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SBW is just try to drive his value upward or float a trial balloon for a move down the road. He can see the marketing potential of his "brand" (probably has been chatting with JOC (James O'Connor) as well). I saw nothing in that highly speculative report that suggests he'd really move away from Auckland having...

I honestly don't think the Boks are expecting much for the first game back in a long time. There is no way they can really fire on all cylinders even with their conservative approach with so little game time in over 6 weeks (the B team is now done), and so a Wallaby win tells us very little...

FWIW, someone I know with a close relative in the Wallaby camp claims that the players have a lot of time for Deans, are actually enjoying the environment and were apparently quite confident going into Eden Park believing that they had the game to win there. Apparently it's quite a happy squad...

Yes.. and a fun time was had too.

Juan Smith is the best blindside in the game when fit. I'd rate him ahead of Kaino (and certainly the 2011 version of Elsom). The difference he made upon his return to the Bok side last year was enormous. If he's fit, and Shalk is back, with Brussow at openside then Spies will surely get the...

For me, a decision has to be made between Gits and Barnes for back-up 12. If McCabe gets the nod this weekend, there is simply no time to bed down JOC (James O'Connor) at Test level at 12, and develop a combination to face the running lines and smarts of Ireland's O'Driscoll, who'll slice up any hesitancy. I...

Yep, Spies is no great loss. It will be interesting to watch Brussow. He hasn't had much game time since the interpretations changed but Pocock is really going to have his hands full.

Your squad mirrors exactly whom I think will be selected except I think Robinson might still make it over Hodgson, although that may be wishful thinking on my part. Horne just doesn't have enough experience in the Test set-up to risk throwing him in.

Pretty sure that I do not want to hear your thoughts on the "grassy knoll" or Roswell

Deans is not the sentimental sort; he'll clearly discard players if they aren't doing what he wants. He sat Mehrtens down for an extended period, cut Cullen, didn't play Umaga who screamed he was fit, and has cut Smith/Gits/Sharpe/etc. I imagine he'd have no problem doing the same to staff whom...

Well, Gagger, I guess we will just have to disagree on what effectively constitutes normal fan bias, enthusiasm and analysis versus what can almost be characterized as an effort to falsely demonize certain players/teams as serial, premeditated cheaters when their transgressions are in no way...

Yes, the Reds did and I recall a Ruggamatrix podcast in which Link credited Daniel Braid with bringing some additional nous to the Reds in how they approached the breakdown. It's very much an "If you can't beat them, then figure out what the fuck they are doing and replicate it." Since you now...

Mate, I never meant to infer that at all. Wallabies need to be smarter and more streetwise in their play and take what the ref gives them. I'm encouraged when I see evidence that they are doing so. The best, most influential player in the game has being doing so for the past 10 years playing...

I've read several of your posts and frankly dont know whether to take your comments as an effort at being serious or to regard you as a mere wind-up merchant. I'm sure you will not lose too much sleep either way, but if you do, I suggest you take advantage of the time and re-watch the game and...

I'm sorry but I think your comments are mere hyperbole. Aus have the 2nd ranked team in the world for a reason and have superb talent across the park. Unfortunately, while exceptionally talented, the Wallabies are very young, and relatively inexperienced in some positions and this leads to...

Will the video attempt to focus exclusively on NZ infringements unseen by the ref or will there be an attempt as some semblance of balance? It's to rugby what Goebbels was to the German cinema.

Yes, and I've also seen this clip http://youtu.be/vhIPzJAwCPs At 00:12 of the above clip, Simmons holds Weepu back to create space for Beale’s incision which leads to Ioane’s try. At 00.45, a ruck has clearly formed but Horwill "steals" the ball. Once a ruck is formed ("where one or more...

I'm not disagreeing with argument, just not on board in saying that "it's a cop out" to acknowledge that this NZ team is currently the best in the game. They are the best because they have beaten the No. 2 side 11 out of the past 12 times and havent lost to anyone else in a couple of years...

I take very little satisfaction from that episode. McCaw kept his focus, had another great game in which he overshadowed Pocock and led NZ to their 11th win in 12 against the Wallabies, while Cooper has his worst game in some time in a Wallaby shirt. I'd like Cooper to spend less time slapping...

Excellent summary. I find myself in agreement with most of it. I would add that the ABs did an excellent job at the breakdown of disrupting Wallaby ball, and that their critical midfield axis of Carter, Nonu, Smith vastly outplayed their opposites. Their job was made easier by the quality of...