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At the risk of sounding like a blinkered old man, the week before Christmas was always a great time for rugby players in the pre-professional era.
Bruises and aches from the season were by now healed and the last few days of binge eating, drinking and socialising would build to a crescendo before the inevitable arrival of Boxing Day and the first reluctant road run kicking off yet another pre-season.
These days the distinction between seasons is largely a myth – for players heavily involved in the end of season tours it is too soon for them to yet have any sense of having enjoyed a break, and everyone else is already well into laying down a fitness base for the new season of Super Rugby.
Not that the economy suffers as a result. For every lettuce leaf current players pick over in lieu of a real Christmas dinner, I’ve no doubt a few strongly built lads like Red Kev, Jeznez, Sheek, Diggercane, Harry Jones and others will make up for it and more.
Certainly no piece of pork crackling within a five-kilometre radius of my place over the next couple of weeks can feel safe!
What I’m trying to say, in a roundabout way, is that while there is now little definition to the end of one rugby season and the start of another, it is the end of a calendar year. It’s the start of yet another calendar year – a World Cup year at that – and so that’s as good a reason as any to reflect on and ponder our rugby world.
In no particular order, these are some of the things which caught my eye in 2014.
The Roar laments the loss of Scott Allen
In the wake of the astonishing depth of commentary following Scott’s final article, what stood out for me was the number of posters who felt moved enough to comment who don’t usually do so.
On one hand this hints at a latent readership much larger than might first be apparent. Alternatively, it suggests that many are put off from commenting because threads are hijacked by a few loud and not always coherent voices. Or maybe it’s as simple as these guys having a real job which they need to get on with!
Certainly, I’m in the camp who wishes Scott well and a return to these pages just as soon as he likes.
Duane Vermuelen
An absolute colossus, ridiculously penalised in Perth by windy, gun-shy officials and my international player of the year, with Brodie Retallick disqualified for keeping his filthy moustache beyond November 30.
Israel Folau
An outstanding footballer who hasn’t come on at Test level this year as he should have. I’m happy with him at fullback, but he needs to find the confidence from somewhere to play with more freedom.
Also, there is the uneasy feeling that he played an important role in the resurrection of Kurtley Beale. I’m no Johnno when it comes to conspiracy theories but the ARU losing their only true nationally profiled star in the residual wash-up of a spat with Beale was never going to happen now, was it?
Rhys Webb
The new Welsh halfback who looks right up to Test class. More problems loom for the Wallabies at the Rugby World Cup.
NRC
For a competition struggling for visibility, the ‘own-try’ debacle was pure publicity gold. Wouldn’t you just love to be a golfing buddy of ref Ian Smith or TMO Michael Blair, and be stocked full of enough sledges to last a lifetime?
For the life of me, however, I can’t understand why the North Harbour Rays didn’t kick up more of a stink on the field. I admire how rugby differs from other football codes in showing respect for officials but surely they were too passive? Or simply too stunned?
Scoreboard TV replays
The IRB needs to crack down on this, quickly and hard. Introduce sensible protocols for host unions, stadium operators, TV stations and referees and enforce them. The idea that Test matches, or even a World Cup final, can be unduly influenced by a partisan TV producer is simply ridiculous.
The Wallabies scrum
No, it’s not Will Skelton’s fault, he’s just a young player in development. There are deep-rooted, fundamental problems which simply have to be addressed. And I’m not talking about the same coaching staff and players tinkering around the edges. Test matches are hard enough to win without giving the opposition a walk-up start each time.
Ireland
If every man and his dog selects them as their Rugby World Cup dark horse then surely they’re no longer a dark horse? Cannily coached, strong across the park, with a touch of white line madness, nobody, All Blacks included, will want to face them in the knock-out stages.
That said, I don’t think they have quite enough to go all the way.
Ewen McKenzie
Let’s hope he enjoys a good Christmas, the scars heal and he isn’t lost to rugby.
Richie McCaw
You’re in the home straight now mate, only one more season to cement your immortality before you can truly relax. Your life will never be normal, but then again you were never normal in the first place.
It will be interesting to find out just how good Sam Cane really is, and blessed relief for everyone for Phil Kearns to have nothing left to talk about.
NSW versus Queensland rivalry
Tiresome, pathetic and damaging to Australian rugby at all levels. Those who partake, whether they be administrators or posters in these pages, should simply grow up and leave the rest of us alone to savour rugby as it should be savoured.
Competitively and passionately, but with humour and good grace, and always with the greater interest of the game at heart.
Hookers
Not quite up there yet with rugby league scrums but why do we allow these lazy blokes to throw the ball in from wherever they feel like? Stand behind the line fellas, that’s what it’s there for.
David Pocock
Rugby’s a hard enough game mate without playing with one arm handcuffed to a bulldozer. Will be fascinating to see if he makes it back to where he was or not.
Quade Cooper
A quiet and uneventful year on the QC front. That has to be a good thing for all concerned.
Pieter de Villiers
I kind of miss PDV. Ok, just joking.
Carter/Cruden/Barrett/Slade
If that was a question on Family Feud would the survey say 25 per cent for each? Dan Carter is a champion but it’s Aaron Cruden for mine. And watch out in 2015 for much improved goalkicking.
Surf Life Saving Association
Will kick up a massive stink when the ARU take over their tin rattling day, coming soon to an intersection near you. Anything to stave off bankruptcy for another week or two.
Soldier Field
Looked a million dollars on a sunny winter day, dressed for rugby. For the record, the US Eagles may have been flogged on the scoreboard but didn’t actually play too badly – some of the ball handling and support play from the All Blacks was as good as it gets.
Rugby World Cup strategy
Not sure that the best way to go about winning is to appoint a part-time coach who can’t deal directly and openly with Super Rugby coaches and all players in the lead up. Just saying…
Mathieu Bastareaud
Big bastareaud. Wikipedia lists him at 120 kilograms. And the rest.
Nathan Charles
What a great story. Tarnished only slightly by him being a hooker who steps over the line to throw the ball in.
And with that I’m off to subject myself to a bit of road rage in the Chadstone carpark, all in the name of buying more crap which people don’t really need, and stocking up on supplies for the Boxing Day Test.
Safe and happy Christmas to all.