Michael Cheika to embark on 'intelligence-gathering' mission as World Cup looms

All you’re saying right now is that the law does not reflect Owen Doyle’s intention, which he [rightly or wrongly] ascribes to others.

It is only natural and right to assume the law as it stands does not reflect a collective intention to enforce the 5-3 split - until proven otherwise. Your fantasy about the ‘intention’ never made it into law in black and white. Just accept that and move on.

The other aspect is such a policy [even if there was a will to bring it into law] would be quite unworkable in practice. There are so many props [and even loose forwards] who can cover hooker, back rows who double up as second rows, and flankers who can play 12 or even wing that you would be creating a nest of vipers in the small print.

Coaches only designate players in a position if they think they can play it - and it is not up to either you or Owen Doyle or Matt Williams to decide if they are fit for purpose. That type of attitude is not just amateur, it’s positively medieval!

Try to think it through for goodness sakes.

Also I’m heavily against the one code rugby that South Africa is creating with their monotone Rugby League type forwards. I want diversity, not everyone at 120kg.

I’m afraid you’re just anti the ideas of rugby if you think they should revolve around South Africa or something. Nick referred to your rugby as being like league, in league all forwards are the same average weights just like with the SB. He’s right, it’s bad for the game.

You can’t be a tall lock anymore in rugby because you’re too light.

You can’t be a short front row anymore because then you won’t be able to put on enough weight.

You can’t be a slight halfback anymore because you’ve got massive roided up like blitz forwards all around you.

These are new problems. Nothing to do with what rugby has been like before. That’s where I think the game is better off being and going back to the fitness it used to require is the way to get there.

As much as Robertson rates Havili, he still prefers Fainga'anuku. Let’s not forget Fainga'anuku is one of the overseas players he met with last year, in an effort to convince them to come back home, and with both ALB and Havili in their thirties now, he needs a new 12/13 cover for the bench. The fact that Fainga'anuku can also play Wing makes him an incredibly valauble player.

How many kids from SA that joined NH clubs straight out of school have gone on be first choice starters for their clubs and play for their adopted national teams?

The fact of the matter is that development of South African rugby players does not start & end at school level, that is only the first hurdle.

The real development comes from the proverbial “gladiatorial fight for their life” over the next 2 to 4 years in the SA university and provincial setups to rise above the rest of the players.

BTW I’m one who gives credit to Rieko for his defence at least, I’d be absolutely OK with him being used to switch into center late in games if they are using a 6-2 bench and only because the 23 is someone who can play in the backfield, like a Love. But I only really see a need to sub Proctor in his first season/half season, otherwise he should be a 80min with no need for Rieko other than to start there.

Would be interesting to see similar stats of the 6’s, and what roles those 8’s have, like kick returning etc. From where I sit I really don’t think you should have anyone other than bobby V at the pack, and I’ve liked what I’ve seen from a bunch of the 6 options to make that happen. None set though. Wilson gets one start for sure at the back but I’m not picking it’s first up/