They can improve by playing with a little more width. You still have to earn the right to go wide but the boss are physical enough to get that front foot dominance (at least in patches).

The ball just died with DeAllende too often last weekend and Am and the wings were passengers.

He was playing very well and whilst I don’t want to rehash the Foley v Qaude argument I never saw the sense in committing to Foley when whilst Quade had his deficiencies he had a much, much higher ceiling. I’ve always felt if Quade had played within the NZ system their coaching would have turned him into a world class player to be remembered.

Probably a slightly tough mark on Paisami agree he’s slightly undersized but he hits an unders line with such ferocity that he normally gets over the gain line.

I just think you have to pay credit to Shaun Edwards

I must have been watching a different game. He didn’t kick well, no one did, but he certainly didn’t. When he returns the ball i don’t think he beat a single defender. He’s not bad, but there must be players that are more threatening.

I had huge doubts over Banks but he played well in Bled 1 however he really is ineffective in attack. I’d get rid of him as soon as DHP is fit.

I thought his decision making in attack was awful and he actually cost the wallabies points twice imo. His passing was inaccurate but defensively he was very strong.

I personally think he’s a handbrake to this backline though and would happily consider other options.

Cheers for the update. Didn’t realise Creevy went to LI. They’ve strengthened their pack well and will be interesting if they compete in the premiership this year.

I said the same above – I see Montoya in the starting role but I heard somewhere he was one fo the guys who tested positive. Any update on if he travels?

Agree defensive realignment was all over the place which is why there was some great line breaks and counter attacking rugby

Haha fair – I wrote that after listening to a Bill Burr podcast (so was naturally in a rant mood)

No it was my punctuation which was terrible complete skewing the message. Personally I see Mo’unga as a much more rounded 10 then Barrett, he has a far better kicking and distributing game and he brings his outside backs into the game more than Barrett. Barrett is just a freak of nature and he is electric and hitting a hole and taking the ball to the line whilst his kicking and distribution is good albeit not great.

Both great 10’s and there isn’t much in it but I would go with Mo’unga as an out and out 10.

With all due respect you haven’t really gone out on a limb much here. Seems like you’ve hobbled together a few big names and are just stating the (at times) ill informed obvious.

Let’s start with Argentina… Creevy and Sanchez (shock, horror)! The pumas have relied on Creevy and Sanchez for half a decade and I ‘m not even sure Creevy will start, I expect they’ll go with Montoya who is more well rounded hooker than Creevy and took over run on duties last World Cup. I’m more interested to see if their new skipper Matera continues growing into the dominant presence he has shown glimpses of.

Boks: I’m interested in the development of Am as I think he is starting to become a brilliant outside centre and his skill and guile is well matched with DeAllende’s brute strength. Am is also beginning to be a really strong positional defender where there were questions there when he first broke onto the international scene. Vermuelen will always play well he is so consistent. With Pollard’s injury I have a feeling they will give Damian Willemse a chance and I expect huge things from this guy. I think he could be the long term Boks 10 and could become one of the most dynamic players in world rugby. It helps that he is a 10 built like a blindside flanker.

No real arguments with your two all blacks choices. I think Mo’unga will get the first crack and if the AB’s give Jordie a go at the back Beuady might find himself coming off the pine. It will be interesting if this happens if Mo’unga has the ability to continue strong performances to keep Beaudy at bay. Aaron Smith speaks for himself and seems to be getting better with age. I’m also interested to see how their back 3 shapes up as there are so many different permutations and each player brings something that others don’t have.

Aus: Hooper choice is a cop out. Stating the obvious! Aus have relied on him for years and now that we have a real coach rather than the clown I expect we won’t need to rely on Hooper as much as we have these last five years. I’m more interested in whoever gets picked at 8 (think it will be Samu to begin with) as we have lacked a dominant ball carrying 8 since Cliffy Palu. Can either Wilson or Samu provide that line bending go forward that gives the wallabies an extra dimension. In the backs I’m far more interested in whether Petaia can remain injury free this is his break out year on the international scene. We all know how good he is domestically albeit plagued with injuries but I rate this guy as a superstar and if he can get some consistent minutes in at test level I think he can take TRC by storm.

Yeah he’s not he’s a more complete 10 than Barrett and I expect he’ll start for the all blacks

I agree with all you say but I think Tate has X factor and I’m reluctant. To have such a green 9, 10 and 12 axis.

I think within one or two test Noah will be run on 10 and he’ll probably need abit more experience at 12 so either To’omua or O’Connor.

Personally I’ve always thought O’Connor is the more natural footballer and his best position is 12 so I’d lean that way.

FFS this was spaced out as I appreciate its long and it was completely condensed so apologies if hard to read.

1. Slipper
2. Faingaa
3. Tupou
4. Philip
5. Salakai-Loto
6. Wright
7. Hooper
8. Samu
9. McDermott
10. O’Connor
11. Koribete
12. To’omua
13. Petaia
14. Daungunu
15. Banks

16. Alaalatoa
17. Paingga Amosa
18. Sio
19. Hosea
20. McReight
21. Wilson
22. White
23. Haylett Petty

Some context…

Front row: Only loosened is really n debate here and I see Slipper as a stronger scrummager. Whilst he hasn’t always started most games this year for the Brumbies he has clearly looked more solid in the scrum when on. I’m a firm believer of building your game of a strong set piece so he gets the nod.

Second row: Arnold has just (literally just) been injured playing for Toulouse… looks like a serious shoulder injury so he’s out. Second row is a very disputed position but I would go with blooding young guys.

Backrow: Real tough one here, Hooper is in and Samu has earned his spot (although I would love to see Wilson sooner rather than later I think he’ll be the test 8 for a long long time). I’ve gone with Wright only just over Valentini as his workmate is unbelievable and I love his mongrel. It is also often forgotten how solid he has been for the reds at line out both defensively and as a safe option in attack. I am a little concerned that the back row is too small but I’d be happy to see them start and see how the combinations build.

Halves: Tate has done enough – end of discussion! I’d start with O’Connor due to his form and combination with Tate across the comp but I’d love to see Lolesio get a run sooner rather than later. His upside is better than O’Connor’s in the short and medium term.

Centres: Toomua and Petaia are both easy choices (if) fit. I’m going to assume both will be ok given the nature of their injuries (tweaked groin and tweaked hip flexor I believe)

Wings: Daungunu and Koribete the latter is one of the first picked and the former was probably the form winger of the comp. Whilst Daungunu did everything he could to play himself out of the team in the final I’m not going to jump to conclusions from one awful game. There are questions about if they’ll be targeted at the back as neither are strong kickers but I like to have genuine finishers on the wing and we have that. Plus none of the other options fill me with excitement.

Fullback: Banks – not at all confident in this selection but Banks form came good late in the comp. I’d pick DHP is fit but not sure he will be. Bit of a roll of the dice here.

Bench: gone for a 6-2 split as it will be an incredibly physical game. Plus with players like O’Connor, Toomua, Banks, and Petaia all bing able to play multiple positions I’m confident the backline can reshuffle to accommodate new combinations where required.

1. Jerry Collins
2. Joe Rocokoko
3. Christian Cullen
4. Byron Kelleher
5. Richie McCaw

I’m still here! But I agree they are improving and its great to see and I’d love for Thorne to prove me wrong. It’s his third season at the helm though with the first two being bitter disappointments so I’d hardly call him an inexperienced coach.

My biggest gripe with the Reds under coach has surprisingly been defence and their discipline, two areas I would of thought Thorne had control of much much quicker than he has. Great to see though that this is starting to really turn around and is having a huge impact on their overall game as they build confidence in their defensive structures and have much better continuity in their gameplay.

The recent defensive hire should be the one signalled out, as he has really turned around the defence since the Waratah debacle.

I rate Blythe a lot – I still think he’s raw for testy footy but the bloke is a big frame and gets through a ton of work. I also love his aggression in contact. Has all the makings of a test quality player and I look forward to his development. Maybe 2021 will be his breakthrough season.

Whilst I agree at the pointy professional end we need to quicken the game up, there must be some leeway at lower levels. For blokes like me still strapping on boots in Surrey 3 (England 8th or 9th league) and who is a loose forward with deplorable fitness levels a prop would be proud of – these mini breaks are heaven and can’t be done away with.

Whether it’s a slowed down line out, a shoelace that magically goes astray or just the mysterious ankle injury right where a scrum should be set these are an integral fabric of the game and quite frankly… in my state I wouldn’t survive without them

Finegan better option then both. I’ll admit he was somewhat limited in his play but was an expert at getting over the advantage line and combined so well with Wilson and Kefu in their backrow.

What are you smoking… Smith > Pocock…Fardy second row??! Giffin, Harrison both better selections.

The rest I don’t have too many arguments with

Great selection but have to say Finegan pipped Rocky to the post.

There’s literally nothing that suggests this appointment would work. I for one am sick of 15+ years of jobs for your mates and look where that’s got us.

I’ll take appropriate due diligence thanks.

I just have the sneaking suspicion England played their final last week. On form it’s a no brainer but whilst the boks have been conservative we’ve seen in the rugby championship they can play footy.

I’m swayed cause I picked the boks in June at 11/2