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Based on form if Kerevi was deemed not to standard that Daugunu would be next picked centre if anything were to happen to Ikitau or Sua’ali’i. And I’d be very comfortable with that. His form in the 13 jersey has been excellent for the last 2 yrs.

I don’t think my comments indicate blind faith. I’m pretty clear that I’m talking about if Kerevi is fit and in form. I didn’t pick him as a World Player of the year nominee - that was done by others so it’s not as if I’m embellishing his credentials due to some personal bias. I’d actually...

Haha - well, for what it’s worth, I think it’s great that we have options that we just didn’t have even two years ago. I’d love a fit and firing Kerevi but, if he isn’t, I don’t think it’s catastrophic. If Sua’ali’i ends up in the centres then it means one of Potter, Pietsch, Jorgenson, Kellaway...

He was carrying injury over that period though and clearly hadn’t recovered. Even in his short cameo last year he was head and shoulders above the player he was at the World Cup. The lesson I took out of that was World Class players aren’t World Class on one leg. I don’t disagree at all with...

But how does that actually work in practice. I think it only works if you discount Kerevi as an option upfront then you say to Sua’ali’i that you are locked in at 13 and run with that. But I’d be very surprised if Schmidt has gone down that path. I’d also be surprised if Schmidt has Kerevi...

And it’s a really fair question. As far as I recall he hasn’t. So a few of us are making a bit of a leap of faith. Big call against the Lions - fair enough, but a pretty big call to pitch him in at 13 vs England last year at Twickenham and it turned out okay. My justification - - I think it...

One question on this post - who are the LHPs floating around who might be worth a look. Not sure if Aidan Ross can be parachuted in but, without him and given the current injuries were very skinny there. Very skinny both sides in fact - especially if Nonggorr isn’t released and if we’re throwing...

I’m not sure that fast tracking talent from outside the squad is necessarily the solution we need unless there is some absolute rough diamond out there that is going to push past the established names in a short space. But certainly hope guys like De Lutiis, McCulloch, Werchon, Goldsborough...

The big question for me is where Kerevi is at. If he is in good physical shape he is way too good to leave out. IMO Sua’ali’i is too good to leave out as well but could be played at wing. If Kerevi’s fitness isn’t up to scratch then Sua’ali’i comes into 13 and Ikitau pushes 1 in. Ikitau...

A thorough post season review will highlight plenty of areas for improvement, but a couple of points worth noting. By virtue of finals structure the Reds ended up with the Crusaders at Christchurch where they are now 30 - 0 for finals matches. They’ve never lost there to anyone and conditions...

As an aside, the Reds have to improve in some areas. They don’t need to rebuild. And form the outside it appears that through the efforts of Thorn followed on by Kiss club culture is excellent. I’m sure Kiss has no intention of compromising on that.

I don’t think anyone is suggesting they should. But I’d hate to think I would be judged forevermore on decisions I made when I was 21. James O’Connor did far worse and, from all accounts, he was a very positive influence on player culture in the last couple of years.

Time does heal a lot of wounds too though. Who knows. And a lot of guys have moved on and others have probably matured and become more circumspect. But I think the biggest issue may well be that by all accounts Hockings is in line to be capped for Japan and unless Lucas is either home sick or...

The difference is that Salakai-Loto left due to a clash with Thorn while the other two left when everyone else made sacrifices to support the team and rugby generally. Which they were perfectly entitled to do but there were certainly stories at the time that a lot of the other player’s thoughts...

You must be fun at parties.

Yes - I’m aware of that. They also finished first in the Europa League. My understanding is that their low finish in EPL was due largely to Ange managing an injury hit squad without significant depth and prioritising winning the Eurpoa league at the expense of the EPL. He made it clear publicly...

Well, if we thought coaching in Australian rugby was tough, imagine guiding your English Premier League Club to their first trophy to their first trophy in 17 years and then getting sacked. I know Spurs performed badly in the EPL and I don’t pretend I know anything really about soccer - but gee...

Berrick Barnes Duncan McRae Roger Tuivasa-Sheck

It’s definitely a concern. The effects of regular head trauma from pro sport are becoming more and more evident. Not sure he has a technique problem though. From my recollection several of the instances have come from him being hit with high shots. So technique definitely an issue - but not his...

Also well done to young Nick Bloomfield’. Thrown in the deep end and whilst he was rightly shielded a fair bit he has now got a taste. A good endorsement that we are doing better with our pathways development IMO.