Super Rugby AU Round 7 teams: Thorn rings the changes for crucial Rebels clash

Very true Jacko, I was thinking of just the 12 jumper but totally agree. Walton could be a long term fixture at 13, perhaps interchangeably with Petaia on the wing.

Jacko, sadly it seems, that we, the grassroots and true stakeholders, have very little if any influence over what happens at “the dizzying heights of sports administration” especially when it goes professional. Still, we all hope for and discuss the various outcomes, looking for what is best for ourselves and the game as a whole. Thanks for the discussion/banter. Look forward to more.

The young Tahs centre looks pretty good too

BF you are certainly correct re the proposal around a Wc etc. Aus and NZ worked together and got the desired outcome. If only they could do that again and get a world League between the top 12 nations set up as to me thats the critical thing for SH rugby funding inc Japan and Fiji. What has happened between the 2 since then has done nothing but deterioate the relationship and I cant think of NZ crapping on Aus but I can certainly come up with 2 very cruicial times Aus went against NZ and both times was behind their back which is probably the most damaging part. As for the rubbish coming from both nations this year I think they are starting to get sick of each other and sick of constantly having all their decisions tied together. The very fact that Mclennan feels a draft is needed yet demands 5 teams is an admission that Aus does not have the talent for 5 teams and the fact that NZ is willing to go to an outside team to build their own comp up says they dont like the Aus version for next year. I also think NZ is sick of the NH making all the decisions around what international rugby is and who gets all the funding and which comp is using the other to get its players. So I think NZ is at a stage where they are considering a breakaway from the traditional decision makers as none of those decisions ever favour NZ or SH rugby. The WR board always make lovely promises and deliver nothing....So why are the SH sides bowing down to them all the time. A strong Aus/ NZ relation may have worked together to get the Champions league up and running but now that looks like a forlorn hope also. I look forward to NZ running their own race as they are constantly being nobbled in the current race

2s2m NZ doesnt need growth in NZ. It relys on funding from its rugby TV rights and that has to do with OS audiences. Fox would have to buy NZA next season or risk losing many subscribers and The Abs brand is what earns NZRU its coin. Live audiences are a major plus not a defining consideration

Jacko, I'm not denying the financial point but I think it bears repeating. It was the efforts of the ARU AND the NZRU that changed the face of international rugby. Without their combined efforts and willingness to convince the IRB/NH and share the financial responsibility, we may very well not have the World Cup that we enjoy today. I wonder if, with all the squabbling on this side of the equator at the moment, the NH unions aren't seeing an opportunity to claw back more power than is their due. I believe there's more at stake than just a bit of Walla/AB rivalry.

Maybe you’re right my friend. It looks more and more the likely outcome

Lolesio will put on some more size yet, I could see him filling the Toomua mould there if he keeps developing. I agree though, Simone and in time hopefully Pasitoa will be great candidates.

Yep...Both sides could try conversation with each other rather than this "via the media" stuff.

I love chips. Doc says not allowed them LOL. I dont see NZ and Aus working together for next year Ozinsa. Infact I think take a break, a couple of chill pills and enjoy the time apart. Look at whats best for the region after SAANZAR comes back together post C19...if their is a post C19

BF I think Aus telling NZ they were voting for them to host the 2011 WC and NZ finding out after the vote that Aus had not was more damaging than 2003 was. ARU had promised their vote and it proved to be a complete lie straight to their faces. trust went out the window because of that.

I think it's already clear both sides don't want a partnership. But I agree he acts rather childish.

BF. Yes.

I tried, but you seem to genuinely want to be allowed to keep those chips in place. Go for it my friend

Good point that if Australia develops its depth a 5+5 may become competitive in future. The Pasifika team would bring players home from Europe (Improving their availability and reducing their workload) and bring through more kiwi borns, who usually provide about half of the Tongan and Samoan RWC teams. It would be great if GRR then continued after SR to keep them busy and playing for their islands afterwards.

Hey Rhys, I may be pulling a long bow here, but here goes. I think a lot of what is happening now goes back to 1989 and 2002-3. Leading into 1989, both Au and NZ rugby worked successfully to re-invent rugby worldwide by insisting and proving that a Rugby World Cup was not only feasible but what the game needed to grow at the time. And look at what it has become. Move forward to the 2003 cycle. Australia nominates to hold the RWC again and invites NZ to be an active participant, but with the final to be played in Aus this time. NZ dithers, can't make a decision and Aus is left to make the application on its own. And what a success that was, without NZ participation in the running of the show. Do they have long memories and continue to harbour ill-feeling because of that result? I wonder. There is an opportunity at the moment for both Unions to work together, perhaps to change the face of rugby once again. But it will have to be done with mutual respect. I fear this will be a major stumbling block.

Ozinsa I cant think of too many( make that any ) examples of things being better when Aus and NZ work together...In fact the only times I can realy remember them working together was when Aus was in trouble and NZ stepped in to help...( Tour costs and fund raising test ) Outside of that Aus has lied and decieved NZ on more than 1 occasion

I think a crossover series would be interesting anyway. If RA is prepared to do it alone then a crossover would be a cool idea and fits nicely into both union's agendas and timetables whilst maintaining the Trans Tasman connection which I think is crucial on some form. For what it is worth, I read that RA has been having "promising" discussions with NZ this week so hopefully both parties have cooled it and some cooperation is under way! *It was from the Daily Tele though so a pinch of salt is required :laughing:

Greysy,you should know by now that Jacko is not going to admit NZ rugby ever does anything wrong! I read that article he linked and it seemed fairly innocuous to me.Only a very delicate Kiwi would take offence.

We can stick with HJH Then a Second row of Nick Frost and Nick Palmer A Third row of Nick Champion De Crispeiny, Harry Wilson and Tom Cusack Then our pack will be a bunch of Tom, Nick and Harry's