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That actually wasn’t directed at you personally sorry Drew, just that the intention of the conversation was being blown out of proportion

There is no need to make a mountain out of a molehill here, it’s purely just curiosity about what the plan is if Gordon or Donaldson are temporarily unavailable, specifically for the France warm up game. Presumably there is one, we are merely just discussing what it might be, and we may never...

It’s a bit hard for Donaldson to be the option that’s not Donaldson. I know what your saying and I agree but the question is who is the back up 10 if either Gordon or Donaldson aren’t in the 23 for whatever reason.

Ah yes of course.

No I wasn’t suggesting he doesn’t start, only that he might be considered the other option at 10 outside Donaldson, in the case of an injury to Gordon during the game. However that then begs the question as to who the other 15 options are, Marky would be one, who else?

It could actually be Kellaway, purely on the basis that he has the best rugby brain in the team and also the most composed. No idea who would kick for goals though, perhaps him as well, or if Gordon goes off so does Tate and White comes on.

Regardless of your opinion of the guardian this piece provides a few tingles. https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/aug/20/michael-hoopers-wallabies-career-appears-over-it-will-hurt-to-farewell-him?ref=mc.news

Merci monsieur highlander. What does it actually say?

I wondered somewhat facetiously if the all Aussie panel decided it was better to have him take up one of the 33 spots in Englands squad than someone else. If you are serving time out during the tournament you can’t be replaced right? Given the smellies are on our side of the draw.

Based on the fly halves in this squad it would seem there is a very large chance that person is Foley. Also, no one is mentioning Hodge as being a notable omission.

That’s totally the wrong way to look at it. Firstly, Wales were crap. Even if you look past that you obviously noticed that England were as you say down to 12 players for about 5 minutes. That was because they were playing without 2 players who were yellow carded and one that was shown red, in...

Can we make this the official Wallabies RWC thread and leave all the other crap going on the Wallabies 23 one? Positive, constructive rugby & Wallabies relevant talk only.

I don't think it even got a start at Kings

That is if you subscribe to the theory that this is the final 33. Which doesn’t need to be settled on until the day after the France game. Eddie said as much in the interview with Turinui that Michael might be ready for that game.

I don’t think they have refused to, everyone is just suggesting they probably won’t. It sounds as though Cooper may have thrown the baby out about being one of the ‘extras’ though. Hooper is still injured but if fit will more likely be tested in the warm up v France.

Well you wouldn’t use it as the primary line out option but it’s certainly viable as a variation. Much like throwing it to the fat bloke at the front, which still happens in every line out from 6th grade to test matches In the case of the 3 subjects we are discussing, for sure. Not...

You would think that at the very least Valetini and Skelton could give McReight some pretty good air.

I was talking to a fairly knowledgeable group last night and it came up that the deeper you go into the tournament the less reliant you are on the back up players, but they are important in the pool stages and having some options and these so called utility players is also important. As you...

I think it was to educate to kids that sport is more about participation than winning. Or something like that. Much like most clubs have done away with the ‘best player’ etc awards for these younger age groups. Also a lemon. Sport is about participation AND winning. Just like any field...

Or maybe its all part of a bigger plan to free Willy from the NH and bring him home. He will be 35 in 2027, that's doable for a tight 5 player.