-season-20110525-1f3wg.html

IMO, the Force need to do something radical and reasonably fast to get their w-l % up, and get into an S15 top 6 etc, or they risk a 'negative tipping point' down to a gate level (of say 13-14k per match) that may threaten their whole economic viability, and the vicious circles of weakened top...

Scarfie, I'd be the first to say my theory re the gate-numbers impact of increased (cheaper) large screen+HD broadcasts is just that, but it's backed here in Aus by lots of anecdotal feedback I get. I'd add this: if the market-building dynamics in the code are going well _at the local level_...

LF - some comments: - as i've noted before, IMO the impact of HD rugby broadcasts onto ever-cheaper-by-the-month large (45"-65") plasma/LCD TVs that have recently sold in large volumes in Aus and NZ, cannot be underestimated in this context. With these technologies, the immersive experience...