Cheers and good luck to yer Thunderin Red herd!
I gather you’ve been missing the likes of Big Dell lately?

Any rate eh, what’s this?
No comments on the Pacific Islander situations?!
Red Hot story… I’d like yer take.

1) Enjoy a bit of the old rough and ready, are they cheap ar just hungry?

2) Should they stay or should they go now?
I think this is their best international option so they should use it!

Re: Pacific Islanders
I think it’s a fantastic concept and it should be encouraged as much as possible. Everyone wants to see competitive rugby and these guys are good, obviously much better than the individual national teams. I think the rough stuff against the Wallabies was partly exaggerated by the conditions, but also a tighter rein by the referee wouldn’t go astray either. I’ll be interested to see what kind of hurt they put on the All Blacks this weekend.

The All Black test will be an affair to witness, agreed!
I appreciate the trend of the Kiwi’s lately to stand up in defense of those teams relying on harder play. ~They defended South Africa’s rough style in last year’s tri-nations too, if you recall.~

And although I would say it’s due more to the media hype machine than anything conspiring from wallaby camp, the trend does beg a question…

Why do you think so much complaining about rougher play has come from the gold jersey camp in recent years?

I believe again that it’s in the politics (the scurge of Union code), which are all too prevalent in the entire southern hem.

None the less…. As far as the islanders concept, I agree with you mostly as well.
I’d go even further however, to say that Union code absolutely NEEDS the islanders to play as one nation, internationally. The disparity between tiers of nations in Rugby today is sad in my opinion, and frankly a bit boring. The Islanders together (as they are obviously quite good enough to compete internationally when bonded) will add so much to the international scene, it amazes me anyone would be against the idea.

I am still hoping the Pumas will be allowed to join the Tri-Nations one day as well. Or maybe there is a way to form a tournament special to the Islanders and Argentines. Winner gets a crack at a tri-nations wild card?