Get your questions in for Issue 27 of Coach's Corner

ST, that was my thought also. I think it's way different from a kick, it happens so late and the dynamic is so different from fielding a kick. Sometimes it's barely a jump but a "higher" stride and in fact running requires both feet off the ground at some stage! Usually I would just blame the passer for the "hospital pass" and get them to buy me a beer to make up for it!

Michael Hooper, Quade Cooper, Samu Kerevi, Brodie Retallick, Beauden Barrett, TJ Perenara have all successfully returned to test rugby from playing in Japan. Sean McMahon is about to be added to that list. Was this inevitable because of the quality of the player, despite differences between the Top League and Super rugby competitions? Or did Top League improve their game?

First time I ever saw a tackler penalised for this was Charlie Faumuina tackling Kyle Sinckler in the second Lions test 2017. It was a key penalty and at the time Read questioned Jerome Garces saying "so next time if I jumped and get tackled it's a penalty?"

Hi Nick I would also be interested in an exploration of the skills and temperament required for a fullback that can complement the other players and strengths of this Wallabies team. That leads in to a further discussion about current/future personnel -Banks, Hodge, Petaia, Kellaway, JOC etc. Do we add to list a potential back 3 player in Louis Lynagh? He was sensational at end of premiership season in England with Harlequins and has a big decision to make, now he has been selected for England squad of 45. I hope he chooses Australia over England and Italy - he has real potential

COVID aside the SLAR looks like a building block for the emerging Pumas and Argentina XV, However is not enough. they keep changing their team structure and that hasn't helped. I understand the issue of economics and exporting players but they need to start thing of local sustainability. Yes Italy hasn't won, but their U20 has been strong and What I don't understand is why is not transferring to the senior team. something is wrong there as well.

Isn't Kellaway a fullback who is playing wing? Love Hodge but dropped every highball last week and should have cost us game.I really see Hodge as back up fly half plays direct in a tired opposition and has a booming boot.In the weird world of rugby sth Africa nearly beats the blacks and the wallabies are now second in the world that will be the logic.Somehow O Connor needs to be in mix but Kellaway to fullback and Petaia on wing for now and future.

Enjoyed your articles on the XV, by the way.

Not me... Ill take Foster every day. I dont need a coach who is pandering to his bosses like Rennie is and bagging another Unions actions. Thats what ex coaches are for.

Hey Nick, the new 50/22 kick rule - i can so far remember 2 - the first one from Nic White and the other one from Handré Pollard in game two - i can see a George Ford or some of those NH standoffs having field days kicking 3 or 4 in a game - is it just me or do they not look that difficult to do - they could have real consequences - i can see teams really buying in to them going forward. I remember back in the 70s and 80s when League had contested scrums - a large part of the game was having the number 7 kicking grubbers in to touch all the time just to get a 50/50 scrum opportunity - was very boring to watch. What are your thoughts ?

You can only circle those wagons once in a while, otherwise it loses impact. Someone somewhere in the camp has to provide a sensible counterweight to that. I'll use this as part of the Friday column.

Sent off this week, coulda been last week. Yep still an issue there.

DDA is heavily marked because the Boks are such hopeless passers and handlers under pressure. DDA and Kolbe are their only threats behind the scrum.

Perhaps also noting the English ref and the increased role of 9’s in the UK domestic season as rucks were sped up? See tomorrow morning SW. :happy:

They just don't have enough quality players. Look at the front row - a trad strength. They have a top hooker in Montoya but no props. Having to recycle guys in their mid 30s from French league just to get some scrum. Where are the Grau's, the Ayerza's and the Noriega's?

Samu Kerevi.

Nick, you have been talking up the new era of English refs for a while and suggested we may be pleasantly surprised when they came out for the RC. I was super impressed with Luke Pearce in the first WB vs SA game. Best reffing performance I've seen in ages. However not so much with Matthew Carley in the second game. Would be interested in your views on their performances, and where each sits in the overall ref standings.

:crying: Hope is not a strategy. A big part is fitness and conditioning. It is a conscious decision to step up and throw 100% into an "extra" instead of passively joining the defense line. Our SR teams have not been fit enough to compete since the NSW 2014 team, with NSW being a stand out offender in my view.

They do make it difficult for people like me who are trying to urge some respect for their achievements when they come out with complaints about Oz being coached to engage in 'things' off the ball that they would never do and so on. I have never seen a well coached team that doesn't engage in stuff off the ball, live as far offside as they can and so on. No one respects you when you complain after a loss, even if you have well founded gripes. I agree with you that it can also set up a poor mentality, where instead of honestly looking at your own shortcomings, there is always someone else to blame.

drop a player thats been playing well for a player that hasnt been in the international scene for 4 years, totally makes sense!????????‍♂️????????‍♂️ if anyones gettn the tap on the shoulder would be Swinton. There is no way they would throw McMahon in to start. Rennie would bring him on the last 20-30mins and then start him in the second Arg game.

Question for Nick - what is Australia's best back row at the moment ? We seem to have gone from a backrow with Hoops being too small and unbalancing the back row to now we have the guys queuing up - all in the space of one season - well done DR and the team.