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The Boks play more rugby before they move to Japan and then have a functioning alignment infrastructure that keeps all their players on the same page. Meanwhile we've spent years hand-wringing over Will Skelton despite him going well in Top 14.

If McReight does go, I'd prefer to see him in Europe rather than Japan even if it makes the logistics more difficult. I'm not convinced the Japanese domestic leagues offer an intensity close to Test rugby or even Super Rugby.

everyone is back into it except Easts

if it's Laurie does that imply that we might be finally switching to a rush defense?

That would be quite the limitation these days. I feel like most grade rugby players I play with or know are 2-4 years out of uni if they attended and in the age range of 22-28. At least at my club, the balance swings toward tradies as you get toward Prems and 2G.

Was that stipulation for Colts only or for the entire club?

Good on you and your club for keeping rego to $250, it's around 500-600 up in QPR. Wish more clubs would take that mindset and realize those high fees scare players off and choke the growth of the game.

if Jeffrey Dahmer could kick a 50/22, New Zealand Rugby would say he had an eating disorder

Not really much else to talk about right now anyhow. Most clubs finished off-season training and don't begin proper preseason until January. Don't think we'll have a good read on final player movements until trials in March.

If a financially strong club in eastern Sydney with one of the best hospitality arrangements around is cracking only 250 a game, that might not bode well for another more expensive tier of rugby becoming financially self-sufficient. I've been to Easts, their bar and restaurant gets heavy...

Shute Shield apparently charges gate fees, I'm not a strong advocate for that but it seems preferable to raising rego (north of $500 for grades at all QPR clubs). It's good to see that someone involved with their club like you @PhilClinton is aware of the impact of fees.

Another worry with implementing this would be the financial aspect. Speaking speculatively, I'm unsure how much higher rego can go without killing player numbers.

At the time of his appointment there was some very silly commentary about how Eddie's methods might resonate more with the sporting culture in Japan. As if being an inflexible blowhard is something deeply appreciated there.

Brisbane: Brothers, Uni, Easts, Wests Sydney: Uni, Easts, Randwick, Norths, Manly, Warringah Does that sound about right for clubs? Just trying to think about which clubs have the financial backing, the players, and the motivation to take on the next tier.

Relegating current QPR clubs to a different tier could inadvertently solidify any stigma that exists. A player currently going to a club that hasn't seen much success will at least get to showcase their talent against the top teams in the QPR's existing format or have a crack at a higher grade...

Eddie comes across as someone who gets a temporary bump in form out of players by turning the screws and putting the pressure on. It's not sustainable but can give a good run of form. If he plays his one card trick and it doesn't work, then I don't think he offers anything these days tactically...

Eddie has shown who he is as a person over and over again. The juice might have been worth the squeeze when he could deliver results, but if he's past it as a coach then what does he have to offer besides negativity?

In line with what you've touched on, I'm skeptical of how much player appetite there is for more travel time for what is social footy for 99% of them. I'm sure the club itself is keen, it's good for them. Downs Rugby punches far above its weight because social sport is THE thing to do on the...

pretty sure that USC enjoys being the big fish in a small pond and having some ridiculously long undefeated run