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I mean that is part of my point, we already know what To'omua brings and in my opinion it is not enough. If he wasn't even good enough to start in a team worse than the AB's last year then why is him starting now seen as such a good thing? Simone has a higher ceiling, if O'Connor is at 10 then I...

Not ideal but not pointless. I was trying to use the stats to illustrate some inconsistencies with some of the posts. To'omua is not someone whose form or past experience demand selection and Simone has done better in some areas, specifically ball in hand, where people seem to think he is weaker...

What runs exactly? He hasn't ever been good enough to lock down a starting spot in the Wallabies, I don't see what has changed this year. He is not the incumbent 12, he was on the bench last year. He is the same old player. He kicks poorly, he is average with ball in hand and isn't an...

As someone who spent a lot of time with my head perilously close to front rowers rear ends I have to admit it did little to enlighten me on what the hell goes on in there (the scrums, not their asses, I unfortunately know what goes on there all too well). I've been a prop stuck in a long body my...

In hindsight, if Petaia is starting then you would certainly want a backup 13 on the bench. I think the pack has the ability to make things a bit easier for the backs too, regardless of who we go with. Unless it's 10. O'Connor, 12. To'omua, 13. Hodge. That would concern me. Edit: Hodge might...

Essay incoming. I expect everyone to skip over this but I needed to get it out. Some very tough calls but in my view, picking on form over experience results in 4 debutantes tops, which isn't too bad at all. Tight 5: I think we look really strong here, provided there aren't many injuries...

I think we too often fall into the trap of thinking experienced players are a safer option. I think it's human nature to turtle up and go with known quantities but it would be to our detriment here. For a lot of these guys, we know their ceiling and in my view it is not high enough to beat the...

He played there against England last year and did very well, given not a lot of time, but looked more than comfortable, against a top team in a high pressure setting. Simone, in my opinion has the best long passing game of any of our backs and while he can run, it's certainly not all he does...

Strongly agree. How so? Best case he can teach him to kick the ball away on attack. Seriously though, Petaia seems more than comfortable at this level, if you are suggesting some experience inside him would help? Simone at 12 is much more of a threat with the ball and has a better passing...

He is a fantastic player either way and I doubt he’ll be playing 6 this year since he’s been selected as a 2nd row. Still I would love to see that back 5 combo I listed. A boy can dream.

I think he is fast enough but regardless I’m suggesting he plays tight at 6 and only if they bring back other 2nd rows.

Any reason why he wouldn’t play exactly as he is currently? I think the only thing that changes with the position is more energy from less scrum involvement and playing out wide in phase play. I think he’s fine at that but I’m suggesting he plays exactly as he is off phase play currently and...

I know this isn’t going to happen but I feel the most balanced backrow (especially if Arnold is back) would be LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) at 6, with either Samu or Wilson at 8. I’m really not sure why LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) has been written off at 6, especially when we have 2 smaller faster 8’s capable of playing out wide. I mean Samu...

Well done Brumbies, played really well as a team, as always. I would have loved the Reds to have won and there's really not much between the teams but it just wasn't their night.

Game's not over but just one of those days for the Reds, a tonne of mistakes from the outset, it'll be a huge effort to turn it around from here.

Shame but looks like it might not be such an even second half.

Thoughts on the key match ups? Wilson has looked better at 8, Lolesio slightly up on O'Connor? Not a direct comparison but I think Sio has looked pretty strong, some of those scrum penalties could have gone his way. Hope Petaia is alright.

Expected when you give away so many penalties to the Brumbies. Really have to be more disciplined

Reds to win with Wright running over the entire Brumbies pack for the winning try after their driving maul marches them 30m up field. You heard it here first.

Seems like I’m on my own here but there are lots of great individual options but they all have pretty big deficiencies. Wright at 6 is great for the lineout but is small and lacks impact around the park. Samu is fantastic out wide with the ball in hand but is small and is not a big hitter in...