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So harsh on Fa'agase, pinged twice for tackles that weren't really high, gets scared and goes low with the arms up and gets binned. Outrageously bad refereeing. This is a net positive for Aus rugby though I think. The Force needs wins early more than the Reds do in the grandest scheme of things

George is a bit slower but more cunning, more skillful (!!) and it appears to me more physical across 80 min

It's difficult for me but I hope that the Force play bloody well, if not win. They have 2 games left before the SANZAAR meeting it would be nice to show that they can take down one of the better sides on paper and illustrate the value of having 5 teams worth of opportunities for professional...

That force back line looks the most balanced I can remember. They will be underestimated by a lot of teams which will end up biting them

Has English ever played/trained at 15? That would be an easy fix to the problem of getting all your best backs on the field.

Robinson is hitting them sweet as a nut generally and Foley's kicking has been rather inconsistent for about 18 months (despite him having a history of nailing a few clutch ones, but Beale used to do that too). Reece should be the kicker with Foley as a back up

McGahan already said flat out that he would prefer to play Lopeti at 8, Mafi at 6 and McMahon at 7. To do that he needs Retallick, Jeffries, Day and Cummins all (or almost all) fit. Tim Buchanan is down there at the moment I think. Would it be a disaster to give him a chance to paper over the...

Yeah I agree, Jake brings little into the game as a replacement so would be purely injury cover. Tuttle Taefu Magnay (if fit) or Perese/Kuridrani Would be how I would do it

How they set up the bench this year will be of interest. The forwards mostly select themselves with like for like replacements (or close enough) is a lot of positions but in the backs it all centres around what positions do we think Duncan can cover and how well? Because if you consider him...

I really rate Hardwick. To me that guy oozes potential. If he can be brought through over the next 18 months to 2 years I reckon he has the ingredients for a long Super Rugby career (captaincy material?) and potentially a run in gold

Thoughts on what the Rebels Trial team will look like? We already have an indication that Magnay and Perese will get time in the backs and the old war horses should all play minutes after missing the 10's

Everyone fully cool with Hunt playing exclusively 15 this year? I've always had the nagging feeling that he would be better at 12, and time at 15 was more to learn the game (as Folau did). That said, it's most important that he play/train in 1 position I think.

KB (Kurtley Beale) had a very solid return for Wasps in the European championship. He looked fit, fast and in good touch which is a remarkable effort given the nature of the injury that he had...and that it was only 7 months ago! For context, Jaeger O'Meara in the AFL and Victor Cruz in the NFL suffered the...

Watched Bath vs Saracens. Max Lahiff played 3 for Bath. Looked about the most mobile and athletic prop in the Premiership which probably says more about the relative level considering the dross he served up down ere despite having huge potential

Reds had some Facebook photos up from pre-season. Spotted a bearded face I'm pretty sure is Tyrone Lefau. Maybe he's taken Banks' supplementary spot?

I agree scrub, maybe 80-20

Mafi plays 6 well

I do get worried that Stiles seemingly played down the value of sports science to correctly to determine the training loads that makes players optimally fit but uninjured. Sure maybe it's ok to flog them but do it at the right time and in the right amount. Old school isn't necessarily better...

It's not 1 vs another. Over pre season they will and should train 2-3 x per day with 1-2 of the sessions being S&C intensive and 1 or more being Team Rugby at higher running intensity or individual skills/technique practice with minimal running intensity

My preference for this game would definitely be for Henry to play the BaaBaa's and naivalu to start on the wing with Morahan off the bench. Everything else to remain mostly constant from Scotland, with the exception of Fardy forcing his way onto the bench for Mumm.