Tamaiti Williams ruled out for Crusaders' semi-final with Blues

There were only a handful of players Schmidt really couldn’t afford to lose, and I do think Lolesio was among them because he was clearly the one the coach had backed to provide the direction for the side.

Now that he’ll miss the series, I really do think it’s a significant dent to pre-existing plans..

With a shot Tupou, no Skelton and Valetini, no Noah, and more injuries to come (just statistically) it is hard to see the Wallabies winning a game realistically. I'd love to be wrong.

These problems shine a light on RA’s lack of strategy over the years. How many players have they lost to Europe (before and after they become Wallabies)? Why do all the young 10s stall out at the same phase of development? Why all the stop-start with the veteran 10s? Why are there no project players (not just international recruits but also younger Aussies with potential) being clearly groomed for international roles? Why are there no promising back-rowers being moved to hooker around the u20 level?

I have been reading and enjoying your columns for a decade but it is not clear if anyone at RA has spent 20 minutes reviewing the basics.

Just disappointing and frustrating all around

Harry Wilson shouldn’t be in the squad. He cannot break tackles and has poor ball skills. Samu was great for UBB who won the European club championship. Back three should be Booby V, Tizano and Leota with Gleeson and Samu off the bench. McRight has not played well against bigger teams and gets blown off the ball. Utilise the wingers more for support play.

Starting locks should be frost and Skelton. Off the bench Amatosero and Williams or Philip. There is your balance point.

The biggest issue we have the back line is that wright has a poor kicking game and not as big a boot as the back 3 of the lions. He also makes a lot of mistakes. Wallabies should have developed hodge at 15 as that big boot of his takes a lot of pressure off. That is what is going to kill them.

It’s not a big happy family. It's not south American soccer when you get scouted at 8 and join a club with lads you've grown up with. It was a pay cheque. And I suspected it wouldn't last long.

I did my bit, they did theirs. At times it was great fun. I got a Friday night at the Cardiff arms park which was my only bucket list. Not more than 1500 in attendance and we got pumped by 22 PTS but special memories.

The pitch was utter shyte though.

I mean this sincerely but the fans in the stands are often the more passionate. Professional players, to a degree, are conditioned to deal with losses. On to the next game. Pragmatism.

The players were starting to get too big so I don't miss the on field stuff and I've literally never held a ball since. I wouldn’t let either of my young cubs near a rugby ball at the moment as the game stands but I've never enjoyed watching the game more than now.

Two teams go to war but nobody dies. It's a lovely antidote to the confusing and overwhelming real world we live in. Some times your best is enough, some times it's not.