Roar Rookie
Joined August 2016
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The build up to the 2017 State of Origin series was a time of hope and joy for Blues fans. Yes, the Queenslanders had…
Let me just say right from the start: I really like Brad Thorn. The man has a professional title haul without equal across two…
I settled down to watch Bledisloe II with little to no expectations of a Wallabies win. Perhaps each season since the 2015 World Cup…
Both teams clearly giving all their effort, really intrigued to see how the second half goes. Loving the rugby!
Wallabies vs Ireland highlights: International rugby union live scores, blog
So an arm that hits the ball and slides up is a yellow card straight away, but a shoulder to the head is just a penalty? Sometimes I fear this game is set on ruining itself.
All Blacks vs France: Test rugby union live scores, blog
I’m pretty excited by this side. Still some questions for mine around Simmons and Phipps on the bench, but if everyone plays to recent form, this team should go alright.
Two debutants for Wallabies as Cheika names team to play Ireland
I don’t disagree that this is close to the best team Queensland can put out, but I don’t see how you can disagree that is a weaker team for losing the input of four legendary players. Whether they are unavailable due to retirement or not is beside the point – they were there last year and are not this year, and Queensland on paper (in terms of leadership, experience, and key attacking and defensive stats) look the weaker for it.
I think you hit my nail on the head perfectly with your last two paragraphs. The assumption that this NSW side will gel and be amazing is not mine, it’s plastered across most of our sports media. If NSW continue to lose while carrying the weight of such expectation, there’ll be some long term issues to face up to. You’re correct that a win and attacking mindset provides a nucleus for future success. Continued disappointment would seem to have the opposite effect.
Now or never for NSW
That’s why Izzy’s the best, just gorgeous. Have to feel for Perese, really could do nothing but watch.
Reds vs Waratahs: Super Rugby live scores, blog
That’s why Izzy’s the best, just gorgeous. Have to feel for Perese, could really do nothing but watch.
Reds vs Waratahs: Super Rugby live scores, blog
I can usually get behind it in a Wallabies match, but the one-way Fox commentary does get a bit tiresome…
Reds vs Waratahs: Super Rugby live scores, blog
Because it’s fun. To be honest, with all the tournaments, tours, and trophies being thrown around all season, I think it’s quite nice (even quaint) to play a big game that means next to nothing – let’s all just enjoy the rugby.
Sure, there’ll be a financial win for some. And the players, I hope, will enjoy being a part of a very longstanding tradition. The coaching angle makes for good theatre, but I would think it’s pretty unreasonable for anyone to judge Cheika or Jones on an exhibition match.
All in all, I think everyone can get a little good out of this game, especially the fans who just get to have a good time. Nothing enduring will be achieved, you’re quite right, and I think that’s perfectly fine.
What is the point of the Barbarians game, honestly?
That’s certainly possible this time around. But to me that’s an even bigger indictment on the processes prior to this point. I find it hard to believe no one else put their hand up in 2015.
New coach, same problems?
From what I understand (and the concept is still pretty vague mind you), it seems that the intention is Super Rugby players could be contracted for a few months to play the IPRC. So conceivably, I suppose, a current Force player could sign with one of the remaining Super franchises, and then return to the Force to play in the IPRC later in the year – players still get top tier rugby, Force still gets to continue as part of some sort of pathway.
As more details emerge, Twiggy's Indo Pacific Rugby Championship should be supported
I get that basing QLD Country out of the Gold Coast seems a bit silly, and the GC certainly isn’t regional by any stretch of the imagination. But as a GCer, I enjoy supporting Country – mostly because I’m a realist and know that this town is a sporting graveyard, and isn’t going to support its own team. Plus, surely it’s better from a tribalism perspective to try and pit the smattering of GC fans against Brisbane.
The big problem is unfortunately inherent in one team representing such a vast geographic area. Either almost all the home games are played out of the GC (as has happened in past seasons), depriving you country folk of your team. Or the home games are divvied up across the state (which I believe is the case this season), but we all only get the one opportunity to attend a game (which is the whole fun of the NRC IMO).
Perhaps its best just to see it as an awkward compromise for the time being – I’m hoping with some patience that the competition will gradually pick up steam, and that in time we can tailor some additional teams for a better solution.
What exactly do we want the NRC to be?
Dally, definitely felt more pride this morning – perhaps I just needed the night to recover. Time will tell if the discipline is there for the Wallabies to bring that same effort and even more from here. You’re absolutely right that this must be the only way forward.
Bledisloe 2: Getting over the gap
Really appreciate the insight into the NSW system from your articles, but it does seem a tad narrow-minded to suggest that problems in NSW should result in the NRC being scrapped or a major overhaul of the competition. I think if you were to ask players from this year’s Reds or Rebels squads whether or not the NRC provides “…an actual pathway for players to Super rugby,” you might get a more positive response.
From the evidence you’ve laid out in your previous articles (and I’m relying on your expertise here), it seems more a case of NSW rugby needing to get more on board with the vision of competition, rather than needing changes to the competition to cater for the structural flaws of one province.
There must be incentives to play in the NRC