Rugby World Cup Q&A with Brett McKay from 12:30pm today

But why black? I like the tradition of using the minor colour for alternate jerseys. In England's case, this would be red, which is what I believe they used to wear? I don't buy the argument that it has nothing to do with imitating the All Blacks.

Probably a more pertinent question regards 'whom' gets injured. The Wallabies could actually cover injuries to say most players, even high profile players like Cooper, Beale, O'Connor, Ioane, Horwill & Elsom. But the two injuries that would just about kill the Wallabies, would be injuries to either Pocock or Genia. The Wallabies have no recognized cover for Pocock, while both Burgess & Phipps are a long way behind Genia. For the ABs, injuries to McCaw & Carter might do them in, & so on it goes. Argentina for example, won't get far without Contemponi for the major games. For the 25 minutes or so he played against England, he was clearly the most dangerous player on the paddock.

Brett, Yes, the whole idea of the black being the negative or reverse of white. In any case, it wasn't well thought out. And the mischievous amongst us have had a field day attributing all sorts of other motives for wearing black! "Would we be even talking about England's decision being 'cynical' or 'backfiring' if they had beaten Argentina well"?? Hmm, I think I would probably have raged with even more indignation.....!!!

Brett, players are pulling out of matches left, right and centre. Great World Cup, high attrition rate. Which side do you see being most hurt by injuries?

Brett, I would argue that our centres combination are currently glorified dummy runners in attack. Surely moving O'Connor into 12 would give our attack a seriously dangerous look? Thoughts?

NZ does not have exclusive access to the colour black. I like the jerseys in fact it's quite cool. NZ has got spoilt, it's like the Haka other nations can have a war dance to, not just the ALL BLACKS.

Sheek, I liked Ewen McKenzie's thoughts on England's strip the other day, that being that there really isn't much problem with it except that the numbers don't stay on! So, my personal thoughts on this is that way too much is being made of it, and Mango Jack, I certainly don't see it as a case of them "dumping their country's jersey". All they've done - and we have to remove the emotion from this argument - is sport an alternate strip that happens to be the same colour as the main strip of another country (in this case, rather controversially, it's the host nation of a RWC). And as been pointed out countless times, there are HEAPS of teams whose alternate strp is white, like England's main strip. (For the record, at this RWC, there are no less than 12 teams -including NZ and Aust - whose alternate strip is white, and another two teams other than England whose main strip is white. In addition, Canada and Wales also have a black alternate strip) So Sheek, I'll answer your question with a question: would we be even talking about England's decision being 'cynical' or 'backfiring' if they had beaten Argentina well??

Mango a question if able to throw an opinion on; why is it that England Locks have this habit of foul play, do they need to do knees, gouges to keep their jumper?

Macca - absolutely goes without saying that the Wallabies have step it up several gears.

Sheek, I predict this cynical move will backfire badly. How can you dump your country's jersey for an imitation of another and play with the same passion? I reckon most of the England players would be privately spewing, and this will (has already?) show on the field.

G'Day Brett, Unfortunately I don't have any questions for you, mostly only observations & statements!!! The only upset to date is Canada pippng Tonga, although they did the same thing in 2003 & 1987. Wales almost upset the Boks & the Pumas almost upset England while there were a few other close calls. Things might get interesting though in the next few weeks. I am worried about the Ireland game though. Our guys, especially some of the younger ones, tend to get too cocky about their chances. We don't want to under-estimate Ireland. However, at this stage I'm still predicting the ABs to beat the Wallabies in the final. And now Brett, I do have a question for you...! Following their uninspired performance against the Pumas, England demonstrated that rather than draw any ABs-like inspiration from wearing black, their performance was very much samo-samo. So do you think England have got the message that this alternate all black jersey wasn't a particularly brilliant idea after all, & have we seen the last of this ill-informed marketing experiment.....?

Gus, if they're HALF as good as last weekend we're still in for a treat..

I have mate, a top day out. Melbourne Cup day is usually a pretty good day too..

Darwin, it seems we're not alone on this issue on RWC coverage, I just found this on ABCs 'The Drum', from Justin Shaw today: http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/2902484.html (The Roar even gets a mention...)

lol anytime brett, yes maybe the news blew the fire out of proportion to try and sell some tv ratings, but looked bad on tv. Yep playing in canberra today rugby league or at night cold canberra air would be tough on the lungs. they have closed horse racing there today, i follow the horses sometimes and have the odd bet, and if the Black opal was on today it would have to be cancelled in Canberra to tough on the horses, and a lot of fans would of missed out on good days racing. Have you ever been to a Black Opal in Canberra Brett.

Thanks Brett Looking forward to the rugby..... If it's anything like the last weekend of matches we're in for a treat.

OJ can take over from here.

Agreed. :)