EPCR statement: Champions Cup semi-finals venues

But D4 thickos keep spewing about him - when he can’t lace Crowley’s boots on his best day.

By all accounts Les does not do tracksuit work, and he will not replace what Joe does now. So that coach alongside him is the key piece of the jigsaw.

Creighton is a good communicator and organizer and prob better in that aspect than the Qld guys. The sort of 10 Joe is known to like. You do not have to have X-factor in every position, esp if they do not have the ability to manage the team tactically and deliver the pictures the coach wants to see.

Whilst I think Lynagh and Harry McLaughlin-Phillips have it in them for a winning Schmidt team and a future Kiss team, I’m not so sure about Creighton.

I think the reasons why Kiss let him go and Mackellar wanted him are the same. He, like Lolesio is good at passing the ball and kicking, but doesn't create things. As he showed last night, Creighton is also good at backing up (and a great flick on pass), but leaves the creativity to others.

When they do click, the Waratahs rely on counter-attack from Jorgensen, Kelleway and Sua’ali’i…plus other bits of brilliance from Jorgensen and Sua’ali’i. Same style as the Brumbies I’d argue, and same style as Rennies team after Cooper.

They (the Wallabies) really need someone to set up others, or they be too predictable v the Lions,…and going forward after that.

I am not so sure about Les Kiss, at least in the way they are touting him now. Certainly not with all his Qld staffers moving with him, and a job share with him remaining head of ops in Qld would be difficult.

It would be wrong for RA to invest in him too heavily right now. He needs to win something with the Reds.

I get frustrated that TMOs have so much influence on the game when they are far less qualified than the Ref. A lot of technology but still no cigar. The TMO ‘might’ be able to be an AR but no where near the standard or experience to replace the Referee on the day & then there are the even less qualified assistants advising the TMO.

Your have it right with Harry McLaughlin-Phillips.

He is one of 3 #10s showing some form. The others are Lynagh and Donnalson.

It’s not unusual to have the best players in a particular position from the same side.

(Queensland also have two of the best halfbacks on form too)

As Rennie found when he (or his coaching team) didn't know how use the five eighth after Cooper was unavailable, simple pass the parcel five eighths don’t work v good opposition.

Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Lynagh and Donnalson may not be world beaters, but they can create something some of the time.

Re Kiss, he HAS to be the main Wallaby coach, and yes, it’s totally possible for him to have a Reds role as well. Right now too, it is essential for Schmidt to continue a role after Kiss takes over.

Dmac was woeful, head didn’t seem to be in the game…perhaps a good wake up for him and the team that there’s plenty of rugby still to come this season.