So how or why did Australian rugby lose the barnstorming Nemani Nadolo to Fiji, the Wallabies' first opponents at the Rugby World Cup? The person behind the call, former Waratahs coach Chris Hickey, stands by the call to not re-sign the 195cm, 130kg winger after his two years at NSW, telling Fairfax Media: "He was in the early stage of his development and over a couple of years he hadn't just quite delivered what we were hoping. That is the reason we didn't contract him."
Hickey added that at the time the Waratahs had a lot of depth for outside backs, including Nadolo's cousin, Lote Tuqiri: "It was an area we were pretty strong in." 
Hickey has still been thrilled to see Nadolo's progress playing in France (Bourgoin), England (Exeter), Japan (Green Rockets) and since last year in New Zealand (Crusaders). "He has done very well," Hickey said. "Sometimes it just takes players a little bit longer. Some players mature when they are 21 and others it might take them until they are 25 or 26. He stuck at it and has kept working. It is great to see him reach the potential we probably thought he had when he was with the Waratahs."
Former Wallaby Tuqiri has been equally impressed; as he also is with another of his cousins, Wallabies No. 13 Tevita Kuridrani. All of which means Tuqiri was torn over who to support in the Australia-Fiji World Cup game on Thursday morning [AEST]. In the end, he opted for Fiji due to their "underdog" status.
As proud as Tuqiri is of Nadolo, he is equally happy for Kuridrani, saying of his career: "He hasn't looked back. He is the top 13 in Australia and has been for about a year. What I love about him is that he goes about his business quietly. He makes the big plays. "
Scrum again?
Even before the Wallabies played their first World Cup game against Fiji, optimism was starting to mount about Australia's prospects against England on   October 4 (AEST). Ex-Wallabies prop Al Baxter, who has experienced the wrath of an English scrum, was surprised by how Fiji took on England in the scrum last Saturday. "The English had been talking it up about it being an area of England's strength and Fijian weakness," he said. "They pushed them around a couple of scrums, but it was interesting that a couple of times Fiji pushed back and got a couple of turnovers."
More candid in his view was Hickey, who said: "I didn't see anything that really made me concerned. We have made a lot of progress too with young blokes like Scotty Sio, and with 'Moorey' [Stephen Moore] at hooker and Sekope Kepu at tighthead. Sekope and Scott are not just scrummagers; they give you something around the park as well. We are well placed to take on anything England is going to throw at us."
Wallabies watch
Recovery session after playing Fiji on Thursday (1.45am AEST). Friday selectors name Wallabies side to play Uruguay at Birmingham on Sunday (9.00pm AEST)
Making news
'Former NFL star: I'll convert top rugby players into American football giants' - London's Evening Standard as more voices tout the potential of union players to make it in the NFL
'Yamba's Douglas to make Rugby World Cup debut tonight' - The Clarence Valley Daily Examiner celebrating the Wallabies lock's selection for Fiji Test
They said it
"I've absolutely no doubt. We're still waiting for our team talk from Warren!" - English backs coach Andy Farrell in WalesOnline.co.uk on if he expects Wales coach Warren Gatland to stir a siege mentality before the game on Sunday (5am AEST)
"It's a new day and a new game." Springboks assistant coach Johann van Graan on stuff.co.nz forgetting expressing optimism after the loss to Japan ahead of the clash with Samoa on Sunday (1.45am AEST)
What to Watch
Thursday: No evening games.
Friday: NZ v Namibia, London, 5am AEST