A blueprint for future Wallaby success
Roar Guru By LeftArmSpinner, 25 Sep 2009 LeftArmSpinner is a Roar Guru
- Tagged:
- Rugby Union, Tri Nations, wallabies
I am going to try to combine and move the “Argument/Debate” on from a very interesting and wide discussion bemoaning, firstly, the Wallabies performance in Wellington.
Flat Wallabies win the Tri-Nations wooden spoon (Spiro)
It’s time to go Wallabies (David Wiseman)
Wallabies humiliated by courageous All Blacks (LeftArmSpinner)
Wallabies thumped to finish last in Tri-Nations (Jim Morton)
Farr-Jones urges Deans to get nasty (Jim Morton)
Let’s measure the Wallabies depth and select a second squad (LeftArmSpinner)
* the need for Mongrel/attitude
Hard men wanted, current Wallabies need not apply (Ozxile)
Selectors must choose attitude before ability (LeftAmrSpinner)
It’s simple: no leader, no team, no win (Tony the Sandgroper)
* the subsequent behaviour by the senior players by refusing to play in a possibles V probables game unless paid.
Wallaby disgrace! Money comes before the jersey (Spiro)
An open letter to Robbie Deans on selections (Rob)
I have assumed that:
1. We need a way forward and it involves change, painful change so that we will never revisit the past week;
2. There is no point throwing the baby out with the bath water;
3. There is a finite number of players to choose from in rebuilding this Wallabies squad;
4. The Wallabies are midcycle in terms of rebuilding;
5. There is a difference between playing poorly and playing without commitment;
6. This is a very serious situation and affects the Wallabies and the code significantly;
7. Bouncing back is the best way to answer the critics.
8. Robbie Deans is the coach to take the Wallabies forward to 2011 RWC
9. The ARU has the ability, motivation and responsibility to take action and authorise Robbie Deans to take action.
10. The ARU and coach/selectors have a mandate from supporters to do what ever is necessary to sort out this situation.
Here are my proposals:
Wallabies
1. Wallabies squad and coaching staff issue an open apology to Aust rugby supporters.
2. Players offer, from their own initiative, not RUPA to play a Possibles vProbables game at SFS, for free. All 40 players in the pre tour squad will get “equal/similar” game time. Players change management of RUPA, and specifically Dempsey.
3. Review the current squad of 22 players and remove (those without the necessary mental strength)
* Drop Chisholm and Mitchell from the NH tour
* Manage/Rest/commence Smith’s dignifed retirement
* Put Horwill, Pocock, Turner on the bench.
* Move Giteau to 12 and away from the leadership of the backline.
* Congratulate Robinson, Polota-Nau, Alexander, Elsom, Genia, Barnes, Ashley Cooper, O’Connor and encourage/empower them to assist in building the new culture of the Wallabies based around passion, pride and with the Brisbane game as the blue print for playing style and structure.
* Do not select (for the NH tour) any senior players who supported the $2,500 for the probables V Possibles game.
4. Design a programme through which all 40 train off players with go through to test their physical and mental “attitude/mongrel/passion/Respect/responsibility/class” to the limits, taking into account that some grade players will not be as fit or strong physically as their fully professional colleagues.
5. Select the mentally strongest and most passsionate, on the basis that “attitude/Mongrel/Passion/respect/responsibility/class” and the culture that results is the foundation from which to rebuild the Wallabies.
6. Open first selection training session with statement that the NH selections will be from a clean sheet and everyone is equal and hence no such thing as a “bolter”.
My projected squad of 36 players:
1. Robinson/Holmes
2. TPN/Fitzpatrick (Moore rested)
3. Alexander/Kepu/Weekes
4. Horwill/Thompson
5. Kimlin/Caldwell
6. Elsom/Dennis (Mowen injured)
7. Waugh/Pocock/Higginbotham (Smith Rested)
8. Brown/Davidson/McCaffrey
9. Genia/Burgess/Holmes
10. Barnes/Cooper/Halangahu
11. Fainifo/Turner
12. Giteau/Carter
13. AAC/Horne/Mortlock (Ioane injured)
14. Hynes/Cummins
15. O’Connor/Beale
Mortlock, Elsom and Waugh co-captain: Barnes and AAC vice captains
The feature of this team is its players that can play (not just cover) multiple positions:
3. Holmes
4. Mumm/Dennis
5. Mumm/Dennis
6. Brown, Davidson, Kimlin, Higginbotham
7. Brown /TPN/Fitzpatrick/Carter
8. Dennis, Higginbotham, Carter
9. Holmes
10. Beale
11. Beale/Horne/O’Connor/Holmes/Giteau (in a Williams of Wales role)
12. Beale/Holmes
13. Giteau/Carter/Holmes
14. Beale/Horne/O’Connor/Holmes/Giteau
15. Turner/Cooper/Halangahu
You have read it correctly, transition Tom Carter to the backrow (7 and in pre tour training, trials and the midweek games.
The logic is as follows:
Cut the clearly dead wood, send message to underperformers to step up NOW, encourage performers to contribute to Wallabies new culture.
Test rigorously for “attitude/Mongrel/Passion/respect/responsibility” and only select those that have it.
Open the door wide to more young players who have the “attitude/Mongrel/Passion/respect/responsibility”.
The captaincy is critical and is based around the experience of Mortlock and Waugh. Neither are Eales but they are the best we have until the young guys emerge.
They can both work off the field and with the young players to build the culture.
Finally, keep them busy, very busy and work harder than any other team ever has. Eight hours a day, training, conditioning, SAS training/testing/hardening, study of the Wallabies legacy, study of oppositions, the rules and tactics and techniques used around the world now and in the past.
Set tests that they must pass to determine and monitor their participation.
Recommend this story.
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September 25th 2009 @ 11:15am
Jameswm said | September 25th 2009 @ 11:15am | Report comment
No Giteau in the 22?
September 25th 2009 @ 11:34am
LeftArmSpinner said | September 25th 2009 @ 11:34am | Report comment
nope. officially rested. unofficially, get ya head together, own the wellington performance, and get with the program, the new program and new culture. no one is indispensible. no one. frankly, he’s not much of a 10 compared to barnes or others like Hangers or even Beale. he needs to also own the disgraceful behaviour refusing to play in a p V P game unless paid for it, and particularly after the Wellington capitulation………..
September 25th 2009 @ 12:07pm
Short-Blind. said | September 25th 2009 @ 12:07pm | Report comment
LAS – outstanding article you have nailed it – especially point 5 and in your general selections. I like your notion of a trying Davidson as the new number 8 – this is a key area letting us down and since Kefu retired has hurt us. Palu despite his size and go forward only turns up intermittently and is never an 80 min man, Hoiles, like smith is too small (and it appears not rated by Robby for some reason). Both Kimlin and Caldwell deserve a run to see how they cut it and a trial would give them the opportunity. In the back barnes to 10 is a no-brainer and the longer Deans persists with Giteau there the more I question his rugby smarts. Agree Mortlock to pasture and Ioane in. I am willing to give O’connor another crack at 15 but the way he did not contest the high ball in Wellington (coupled with his short stature) makes me question his long term viability at 15 – otherwise he should be groomed for 12 with Giteau and Cooper. Also nice summary of LT’s contribution to the tahs and Wallabies in recent times – good riddance. I wish you could get this arcticle through to Deans/Williams and co!
September 25th 2009 @ 11:37pm
LeftArmSpinner said | September 25th 2009 @ 11:37pm | Report comment
thanks Short blind.
rah rah, there are so many myths in rugby when in fact it is the fight in the dog that counts. I love using the insanity definition too, mainly because it is so true. harden them up and get them playing more. the less they play, the softer they are.
September 25th 2009 @ 4:30pm
Rah Rah Rasputin said | September 25th 2009 @ 4:30pm | Report comment
If Hoiles and Smith are two small, then I can’t imagine that Davidson is the answer. He’s about 6’3 and 101kg.
That being said, I don’t think picking bigger players is the answer. Look at the french, they beat the ABs with Dusautoir and Quegrago as their flankers, who are 6’2/ 100kgs and 6’3/94kgs respectively. Not to mention, they probably had the worlds smallest international lock in Chabal. But none of this didn’t matter. There was never any talk of the french being a push over in the forwards.
But I agree with you in as much that i believe the Australians have a soft underbelly. I think Deans will be again looking for that point of difference, whether it be style of player or attitude, who can contribute to the evolution of the team.
What do they say? Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again but expecting a different result. Picking players like Baxter, Waugh, Mortlock is insanity. Okay, maybe not Mortlock but picking Waugh is differently, or atleast a step backwards. Now is the time to breakdown some walls and move forward. I don’t think you need waugh when you have players like elsom and barnes.
September 25th 2009 @ 5:03pm
sheek said | September 25th 2009 @ 5:03pm | Report comment
Leftie,
Many, if not most of your proposals are short-term solutions. They don’t address long-term structural & cultural faults in Australian rugby. If I may be so bold as to speak plainly…..
September 25th 2009 @ 11:35pm
LeftArmSpinner said | September 25th 2009 @ 11:35pm | Report comment
Sheek, I like bold, and wish the wallabies would do the same. as I learnt at Business school, we are all dead in the long term.
But I digress, the culture transplant is long term. the blooding of more players who can play with passion, attitude, determination, brains and proudly for years to come is long term. The fifteenth Super rugby team is long term. My previous proposals on Sydney and Brisbane grade, together with the aussie super clubs can bridge create a national comp, I just refuse to call it a third tier comp. I have also brought proposals for the 6 week period between 3N and NH tour, a state of Origin variation. they are all structural and long term. But, my context time time was what we face at the moment.
tonight, I went out to the Grand Old Girl to see Parra V Bullies. What an atmosphere, what a game for its blend of passion, brutality and skill. I consider it to be one of if not the best game I have ever attended in any sport and I have been to a few all around the world. check out my profile.
But, I came away feeling cheated, not by the NRL but by rugby. No rugby player plays with the commitment and passion of these two teams and they are playing for post codes, not nations. Put simply, rugby fans are being ripped off at both s14 and 3N level. It actually encourages me to return even closer to grade. Why would I pay $150 to see the Wallabies when I can see Randwick V Easts or Uni or manly or Gordon for $15.
Sheek, in terms of long term, rugby needs to wake up. The product is still resting but the laurels have long gone……… on the back of complacency. Give me Foi Foi or hannant, or Hayne, or Mortimer or Inu or Stagg or Hazem or etc. etc any day before baxter, Chisholm, Mitchell, Horwill, Mortlock, Giteau or almost any other current wallaby. they just play harder and with attitude, week after week.
September 25th 2009 @ 5:07pm
Invictus said | September 25th 2009 @ 5:07pm | Report comment
More players in the pipeline leading to more pressure on the incumbents for their spots leading to some onfield desperation….
September 25th 2009 @ 11:38pm
Knives Out said | September 25th 2009 @ 11:38pm | Report comment
Is it not contradictory to suggest that one mustn’t ‘throw the baby out with the bathwater’ but that the elder players must be removed – yet Waugh and Mortlock must be retained for their leadership? Also, why remove the elder players who asked to be paid for the trial match but not the young players? Surely that creates a morality vacuum, and presumes that the younger players are in some way led and/or guilt-free.
How can you possibly suggest who has or hasn’t the required mental strength to play test rugby, and what is your basis for asserting that various players played without commitment? What players played NZ without commitment and how?
How can you keep removing players who don’t fit when there is an obvious lack of playing resources? How does one maintain the core tenet of stability and consistency when the whole modus operandi of this proposed plan is based upon knee-jerk Darwinism?
Why must the team work 8 hours a day? Why not 7 or 6 or 5? How deep is your comprehension of modern training, both physical and mental and what is your comprehension of the serious issue of mental fatigue?
Why must players be able to play multiple positions? Surely the entire point of excellence is narrow, i.e. playing a single position. For example, AAC is no 15 and less of a 12. Why not allow him to flourish at 13? Is Alexander a 1 or 3? What is Brown? Did Martin Johnson or Bakkies Botha ever play 6? Why would anybody suggest that Giteau should play 11 in the mould of Shane Williams?
The genesis of the article seems to be assumption and and you know what they say about assumption.
September 26th 2009 @ 12:04am
LeftArmSpinner said | September 26th 2009 @ 12:04am | Report comment
As for the contradiction, everything is a matter of balance.
In draft II, Mortlock is gone for Ioane, so that leaves Waugh only. Not contradictory, because the captaincy choice will follow after the SAS training sessions to see who has met the ticker/attitude requirements.
A captain may and probably will emerge during this time. If not, waugh is a fine man, a leader on and off the field, even if he is nearing the end of his career. not being in the run on field is less important, yep, less important becasue the purpose of the tour is to blood and temper both a new culture and new players. victories may or may not come, but they will all play out of their skins or they will be found out by the culture, the coach and fellow players.
The pre tour prep cannot be too brutal or too intense or too demanding in terms of time, fitness, mental and physical.
the wallabies are currently too soft. that can and must change. The intent is to see their breaking point. Broadly speaking, the last 30+ guys standing go on the tour.
If you had seen the Parramatta V Canterbury game in the finals of the NRL, you would realise just how much we are being ripped off by underperforming players who are just going through the motions.
I want to send the following messages to the players and the supporters:
Players: You will most likely only ever get one chance to play for the wallabies. bring your greatest intensity to every game, every game not just when you feel like it. the new culture will spit out the pretenders who fail either the mental or physical challenges.
All that is asked is that you attempt to do your very best for 80 minutes after having prepared as well as possible. Class is permanent, form is transient.
the supporters can know that they will watch and be represented by fully committed players who understand and live by the wallaby culture of excellence and nothing else will do.
the reality KO, is that this approach is no different to life. the hardest workers, those that want it most will get it.. simple but hard to do……. thats the culture that is Deans primary goal. the rest will follow as night follows day……..
September 26th 2009 @ 12:45am
Knives Out said | September 26th 2009 @ 12:45am | Report comment
The key point is that the life of a professional athlete is not comparable to real life. It is short lived, narrow, obsessive and increasingly scientific. Blood and guts will only get you so far. Putting players through the mill and picking angry young men to try and ruffle a few feathers is not what Australia needs. I agree with some of your points, but not all.
September 26th 2009 @ 1:31am
LeftArmSpinner said | September 26th 2009 @ 1:31am | Report comment
KO, I work on the basis that at the top level,(and if graded properly, at most levels) the players are skills wise equal. tactics can vary, luck plays a part, but it is the player and the team that wants it the most and believes the most that will win the most. there are a myriad of examples of this at play.
It doesnt mean you win every time, but most of the time. Man U in the past 15 years, Aust cricket team since 1989 or so, Wallabies 1991 and 1999 editions, Chicago Bulls with Jordan, Tiger, Roger, nadal, Jack Nicholas, Gary Player, Sampras, tendulkar, etc etc. Mike Tyson in his early career. Thorpedo,
as Player said, the more I practice, the luckier I get…. practice is an example of attitude, competitiveness, desire, self belief (call it what you like), they are winners.
the “boot camp” is not to create angry young men. angry men burn out, it is to find those with that inherent attitude, reskill, and/or refine them if necessary and as required. But the core ingredient is already there. an example, as a game wears on, gaps open up. A team that has driven itself harder than any other in fitness and training will go longer and finish stronger. not only did they prepare well, they have that never say die attitude etc. The more determined team will finish over the top of the softer team, ala the All Blacks beating the Wallabies three times this year, twice by gut determination and desire and the final one, by brutal, effective and unrelenting commitment at the breakdown etc.
which points do you agree with? from where I sit, the fundamentals are the same. the vaneer is different. hard work pays, competitiveness is essential for success, opportunities have to be taken because they are a long time lost, if you lose them. competition for places is intense. team work pays off. Look at arguably the best example, Neil Back, for years I listened to the so called experts saying he was too small, despite him continually out playing and excelling generally on the rugby field. eventually, he got his chance and his class came thro and he became a permanent fixture.
September 26th 2009 @ 1:50am
LeftArmSpinner said | September 26th 2009 @ 1:50am | Report comment
young players are easier to mold. Chisholm, sharpe, Mitchell and baxter have all been dropped previously for underperforming. despite this wake up call, they again failed to perform. this time around, Wallabies in Wellington, got murdered at the breakdown. so look to the forwards: Chisholm, Horwill, to name two. Elsom took it to the line and stopped just before contact. not good enough. Mitchell didnt get involved in the game, despite warnings from the coach. he took the easy option time and time again. kick it back but no kcik chase.
the lineouts: the AB lineout was a potential weakness as evidenced against the boks the previous week. the wallabies left the AB lineout uncontested on numerous occasions. deans himslef, in his own cute way of saying things, said there were no volunteers at the breakdown, and that the players capitulated and didnt sho enough respect for the jersey!!!! is that enough evidence????
the work is not on the training paddock. physical training is best done is relatively short, but intense sessions. but there are lots more things that the players benefit from experiencing and knowing. multiple positions allow the bench balance to be altered and gives the coach more depth but with the same no of players. the argument is that in game, players carry out many of the same tasks, no matter what number is on their back and sometimes, players have to fill in if another player is at the bottom of a ruck.
YOur example of AAC is a good one and I agree, he took time to learn 15 because he had to be in the side, had found his feet on the wing (remember the try where be bet 4 AB’s) initially, but Mortlock had 13. Now, I agree, he should be the 13 and left there so he can develop into the position. Alexander is a 3, i believe. Not sure about Brown. Johnson and Botha are unique due to their physique and are very very good as 4 or 5, but too tall (and slow) for 6. Whereas, Thorn is not as uniquely big and could adopt.
Giteau has the footwork and running skills. All I know is that he is not a 10 and you want him to get as many touches as possible and in space, but sometimes these are almost mutually exclusive.
I detailed the assumptions so that everyone could kick off from the same POV. Of course it is based around some assumptions. I am not close enough to the individuals or the team. having said that, the purpsoe of this article was to pull together some of the common consensus and move on to solutions and details down to teams etc. Of course, the further into the details, the more assumptions you have to make, but that is okay as long as you identify the assumptions and fix them so that they are no longer variables.
September 26th 2009 @ 2:26am
Knives Out said | September 26th 2009 @ 2:26am | Report comment
I’ve sent you a lengthy response, having not seen your 2nd offering. My response doesn’t seem to have turned up yet, however.
‘that the players capitulated and didnt sho enough respect for the jersey!!!! is that enough evidence????’
No. Just because somebody says something doesn’t make it true. I asked you who underperformed, why and how. Regurgitating the words of the coach doesn’t exactly aid your argument, Lefty.
‘young players are easier to mold.’
True, but they need guidance beyond that which comes from the coaching. Culture is handed downward.
Assumption is the mother of …
September 26th 2009 @ 7:10am
LeftArmSpinner said | September 26th 2009 @ 7:10am | Report comment
Well, I have given you my observations. they are based on watching the game twice, taking notes/observations. I have also drawn on teh observations of other roarers and the coach. contrary to your opinion, he is even better placed to comment on who has capitulated.
You can change culture. It is specifically part of Deans brief. What does “hand culture downward” mean?
currently, culture is wrong and directly affecting their play. so, attempt to change the culture with the inherited players, and if they dont embrace it, as is the case, replace them with players who will. You dont bring in young players and allow them to be infected with the old and unacceptable culture.
KO, the Roar is all about observations. There is often differing observations of the same game. IN the case of Wellington, the vast majority of commentators and Roarers are of the view and agree with Deans that the Wallabies “capitulated and did not respect the jersey.”
September 26th 2009 @ 7:33am
Knives Out said | September 26th 2009 @ 7:33am | Report comment
Broad observations hold no water with me. Who wasn’t committed and how do you make such a judgement?
September 26th 2009 @ 7:49am
LeftArmSpinner said | September 26th 2009 @ 7:49am | Report comment
KO, having a grumpy day/night eh?
Chisholm, Smith, Elsom, Horwill, Alexander and Pocock failed at the breakdown. TPN was not much better, robinson was good and got a turnover for his efforts.
Specifically, watch the game again and see the number of times a wallaby went to ground and ended up at the back of the AB ruck, while expecting to be at the back of the wallabies ruck. one one occasion, Chisholm drove into the ruck to clean out, didnt go low enough, went over the top of an AB player heading in the opposition direction and claiming the breakdown.
Elsom was timid in carrying the ball. Midfield, he was running it back, and stopped jsut before the tackle, lost momentum, got smashed from behind and front on, turning the ball over.
Why didnt forwards contest AB lineout?
How was it that AB’s won the breakdown? Answer is that often there were no wallabies forwards there? I tracked Horwill and Chisholm in second half. they got to less than 50% of rucks and failed to win any of the ones they got to.
Put your question to everyone, including Deans. Why did he hook Smith, the captain after 60 minutes? Why did he break his own self imposed “never critisise the players publically”? Because they capitulated……………
Give me your rating of the wallabies pack in wellington, your observations.
September 26th 2009 @ 1:38am
ohtani's jacket said | September 26th 2009 @ 1:38am | Report comment
I actually think the Wallaby forward performance was pretty good up until Wellington. You have to remember that Deans isn’t playing a proper backrow. Having the right backrow combo goes a long way to winning Test matches. The Wallabies could also do with a couple of hardnosed second rowers, but you can’t just unearth a lock. Horwill has probably been the biggest disappointment of the season.
As for the backs, they haven’t been any good under Deans and the ARU ought to consider bringing in a backs coach. If Giteau doesn’t want to play at second five, he ought to be dropped. Duel playmakers worked in the Sydney Test in 2008 and hasn’t worked since against Tri-Nations opposition. I would drop O’Connor too. He’s too young.
Ioane would be wasted on the wing and Cooper is no second five. Either you play Cooper, Barnes, Ioane or Barnes, Giteau, Ioane. AAC I would stick back at fullback. The wingers are somewhat immaterial at this point. They NEVER touch the ball, unless it’s in defence.
September 26th 2009 @ 2:21am
ThelmaWrites said | September 26th 2009 @ 2:21am | Report comment
OJ
Isn’t Richard? Graham the backs coach? Up to last week, I’d never heard of him. (I have not followed rugby closely after 2000.) Jim Williams – I remember him from when he played for Warringah, then the Brumbies.
September 26th 2009 @ 8:06am
LeftArmSpinner said | September 26th 2009 @ 8:06am | Report comment
thel, dont you love the way graham and wisemantel are so invisible but cannot get their respective backlines to run plays that inject players who have run from “invisible positions” rather than just stand there in the line before the ball is even in the halfs hands.
September 26th 2009 @ 9:56am
ohtani's jacket said | September 26th 2009 @ 9:56am | Report comment
This I did not know.
September 26th 2009 @ 7:36am
LeftArmSpinner said | September 26th 2009 @ 7:36am | Report comment
OJ, I agree, the forwards, particularly at set piece were on the improve once Alexander joined the run on team. it all came together in brisbane. But they lack locks with mongrel. Oh for a Brad Thorn or Vicks or even Horwill from last year.
I agree and am surprised by the lack of skill, savvy, flair and creativity shown by the backs. How is it that an international backline (full of high calibre players and three play makers, Genia, Giteau and Barnes) can be so poorly aligned and so crab like. running straight is just backplay 101. The backline play also lacks moves from set piece. On the few occasions they have tried it, it has paid off. e.g. AAC in Brisbane.
You raise an interesting point: is giteau digging in his heels to play 10? I hadnt considered that. O’Connor is young, but is learning. I like that he keeps trying and that is to be rewarded. Putting him in a position that he has not played in s14 is a big call.
I would have AAC at 13 because he is the best 13 in the country already and still has much improvement to come. he is also a 80 minute goer.
The backline mix is up in the air, but if you pencil in certainties at the moment (9. Genia; 10. Barnes; 13: AAC) and then add others in order of certainty, like assembling a zigsaw, Giteau, is he best at 11, 12, 14 or 15. To me he is a 12, because he can make line breaks. Then Ioane is next, he goes into 11/14 and then O’Connor. He takes 15. Turner and Hynes fight out the final wing spot.
alternatively, start with (9. Genia; 10. Barnes; 15: AAC), add Giteau at 12, Ioane at 13, O’Connor at 11 and then Turner/hynes. I can live with either. cooper, Beale, Horne, Carter, Smith, Holmes etc are all fringe youngsters, but Cooper and Beale are similar to O’Connor in being 15′s and attacking broken field play. all have that unpredictable element that I like from 15, but they need to come into the backline from set piece as well.
I agree about the wingers, but again, it doesnt need to be that way. I love Sivi, Joe and Masaga or BH of course when they go looking for broken field space. exhilarating to watch and very effective. Ioane and Turner can, if confident, make this happen too. Hynes, not so sure.
September 26th 2009 @ 10:10am
ohtani's jacket said | September 26th 2009 @ 10:10am | Report comment
O’Connor appears to be in the side because of what he can do joining the line 10 metres out, but now that we’ve seen what he does in his own 22, I think it’s just too much pressure to have a kid that young play what is increasingly becoming a pivot position. This year, more than ever before, the back three have been under immense scrutiny. The same thing is happening in Japanese club rugby. O’Connor is a gutsy kid with a lot of potential (provided he receives the right coaching), but he’s in the side for his attacking flair and right now in rugby mistakes outweigh attacking flair.
It’s always been my belief that if you have a first five who likes to play with the ball in hand, you need a kicking fullback. If you have a kicking first five, you need a running fullback. I don’t think that the Wallabies have the right mix. They’re too predictable and easy to defend against. This has been a problem in Australian rugby for a while. Every fullback/winger has been cut from more or less the same mould. Ioane looks like he could be different, so why stick him on the wing? If I’m Lote baby, I’m laughing at how much ball Turner got this season and how ineffective the wingers were compared to himself.
September 26th 2009 @ 7:49am
sheek said | September 26th 2009 @ 7:49am | Report comment
Leftie,
You’re right about us all being dead in the long-term, especially with how slowly rugby union changes!
It’s Saturday morning here in Sydney with an eerie, dusty, overcast glow outside. Even Peter Fitzsimons in his regular Saturday SMH column is predicting doom & gloom for rugby union.
Last night 75,000 patrons turned up to watch the rugby league semi-final between Parramatta & Canterbury-Bankstown. Read semi-final! Today in Melbourne, only Antarctic cold, wind & rain will prevent 100,000 people turning up at the MCG to watch Geelong play St.Kilda in their grand final. But there will still be over 90,000 hardy souls in attendance.
No doubt in Sydney today, some rugby union fans will proclaim a renaissance if the Shute Shield grand final crowd approaches the 10,000 mark. We rugby folk really are delighting in small pleasures!
While the Parramatta & Penrith clubs based in Western Sydney bleed to death for lack of love from the NSWRU & ARU, the NRL, AFL & FFA are all fighting to establish long-term footholds in this, one of the greatest youth catchment growth areas of Australia.
You could argue rugby union has more followers per se with university degrees beside their names, than the other football codes, but totally lacking in practical common sense.
From where I’m looking, Australian rugby is on a downward spiral of mostly self-administered destruction, & I am almost at the point of not caring anymore. Almost……….
September 26th 2009 @ 8:01am
LeftArmSpinner said | September 26th 2009 @ 8:01am | Report comment
Sheek, good morning. TFF is one of my Sat. morning pleasures. havent read it yet.
The number of uni degrees could come back to bite rugby. if they are smart and observant, they will realise, as myself and my degree qualifed mates at the Parra game last night, we rugby supporters are being ripped off by the players. they dont come close to putting in the same as their league colleagues. Where is the rugby Foi Foi, Eastwood, Hannant, Stagg, Hindmarsh, Hayne. Forget skill, I’m talking effort. hayne was in everything, attack and defence. we talk about 2nd 5/8. HE WAS A 3RD 5/8 and then Mateo came off the bench to be the 4th 5/8. Huge effort and they do it every week, every week.
I have reassessed my plans. I am locked into the Waratahs thro my SCG/SFS membership. I certainly would not be paying hundreds to see the tahs, or wallabies. I’m headed back to syd grade.
sheek, be patient. I’m surprised how quiet JON has been. But he is busy. teh melb bid is in tatters and not getting the 15th team would be a long term disaster for wallabies. I guess he is taking the view, if you have a dog, you dont have to bark. Deans needs to get the wallabies sorted from the ground up. he might also have a go sorting Knives Out too!!
a 5th super team, more local derbies and the continued naiscence of grade, and all is not lost.
September 26th 2009 @ 7:53am
Justin said | September 26th 2009 @ 7:53am | Report comment
Sheek we will know when you have given it up – when you stop posting! By the way are you going to the SS Final on Sunday? I will be watching on ABC HD from wet and cold Melbourne with a nasty hangover quite possibly although with Westmalle Dubbels, Emerson’s Pilsners and Murrays Double IPA’s it will be worth it!!!
September 26th 2009 @ 8:03am
LeftArmSpinner said | September 26th 2009 @ 8:03am | Report comment
Justin, you should be drinking tooheys. they “pour” loads of money into SS and deserve our active support. I’m serious. I accept it is not fashionable, but its about give and take.
September 26th 2009 @ 8:38am
sheek said | September 26th 2009 @ 8:38am | Report comment
Justin,
And if you only drank Tooheys, you’d be able to drink more of them, rather than wasting your money on those boutique beers!!!
And no, I won’t be watching the Shute Shield GF, even though I live in Randwick territory. Just can’t be bothered, really.
And true, when I stop posting on RU, you’ll know I’ve given up the ghost.
September 26th 2009 @ 10:54am
LeftArmSpinner said | September 26th 2009 @ 10:54am | Report comment
Sheek, I am amazed that you wont be watching. it will be great, all grades and particularly 2nds. Go on, treat yourself………..
September 26th 2009 @ 11:20am
Justin said | September 26th 2009 @ 11:20am | Report comment
Yep I am amazed also, good lineups in both sides, should be great entertaining rugby. If I was in Sydney I would be there but will be watching on TV for sure.
September 26th 2009 @ 11:19am
Justin said | September 26th 2009 @ 11:19am | Report comment
You have got to be kidding me! Tooheys!!! No way Jose… its not fashionable nor is it any good and by the way they dont sponsor anything down here in VIC (thank god)!
September 26th 2009 @ 8:09am
Knives Out said | September 26th 2009 @ 8:09am | Report comment
I sent out a real lengthy respond, LAS, but it hasn’t materialised. I even copied and pasted again to receive a ‘duplicated comment’ window. Perhaps it will show up later. I shall give you some Wallaby forward breakdowns tomorrow. It’s half 11 here and I’m feeling the affects of yesterday still.
September 26th 2009 @ 8:34am
sheek said | September 26th 2009 @ 8:34am | Report comment
KO,
Don’t feel left out. I also submitted two parts of an article, & I’m still awaiting publication of part B.
September 26th 2009 @ 11:03am
LeftArmSpinner said | September 26th 2009 @ 11:03am | Report comment
No probs. I will take that as a surrender. Just joking………. nighty night. and what a great english show that was.