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That depends on the extent to which coaches rely on statistics. I'm sure there is enormous variance across teams, but I'd guess that some of the European clubs are the most advanced. I would also say that most teams relying on third-party stats services do not take their statistical analysis...

7:40pm kick-off at Allianz Stadium, Sydney on Friday night. Questions abound. Will the Waratahs recover from their humiliation in Canberra? Or will Michael Cheika quietly put down half the team? Can the Cheetahs win for the third time in a row in Sydney? Or will the 1,314 non-Saffas in the...

I'd like to see Barnes in at 12 for Carter.

Totally agree. We were discussing this on the long, sad, hungover drive back from Canberra. We also speculated that Jake White might have a lot to do with Mowen's "leap" over the last two years -- both in training and designing game plans that fit his game.

I tried to take a photo at the match, but the angle and distance were too much for my iPhone. Solid gold.

Yes indeed. He was better with substitutions last year, but it's been an ongoing problem, IMO. I think White is an exciting talent. He seems to be tough, has a good pass and run, and a monster kick. He should be part of the Wallabies' set-up going forward.

Nah, much better to just play Genia 80 minutes a match and make sure no back up ever gets experience.

Will the Lions tour be 23-man teams? If so, we'll have two props on the bench, suggesting that both Slipper and Alexander will be selected. Mogg was sensational last night -- in attack. He was never under any pressure defensively. If he continues to play well, he may be selected but I'm...

Watching the game at Canberra Stadium was a fantastic experience. Passionate supporters, good food, beer in tinnies, and you can still see the field from the beer queue. Brumbies fans were fun and there was lots of good joking before and after the game. About fifty times more enjoyable than...

Campbelltown is part of what is known as Greater Western Sydney. Not sure if that's a sensible label, but there it is.

That's a bloody good point! I retract that thought.

Shhh. We're trying to feel better about the situation, dammit.

Repeatedly, but only momentarily, surely.

Ha. All a bit backwards, really. It's great that they're getting out to schools, of course, I just hope this doesn't just extend to private ones where ex-Wallabies have kids.

I saw that and was disappointed. Go out to bloody Campbelltown or Penrith or even bloody Concord before Newington.

I think that even if his performances on the field do warrant selection, many people will simply say he was selected on name only. ;)

I think Izzy is a long-shot to make the team, although if he continues to improve or there are a few injuries, he might well get there. At the moment, he is surely a long way down the pecking order. For the ARU, however, the Lions is likely the last opportunity before the next one or a RWC win...

The concussion issue is totally different. It involves a range of on-field, off-field, rule and cultural factors and is far, far more complex than the tackle technique of a couple of players in certain instances. But let's just let that one go, hey? You're not going to change my mind, because I...

He's probably an upgrade on McKibbin but I hope to god he figures out how to pass quickly and accurately by then. Short-term, Burgo would be a better signing. At least Phipps has a lot of career left ahead of him.

There is clearly a different between CTE impacting generations of players across an entire sport and the tackling technique of an individual player. This is why concussion tests and so on have become a bigger deal in rugby, while this apparently deadly (for the ball-carrier) tackle technique has...