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Yes TBH. We have to deal with the NH competitive factor absolutely. One of my major concerns re the under-performing Wallabies is a shrewd point made elsewhere by Gnostic, namely, the longer this trend goes on and digs in and the negative media gets really hot, we will start to find the best...

Points taken. But it's a stretch to argue IMO that the large payments in and of themselves created G's downwards performance spiral per se. And what seems to have happened with Giteau is that this high payment level has gone on and on and on for many years, and not adjusted downwards against any...

Guys, the ARU needs QC (Quade Cooper) in rugby far more than QC (Quade Cooper) needs the ARU. And increasing his pay given this talent and fan power is a perfectly legitimate objective for him, and one which 90% of modern, professionally advised players would pursue in his circumstances, and with his proven talent on the big...

I don't think Robbie's saying his farewells just yet...though do watch this space....

Thanks Lee. As usual, very informative. A couple of points: - if taking a bigger squad to Europe for the EOYT is the right way to genuinely build a bit more depth via say using mid-week games, more bench experimentation, etc, etc to trial more candidates for key forwards positions, then let's...

Let's just be clear about one thing: the vast majority of everyday Aus rugby fans - both hardcore and floaters - really don't give a toss about esoteric debates as to whether we are, or should be, 3.1, 2.75, 4.3, whatever on the IRB rankings. Look at the trend lines on S14 and Test attendances...

RR, I think that's correct. His loss would be a massive blow to the Reds and would almost certainly hit 2011 S15 gate income when the QRU is slowly getting back on its economic feet after near-bankruptcy. I also know from my son's BNE rugby club that QC (Quade Cooper) was an absolute hit with kids in rugby and...

Ruggo, perhaps you missed the fact that I only advocated Barnes 10 Giteau 12 AF Bench for that one Christchurch game, and NOT as an enduring 'solution' of any kind. I am a trenchant advocate that the immovable icon Giteau should long ago have either been benched, or given a complete 6 month...

Yes. The guy is super tough and gutsy to a fault. I recently had a long chat with him at a Reds' dinner. He's got tremendous vitality and drive in person, for what it's worth just as a human observation. No way did he come across as 'over it' in person. My view is that Thorn et al proves age...

http://www.thefordhamcompany.com.au/clients/todd-louden Indeed Scarf, good thought. IMO he's got a far more relevant coaching background for the Wallabies' backs than ever possessed by the hapless Richard 'Skills Coach' Graham. The call may come before 2012.

++1. There is no comparison with GG. LF's essays and player ratings are full of fact, quick in thought, and only 'negative' when he sees the unmistakable, facts-driven trend line that way in the hard light of day. Does GG do full - and typically astute - Wallaby player ratings and post them...

Just to add: I agree with Eddie Jones in last Friday's The Courier Mail (extract below), we cannot trust the ARU to handle this optimally:

TOCC, you're 100% right re the cash flow economics of this concept. Recall that JO'N went on record when he re-joined and stated that the ARC was bleeding cash so badly it could risk the viability of the ARU. He may have been exaggerating to dump on his predecessor, but there were demonstrable...

I don't think it should be assumed for one minute that the ARU will _necessarily_ handle the QC (Quade Cooper) matter with the required care, just because of its obvious importance. Let's of course hope they will, but the way they handled Vickerman's salary requests the last time round in 2008 (as he's now...

I guess Ruggo the problem with those 'nervous mistakes' is that they likely directly or indirectly leaked at least one AB try (see LG's posts on this). OK, that's history now, but these are errors that, playing the ABs, you simply cannot afford to make, or your likelihood of loss goes up...

Bruce, I'm not qualified in your (important) area, and I certainly learnt a lot from your posts and others' counter-posts in that debate. Thanks for contributing. However, one thing can I think be said with certainty: these 2010 Wallabies and their coaching infrastructure are not obsessed...

Lee, thanks again for a thoughtful post we non-rugby-experts (i.e. me), but passionate fans, learn from and enjoy! I think you and Bob D are coalescing somewhat on an assessment of these Wallabies, yes? As mentioned, I am not someone who can plan intricate back line moves, assess props with...

Gagger, perhaps you will judge this too 'soft' an assessment, but I think A Fainga'a reacted badly/anxiously to this particular pressure cauldron on starting side debut. ABs. Bad loss in Melbourne. Huge pressure for a win. Away match. 20-25 mins off the bench for AF for a few sequential games...

Hmmm....let's work hard on this...could SBW have changed his mind (he's said he could qualify for Aus rugby via one or other relative). Or Larkham coming back in a desperate rescue bid? ...or Drew Mitchell's been forbidden to play for Balmain?

Hope GAGR will be there to ask some probing and awkward questions, of which there's a good list of 100+ after the last 3 Tests...