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Thinking a bit left field, there could be some real long term benefits from picking someone like Simone out of the NRC. It would seem a very premature selection, but it all depends on the size of the squad. We used to routinely include a raw rookie (Houston being one) who were seen to have great...

So, reading between the lines, it is your expert medical opinion that Carter is a cheating, steroid abusing bastard, no doubt the product of a corrupt and cynical system and all of the All Blacks achievements for the last 50 years should be stricken from the records. Look - that sounds a tad...

Hmmm - if they do indeed switch the props it'll be very much shades of Kepu & Alexander. But I guess I'll wait to see if it actually happens before I get too bothered with it.

To be fair, the props are always going to go about when they did. What was disappointing was the drop off in the scrum after the change.

I think it's also worth noting the movement was started by Cooper bouncing out of a tackle and finding an offload.

Yeah, it didn't. And I'm not dismissing the range of criticisms that have been made entirely. In fact, I probably find it even more frustrating that (IMO) we played enough good football to have won, but that there are so many structural problems to our game that we were beaten quite comfortably.

I would say I thought we were generally very good in the first half. Even in the second half, we just seemed to be very flat, rather than diabolical from my single viewing of the game. But I'm lost as to what our strategy was when we got close to the opponents try line.

I largely agree Bullrush. I do have some optimism for the future though. I think there are a significant number of more dynamic, more physical young blokes coming through that I am hopeful we can develop to the level required. Very early days for a lot of them, and a lot can and do fall...

Haha - sorry, fat fingers. Or maybe just a new breakdown technique.

Sorry I be picky Strewthcobber, but from FFs table, McMahons ruck involvements in 40 minutes were 11. So, even though the minutes played has been corrected, the ruck involvements are now overstated. Please only take this as an observation rather than a criticism though as it is interesting...

Fair point - although I do think the backline listed above is several rungs better than this years regular starting backline (considering Lance missed a fair chunk of the season). But that doesn't diminish the point you make about squad depth. Plus, at the moment we are hoping the change to...

I know this won't be a popular view - but it was my recollection that we won all our own line out ball until Simmons was replaced by Douglas, and then the line out went to custard (as did our scrum - but Slipper didn't have a happy day out, so I'm not sure how much the change of locks...

So what's the first choice Force backline looking like next year if everyone is fit? Something like Prior, Lance, Rona, Tapaui, Meakes, Morahan, DHP? That's not too shabby, if the injury goods are kind.

I stumbled across this today. Looks like Wilkinson still holds a few records in the AFL draft. https://sports.vice.com/en_au/article/numbers-game-the-best-of-the-best-at-afl-draft-camp-where-are-they-now?utm_source=vicesportsfbanz

I hope Naivalu gets a start. Personally I feel Timani may be only a stop gap, whereas I feel Naivalu could be a long term starter. As such, the sooner he gets a gig the better for mine. All based on no more than gut feel of course, and from a guy who initially though Kefu wasn't good enough to...

I know this seasons off season talk was about a change of playing style which never really came to fruition, but the coaching appointments have to create some optimism for a more attacking style, don't they?

No. :)

I think there have still been plenty of positives from individuals in the NRC, and probably by a few in positions we want to see. Off the top of my head I'm thinking Perese, Paia'aua, Tupou, Tui & Banks. I think Ready, Talaki, Houston & Paraka have also been solid. The bulk of our best XV & a...

It's funny. When you put it in those terms, my enthusiasm dwindled a little. ;)

I thought Nabuli was one of our better players. But certainly those inside him didn't give him much help. I'm not a back though. Edit: the other question is, if not Nabuli then who. I reckon Magnay is the only other one who would be considered to have a strong claim, assuming he isn't picked...