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If the Fijian RU was payed a transfer fee whenever a Fijian signed for a club, it might be able to afford to pay its players during the RWC the equivalent of what they would earn for Racing Metro over the same period. I've long advocated transfer fees being paid to international bodies.

What makes it difficult is that the fullback usually slots into the line inside or outside the opposition 13. You have to make more decisions about who to take. I'm astounded by the logic of the Fainga'a supporters saying that just because none of his teams use him in attack it doesn't mean he...

Making sure you take one of the two choices offered to you.

Great player, good leader and seems like a pretty good bloke. I've not met either, but based on what I've seen, I think I'd rather have a beer with Richie than Quade.

I'm not into forgiving someone their vices because they can do special things on a sports ground. Like it or not, they're role models as well as athletes. I don't want my kids thinking its okay to drop a knee into an opponents head (or for other kids to think its okay to drop a knee into my...

We lost 2 of our last 3 to England and our last games to Samoa and Scotland. Yes, we're doing okay, but let's not over egg the pudding. A tri-nations 22. Well done. Now how about a team picked from all nations. This thread is becoming absurd. Clearly most of us haven't seen enough NH games...

Beale's game has been disrupted by Cooper's move to fullback in defence. He's not been as effective this season as a result.

We should respect all opposition not just the kiwis. Perhaps we're interpreting respect differently. I have no doubt Vickerman respects his opposition. It doesn't mean he doesn't want to bash them. Cooper show's a lack of respect with his cheap shots and a lack of respect to his team mates by...

Some thoughts/observations: Herbert and Mortlock played outside Larkham. Cooper can throw a good ball, but he's no Larkham in respect of being able to create space in that channel whether through his own drift or running moves which create that space. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) can occasionally run a good line at 13...

Cooper is a magician in attack. He's essential in that respect. In defence, I've never seen a player at this level fail to commit to tackles in the way Cooper does. His latest on Nonu was inexcusable. At least get in his way. I don't like the niggle. Some say it is great to get under the skin...

Assuming no other nations play in the world cup, you might be right on the money.

Franks - Castrogiovanni. Nonu - JdV - under rated in my view. If he was playing outside Carter he'd be a very different proposition. Smith - you might be right. BOD has seen better days but Fourie is playing good rugby at the moment. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) is out of form and wouldn't challenge for a World XV...

All Blacks Sure things: Kaino, McCaw, Read, Carter, Smith Maybe: O. Franks, Thorn, Nonu, Mealamu Wallabies: Sure thing: Genia Maybes: Horwill, Moore, TPN, Beale, Ioane, Mitchell (it follows that if Carter and McCaw are a sure thing for a world XV, Cooper and Pocock...

Given that when the Reds won the Super XV they would have had to ring around to find where the trophy cabinet was and that a species of bat thought extinct having been last seen in 2001 was nesting in the Wallabies trophy cabinet, there are some fairly weak posts on this thread. Let's remember...

Don Talbot rocked up at an Australian swimming squad gathering a year or two out from the Olympics a few years ago and said words to the effect: That is why O'Connor should be punished. He might be a good player, far better than his immediate replacement even, but, without the right attitude...

Agree completely. It might also make any of the others who don't have their heads in the right place wake up.

Of course he does. However, I imagine when Gaffney is describing his ideal 12, he would identify someone with a bit more pace and spark. The interesting thing is how Gaffney will play TC and whether he'll get more out of him.

To summarise: If a team plays well for the whole game, they're harder to beat than a team that only plays well for part of the game. The Wallabies find it harder to beat the more difficult to beat team than the easier to beat team. Even though we are consistently no. 2 in the world, until...

Unfortunately buddy, I think the horse has bolted.

The interesting question that this raises is what will Gaffney do with Tom Carter? TC is about as far from the Randwick back as can be imagined.