By Spiro Zavos
September 2nd 2009 @ 5:47am
Related coverage
Mitchell presented jerseys to the wrong team
springboks looking like percy
Last weekend, John Mitchell, the former All Blacks coach and currently the coach of the Western Force, presented the Springboks with their match jerseys. He made a short speech at the presentation, some “stern words” according to Bryan Habana, which proved to be inspirational for the Springboks.
The Wallaby great, Mark Ella, has been reported by The Australian as being critical of what Mitchell did. “He has a responsibility to develop Australian rugby,’ Ella said, ‘and his total allegiance should be with the Wallabies.”
My feeling is that Ella is 100 per cent correct. Mitchell presented the jerseys to the wrong team. He should not have made himself any part of the Springboks build-up before the Test at Perth against the Wallabies.
The Australian reported also the the Western Force’s chief executive, Vern Reid, said that he was happy with Mitchell’s presentation, provided he got a clearance from Robbie Deans.
Deans apparently gave the clearance, or as The Australian put it, “confirmed … he was made aware of Mitchell presenting the Springboks jersey.”
This is a puzzling wording.
Does it mean that Deans was told after the event? Or does it mean that he was asked and agreed? If it is the latter, then, in my opinion, the clearance should not have been given.
Interestingly, two former Wallaby captains, Andrew Slack and Simon Poidevin, were quoted by The Australian as not having a problem with Mitchell handing out the Springboks jersey. “It’s not as though John Mitchell is part of the Wallaby coaching staff,” Poidevin is quoted as saying.
That is right.
But Deans is the Wallaby coach and Mitchell’s presentation depended upon his agreeing to it, apparently. So the Wallabies were involved in the decision, albeit at second hand.
In the professional era we accept that a coach’s former allegiances can be discarded in the interests of pursuing his coaching career. Deans is a former All Black and All Blacks assistant coach.
Now he coaches the Wallabies. Mitchell played for and coached the All Blacks. Now he coaches the Western Force, an Australian franchise.
Graham Henry and Steve Hansen, the current All Blacks coaches, both coached Wales.
All this switching of allegiances is part of the professional era. A coach goes where his career takes him. But when he is a certain place and country, his allegiances must be 100 per cent with that place and that country.
Mitchell coaches the Western Force.
He should not give any help in whatever fashion to teams playing against his team or the Wallabies. It is naive to think that the Springboks management choose Mitchell because he was a good chap or whatever.
They saw some sort of advantage, small perhaps, but an advantage, nevertheless, in having Mitchell present the jerseys.
For me, Mitchell committed, in rugby terms, the crime of sleeping with the enemy. And rightly so, he’s in Ella trouble.
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It is rare, in my knowledge, for home supporters in a football match to...
Ziggy said | September 2nd 2009 @ 6:14am | Report comment
For once we agree. Plus if I was a Bok I would want ny jersey presented by someone a little closer to home,
onside said | September 2nd 2009 @ 6:34am | Report comment
If Boks loose ,the lead story is, MITCHELL FAILS AGAIN.
Chris said | September 2nd 2009 @ 6:43am | Report comment
AAAAAH come on – it is not if that was the magic touch, it must have been an honor to hand out the jerseys.
Talk about the professional era, your argument holds water if it was Deans handing out the jerseys or for that matter any of his support staff.
What next???
Who Needs Melon said | September 2nd 2009 @ 7:08am | Report comment
Spiro, I’ve got to hand it to you – you have a knack for these talking-point topics.
I’m totally with Poido and Slacks (reportably) on this one – I have no problem with this at all.
Are we afraid Mitchells pep talk made all the difference? If we’re that precious then it’s no wonder we’re losing.
Eagle said | September 2nd 2009 @ 7:12am | Report comment
It is quite difficult getting a South African all the way down under just to hand out jerseys. The invitation and acceptance showed mutual respect. If it was Mark Ella handing out the jerseys it would be weird though. I must say it does make it kind of interesting to speculate who would be handing out the Bok jerseys in Brisbane. At least we know it won’t be Spiro.
Ziggy said | September 2nd 2009 @ 7:40am | Report comment
There are many great sporting legends from SA right here in the magical land of OZ.
Eagle said | September 2nd 2009 @ 5:23pm | Report comment
Ziggy, a list would be interesting. I know Gerald Bosch is there and Barry Richards. Who else? Maybe Div and his management team will find your list helpful.
Eagle said | September 2nd 2009 @ 7:25am | Report comment
Who is the Percy fan?
Eagle said | September 2nd 2009 @ 7:30am | Report comment
Did the Boks win back to back games in Australia before? How often has the All Blacks done this? Saturday is not a forgone conclusion.
Knives Out said | September 2nd 2009 @ 7:32am | Report comment
Mitchell was with the Springbok squad to engage with the coaching panel and players, in other words to expand his technical horizons. He was asked to present the jerseys because people respected his involvement. Perhaps Mitchell should not have accepted what would, no doubt, have been a personal honour but what Mr Ella and Mr Zavos conveniently forgets is that Mitchell was in a position to hand out the Springbok jerseys because SA rugby had allowed him to spend time with them. Thus Australian rugby was benefiting from the exposure one of their coaches was receiving. I wonder if there are any SA ‘experts’ bemoaning that fact.
fox said | September 2nd 2009 @ 8:54am | Report comment
If you know this for fact, you are quite the insider aint ya?
Hayden said | September 2nd 2009 @ 12:58pm | Report comment
Too true Knives. Everyone up in arms over this needs to grow up.
Darryl SA said | September 2nd 2009 @ 7:34am | Report comment
This article is not newsworthy, and could better be summed up as a storm in a teacup.
Spiro, still waiting on the article about why Giteau and Elsom escaped citing. Anytime. I see, out of sight out of mind. Naturally, I expected as much. I shall stop holding my breath now.
Ziggy said | September 2nd 2009 @ 7:41am | Report comment
Two reasons
1. Not wearing armbands
2. Not thuggish enough to play for SA
NickF said | September 2nd 2009 @ 1:48pm | Report comment
Darryl SA, if this story is not newsworhty, ahy did you finish reading it and why did you reply to it?
Darryl SA said | September 2nd 2009 @ 5:11pm | Report comment
NickF, erm, how do you suppose I should determine an articles newsworthiness without first reading it? Telepathy?
Darryl SA said | September 2nd 2009 @ 5:18pm | Report comment
NickF, but more to the point, it appears that by the 3,467,743 comment notifications I have in my Inbox this morning from this thread, that I was completely wrong about the newsworthiness.
Oh well, at least The Roars advertising revenue will go through the roof from this one. Nice work Spiro!
Kraisch said | September 2nd 2009 @ 5:34pm | Report comment
Ha, I like it
Spiro – Astute Rugby Analyst or Website Advertising Genius?
katzilla said | September 2nd 2009 @ 7:59am | Report comment
‘Mitchell played for and coached the All Blacks’
Technically wrong on one of those points Spiro. I’d say wrong on both.
Looks like the mercenary wants to get his fingers in as many pies as possible. Hes now had rugby experience with every World Cup winning country.
LeftArmSpinner said | September 2nd 2009 @ 11:01am | Report comment
katzilla, explain whats wrong with Spiros comment. to my knowledge, he did both
Campbell Watts said | September 3rd 2009 @ 3:03pm | Report comment
He never played a test but played 6 times for the All Blacks, captained them in those games and later coached them.
One of only 3 players in history to do all 3.
CraigB said | September 2nd 2009 @ 8:00am | Report comment
would any SA coach agree to hand out wallaby jerseys prior to a test in SA. I doubt it. Although he is not a wallaby coach technically, he is responsible for the development of players whose aim is to be wallabies. So in a way he is. While i doubt any advantage woulod be gained from it (I doubt smit would be thinking about what kitchell said before packing a scrum) it just doesnt look good from a ‘united cause’ point of view
Hayden said | September 2nd 2009 @ 1:02pm | Report comment
That’s the point. He’s not an Aussie coach. He’s a NZ coach coaching in Aus. Big difference. Sorry lads, you might like to think Dingo is one of yours, but Mitch ain’t.
fox said | September 2nd 2009 @ 8:53am | Report comment
Nelson Mandella could have handed the Wallabies their jerseys Saturday night and the result would have been the same.
Having said that, it does leave a bit of a bad taste in my mouth to see an employee of an Australian rugby province be a part of the opposition’s preparation. If Knives Out is correct though, and Mitchell was sitting with the Boks coaching staff to learn from the coaching staff etc., then I can live with that.
End of the day, there are bigger fish to fry.
Spiro Zavos said | September 2nd 2009 @ 9:12am | Report comment
Katzilla, I was right on both points. Mitchell played mid-week matches for the All Blacks, no Tests, and he coached the All Blacks.
How would the Western Force players in the Wallabies feel about their coach telling the Springboks in ’stern words’ to do well against them,
It is immaterial whether Mitchell had any impact on the performance of the Springboks. Mitchell’s loyalties right now are with Australian rugby. He should not be helping opponents of the Wallabies in any way, no matter how trivial or symbolic.
Jerry said | September 2nd 2009 @ 9:22am | Report comment
In fact, he captained the mid-week All Blacks from memory.
katzilla said | September 2nd 2009 @ 9:41am | Report comment
I stand corrected. So he did play 6 mid week games.
My apologies.
But does the ARU pay his wages?
His loyalty is first and foremost to the success of his Provincial team.
If handing out some jerseys gets him a foot in the door with the games current world champions then have at it.
Im sure the stakeholders and club members at the Western Force are more then happy that he’s picking up something new for their club. His success isn’t measured by the results of the Wallabies but the Force. So in order to look out for number 1 hes gotta do what it takes to get his club on the up.
Its not that uncommon to see club/provincial clubs put their team before the national team.
Jamie Joseph has been doing it in Wellington this year, refusing to play the Wellington ABs during their time off from international duty due to the fact it may upset the balance of his team.
If anyone should be upset it should be the Ex-SA players that missed this opportunity to hand out the jerseys.
Im sure there is at least one living in WA.
Knives Out said | September 2nd 2009 @ 10:08am | Report comment
Why was John Mitchell in SA, Spiro?
Ziggy said | September 2nd 2009 @ 11:53am | Report comment
Right on. It was unacceptable.
Hammer said | September 2nd 2009 @ 9:13am | Report comment
I agree it’s a storm in a teacup … if they wanted a numpty like Mitchell – then there must be slim pickings in Perth ….
however, I will add I found it odd in one sense … a couple of seasons ago at and AB’s v Aust test Mitchell was on a pre-game panel with all the foxsports cheersleader … and spouted the line “I think we can win this one tonight” – when questioned on that he was very clear that as he was employed by the Force and was involved with the ARU and part of his job was to produce players for the Wallabies and as such he considered himself firmly part of the Australain rugby family – and the “we” referred to Australia … he’s obviously changed his viewpoint since then …
Jim McDonald said | September 2nd 2009 @ 9:15am | Report comment
Nonsense Spiro. Mitchell is a kiwi who happens to coach an Australian team.
If you want to find fault blame the idiot who made him coach of the Force.
A kiwi coaching an Australian team? what next? It couldn’t happen at international level could it?
Jim McDonald
OldManEmu said | September 2nd 2009 @ 9:39am | Report comment
Rather than this being a storm in tea cup I think this is a massive story, and one that I find absolutely staggering – I am flabbergasted (Rex). What on earth, indeed, must Cross, Gituea, Mitchell, Brown think to know that their provincial coach is revving up the opposition. And what must Mitchell’s thought process have been? “Oh yeah, this is a good idea, I am a New Zealander, I coach an Australian Super Rugby team, I’ll make a contribution to the Springboks”. Very wierd.
Hayden said | September 2nd 2009 @ 1:05pm | Report comment
Didn’t Giteau jump ship from Perth because they couldn’t pay him enough $$$? It’s teh culture in rugby nowadays. There’s no loyalty.
stuff happens said | September 2nd 2009 @ 9:43am | Report comment
So Australian rugby is now in such a desperate state that Spiro complains about the bloke who hands out the jerseys to the opposition!
Come on, who cares?! Oh and Eddie Jones has a RWC ‘07 winners medal for his efforts with Jake White & the ‘Boks.
Temba said | September 2nd 2009 @ 9:46am | Report comment
*yawn* slow week Spiro?
Knives Out said | September 2nd 2009 @ 10:06am | Report comment
I notice that Spiro forgets to mention Hendrik Roodt.
Terry Kidd said | September 2nd 2009 @ 9:57am | Report comment
I’m with Daryl SA and Temba …. who cares? Yeah must be a slow rugby news day.
Virgil said | September 2nd 2009 @ 9:59am | Report comment
Would the French get upset if Ewen Mckenzie handed the Australian jerseys out if we toured over there? Do his loyalties lie with French rugby and the development of their players?
The Link said | September 2nd 2009 @ 10:16am | Report comment
It would only be equivalent if big Link presented jersey’s to the All Blacks. But agree its not really a big issue.
Hoy said | September 2nd 2009 @ 11:43am | Report comment
Possibly a little different as lots of players in Europe are not from that country. How many foreign players play for Stade?
Not really the same situation as Aus rugby, where up until very recently, only players eligible for Australia were allowed to play for the provinces.
Bonza said | September 2nd 2009 @ 3:48pm | Report comment
What if he handed the jerseys to the French team before a Wallaby test? – he is not on the Australian rugby payroll – the question is actually whether the individual would be comfortable doing it
ohtani's jacket said | September 2nd 2009 @ 10:23am | Report comment
Well, I agree with you Spiro. It’s not a major talking point like the Botha crap, but where is the unity in Australian rugby?
Nashi said | September 2nd 2009 @ 10:52am | Report comment
Personally I don’t really mind a Kiwi giving a jersey to a Bok, however if I was in any Force players shoes I might feel some personal disloyalty. Has anyone asked them how they felt about it?
Spiro Zavos said | September 2nd 2009 @ 10:53am | Report comment
Hendrik Roodt is a NSW Waratahs recruit, a big second-rower from South Africa. He is following in the giant (?) footsteps of the much-missed Daniel Vickerman. I don’t know what his switch from South African rugby to Australian has to do with Jphn Mitchell handing out Springboks jerseys. Roodt will become eligible for the Wallabies in three years, if he is good enough. There is a history in Australian rugby of ‘importing’ tight forwards, starting with the great Topo Rodriquez and Patricio Noriega, who is now the Wallabies scrum coach.
With professional rugby we can expect a lot of movement from country to country of coaches, especially, and players to a lesser extent. Once they play for the national side in XVs, Sevens and A side, they become ineligible to play for another national side.
Once players like Roodt make the commitment to change countries, you expect them to be 100 per cent involved with that country. Coaches, too. And this is my point about John Mitchell. It is not a hanging matter, or anything like that. But it is a matter that should be stopped in its tracks.
Coaches exchange insights and systems between each other all the time. I remember Rod Macqueen telling me about the South African coaches who trekked to Canberra to observe that the ACT Brumbies were doing when he was coach. That is fine, up to a point. You wouldn’t want the All Black coaches, though, having access to the Wallabies camps, or these two having access to the inside workings of the Springboks camps.
Small matters can involve big principles. It is the ‘iota’ syndrome where in the Early Christian Church the divinity of Christ was reduced to an argument about whether he was filoque or filioque. The Mitchell business is hardly in this category, of course.
It is a small matter as it stands. But there is a big principle involved which Mark Ella pointed out, namely that when you are involved in Australian rugby you don’t become involved or help in any way the national team of a competing nation when it is playing your national side.
Eagle said | September 2nd 2009 @ 5:00pm | Report comment
Spiro,
You say: “Once players like Roodt make the commitment to change countries, you expect them to be 100 per cent involved with that country. ”
does Hendrik Roodt not have only a two year contract? In my mind he is still a South African and it is absolutely fine that he plays for an Australian professional club and then returns to SA to seek national colours.
Of course, once he plays for the Wallabies we do not want him back and you can keep him with pleasure. The only reason you had the priviledge to play Vickerman is because the young man could put two and two together and said Victor+Bakkies means there is no place for me in the senior team for long enough. I am good enough to be a top international so lets get going down under.
But in Vickermans case, as in the case of retired Brumbies and Wallabies center/winger Rathbone, both these players have won an under 21 world cup with the Springboks. How come their switch of allegiance is fine???
Double standards again as usual. Anything can be done, as long as it suits Australia a different set of morals apply. Just as in the case of Australian foul play. It is washed in the holy water of the Australian psyche and comes out clean.
Eagle said | September 2nd 2009 @ 5:59pm | Report comment
In fact that is a great idea. I think the Boks should get their ex under 21 captain Clyde Rathbone to hand out their jerseys in Brisbane.
Knives Out said | September 2nd 2009 @ 9:10pm | Report comment
–
Obviously the binding theme is loyalty, as you note.
‘Once players like Roodt make the commitment to change countries, you expect them to be 100 per cent involved with that country.’
To that extent if you would lambast Mitchell then you should lambast Roodt because prior to his switch he had an allegiance to SA, just as Mitchell has an allegiance to Australia. Mitchell (possibly) developed as a coach in Australia, just as Roodt developed as a player in SA and yet both men took their skills elsewhere (in this case to a jersey presentation). It isn’t naturally the same argument but it is related.
That Mitchell was involved with Springbok rugby is not a small matter at all. It is THE matter, and logically he was only in a position to hand out jerseys as a secondary act to his original involvement, something that you did not mention once in your initial article. I don’t see how you don’t see that it is contrary to suggest that it is damning for him to be helping out Springbok rugby without suggesting that it is also potentially damaging for SA rugby to have Mitchell involved. Mitchell may well have made a political error but nonetheless the big argument is that he was involved with the best team in the world and with their blessing also.
LeftArmSpinner said | September 2nd 2009 @ 11:04am | Report comment
There are also a plethora of NZ players going around, going around very very well, in Sydney grade. More strength to their arm.
Dingbat said | September 2nd 2009 @ 11:04am | Report comment
Spiro, you really are a crusty old conservative. Or maybe you just see red in relation to everything Bok. Mitchell shouldn’t break Spiro protocol and hand out Bok jerseys; players may not protest against decisions of citing commissioners ’cause the game might implode, bla, bla, bla.
Here is where you are wrong:
Mitchell has a contract with Western Force. His obligations start and stop with Western Force. He has no contract with the ARU. He has no obligation to the Wallabies. He has no obligation to the Australian people. You are confusing national loyalty with commercial reality. I wonder if you would feel as principled about this if Mitchell was coaching Leicester and handed out the jerseys to the Wallabies on the eve of their test with England?
Gimme a break Spiro.
Temba said | September 2nd 2009 @ 11:06am | Report comment
The coaching techniques, player management and tricks he learned by spending time with the boks does not matter? All the stuff he learned will not help Australia in any way? Many of the players in the bok side were little boys when he played for the AB’s, maybe its meeting a hero.
It’s a bit childish of Ela and more so with the people looking for excuses… I have to say this one is the best addition to the list yet to come from and Aussie.
Refs, Bakkies, thugs, eyeG Burger, ELV’s, non ELV’s, the laws over all, the IRB, Kicking, Boring game plans, the north and now EVIL jersey deployment.
I suspect someone mentioned the word springbok and the haters sat up.
Ziggy said | September 2nd 2009 @ 11:56am | Report comment
I believe Spiro’s attitude is 100% correct and his arguments very sound.
Republican said | September 2nd 2009 @ 11:10am | Report comment
Mitchell is a Kiwi not an Australian. He is a mercenary and as with most NZers who come to this country, he is here to make a quid. That there should be an expectation of some allegiance to this country is a nonsense, since sport at this level is all about business and Mitch is first and foremost a business man.
He is not here to massage any residual notions of sentimenatl loyalty that continue to be fueled by an overstated ANZAC pathos in both countries.
I don’t expect he gave his time gratis, therefore is it at all likely that the future of the game in the west is partially tied to smooching with Saffa rugby as often as possible?
I believe this to be so, especially since the Force support base is predominately Saffa expat.
ohtani's jacket said | September 2nd 2009 @ 11:38am | Report comment
Then why the hell do the Wallabies have a Kiwi coach?
Bonza said | September 2nd 2009 @ 3:54pm | Report comment
Ah the crux of the matter – the ARU made the decision to go offshore on the coaching front as a business decision – everything that flows from that is a direct consequence. Loyalty is only expected from players who have a contract and likewise from a coach – as Mitchell is not contracted to the ARU and Deans gave him the go ahead the only question is personal one.
Dingbat said | September 2nd 2009 @ 11:29am | Report comment
By Spiro’s simplistic logic a Saffa living in Perth should not be supporting the Boks. They’re making a crust in Aus, so they should support the Wallabies.
Ziggy said | September 2nd 2009 @ 12:00pm | Report comment
That’s a whole can of worms. I always support the Wallabies but it is damn difficult when they play SA. I became an OZ citizen 37 years ago and if I can’t support my fellow Aussies then what the hell am I doing here?
Dingbat said | September 2nd 2009 @ 8:30pm | Report comment
Ziggy that’s your choice> After 37 yrs in Aus I understand your conflict. What I don’t understand is Spiro’s EXPECTATION. It smacks of xenophobia.
Sam Taulelei said | September 2nd 2009 @ 11:47am | Report comment
I also agree with Spiro, while it’s debatable what impact Mitchell’s words had on the Boks performance it is a bit on the nose from an Australian perspective that someone high up in Australian coaching ranks would agree to present their jerseys. When I heard Habana mention it in the post match interview I thought he got the name wrong or I misheard it. I’m sure Greg Martin was just as surprised.
Terry Kidd said | September 2nd 2009 @ 11:52am | Report comment
Again …. who cares?
He, he, he stop stirring the pot OJ ….. but I liked the comment.
Sam Taulelei said | September 2nd 2009 @ 12:06pm | Report comment
Terry just to stir the pot a little more.
First former Wallaby coach Eddie Jones agrees to assist Jake White with the Boks as a consultant and they win the world cup, then the ARU signs former All Black assistant coach Robbie Deans and the Wallabies are on target to achieve their worst results in the professional era and now former All Black coach John Mitchell agrees to hand out Bok jerseys and inspires the troops with some well chosen words.
Guess which one of these three is the least disloyal or harmful?
Bonza said | September 2nd 2009 @ 3:58pm | Report comment
Eddie got sacked by the ARU so was run out of town, the ARU decided to chase Deans and Deans gave the go ahead for Mitchell to do it For me it is up to the actual individual to work out how they manage the emotion of it in a business environment created by others that does not really cater for loyalty
Temba said | September 2nd 2009 @ 12:06pm | Report comment
Here is what’s going to happen, the Wallabies will win but not by more than 7 so the Boks will win the 3N, then the Wallabies will go over and beat NZ too given the Kiwi’s the wooden spoon.
Jake White will be jetted in from Africa to hand the Wallabies their jerseys for Brisbane. So they will win, O’Neil wanted Os Durant but the flight cost is more. YEY!! A win for Australia.
Continuing with his evil spells PDV has used the witch from the Robin hood movie with Morgan Freeman to put a spel on Lomu and Fitzy to hand the Boks their jerseys and underwear for the AB match in Hamilton… YEY!! A win for the boks.
Dean’s not to be out done by PDV imports the dark lord Voldumore from the big white castle in Harry Potter and combines the hair stolen from the Dan Carter jockey add set to put a jersey breaking spell on the AB’s. Dean’s a kiwi himself will hand out the Wallaby jerseys there for placing massive anti mojo and bad karma on the kiwi’s
1. SA
2. Wallas
3. Kiwi’s
Terry Kidd said | September 2nd 2009 @ 12:17pm | Report comment
Lol … good one Sam.
But was Eddy actually an ARU plant who forgot exactly what he was supposed to do … and got it wrong as only Eddy can?
Bonza said | September 2nd 2009 @ 4:07pm | Report comment
He didn’t get it that wrong – got a winners medal to prove it and had a quiet smile in the process I bet
Temba said | September 2nd 2009 @ 12:18pm | Report comment
Honestly what is the problem going to be next week?
“Du Preez pushed in front of Burgess at the breakfast buffet line?”
Spiro in an outrage protest to the IRB to have Du Preez and any saffa within 3 meters of the act be hung in public.
Its all very funny at least!
Chris Beck said | September 2nd 2009 @ 12:36pm | Report comment
It’s not obvious to me why a Kiwi coach of an Australian Super 14 team would necessarily be in demand to give a speech to the Springboks. Nor do I understand why the Springboks would find that to be inspiring.
Still, I think I agree with Spiro’s fundamental point. While I wouldn’t expect Mitchell to turn down the opportunity in a fire-breathing manner (he’s a Kiwi, after all, not an Aussie), I would kind of expect him to be aware of local sensitivities and thus keep out of the crossfire that we’re all sitting here discussing right now.
Ziggy said | September 2nd 2009 @ 12:55pm | Report comment
I might remind Temba that pushing in front in the buffet line is far more serious than, say, head high tackles by Giteau. Never get between an Aussie and the buffet bins or you will experience rucking as per the original laws.
Temba said | September 2nd 2009 @ 2:17pm | Report comment
True Ziggy so what you’re saying is the way to getting the wallaby forwards do properly combat the bok pack you need to place a buffet behind the goal line?
That would have worked big time if Dunning was in the match 22.
Better get this new info off to Dingo.
Ziggy said | September 2nd 2009 @ 4:39pm | Report comment
I can’t beat that one LOL.
Sam Taulelei said | September 2nd 2009 @ 1:12pm | Report comment
Maybe Mitchell is angling for a coaching job with the Spears if they get the gig for the Super 15.
Temba said | September 2nd 2009 @ 1:27pm | Report comment
Sam that is an interesting question… I think the question of why he is doing it is far more interesting then yet another moaning session by the roars finest about the fact that he did it in the first place.
Why would he, what’s the connection, lets here some conspiracy theories!!
ohtani's jacket said | September 2nd 2009 @ 1:20pm | Report comment
I love how Boks fans turned this into a conspiracy about them. Spooked any? Better look over your shoulder, it’s the IRB!
Temba said | September 2nd 2009 @ 1:30pm | Report comment
Hahaha that right, I am watching you OJ, you and the IRB… no sudden movemnts!!
I think deep down Mitchell always wanted to touch an unworn Springbok jersey, I know you have dreams about it too OJ.
ohtani's jacket said | September 2nd 2009 @ 1:41pm | Report comment
Ha, I’d be over-awed touching the emblem. Do I get one of those ugly blazers?
Temba said | September 2nd 2009 @ 1:45pm | Report comment
For you OJ ill chuck in a pair of bok socks just to sweeten the deal.
I would of offered a little stuff toy springbok but I fear he will become abused and the bud of many jokes at your next BBQ.
ohtani's jacket said | September 2nd 2009 @ 1:50pm | Report comment
Yeah, I’d try to make him do the Smit losing face. Have to overfeed him first.
Temba said | September 2nd 2009 @ 2:05pm | Report comment
Sorry OJ cant remeber the face you speak of, its been a while.
Sam Taulelei said | September 2nd 2009 @ 2:09pm | Report comment
Nice one Temba, ha, ha. Wait til you get to NZ
ohtani's jacket said | September 2nd 2009 @ 2:41pm | Report comment
You’re a good sport, Temba.
I think you deserve a Richie McCaw bobblehead. You stick him on your desk and listen to him chatter all day — “I’m Richie McCaw, I’m offside! Mwahahaha. I’m on the wrong side of a ruck! Mwahahhaha.”
fox said | September 2nd 2009 @ 4:15pm | Report comment
My Al Baxter bobble head keeps falling over. I don’t know why, it looks sturdy enough, but he just keeps doing it!
Sam Taulelei said | September 2nd 2009 @ 4:40pm | Report comment
Fox I suggest you check his grip or bindings, that’ll fix it
katzilla said | September 3rd 2009 @ 8:02am | Report comment
I would settle for a tub of whatever it is that Percy puts in his hair.
Hes still got it!
Good to see he takes his kneeling on the sideline looking good job very seriously.
PastHisBest said | September 2nd 2009 @ 1:34pm | Report comment
I’ll play devil’s advocate…
What if it was the springboks playing the all blacks in NZ and David Nucifora was still coaching the blues, how would NZ fans react if he gave out the jumpers to the ‘boks and gave them a pep talk?
ohtani's jacket said | September 2nd 2009 @ 1:42pm | Report comment
We’d send him back to Australia so he could screw up the… Wait…
Bonza said | September 2nd 2009 @ 4:08pm | Report comment
Humour – love it
Who Needs Melon said | September 2nd 2009 @ 1:52pm | Report comment
A good analogy. I’d be very surprised if any NZers reply to this saying they could give more than two hoots.
katzilla said | September 3rd 2009 @ 8:04am | Report comment
I’d be more concerned about the job he was doing with NZs biggest talent pool……………oh thats right.
Never mind, they’ll be back to their best within 5 years.
Sam Taulelei said | September 2nd 2009 @ 1:34pm | Report comment
Well one thing’s for sure I won’t be wearing a Natal jersey to a game again, after my last experience in support of a SA friend. Being pelted by my own countrymen at Athletic Park really tested the strength of our friendship.
PastHisBest said | September 2nd 2009 @ 1:46pm | Report comment
Ahhh Athletic Park…those were the windswept days…
Temba said | September 2nd 2009 @ 1:47pm | Report comment
You wore the sharks jersey to impress the shark girls Sam…
Sam Taulelei said | September 2nd 2009 @ 2:01pm | Report comment
Temba, you know as well as I do that no way would the Sharks girls be impressed by me wearing a Sharks jersey and I would have genuinely feared for their safety poor things, if they had to dance in the path of one of our infamous southerly gales.
Mind you the imagery would be very nice. LOL
Hammer said | September 2nd 2009 @ 1:38pm | Report comment
PHB – given Nucifora’s woeful coaching – I’m sure the NZRFU would have pushed him through the boks door
Who Needs Melon said | September 2nd 2009 @ 3:01pm | Report comment
Like I said: A good analogy.
fox said | September 2nd 2009 @ 1:50pm | Report comment
I see your point in your last post here Sprio, albeit hidden somewhat among the melodrama (and I do love a bit of melodrama!). Quoting Mark Ella is not helping you though. He seems to be on the wrong side of most arguments if you ask me.
Alan said | September 2nd 2009 @ 2:19pm | Report comment
Spiro, you’re unbelievable. John Mitchell has nothing to do with the Wallabies; his being invited to present the jerseys has more to do with the great respect we South Africans have for New Zealand rugby, rather than the tawdry implication you seem to be making that it was to do with spying.
Quite pathetic. Spend your time trying to get the Wallabies right, not knocking the Bokke.
fox said | September 2nd 2009 @ 3:49pm | Report comment
Complex alert! The pointy end of the article was aimed at JM, not the Bokke.
Temba said | September 2nd 2009 @ 3:55pm | Report comment
reality alert its a Spiro article, ofcourse it would involve the Bokke!!!
If JM gave the Itians jerseys and the Wallabies won, it would not have been mentioned.
Complex alert on this article, when one runs out of excuses stat looking for them under the bathroom sink.
fox said | September 2nd 2009 @ 4:26pm | Report comment
Paranoid much? Jesus, you lot are like the Black Knight from Monty Python’s Holy Grail. You just keep coming back for more punishment, even though the fight’s over (if indeed it was your fight in the first place):
Arthur: Now stand aside, worthy adversary.
Black Knight: ‘Tis but a scratch.
Arthur: A scratch? Your arm’s off!
Black Knight: No, it isn’t.
Arthur: Well, what’s that then?
Black Knight: I’ve had worse.
Arthur: You liar!
Temba said | September 2nd 2009 @ 4:32pm | Report comment
Na fox just bored slow day at the office
fox said | September 3rd 2009 @ 12:42pm | Report comment
Now that I think of it, that Monty Pythoin scene is more akin to Robbie Deans and his press conferences following wallaby losses. It’s only a flesh wound!
Brad said | September 2nd 2009 @ 2:39pm | Report comment
For a great like Mark Ella to suggest that John Mitchell helped the Boks win just goes to show that he is trying whinge about something, rather than accept the fact that the Wallabies were outplayed in the game and give credit to the Bok team for exployting the weakness at 9/12/13.
FYI: David Pocock said that Bob Skinstad was his boyhood hero at the press conference – Bob went up to him and introduced himeself afterwards and gave him a few tips and pointers….
Temba said | September 2nd 2009 @ 3:03pm | Report comment
So Brad if the Wallabies win this weekends its due to the old “Skinstad boble” in the loose trick!!??
Bad Boobby!!!
Brad said | September 2nd 2009 @ 3:17pm | Report comment
Believe me, if the Wallabies are going to win this one, they will need more than just a chat from Bob Skinstad!
ohtani's jacket said | September 2nd 2009 @ 2:53pm | Report comment
Would’ve loved to have been a fly on the wall.
I wonder if Bryan Habana’s eyes lit up when he realised, yes, they are on a journey. Yes, they are moving forward as a group. And yes, they should all get pissed after the game.
PdV probably applauded afterwards and rambled about the Book of Job or Jonah and the whale.
mactheblack said | September 2nd 2009 @ 3:07pm | Report comment
what’s up with the boks anyway? don’t they have managers to dish out kit? maybe mitchell’s given them the mongrel they don’t need! so whose it going to be this week in brisbane handing out the pride of the bok? quite frankly don’t care who hand out the jerseys; but mitchell should spend his free time doing what he gets paid to do, put the power back into Force. now there’s a team that needs some pepping up. pdv is sitting so pretty he’ll have anyone eating out of his hands. temba you’re so gushing by the boks success, that everyone who has anything to say about the boks iis ”bok hater”. my 3N dream ending would be
1 All Blacks
2 boks
3 wallabies
just for you temba…
Temba said | September 2nd 2009 @ 3:19pm | Report comment
Awh just for me? Thanks mate
Bulldog said | September 2nd 2009 @ 3:22pm | Report comment
Spiro – you are an ex-Kiwi living in Australia and making a living commentating on the Wallabies. Who do you support when the Wallabies pay the AB’s? Do you feel some disloyalty what ever your answer to this question is?
Brad said | September 2nd 2009 @ 3:24pm | Report comment
mactheblack, It’s been a Bok tradition since the 1995 world cup (I think) to have their jerseys handed out.
Temba said | September 2nd 2009 @ 3:49pm | Report comment
Honestly, I would be upset if some former Springbok or Springbok coach handed the Wallabies jerseys but if some former Namibian great did it I would not make such a big fuss about it.
retired rucker said | September 2nd 2009 @ 3:34pm | Report comment
So the real question is who gave the wallabies a pep talk because whoever it was was fuc..ing useless! Or did they not organise some one inspirational because they inspire themselves.
Apparentley the BOKS can handle stern words because we know what happened at the Force, those stern words didn’t go down to well with gits and the premadonas resulting in a review and spanking of the coach.
I am very upbeat about Brisbane, finally no trestle in the team or on the bench, is he still in the squad?
I vote for Topo and Melon to do the gee up for brissy, very stern words are needed!
Who Needs Melon said | September 2nd 2009 @ 4:11pm | Report comment
Stuff that. Get Tommy Raudonikis to do it.
Sam Taulelei said | September 2nd 2009 @ 4:34pm | Report comment
Wouldn’t it be a hoot if the PM Kevin Rudd handed them out, then they’d all be wandering around dazed and confused……..oh wait
Ziggy said | September 2nd 2009 @ 4:47pm | Report comment
Wallabies will win in Brisbane. Giteau will run them ragged because of all that possession and a decent half back.
Only problem is that the Boks will be playing under the best ref in world rugby and won’t be penalised as much.
Eagle said | September 2nd 2009 @ 5:34pm | Report comment
Ziggy,
I think if we look back over the last three years then on 3 occassions (including last Saturday in Perth) the Boks have run the Wallabies ragged and the Wallabies returned the favour on another occassion. (Ironic in the light of the urban legend that the Boks can’t run with the ball.)
You are right that the Wallabies have their best, chance in Brisbane. I will add that it is also their last chance. Boks will really miss Pietersen and Botha is not 100%, which is a worry.
johnny-boy said | September 2nd 2009 @ 7:58pm | Report comment
Mitchell is a professional a……. so it’s hardly surprising. It’s about time Australia started taking back control of it’s own rugby destiny methinks. These “imports” dont seem to be helping much. They either don’t really care or think only they know best. Obviously based on their results they have achieved and their actions they don’t. Otherwise the Force and the Wallabies would be doing better. Australia needs to get over it’s inferiority complex and do what the Ellas and the Campese’s and the Poidevins and the Kearns’ and Eales used to do – have a bloody good crack at them no holds barred. Play with unbridled confidence and the Australian lack of inhibition. Ths is what used to really freak other teams out. I dont think Kiwi coaches are able to bring this out of them – it’s not in their nature. By bringing in ‘expert’ coaches from such a conservative country, Australia has unwittingly supressed and is slowly killing off, it’s natural free spirited and difficult to contain game. As stated previously I hope the Wallabies ignore the conservative urgings of Deans this week and have a go. Now some of the ‘momentum killers’ like Baxter, Burgess, Brown (and hopefully Giteau at 10) have been flushed out by public opinion forcing Deans’ conservative hand, there is a remote chance of it happening.
I should add that Eddie Jones and John Connolly tried their best to kill off this Aussie spirit as well.
AndyS said | September 2nd 2009 @ 8:29pm | Report comment
Well, I support Australian rugby wholeheartedly and I (and most I know) had no problem with it at all – it was a personal accolade afforded him by the ‘Boks. Perhaps I am an idealist, but I actually place value in statements like:
“Rugby has fully embraced the professional era, but has retained the ethos and traditions of the recreational Game. In an age in which many traditional sporting qualities are being diluted or even challenged, Rugby is rightly proud of its ability to retain high standards of sportsmanship, ethical behaviour and fair play.”
Many here clearly don’t, and it is a shame – I think rugby is the poorer for it.
adam said | September 2nd 2009 @ 8:37pm | Report comment
to be honest i think john handing out jersey wouldnt have made any difference at all
AndyS said | September 3rd 2009 @ 2:41pm | Report comment
Now, if he had had the forethought to pack a big bag of itching powder…..
Dingbat said | September 2nd 2009 @ 8:41pm | Report comment
“…The two loose forwards met, for the first time, when Skinstad, himself born in Zimbabwe, introduced himself to Pocock after the media gathering in Brisbane and, in typically generous fashion, offered him whatever advice he felt he needed ahead of his big date with the Springboks”
- is Bob a traitor ? Of course not.
True Tah said | September 2nd 2009 @ 8:50pm | Report comment
Personally I think Mitchell should have turned down the offer, maybe even sack the bloke, its not in the interests of Aussie rugby.
Coach said | September 2nd 2009 @ 9:14pm | Report comment
Pfft – storm in a tea cup. Whilst the ARU chose to ignore the most senior coach in Western Australia, the Spring Boks pay homage to him and ask if he is available to hand out jerseys. It’s called respect, and it is a part of the ethos of the game.
There was an exerpt from the IRB’s document “Introducing Rugby” (“Conclusion”, Page 7, http://www.irb.com/mm/document/training/0/age_1_intro_432.pdf) posted on TWF http://twf.com.au/showthread.php?p=226839#post226839
“Rugby is valued as a sport for men and women, boys and girls. It builds teamwork, understanding, co-operation and respect for fellow athletes. Its cornerstones are, as they always have been: the pleasure of participating; the courage and skill which the Game demands; the love of a team sport that enriches the lives of all involved; and the lifelong friendships forged through a shared interest in the Game.
It is because of, not despite, Rugby’s intensely physical and athletic characteristics that such great camaraderie exists before and after matches. The long standing tradition of players from competing teams enjoying each other’s company away from the pitch and in a social context, remains at the very core of the Game.
Rugby has fully embraced the professional era, but has retained the ethos and traditions of the recreational Game. In an age in which many traditional sporting qualities are being diluted or even challenged, Rugby is rightly proud of its ability to retain high standards of sportsmanship, ethical behaviour and fair play. It is hoped that this Charter will help reinforce those cherished values.”
Small acts such as this are a significant part of what teh game is about.
BLR said | September 2nd 2009 @ 10:18pm | Report comment
Does anyone in Perth actually care or is this the usual bleating of the extremely bored Eastern states?
He also helped Natal I think it was in the Currie Cup, not because he is a traitor but because he likes his job and who knows, he could bring some players or tactics over in the future. So who knows, maybe there is a prior relationship between him and South Africa.
Actually nah, it was a massive hatchet job directed towards Australia.
Dingbat said | September 3rd 2009 @ 1:51am | Report comment
Nobody cares apart from Spiro and a few of his trusty disciples. It’s a non-story. Fun to watch and comment though.
On a slightly different topic, I notice some of the posts in the past have accused rugby of becoming boring etc, etc… – is anyone aware of this discussion taking place anywhere other than in Australia, where League, Rules and Union are constantly at one another’s throats? This is another debate restricted to the big island IMO.
ohtani's jacket said | September 3rd 2009 @ 2:07am | Report comment
It’s absolutely Mitchell’s fault that the Wallabies lost. Do you not realise what a meeting of the minds this was?
katzilla said | September 3rd 2009 @ 8:13am | Report comment
If the Boks lose at the next World Cup I know where the blame will come back to…………
One Saboteur in the Wallaby Camp – Check
One Saboteur in the Bok Camp – Check
Now for those frogs!
You reckon we could get Suzie the Waitress to give out the french jerseys?
countryboy said | September 3rd 2009 @ 12:13pm | Report comment
Clearly the Boks only won the game due to Mitchell’s involvement. The Wallabies would have spanked the Boks 49 – 0 if Mitchell hadn’t been there to give them their jumpers and tell them to play well. That is what is getting up Spiro’s nose and he is damn right. Absolutely made all the difference to the result and really Mitchell should face a life-ban from rugby for blatantly causing the wrong team to win the match.
What I want to know is, WHO HAS BEEN HANDING OUT THE ALL BLACK JERSEYS FOR THE LAST 100 YEARS? That cheating b*stard has a lot to answer for.
Temba said | September 3rd 2009 @ 12:46pm | Report comment
HAHAHAH!!! very funny fox.
Viscount Crouchback said | September 3rd 2009 @ 1:04pm | Report comment
The cynicism of Roarers is thoroughly depressing. In what year A.D. did it become morally permissible for a man to travel to a foreign land to earn the foreign coin and then to spit on the hand of his foreign employer? John Mitchell might well be a mercenary, true enough, but he is a mercenary in Australian employ and, as such, has a moral duty to uphold the best interests of Australian rugger. Mr Zavos is quite right to hand the man a verbal spanking. This type of nonsense is completely intolerable.
Temba said | September 3rd 2009 @ 1:34pm | Report comment
VC,
What a load of absolute BS! Your comment is outrageously stupid and backwards!
If what you say is true, then the 130 thousand Aussie working holiday makers up in pommy land should be gunning for England in the ashes?
Horse sh*t.
Cut off a trees roots and watch it die. I am no fan of JM but he is a kiwi, he was hired cus he could in some Australians mind make a difference to a club/franchise in this country. He pays taxes to help this countries economy stand tall. He does his job because he got hired to do it. He is not a wallaby, he is not Australian. He asked for permission and got it, now shut it.
This is the type of arrogance that will not help you in anyway to join the modern world. Why not get Rudd to evacuate the Asian populations, get rid of all the Indian people because the shout for india?
Ill tell you what’s depressing, you and mr Zavos’s point of view.
Take away all these so called “sponging” foreigners and see what’s left of your beloved country, you wont even have a rugby team.
Willem said | September 3rd 2009 @ 1:46pm | Report comment
Nor any Taxi drivers lol
Viscount Crouchback said | September 3rd 2009 @ 1:56pm | Report comment
Poppycock. The 130,000 Australians in England (all of whom are most welcome – indeed, l should dearly love to exchange them for some of England’s more recalcitrant “citizens”) are perfectly entitled to cheer for whomever they wish provided that they do not work in the field concerned.
Mr Mitchell’s case is entirely different. He is the coach of several Wallabies. He works with them for 30 weeks a year. How on earth can poor Richard Brown possibly feel any confidence in a man who has stabbed him in the back by offering succour to his international opponents? It is simply intolerable.
One expects decorum and reserve from one’s mercenaries. This is a basic rule of warfare since the Middle Ages. A chap can fight for the foreign coin, but he does so with due respect and deference. Mr Mitchell has single-handedly subverted such ancient notions of chivalry.
Quite frankly, the man is a barbarian, and all right-thinking Australians are quite entitled to drum the man out of Perth.
Temba said | September 3rd 2009 @ 2:08pm | Report comment
You don’t for one second think you lot are reading too much into this?
You don’t stop and ask maybe I am being a bit pedantic?
So if a Aussie bats for Northfolk in England (there are many playing over there) they are not allowed to cheer for anything Aussie?
Again you point looks good but its false, how about George Greagan, is he suppose to drop his Aussie heritage because he players for a Japanese club?
Please, stop being pedantic, I know the loss is tough but JM did not bring that about.
Viscount Crouchback said | September 3rd 2009 @ 2:29pm | Report comment
Norfolk, not Northfolk.
Again, your analogy is false. The Aussies who play for Norfolk don’t have responsibility for the welfare of the cricketers of England for 30 weeks a year.
It’s simply untenable for a man to coach chaps (Brown, Giteau, O’Connor) for 30 weeks a year and then to conspire against them for the remainder of the year. It’s just completely barmy behaviour and I’m amazed that Mitchell thinks he can get away with it.
Let me offer one comparison: Graham Henry was drummed out of the Wales job in 2002 after the Welsh players became infuriated that he didn’t seem to rate them as much in his Lions guise as he did in his Welsh guise. Yet, in that case, Henry and his players were actually on the same team! Mitchell’s behaviour is still worse: he has actively conspired with an opposition team. It is deplorable. Do you seriously think that Giteau & Co won’t be royally angered by an act of such arch treachery?
Finally, I am not an Australian and thus have no axe to grind. But, as an English nobleman, I feel honour bound to uphold decent standards of behaviour.
Temba said | September 3rd 2009 @ 2:41pm | Report comment
Sorry Norfolk, I should know I was born in GreatYarmouth
They should fire JM and the people who gave him the OK, club rugby heads and all… including Deans.
Deans himself a traitor like JM to NZ but NZ can’t talk, they hired Henry a traitor to Wales. Heck lets just fire everyone because we want to divert attention from the Wallabies loss.
I am sure Matt Gittue will feel betrayed by JM but then again he too is a traitor to the force and the team before that.
It’s pathetic
If Melbourne gets the s15 team, ill join the club buy the jersey and go to every game but that does not mean I will stop supporting the Springboks… I won’t even stop supporting the Bulls.
It’s not like JM spent days with them showing them how to beat the Wallabies. He spent time with the team to learn about player management. So in this regard he should be applauded, he could further the “Australian” game and be a better coach. In return he handed a bunch of lads who probably see him as a childhood hero their jerseys.
Honestly this is not such a big deal.
Viscount Crouchback said | September 3rd 2009 @ 2:46pm | Report comment
Are you an Anglo-African? Delightful stock.
Well, we must agree to disagree. I wonder whether you might think differently if Jake White was in cahoots with Jonno to do down the Bokke.
Temba said | September 3rd 2009 @ 1:40pm | Report comment
JM is not hired by the ARU, he does not work for the government. He is a Kiwi doing a job in Australia.
He works for a company that is happy to import foreign coaches and players, he still (not that he had to) had the respect to ask if it’s Ok.
Very simple, its time to grow up.
mudskipper said | September 3rd 2009 @ 1:51pm | Report comment
Mitchell is about what’s good for John Mitchell, first, second and third. This was highly inappropriate act as a senior envoy of Australian rugby. Furthermore he shouldn’t have had to ask anyone if it was not a break in protocol, he should have known it was just the wrong message to be sending Australian Rugby Public…
Noted and added it to the list of John Mitchell’s lengthy questionable actions in Australian rugby….
Temba said | September 3rd 2009 @ 3:15pm | Report comment
Pish posh bubbly wash… No I am not Anglo African, other delightful stock.
Jake White can do what ever it is he wants to, he wanted to coach the Lions for the tour in South Africa, not to mention your delightful stock.
Most said “thanks mate, you gave us the Web Ellis do what your career needs.”
I don’t think Mitchell was in cahoots with the boks, this is too much of an overstatement for a well spoke jolly old chap like yourself.
Yeah lets gentlemanly agree to disagree and have a cup of tea. Good heavens it’s a bee, flying past that old willow tree, by golly can it be?
Sorry could not stop myself. Thought I might join the under age thought process behind this saga.
David said | September 3rd 2009 @ 3:23pm | Report comment
I think it’s interesting that, as proud Wallabies past, Simon Poidevin and Andrew Slack didn’t have a problem with Mitchell presenting the jerseys.
In the Australian context, a bit of history is instructive.
Why did Rod Macqueen introduce the “Great past Wallaby presents the jerseys” tradition in the first place? Why do we read (occasionally) of “great Past Wallabies” going the blub upon fulfilling this role? Obviously there’s something deeply psychological about the process, on the part of the giver and the player receiving the jersey.Macqueen understood this emotional transaction was a useful tool in preparing his players for the game.
For the Wallabies at least, the function is to connect the players with the tradition of the jersey. What other teams get out of it I couldn’t say.
As others have stated here, given the meaning of the ceremony to the Wallabies, Mitchell should have thought a bit more about what impact his actions regarding the South African team may have on players he coaches at the Force who play for the Wallabies – Gits, Mitchell, Brown, Cross, O’Connor etc.
Again, given what the jersey presentation ceremony means to the Wallas, they and the other Wallas have every reason to be perplexed by his actions.
Willem said | September 3rd 2009 @ 3:32pm | Report comment
I have to say that if John Plumtree who is a Kiwi and currently coaching the sharks as well as use to play for them was to give the Aussies their jerseys along with a speech i would not of cared and i am a big shark fan. I dont expect a person to change their beliefs just because they work in a certain country, like myself i live and work in Aus and would like to think i contribute to the australian society but i still barrack for the springboks.
JK said | September 3rd 2009 @ 3:33pm | Report comment
I know it’s pretty much a storm in a teacup, but what if say Hickey, Friend or Mooney did it? not that they would or even be asked. It doesn’t show absolute unity between the Force and ARU and that the respective goals are not exactly aligned.
However my understanding is that whilst he is an employee of the Force and his loyalties should lie there and not neccessarily with the ARU, who pay’s his players? While I’m at it who pay’s Pretorius’s wage? and should he have totally loyalty to the Wallaby cause?
A Former All Black coach now working for an Australian S15 team handing out jersey’s to the Springboks???……… he probably drives a Japanese car too!
Right I’m confused, back to the start……….. a storm in a teacup!
Gareth Davies said | September 4th 2009 @ 1:39pm | Report comment
Ridiculous! Sounds like whinging cobbers once again.
retired rucker said | September 3rd 2009 @ 6:06pm | Report comment
Lets say 2 things happen next year. 1 all experienced SA 5/8’s playing in a SA super francise are injured come TN’s 2.Pretorious has found a new lease on life due to JM’s astute coaching and is Aust S14’s premier 5/8 and then he gets a gig for SA in the trinations. Whose the traitor then????
TEA CUP.
I still reckon whoever presented the jersey last week to the wallabies did a useless job or the players, as a generalisation, aren’t motivated by it as much as the boks or ab’s
Dingbat said | September 4th 2009 @ 10:08am | Report comment
pdv is a genius. king of the mind games. mitch handing out the jerseys certainly caused discord in the kingdom.
Greg said | September 5th 2009 @ 4:34pm | Report comment
Not sure if it’s been blurted previously, but, I’d humbly submit, Mitchell’s impolite decision does kind of pull a rug from under his wannabe Wallabies at the Force …
Please! You think those guys with Wallabies aspirations (at least 3/4 of the team at the Force) wouldn’t find that a little funky?
Good start to the new season coach.
Dean Pantio said | September 20th 2009 @ 9:36pm | Report comment
“For me, Mitchell committed, in rugby terms, the crime of sleeping with the enemy.”
Yes, not like he’s a New Zealander helping to develop Australian rugby. Hypocrite…