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Thompson is some player. Clan are at another level when he's on the park. I can see him being a regular fixture in the ABS now that Kaino is gone. However Rebels just didn't seem to want to know in the 2nd half. Delve aside, they went missing upfront and they really seemed like they had no...

It annoys me less than the interminable advantage afforded after a knock-on when a team after already securing possession is then given numerous opportunities to benefit from it. One phase, that is all It should be. They have already benefitted from the infringement by being gifted possession...

I have no information on the quality of S&C training being undertaken by the Wallabies, but surely most of a players fitness base will be delivered at the Tahs, Reds, Rebels etc.? Nevertheless, I dispute that Wallabies conditioning has led them to fall apart in the late stages of games. Take...

And there I was mistaken in thinking he was so building toward the last World Cup. Silly me.

I think that is the whole point. It did bugger all to McCaw, but Cooper spent too much time, focus and energy f#ckin' around with McCaw when he had more pressing matters at hand.

I don't think anyone is saying Cooper is a " bad bloke" but he took his own head out of the game on too many occasion (McCaw) and he failed to produce under the pressure of tournament play. He made mental errors, poor choices and left himself open to subsequent questions because of it.

Funny how first game nerves didn't impair the ambition of the Blues or Crusaders though. Execution will be crude at times so early in the season, but thats no excuse for the number of tactical kicks. For me, it was ridiculous and a great yawn.

McQueen was far removed from the dirt and grind of the Rebels last year. He is a big picture guy who surrounds himself with a good management team. It's akin to Woodward of England, and as far removed from the likes of Henry, Deans, Link, Gatland etc. as you can get. It's great when things are...

Wales are simply too polished and well honed for an English team playing with new combinations at 9/10, and 10, 12, 13. They also have a new lineout caller in Parking who is earning his first 6N cap. The Welsh backrow is right up there with the best in the game at present and well balanced...

Apart from the initial satisfaction one gets from satisfying a craving, watching this match was akin to taking one first drunken piss after a night out on the tear only to realize that aim was way off and now shoes and pants have taken a bit of a beating. I was kicked into submission by...

Can't see the Highlanders doing much with their 10 on out. They have some real hard working men upfront though. If the Chiefs sort out their scrum, they'll have an arsenal with Dave Rennie better equipped than Foster to provide some focus and ensure execution.

Serious question - who selects the ref for the Final?

Interesting comments from Eddie Jones in his column in the Telegraph http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/rugby-gold/eddie-jones-calls-for-robbie-deans-to-be-replaced/story-fn8ti7yn-1226173567346 "A MAJOR shake-up to improve the coaching set-up at the Wallabies is essential because the...

The casual observer may not be enamoured. He who hasn't played the game or has a son/daughter that hasn't played it probably will enjoy AFL or the less technical NRL. Frankly, I couldn't give a rat's arse. I consider this game to be mine, to be the one I love the most and I have loved every...

I'm sure I'm not alone by saying the Wallaby kick/chase has been shit for some time now.

I believe Deans is a good coach, but I think the Wallabies can do better. I find myself in agreement with you on "mental toughness" and Deans seems to have a disturbing habit of speaking of the Wallabies in the third person, as if he did not share responsibility for any failings. Inculcating...

I'm sure you meant Steve Hansen, and not Steve Tew. Hansen is expected to receive Henry's strong endorsement while Smith goes off with Dave Rennie to coach the Chiefs. None of the others really have the requisite experience. It will be interesting to see if Gatland really will be considered by...

To be clear, Nucifora is responsible for the breakdown, where I feel he has been bailed out by the excellence of Pocock. I actually had been impressed by the improved effort at the breakdown following the Brisbane Bledisloe, but the Irish and Italian game raised strong questions. Without Pocock...

I disagree. I dont think the Wallabies were "ambushed" like the AB's. The Wallabies simply havent played that well this RWC. They were beaten by a much lower ranked Irish team who had targeted the Wallabies with a limited game plane built around gaining an ascendancy at scrum time and...

Deans has not enjoyed a great World Cup. The loss to Ireland revealed selection issues (no back-up 7) and a naivete in terms of how the Irish would play. The team didn't seem equipped to play either Ireland or the conditions well that night. The Boks should have put the Wallabies to the sword...