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That’s about all I’m saying. I don’t know what the solution is, but I can understand why a model along those lines is in the conversation.

It’s certainly not the case in my local comp, and I’m outside Sydney. I did say there were exceptions, yours is obviously one, and there would be others. Also, I’m not necessarily saying there are a lot more rugby players than jail rugby players at the community levels, and maybe there aren’t...

In a good way, great crowds and atmosphere

A lot of my peers have sons who left school in the last few years and are now either playing grade or colts at the Shute Sheild clubs, and the common phrase when they are describing the club scene in Sydney is 'out of control'. So I can see there is certainly some merit in trying to leverage...

Anton is Gen Blue so I'd say he's on a few shortlists

I have. I’ve also been to a junior rugby game. What is the relevance of that to overall player numbers?

That's not what I said, I said they played with a lot of heart. I also stated that the Brumbies (and Reds) would justifiably make up a large proportion of the Wallabies squad. I then went on to infer that what Joe sees from the individuals once they get into camp would bear more importance...

The numbers in the individual union clubs would be a lot higher than those in the league clubs. Regardless, I’m ok to concede that the numbers are probably pretty similar but there certainly aren’t 10x as many amateur league players as there are union players. As for your last point, it...

They would include the V’landys (the horse racing guy) factor

Wherever you got these figures from they are grossly incorrect. At every age group, every level and almost every locale there are more participants in rugby than there are in jail rugby. Certainly there are exceptions e.g western Sydney, but the professional participants aren’t going to...

I'm not sure which part you are referring to, or more specifically which RWC players. Eddie made poor calls, but I don't think they were based on either lack of talent or not enough heart. He clearly wanted the bigger bodies.

I don't think that anyone would dispute a larger proportion of the Wallabies squad should come from the Brumbies & Reds - ball park I'd say 60% from those 2 franchises, 40% from the other 3. The Brumbies clearly boast a lot of talent, no one would argue with that. However, the Waratahs could...

My response re the Petaia/NFL chatter. I believe the NFL scouts have a lot more idea of what they are looking for than any of us.

So a bit like Tamworth then?

I'm with you here. The timing doesn't make any sense otherwise. Joe Schmidt is about to announce his Lions Series hopefuls and you announce you're off to spec one of the worst clubs in the NRL. I don't know the reason, maybe Eddie totally cooked him but it sounds like he's not part of the plan.

I'm not sure of the reliability of the information but an article popped up in my feed saying that Flook and Lancaster will be in the squad. Now I can't find it.

Uelese will be one of the 3 hookers for sure, at least until when/if BPA is available. His throwing has been a lot better this season, while still not impeccable. He isn't going to be the only player in the squad who is deficient in a core skill, that much is for sure.

If some of them go to NRL then so be it. At least it keeps them in our game longer and provides them with a proper pathway. It's not to fix the tier above it, it's to provide a professional pathway to it, but it does need fixing mind you. Upon reflection you are correct, we need to look at...

Emulating NRL is a lost cause. What we need is a pro U23 comp marketed at the same demographic, to feed into the 3 or 4 Super Rugby teams. There is a huge niche opportunity here for the code and it also addresses the problem of providing a professional pathway from the juniors into the second...

Joeys +17 Shore +13 Kings +8