Why is it that one star player gets to dictate terms to the ARU and to the detriment of the Wallabies?
It seems the ARU always get played by some of their better contracted players, because they are desperate to not lose any star power. A few weeks ago Waratah Kurtley Beale threatens to go and play in Europe or switch to the NRL if he’s not starting.
After a few games from the bench, he gets moved to the prized 10 jersey – even though he’s not played there all season for his club side.
His much improved form has been from inside centre, where his famed running in broken play is well suited. Further still, Beale bumped Bernard Foley to the bench after Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie said “he’s not put a foot wrong” all year. Foley was successful against the French, as well as with the Super Rugby champion Waratahs all year.
I can image this shift of personnel worked wonders for team confidence. Who else in the team wondered if they would be suddenly moved to the bench or dropped after playing so well?
These personal changed reminded me of how Robbie Deans seemed to be at the mercy of Quade Cooper and James ‘The Brand’ O’Connor.
How are the team supposed to gel and play as one when the star players get treated differently to the team?
After the annihilation by the All Blacks on the weekend, the Wallabies are back to square one.
Why aren’t decisions based on what’s best for the team made by those in power, instead of short term marketing gain from ‘x-factor’ players that continually fail to deliver against the All Blacks?
Surely bringing the Bledisloe home to Australia would be the marketing stunt to top all marketing stunts.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.
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