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Mario Ledesma must have been absolutely chuffed to get the two wins over Aus sides in Aus, to go with the earlier win over the Tahs. Maybe we should have kept him here and sent a couple of others from the national setup over to Argentina.

Understand your melancholy, Lou, but just a small correction. Chiefs beat the Reds last week. This week is the turn of the Lions to feast.

Warringah taking it easy on the Emus? Easts look strong with a few Tahs returning in the bye week. Uni front row has a look of a future Tahs' front row. Maybe next year?

Yeah, come RWC time we will have Dempsey, Timu and Valetini, maybe one or two of the young guns at the Reds and RHP/Cottrell all in the mix for the No 6 spot, assuming Naisarani will lock down the No 8 spot (if eligible then).

You are clearly right BH about the greater forces etc in modern day scrums. I am concerned that the present edict (if that is what it is) to allow play to proceed when one side of the scrum is collapsing will lead to injuries as weaker scrums will elect to go down rather than be pushed backwards...

The conference system really has its drawbacks, but on points alone, both the Tahs and the Rebels would still be in the top 8, just with the Tahs moving down to its rightful spot of 6th on the table. Unfortunately, can't see the second Aus side keeping a spot on the log as the season progresses.

Great to see Scott Fardy being appreciated over in Ireland. I have no doubt his form is no better than it had been here for many years; it is just being recognised by those who know. Cheika can never be forgiven.

Do I detect a smattering of discontent starting to appear among the Rebels' supporters on this site?

I am not suggesting the scrum in question should have been reset. I am saying it should have been a penalty to the Brumbies. One way to ensure fewer numbers of resets (and I know it won't be popular with many here) is to make all infringements a long arm penalty. Get rid of the short arm where...

A couple of incidents in the Brumbies/Jaguares game also looked a bit sus. - the breakdown where Pocock was penalised for back chat or throwing the ball away, not sure which, Speight had effected the tackle and released the tackled player before getting his hands on the ball. Should perhaps...

I am coming to the conclusion that WR (World Rugby) assisted by the referees, at least in Australia, are trying to negate the role of a dominant forward pack in the game of rugby. Too often, we see scrums being pushed backwards and on the verge of collapsing where the referee calls for the ball to be played...

Ulrich, I agree that it looks like the players' skills aren't trained enough. Pre-season training seems to be geared mainly towards fitness and there is probably little or no time given to individual skills for individual players. Maybe two or sometimes three trial matches are used to hone some...

Why is it that farcical decisions often involve NZ sides (eg, 8 players on the field in a 7s final; three halves of trial matches being counted towards SBW's suspension time) and the rub of the green goes their way each time?

RC I think you are spot on about Henry. He is coming off his wing a lot to try to shut down an inside runner (see the second try by the Jaguares on the weekend), and then has to make a U-turn to try to cover his winger as well. After years of being one of the better defending wingers in the...

So, another 5 or so good years. Nothing to be sneezed at BH. EDIT : And if 27 is some sort of measure of the end of a No 10's career, why haven't we yet seen the end of one Bernard Foley, who some would argue is still trying to learn how to be a Super Rugby level No 10.

Sam Windsor was one who got away. Had a solid NRC as I recall where he looked like a No 10 who could develop to Super standard. Not your usual schoolboy star who can't cut the mustard when they play with adults.

Apparently, 8056 or thereabouts at Canberra Stadium yesterday.

If the centres are to be changed, it ought to be for Dargaville at 12 and Andrew Smith at 13. James has really put in each game he's played and Andrew is the next best No 13 in the squad and is in better form than TK. Way out there options I think could be considered include Banks or...

My mistake then E&Es, but the comment stands as far as whomever the ref was.

Dan54 is right in that there doesn't seem to be a lot of joy in the way the four Aus franchises are playing atm. Why would there be, when they are consistently losing? But seriously, they all seem to be much too rigid in their game plans and the players are perhaps fearful of doing anything...