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Henry/Hansen really want to give him every opportunity to return to pre-injury form, but I just cant see it happening. He plays too loose now and it'll be good for the Wallabies if they continue to select him. He isn't as effective as Whitelock in the tight or about the paddock, is weaker at...

Have to agree. This NZ starting XV has pace, power, skill and experience and some oomph off the bench. They have well tested combinations and have been the form team over the last 18 months. Frankly, I dont think we'll see this team folding and going into their shell under the pressure of a RWC...

Henry was quoted yesterday as saying he'd select the best side he could (injuries aside) for the Aus game. So, we'll see a team of Crockett (Woodcok out) Mealamu, O.Franks, Thorn, Whitelock Kaino, Read, McCaw Cowan (Weepu of bench at 55mins), Carter Sivi, Nonu, Smith, Jane/Guildford (Dagg...

No Conrad Smith certainly. He's probably too dull. I'll speculate that he'd pair Nonu with SBW and I imagine he'd choose a high wire back three act from among Ranger, Magaga, Sivi and Dagg.

Argentina peaked and has been in decline for a few years now with that team. It's just too old. The change in interpretations has also impacted their very simple and effective pressure game of kick and chase.

Amusing rant but so, so far off the mark. No team has ever won the RWC in the pro era by straying from their well ingrained, reliable true & tested patterns that took them to the top to begin with. It's exactly the crystal meth thinking of Perkins that costs teams tournaments. Executing under...

I will lose no sleep before playing Ireland, for sure. Likewise, England have revealed themselves to be no great shakes away from Twickenham. Everyone should rest easy.

France under Lievremont are abysmal. They have great talent, but selection policies have neutered any semblance of cohesion, and it's not a happy camp. England just arent that good. Watch the following on youtube; it's the entire game effectively vs Ireland and Ireland just dominated England...

Frankly, I think Pocock and Broussow's ground game is now better than McCaw. They are better pilferers of ball. But McCaw remains a much better link man and that aspect of a 7's game to support the ball has grown in importance over the past few seasons and frankly McCaw has revealed his...

Richie is a fabulous rugby player who is smart enough to take what the refs give him. I don't think there has been a more influential player in the game for the past 5 or 6 years, and there are certainly precious few of whom it can be said have represented their team with such grace and class...

It's not just NH posters either. Kiwis seem quite delighted that Gits is not being selected by Deans

Wallabies can only beat what is in front of them and I like the way the set-piece and the breakdown went against the Boks. More will be revealed in away games soon. I'm not getting this England fear at the moment. England are not the forward force they once were. They have begun to select more...

Agree about your starting forward pack. Is there any point in bringing the Crusaders back in yet given how poor this Bok side is? Williams living off his form of 4 yrs ago and Henry's manlove for him. May not be enough time for Boric to show fitness and form as the moonboot only came off last...

So, just to be clear, is there support for Barnes' selection for the RWC squad should he remain healthy?

Disagree. Wallabies generated quick ball, Boks were slow and ponderous. Dominating collisions on defense begins with making the right read and tackle technique. Wallabies were strong, Boks were not. With the ball, the Boks just ran bang up into contact making it easy for Wallabies defenders to...

While the Boks were dreadful, the first 60 from the Wallabies was of high quality. Wallabies were put under no pressure at all on either side of the ball so can't get carried away with conclusions but the next three games should determine who packs down with Horwill, who plays at 8 and if...

and with that Smit beams a big smile after scoring.. quality timing.

Smit way off the pace and one of many in green offering nothing. Yet another PdV mistake to award him the captaincy for the RWC when the game's best hooker is available.

Awaiting the wit of PdV.

While this is bordering on humiliation, I admit to wanting much more. I want the Wallabies to leap across that border into complete manshaming territory.