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Isn't it great to see that the NRC is growing in out estimation such that we get a bit put off when the national coach calls up one of our more influential players.

At this stage, I would have to favour the Qld Country and Vikings to take out the top two spots. The order will be determined by the result this weekend of the Drua v QC (Quade Cooper) game. Depending on the result of that game, either the QC (Quade Cooper) (if they win) or the Vikings (if the Drua win) will be on top and...

Would be good to see how Wright goes. Has been excellent at the U20s and in the NRC. But, surprisingly, he's not Michael Hooper-lite in that he is a ball winning No 7. Seems out of character for Cheika to be impressed.

Well, I thought Lucas as well but he can also cover 15 which wasn't mentioned in the post.

As I said, the defensive barn dance by Nathan Grey. It is not written in stone that the 13 has to defend at 12. It is because Grey moves his weaker defenders in Foley and/or Beale out of the front line in defense that both the 13 and winger have to move in a slot or two.

I would guess he spends half of the training time in the 13 spot - that is where he defends in the Grey barn dance that is the defensive strategy.

It's my recollection that Dwyer was the guru of flat attacking lines.

Would be interesting to see the financial projections for both the ARU and the Rebels through to the end of the current broadcast contract in 2020. Three more years with the Rebels operating at a similar level to the past will surely bankrupt the whole of rugby in Aus. Edit : Not in WA however...

Giteau was a very good tackler, in the traditional sense. Going low and making sure the tackled player fell to ground. But he was out of place when facing larger players who inevitably were able to off load in his tackles.

Streaming might get better in time, but right now it is unreliable and of pretty poor quality, as pointed out by TOCC, and on top of that there are fewer camera angles so the product isn't as good as that on Foxsports, and the commentary is is a real turn-off, literally. When I watch the live...

Can't agree BH. On his NZ form this year and prior to his Rebels stint, JGB has a much higher ceiling than any of the No 10s going around in Aus NRC sides, much as I admire the work of Jonno Lance. Time will see him achieve high honours imo.

Notice how the question about alarm bells was nicely side stepped. Deflecting the issue to include the financial costs of many other teams. A choice piece of obfuscation.

Isn't Angus Allen also signed to some form of contract, giving extra cover at No 7?

My point was that I dislike having the starting No 12 being the backup No 10. I am not saying Beale shouldn't be starting at No 12 and he certainly does seem to have a positive effect on the way Foley plays. I am saying that there should be another back up No 10 who can slot in if Foley goes...

I think the biggest need is for another No 12. I expect Christian will start there with Hawera at No 10. And while Dargaville has been sharp there as well, we are a bit thin if there's another long term injury/illness. Meakes would be an excellent get, but all the smoke signals are saying he's...

IIRC MST, you and I were both calling for JGB to get the No 10 spot with the Brumbies when Christian became ill. Don't think anyone else on the forum had necessarily heard of him then, but apparently the Rebels took heed of our calls and signed him. He didn't have a good season with the Rebels...

Fat Prop - Dan Palmer, the beginning of the legend.

AD he does from time to time, but more often has a mixed bag bordering on poor. His handling is often very suspect, and he's not the best defender ever to pull on a jersey.

I don't particularly like the two No 10s playing at the same time, based on the experience of To'omua and Lealiifano both starting at the Brumbies in 10 and 12, and both being the nominal replacement for the other. The Foley/Beale situation is much the same. If one goes down, then the other...

FP, I don't have any hard evidence, mainly just a vibe. But it was reported that he said to Latu to get fit but he hasn't been seen since, and he did play a few games before being injured. He reportedly told Rob Simmons what he had to do back in NRC but despite being almost invisible in his...