El Cao Putrido's Roar Profile

I really wish whoever was responsible included everything I originally wrote – they have cropped out paragraphs which fundamentally change the premise of my argument.

well written, and i think you’re right.

Is Dale Steyn the greatest fast bowler post WWII?

Cricket

this is why rugby is the game they play in heaven. you sir just broke the internet!

Story of a rugby fan from India

mate, respectfully agree to disagree. Carter is injured and will probably wont be considered for the WC. Simmons has had one man-of-the-match performance in 50 caps.
Come world cup time its a power game and you’re going to have to play to the conditions, and that means more numbers in the break down and having a bigger pack will give you more of an opportunity to win the collisions. Cue my first point, if there were an coach/operator to get the best out of his pack it would be Michael Cheika, he would get a lot more utility out of an improving Skelton/Fardy/Timani. Timani was on fire when he last played the All Blacks at Suncorp a couple of years ago.

No rules bent: How Kane Douglas fits into the World Cup puzzle

Name any Wallaby has won anything or achieved anything in years at an international level?

Horwill has not been at his best for years, Simmons while a good line out operator hardly strikes fear in any opposition and isnt dominant at the ruck, while Jones is talented but he isn’t ready for test match rugby just yet.

At least Skelton, Douglas, Timani have the size and/or experience of playing domestically in Europe and the ability to jam people at the ruck and in D. To match it with the best at World Cup time we need size and the ability to play to the conditions to at least get out of our pool let a lone stand a chance of winning the tournament.

Irrespective of eligibility, Kane Douglas would be a worthy addition to the Wallabies squad. He was worth his weight in gold for the Waratahs last season and his experience in the Northern hemisphere will be invaluable to an otherwise immature Wallaby pack.

There isn’t a lot of depth in the second row department, selectors should also try and bring back Sitialeki Timani from France. admittedly he can be hot and cold in games, however his size and aggression could also be worthwhile. If there were an operator to get the best out of him it would be Michael Cheika, a Timani/Douglas/Skelton/Fardy would be far more intimidating than a horwill/Simmons/carter/jones in your squad irrespective of form, injuries or avaiability.

I have been long arguing for this – http://www.theroar.com.au/2013/09/03/pacific-islands-the-west-indies-of-the-rugby-championship/

The future of Super Rugby: Is SANZAR's model the best?

2014

why not have them in the rugby championship and compete at a test level instead?

NZ coaches want Pacific Super Rugby team

great spelling

Time to ring in the Wallaby changes

The loss of the Lions tour has broken a lot of these guys; it could have alternatively boosted them straight into the stratosphere but instead a lot of them are looking pretty fatigued, mentally and physically, I believe that as a result of such a massive loss/come down these guys aren’t playing with the confidence as they could be, which is in turn showing on some of the basic mistakes they are making on the field. Players are a product of good/bad habits, and there is no secret that winning is habitual. The squad has an excellent opportunity for redemption on tour and hopefully they play some great rugby along the way.

The Wallabies' end of year Tests hell

yes sport could be called the 3rd/4th estate of society because the people playing it represent us!

Why gay rugby is the most important thing in Australian sport right now

Great article and well written, sport is essentially the fourth estate of society and has always been a pioneer in many respects in building bridges and addressing social issues. The great thing that we admire about Rugby is its ethos and respect for the game, teammates and your opposition. This is a great initiative for young people who may be battling an identity crisis, self expression or questioning how they fit in; round of applause for the ARU.

Its a shame that after every match in the RC this year the talking point seems to be on the referees, we need some new refs coming through the ranks because its time and time again the same refs making the same big calls wrong and thus ruining the spectacle, the IRB seriously needs to look at the likes of Wayne Barnes, Nigel Owens, Romain Poite and Allain Roland because all of their calls they make are reactionary and seem to overly asset themselves on the game.

All Blacks vs Springboks, the disappointment, frustration and anger

someone made a big mistake letting Timani go to France, lets hope the Rebels can snap up his signature, his size and height add great value to a team.

Wallabies wobble to a win over Pumas

the greater problem is indicative of not having a universal playing calendar.

The SXV should bring a couple of Argentinian teams and a couple of Japanese teams in the fold too.

Henry: Argies need a Super team

What an absolute disgrace, the fact that they have ditched the all stars game for this

Is NRL Nines really the way to go?

League

A combined PI team would definitely add extra value to the RC, a challenge would be attracting and retaining existing talent within the SXV. In time hopefully there would be a sustainable platform for Samoan, Fijian and Tongan players to make a living playing for their respective Unions as opposed to the likes of Sioane Luaki and Sivivatu deferring to the ABs. When you have a look around the fringes of a lot of SXV squads, there are many polynesian players who would be good enough already to represent their country of birth/heritage, and this talent could just as well go to waste, as 90% of the year they would spend training, 10% playing Shute Shield/ITM cup on a Saturday.
Having the islands compete with the provinces would be a more costly exercise; however as a combined team during the RC, your running costs of travel etc would be offset by the fact that you would be playing in NZ over 2 legs, by splitting 2 test matches over the 1 flight in the tournament, which suits for Australia, South Africa and Argentina. Finding a major sponsor shouldn’t be too hard; and your would think that there would be an increase in revenues in broadcasting and sponsorships, combined that with hopefully some grants from the IRB; its obvious to everyone that there is a demand for a PI team and the style of rugby they are inclined to play; this would have a positive flow on effect on the SXV as talent from the islands are better utilised, would also make for great viewing as these guys hit hard and run the ball.

a lot of really good observations, very well written and informative article – just a thought though, would it be of value to have a combined pacific island team playing out of North Harbour stadium in Auckland; in that region around Auckland a lot of Pacific Islanders have emigrated there, it would be a commercially viable alternative as it would draw crowds from around the Auckland region and greater rural New Zealand, we could also include a lot of these talented players playing in the SXV whether it be in Australia and New Zealand – putting it out there- thoughts anyone?

SANZAR must protect their core values to remain at the top

Can anyone answer when was the last time a player from NZ has been sin binned whilst playing at home? Nothing immediately springs to mind;

An automatic sin bin is the way to fix the professional foul

Steve Bucknor got the sack for some terrible decisions made in the Australia and India test at the SCG; Dharmasena has to go, that would have to be the worst decision in the history of cricket given the technology made available.

SPIRO: Kumar Dharmasena should be sacked for DRS blunder

doesnt matter where he plays at SXV level, once you put an all black jersey on Nonu always ises to the occasion and seems to be twice a better player

Where to for Ma'a Nonu?

mate NSW is that bad even without Inglis you could probably roll them for 10

Should the ARU pursue Greg Inglis?

perhaps Michael Cheika and the Waratahs board are trying to hype him up and compete for his signature so that the Auckland Blues would up the ante and want him more, tick one other team off next years list, imagine that ….

Waratahs want Benji Marshall

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