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That's a dreadful shame. It should've been White.

See I just don't see that as a compelling argument. To'omua has never suffered for being small. If bigger was better we'd have Eto Nabuli on the wing and Reece Hodge at flyhalf. To'omua has runs on the board, I don't think we can just flood the back line with rookies and expect it to work out...

Serious question: what's plan B at flyhalf? If O'Connor is an unmitigated disaster, what do we do? Shift To'omua and bring in Simone? Pick a rookie?

Yep. No more endless shuffling, no more sodding journeymen. Let's just see what happens when we play the best player in each position (or - at flyhalf - the least terrible).

"Mum, can we have Beauden Barrett?" "We've got Beauden Barrett at home." Beauden Barrett at home:

At Super Rugby level, he genuinely might be the best long passer we've got at the moment. I think people see what they expect to see, and a big player is expected to go the bosh.

Nah Hodge is a liability. If he doesn't drop the ball cold within a few metres of either try line or kick the ball out on the full for no reason, you can be sure he'll throw a dreadful intercept pass.

Probably puts him ahead of White though.

Yeah it wasn't a serious suggestion; just a response to the "Cheslin Kolbe is small but also good" non-sequitur. I maintain that Muirhead was good enough to start for the Brumbies all season, but completely understand him not being selected for the Wallabies.

Sounds like a pretty strong argument for Andy Muirhead....

I think if we're talking about what he needs to deliver at international level, it's not enough to say that he 'can' do those things; he needs to have demonstrated the required abilities at the highest level he's played at. I'm not saying it's fair, but it is reasonable.

OK the carpark then.

If - with an entirely new coaching structure - we start the international season with Reece Hodge on the wing, I will travel to the ARU headquarters and kill myself in the lobby.

I've had to eat humble pie re: Miller. I thought he was going to be a junk signing but he's been excellent. With him and Brown competing for the starting jersey, the Brumbies are in good shape.

I would genuinely be inclined to pick them both, alongside Koroibete.

Yeah that back three would get eaten alive I fear. You can't have Tom Banks as the only player at the back with any tactical nous or kicking ability. You'd need a very experienced, skilled and consistent fullback to get away with playing two such limited wingers and Tom Banks is not that fullback.

Whatever they do, I hated the NRL rules they brought in for this season and I hope they're consigned to the bin when we go back to playing the kiwis.

Yeah look I'm sure you're right, it was just a bit of a disappointment. He still has plenty of time.

Yeah watch the lost lineouts again. The problem wasn't where the ball was being thrown, it was the lineout being read and the receiver out-jumped. It was an issue of strategy more than execution.

Swain is living proof of the massive step up from NRC to Super Rugby. He was a titan for the Vikings but has been very disappointing for the Brumbies.