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And Kepu, next year.

It's ballsy, and very smart. 60 test caps, and 7 years or an ARU contract is a big commitment, and will force players thinking about the big bucks, to think again. Will make them stay to get to that point, rather than losing them young. Also:

So, uh......shall we change this to a 3 way dilemma? Sir George Smith is now available for selection for the Wallabies!! :D All hail the king!

I think the criteria is that you had to hold an ARU contract for 7 years, and have over 60 TEST caps.

We lost for two reasons: Accuracy at the breakdown was just fucking woeful, it maade Dowsett's job impossible having to dig for almost every single ball under pressure and then somehow find Lilo. The Rebels outkicked us, by every possible measure. Knock on effect from the ruck, the slow...

I dunno how well Lealiifano could have been expected to play in his first game at 10 for years, behind a beaten pack and a rookie, debuting 9. In the pissing rain. Who got MOM? I have a vague memory from the pub of it actually being Lilo o_O Also, Ita Vaea is a monster, he must...

Out of the pools? How the hell will we do that if we cant even get out of our 22? (Hint: kicking)

OK, lads what is the consensus about next year, RE tighthead props? At this stage I think Alexander is the only tight head who will be left in the country! :eek:

It is a worry, yeah. RE Pocock: I think the first quality of a captain is his team mates respect, and his overall character. Learning when to take a shot on the field is something you can learn, being a natural leader is much harder.

Spot on. It was literally the last play. They collided trying to tackle one of the Tahs, who knocked it on in the next tackle and the game was up.

He was excellent against the Blicks in Brisbane, and the Boks in SA last year. We fell apart when he went off, not while he was on the field. I do agree that he's not playing as well as he was last year though

Being penalised for walking the tightrope at the breakdown, is a little different to late spear tackles.

This is why I rate Carter, his impact with ball in hand is really the last thing that gets ticked off on a locks list. He ticks all the other boxes, and very well. Skelton and Carter would make an excellent combination, and our maul defence would be awesome.

I don't rate him any more. I used to, I thought he was a very promising prospect, if he could find a second brain cell and stop giving away idiotic penalties, and generally harden up and have more impact. After 50 tests, i'm still waiting, and I wouldn't want him on the field in a WC pressure...

True, but he's a rookie at this stage. Needs a couple of seasons under his belt IMO, unless he comes back and plays so well he cant be ignored.

The Reds need to drag Graham out the back and shoot him, as soon as is physically possible. He's just not up to this standard of rugby, and it's going to destroy all the good work the Reds have done since 2009. The squad is great, all the talent and skill a new coach could possibly wish for...

What about Prior?

The military have a chain of command, for a reason. Captain, VC, that's it. Senior players will naturally be looked up to, regardless of titles.

Indeed.

If we're converting backrowers, put Vaea out there, even if only for the expression on the Rebels backs faces as they shit themselves.