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In fact if you read the first post the first name aside from the two mentioned was Skelton's for his exceptional ball running ability. I'm not sure if he's what I'd call consistently world class but he's not far off and more time and coaching should get him there. I should clarify, I don't...

No no, I think Izzy is just an example of a player who's preternatural skill in the air (at least in 2013) solved the issue of opposition having an easy time getting into the Wallabies half by putting up midfield bombs. So he and Pocock are the only two examples of players who possess a skill...

For the record I would currently have the strongest 23 as 1. Slipper 2. Moore 3. Kepu 4. Skelton 5. Simmons 6. Fardy 7. Pocock 8. Higginbotham 9. Phipps 10. Cooper 11. Tomane 12. To'omua 13. TK 14. Speight 15. Folau 16. TPN 17. Sio 18. Holmes 19. Horwill 20. Hooper 21. Genia 22. Foley 23. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) or...

Therein lies the key, I refer again to an earlier (50+ pages ago) point I made about selecting players who (through the consistent application of a select world class skill(s)) change the way the opposition must play against you. Hooper may have a broader range of useful skills but in none of...

Te Puni to replace Carmichael!

But the resolution in a timely fashion, and reduction in recurrence of a specific injury (or injuries) in a specific player is more a physio role than an S & C once. Playing at less than 100% is a barrier to top performance no doubt. We saw that in a few players this year. JOC (James O'Connor) is an example who...

I have heard the same. Good bloke, good businessman (I think he started a company that sells rehab equipment) and good rugby knowledge but average clinician. The Reds needed a serious expert, preferably someone with a Sports Masters or PhD/research interests and RECENT experience in high...

Doesn't have 60 caps therefore does not qualify

Ita Vaea will play many good tests for the Wallabies but unlikely to feature at the RWC. We're losing Higgers (who has many years of good footy ahead) and Palu as options at 8 next year but we are exceedingly lucky that Vaea and Timani Jr. have developed in such a manner as to minimize the...

Chambers is a better player and athlete now than 2011. If you're looking to add another powerful ball running wing/centre to the Reds then sure, give him a ring if he would come relatively cheaply. Not sure he'd add anything above and beyond what the current crop are though.

You mock, but would it be the worst thing in the world. If that's what's required for the ARU to stay competitive and create a "currency" to being a top line Wallaby then why not?

This is an interesting train of thought. If the ARU and Cheika are serious about getting creative to start winning the contracting war then let's see them apply some of that creativity to this situation. There are a few options; merchandising with split profits, commercial endorsement deals...

Well it's clear that there is a group of players we must keep, no matter what dastardly things we must do in order to do so. - Quade - Gill - Holmes - Lolo - Browning - Thomson (if possible) - McInTyre - Kerevi - Tapuai (unlikely) - Turner

Scoey, I'm the opposite. Drag it out. The longer this plays out, the more likely we are to get to the time when Graham is officially non-renewed which may be a factor in giving the Gill confidence to stay.

Is Giteau the clearly best "back up 12 who can play 10?" For mine, Lilo should fill that spot I've been quite happy with him recently. At this stage I'd be looking to take 3 halfbacks (include White) and Lilo thus removing a spot for an outside back but I certainly could see the merit in...

Correct, with To'omua in the side at 12, it's almost more important to look for 12 and 15 cover on the bench than 10 cover

Sam Johnson has signed for Glasgow warriors for two years.

Yeah the NRC squads in QLD are filled as follows 1. Uninjured Reds contracted players not playing for wallabies. 2. Reds EDS players (maybe not in starting roles for the really young fellas depending) 3. Top QPR players including blokes who have been in wider training groups etc. Guys who were...

So we should take CFS? Cummins has been trying on the end of a shit force backline. I think we have a fair idea what he would bring in the Wallaby environment but it's definitely fair to say he needs to up the work rate a bit. Mitchell and Gits are Also worth considering for spots 30 and 31.

As things stand I'd have the following (and I can't see them changing too much before we have a chance to play some RC games and have a look at a few blokes in Tests). 1. Slipper 2. Moore 3. Kepu 4. Skelton 5. Simmons 6. Fardy 7. Pocock 8. Palu 9. Phipps 10. Cooper 11. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) or Horne (I'm torn...