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I don't know that Foley is a genuine flyhalf. He's certainly a great ball runner and is great at making line breaks. But his kicking from hand is erratic and his game management is still pretty lacking. Lee Grant has written about this a few times on the blog. We've already seen the difference...

Knee. Not sure how bad it is.

Beale is a better flyhalf than Foley and could be great playing Cheika's philosophy. 10. Beale 15. Folau

We don't want JOC (James O'Connor)? You guys know we're coming 8th, right? Out of 15 teams? It's been a great turn around and there's heaps of potential, but I don't think we're in a position to turn down talent.

Yes, that's true. One factor is what the Rebels want - maybe they don't want him back this season at all? But it would be bizarre if he's plucked from club rugby to play the Lions given all that's gone on. On par with selecting a bloke who hasn't and won't play for a Super club this year.

IMO, Beale playing for Randwick is utterly uncontroversial. I'm sure it's part of his re-entry program cooked up by the ARU, RUPA, the Rebels, Beale and perhaps even his counsellors. Bugger the Lions though. I'd much prefer he focus on getting himself right rather than try to deal with the...

SETTLE, PETAL. Horne has been great, I'm a huge fan of his play this year. But JOC (James O'Connor) is one of the most talented rugby players in Australia. I don't think he's a 10, but I do think he could be a 12 and -- as much as I like Horne -- I reckon he would be better. JOC (James O'Connor) would be great on the wing...

I'm not sure where the thinking is, but the talking about the game is in the match thread in the "Rugby Matches" part of the forum. :)

Yep. Robbie likes to bring on players with a contrasting style to provide a different look to a tiring defense.

Right. Whether this is appropriate is an entirely different question.

Does anyone think Deans cares if Burgess plays before he's selected? I thought he made clear at the presser that since Burgo was contracted to an Aussie club and no other side, he'd be available.

What is Pulver actually saying there? I assume he means that Deans will now pick his own team manager and so on, since I'm certain that he already had the power to hire and fire his assistants. That said, there was a fair amount of conjecture that Totality Tony was appointed outside, or at least...

Not sure what you're talking about there. Deans hasn't changed assistants since Pulver took over. It's pretty standard practice for a coach to hire and fire their own assistants. I would suggest that one of Deans' key failures has been to build a strong, well-structured coaching staff.

IIRC, Deans has had full control over selections since at least 2010. Can't remember before that.

Fixed that for you.

Perfectly put. I hope that Moore a) finds more consistent form, and b) is able to play 80 minutes of all 3 matches. Fainga'a terrifies me.

Mitchell gifted the Rebels their first try with a terrible piece of decision-making. Folau was certainly quiet in comparison to some of his earlier games, but he still ran 69m, more than any of the Rebels per rugbystats.com.au. I think teams are looking to keep the ball away from him more than...

Good point.

Fortunately both teams were playing a lot of rugby too so it didn't bog down. He really could have gotten a better grip on the game. There was a shit load of chirping from the Rebels, but I also thought Higgers worked the ref much better than Dennis who never really seems to get his point across.

Actually, he only played himself into a Wallabies jersey after he turned it on for the Tahs in 2010. He'd been on the bench and worked his way back into the side at 15 and was a revelation.