Comments on: How do the 2009 Wallabies look without Lote Tuqiri?

By: Karl

Karl — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 08:10:03 +0000

Hmm. Let me think. Oh yes! They look crap.

By: joeb

joeb — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 09:39:42 +0000

“So asking the obvious question, who was Lote’s room-mate?” AndyS let’s wait till Lote pens his autobiography and tells all. Should be a bestseller. With the right manager this super athelete’s career is far from over, though it seems he’s going to have to take out citizenship elsewhere to progess. Be great to see him turn out on the wing (or centres) for France.

By: AndyS

AndyS — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 07:19:50 +0000

So asking the obvious question, who was Lote’s room-mate?

By: joeb

joeb — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 06:46:33 +0000

The Link, top article that which clears up much hearsay: “After sacking Lote Tuqiri, ARU has another Wallaby in its sights”.

Who could it be now. Dunning has gone west and is currently not a Walla. Hmmm…….. watch out whoever he be.

By: Even looser

Even looser — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 07:32:33 +0000

JamaesB – “You Aussies are really doing a great job talking yourselves up.” Huh? We are?

Kindly point me to where this is happening because I need chearing-up.

By: Sam

Sam — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 06:57:13 +0000

In 2007 former coach John Connolly was threatened with his job, when he tried to argue on behalf of Tuqiri. Just shows CEO John O’Neill has a personal agenda against Tuqiri. On Friday, when O’Neill was asked about this incident, he said he had no “recollection” of it.

By: Jolly Jupes

Jolly Jupes — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 06:50:50 +0000

I googled it – 6 July 2007 Giteau mysteriously collapses in nightclub – have a read and tell me if you think there might be a difference in the treatment.

By: Jolly Jupes

Jolly Jupes — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 06:46:29 +0000

Interesting point JimC makes – I recall that Giteau “collapsed” in a night club a year or two back – can’t remember what the reason was but it got no mileage/sanction from the media or the ARU – was dismissed by the Wallaby doctor and everyone moved on – This would not have happened if it had been certain other players. I dont think the Giteau incident was “investigated” or constitutes a “strike” against his name

The popular rumours on the incident with Lote seems that it occured (dont know what)in the preparation for the Italian test (which he did not play) in Canberra. Not sure on the process but it seems to have been adjudicated on without a hearing, without notification of the players union, without discussion with Lote and as JamesB suggests without Waratahs consultation. Why did it take 4 weeks to investigate a breach of in house rules yet the Giteau “collapse” got sorted in two days and I think the food fight got the fast track as well

By: JamesB

JamesB — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 05:19:17 +0000

Might be a nice change for the mighty AB’s not to be peaking in between RWC’s. In my opinion, this may be a blessing in disguise in terms of RWC 2011. with so many injuries these players have some much needed rest, and its an opportunity to blood some new players. Already two new stars have been born in Read and Ross.

BUT… write the AB’s off at your peril. There is nothing more dangerous than an AB team with their backs against the wall.

You Aussies are really doing a great job talking yourselves up. Yes, the Wallabies do look to be a better balanced and a better prepared team in 2009, but to win the Blesdisloe Cup they need to win 3 of the 4 matches, and with only one home game, that is a tall order. If they fail to beat the AB’s at Eden Park, its all over red rover!

I fancy the Boks to win the Tri-nations and NZ to retain Bledisloe Cup.

By: Sam

Sam — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 03:59:32 +0000

I agree that the Wallabies have to look forward now, but until the coach gets the front row fixed, it doesnt matter if you have George Smith or Mr Burns in your backrow. This is the reason Australia has not won the Bledisloe cup or Tri Nations for years, and why none of its teams reached the S14 semifinal. The backline is prob the most skillful in the world, although there is a distinct lack of x-factor players out wide in the form of Habana, Latham or Sivivatu who can spark a game. But Giteau is gold, he will create opportunities for eveyone.

By: The Link

The Link — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 03:00:45 +0000

Spiro – you are wrong on one count, the Waratahs were looking for ways to keep Lote. Hardly sounds like agreeing with the decision. Perhaps asking someone at the Waratahs may have helped before making that statement?

“The Waratahs argued that while Tuqiri was in breach of the Wallabies team protocols, he has not broken any rules with the Waratahs.

“It’s a question we asked and looked at, but it can’t happen,” Waratahs coach Chris Hickey said.

“The contract is a tri-party agreement between the ARU, the state union and the player. The ARU would have to sign the contract.”

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25729486-5015651,00.html

By: jools-usa

jools-usa — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 14:35:33 +0000

Reds Fan
We’re all getting a bit over-excited about the W’s, with good reason following Jones drought, but we
gotta be prepared for some “wake up” calls & some down days.
Can never count out NZ, and after “Boks lick their wounds they’ll be tough. One reason
is their fans are on a high.
Jools-USA

By: ohtani's jacket,

ohtani's jacket, — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 08:40:12 +0000

All right, craigb… I’ll settle down. Actually, it works in my favour if the Tokyo Bledisloe Test is a decider.

By: AndyS

AndyS — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 08:27:52 +0000

True, maybe the media give him a pass. I wouldn’t be unheard of (cough…Johns…cough), but I’d be a bit surprised.

By: JimC

JimC — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 08:20:11 +0000

As far as you and I know Andy, yes.

By: AndyS

AndyS — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 08:02:34 +0000

Yet interestingly he also seems to have more sense than to test the theory…

By: JimC

JimC — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 07:58:14 +0000

It was a commercial decision. Giteau won’t be fired for a few drunken nights out that’s for sure – If you deny that your just naive.

By: craigb

craigb — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 07:46:58 +0000

OJ,

Oz rugby has been in the doldrums for a little while now. Surely a little over excited optimism is permitted? Anyway I don’t think the Wallabies need any reality check. I’m sure they are aware of the diificulty of the task at hand. Their supporters on the other hand…

By: johnny-boy

johnny-boy — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 06:51:04 +0000

By summarily sacking Tuquiri O’Neill has sent a stark and clear message to other Wallabies – mess around while we strive to achieve world dominance including the World Cup and you’re out – period. Most will think twice, even three times about mucking up in the future and will put their heads down and adopt the steely determination that such a goal requires, partly out of fear.
I would say as a consequence there is little or no chance Dunning will be back – unless he behaves like an angel off the field and a raging bull on the field. There will be others more than a little nervous. O’Neill obviously has a good grip on psychology. By comparison, league administrators and leaders are legless, Brad ‘Blind Freddy’ Fittler being a perfect case in point.

By: bennalong

bennalong — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 06:41:18 +0000

Genia is a great choice and although Burgess doesn’t need motivation a halfback can’t play a full game at the speed Deans needs, so two running halves would be fantastic.

Digby Ione is value from the Reds also, and reminds me of Habana both in build and in the careering lines he runs.

By: bennalong

bennalong — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 06:31:20 +0000

World’s biggest,

Agree with your concern re the front row. Ironic that a bloke much maligned in these pages is now a key to success. If Sharpe continues his newfound form I’d agree, but second row has acceptable depth. Caldwell and Mumm teamed well for the Tahs (and there’s Kimlin and Chisolm, too) and when Rockie’s back the lineout will be solid

WLN,

Despite my defense of Lote I loved your energetically positive appraisal.It’s certainly one possible scenario and I’m running with it. I’m going to Tokyo to see us bring back the Bledisloe!

OJ,

Without the reality check you’d be hard put to catch us. No wonder you’re hopin’!

By: Tarpo

Tarpo — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 05:39:37 +0000

Skip,
The Answer is; no he can’t play for anyone else in Int. RU.

By: Skip

Skip — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 05:00:24 +0000

Tru Tah,

I am not debating whether he would be picked but can he.
The IRB rules state that a player can not represent another country after he represented a country in either 7′s “A” teams or National teams. However what happens when a country as in Lote’s case tears up his contract and there fore restricting his trade??

By: True Tah

True Tah — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 04:41:34 +0000

Justin I sure as hell hope Digby gets into the Wallaby side, just take one look at his physique and you can tell hes worked bloody hard, the bloke is a ball of rock hard muscle.

By: True Tah

True Tah — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 04:40:29 +0000

Skip

Im sure IRB criteria would prevent Lote from playing for another country?

Im sure Fiji have some good wingers, so they probably wouldnt need him. As far as the All Blacks go, well I would hope Lote is a bit quicker than say Colin Slade (who is a makeshift winger anyway), whilst he would have been an All Black shoe-in his day, he would get nowhere near the Black jersey in his current form.

By: Justin

Justin — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 04:39:56 +0000

Well onto some more positive news.

Digby Ioane won the Reds Players Player award last night and perhaps more impressive for me is he also won the hardest trainer award. Great to see a young man working his ass off and getting tremendous results. I hope he can come back even better next year with a revitalised Reds side and be on the GS Tour in November.

Full article here – http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,25727051-5002381,00.html

By: Nick

Nick — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 04:29:18 +0000

Careful Spiros – too much harking back to history and you’ll note that that 1986 Wallaby team weren’t in the RWC final the next year.

By: Skip

Skip — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 04:24:30 +0000

As Lote has been sacked by the ARU is he allowed to represent another Country. Obviously he would have to meet other eligibility requirements ie residence, birth place etc?

By tearing up his contract the ARU are saying that they will not select him no matter how good his form is.
Lote’s situation is different to a player that is playing oversea’s as they have a choice as where to play.

Is there a precedence for this or is there a chance the dark shark could be playing for fiji or the AB’s come 2011?

By: ohtani's jacket,

ohtani's jacket, — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 04:13:36 +0000

What the world needs right now is a Wallaby reality check.

If the All Blacks can’t do it at Eden Park, I sure as hell hope the Boks do it.

By: Worlds Biggest

Worlds Biggest — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 04:07:13 +0000

Bill – the Bledisloe Cup Test in Australia is in Sydney.