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The DVD of that Lions tour is enlightening. They thought that if they could stop Smith at the breakdown they would win. In the first test, Smith was cleaned out, smashed, held down, niggled, spoiled and basically taken out of the game.

Disco I think you are overlooking the fact that players like George Smith dont come along every day. Robinson and Salvi arent in the same ballpark as Smith. By the time he was their age, the Lions had devised a game plan specifically to combat Smith (and failed). He is the best 7 I have seen...

Unfortunately, its not just about value on the paddock. Giteau and Lote are products off the field as well. Its sad but true. You rarely hear forwards making stupid comments and giggling for the camera yet every time rugby is mentioned on television, you have one of Tuqiri or Giteau saying...

I would be very sad to see Smith go. I dont begrudge him the opportunity to cash in. He has more than earned it. According to Wiki he has won 6 Brumbies player of the year awards in a row, 3 Aust S14 player of the year awards and is the only player to have won the John Eales medal twice (2002...

Except McKibbin was 20 when he switched and Waugh is 29, still hasnt switched (and probably never will). Young players often havent yet found their best position.

Yep, meant 13, thanks. naza Mortlock may have made the Brumbies as a 15 and the Wallabies as a winger but he couldnt hold down a spot in either team in either position at the moment. He's too slow to be a winger and he wasnt that good a fullback which is why he was shuffled around. Biffo I'm...

AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) is definitely an option at 12. For mine, his game at 12 against the Barbarians was a better display than any of his games at either 15 or 13. Staniforth is fit but not being picked in the match day squad. He was the player rep who approached the board at the Force about Mitchell when the...

Mumm's first game at 6 was against the Brumbies. Brilliant to have 3 genuine alternatives at 6 though (Mumm, Higginb and MMM). Elsom might have to play a season of S14 to earn a shot at playing for the Wallabies again (which is as it should be).

A few years ago David Hundt, the then Manly coach, tried both Tim O'Brien and George Smith at halfback for Manly. It didnt work at club level and it wouldnt work at S14 level. Nick Mallet played Bergamasco at halfback for Italy a few weeks ago and it was a disaster. I know naza is just...

You are dead right there PhucNgo. SA has two genuine options - stick with the S14 and their current season or go it alone. It isnt an option to head to the NH comps because they run at the wrong time. I cant see the NH clubs being prepared to head to Cape Town to play a Heinekin cup game over...

I played no. 8 so I know bugger all about the front row. However, we had some very good coaches helping out (A Blades and T Daly were two) and, while the tight five packed, I would often see what these guys were being told. Something that I remember in particular is how a small adjustment in...

Agree. I also think G Smith has the edge on Waugh. These one on one match ups dont mean much other than something to talk about. Rugby is a combinations game and it will be the team which combines best rather than the individuals who shine which will determine the result. I know everyone knows...

Characteristics of a good fullback: 1. strong in defence; 2. good positionally; 3. reliable boot; 4. counterattacking threat (including pace). SNK doesnt have 4. Gerrard can be flaky with 1 and is slow. Mitchell doesnt have 1 or 3. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) doesnt have 2 or 3. Shepherd has all 4 but there is a...

Tyron Mandrusiak - blast from the past. http://www.braveandgame.com.au/Article.aspx?id=14

Vickerman, Harrison...sure there were more before SNK and Giteau.

When the young bull exceeds the standards set by the old bull or when the old bull drops his standards to those of the young bull. We arent there yet but, you are right Biffo, it is inevitable.

Nothing wrong with a bit of fire in the belly on an internet forum. Keeps things interesting. The point that I objected to was that Smith goes missing against McCaw.

My nephew scored 40 tries in a 10 game season. Look at his potential, maybe we should get him in there. Smith was the Oz S14 player of the year and the Wallaby player of the year last year. I can't believe we are talking about pensioning him off.

We wouldnt be having this discussion if the law was being strictly applied by the ref because the halfback wouldnt be offside. Assuming he is offside (and that the ref isnt being strict at the scrum base), another useful strategy is for the flanker to get in the way. If the ref is refereeing to...

Are you joking? That is Olympic standard nonsense. Smith and McCaw have played each other plenty of times and, from an individual perspective, the ledger would be pretty even, perhaps slightly in McCaw's favour. Then again, how many opensides consistently outplay McCaw? If the Wallaby pack is...