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Electronic Swagman

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Regarding Penrith, I also think Bribane’s forwards played very well. It showed how big and powerful they could be when they finally get it together.

Eight talking points from NRL Round 6

I am not sure it was evident between 2009 and Razor’s first title in 2017. That’s a long time without a title to then compile 4 on the trot. I have no vested interest in the Crusaders except I was fascinated by their success that included winning a title in SA, winning every minor premiership I think, and playing extremely attractive football as well. Even this year without a lot of players and with the loss of Read etc, they emerged to win SRA.

Are the All Blacks staring into the abyss?

Watching the Razor coached Crusaders I was always struck by the level of resilience they displayed along with the creative backs play. Their ability to absorb punishment was quite extraordinary and to do it victoriously over so many campaigns made him the obvious candidate for the ABs.
To win four consecutive titles in the different iterations of Super Rugby defies description, but so too does the decision to not reward him with the national team.

Are the All Blacks staring into the abyss?

I found the game compelling which is important simply because I drifted to the NRL in the Cheika era. So I represent the type of person who can be returned by a team playing with heart, where I feel the selections are based on form, and where I don’t have to watch the national coach behaving like a moron.
I thought Hodge added simplicity and direction which was refreshing. It is a huge bonus to have someone who might be able to capitalise on penalties from over half way, as well as not having to switch position in defence but rather hit hard. Structurally these are very important assets that might suggest he could be retained for the first half of tests at least. I thought his distribution was quite effective as well.

Five talking points from Bledisloe 4

Gee. I wonder if there’s a pattern with Jones: Clover Moore, Gladys Berejiklian, Jacinda Ardern, Julia Gillard and Raelene Castle all given different versions of the “sew her into a sugar bag and throw her into the sea” treatment. Stop me if I’m wrong but it’s almost like he has some sort of problem with women in authority.

The Wrap: Revealed! The real reason why the Wallabies bombed out of the World Cup

I watched my 5 year old grandson’s team get beaten at soccer recently and was impressed that he had to deal with the notion of ‘losing’, probably for the first time. It was a big concept to process but he did so after crying a bit, and getting comfort from both parents before happily running off to play with his mates. The next week he didn’t score and his friends did, prompting another round of tears. Again he got over it with plenty of support.
That’s a fair degree of reality to process for a little boy, but my sense was it was healthy and appropriate, and I do wonder what happens if it doesn’t occur.

The woke Waratahs need some resilience to become winners

I think Reynolds now has a bad back injury so he is no longer an option.

How the NSW Blues can win Origin 2

Who was Charlemagne’s grandfather’s defence coach and did he have them all switching positions every play?

The Wallabies should take a tip from Charlemagne

Andy F – I’m not trying to ‘get’ anywhere. I’m just back from a month in India. I’d say it about that system as well – after thousands of years people living in abject poverty because they belong to a certain caste. I’d say it of Muslims as well. I’ve worked in Aboriginal Australia, and I’d say it of that culture as well. If you think a giant worm created the world then you aren’t going to adapt to the new world.
I’ve just read an interesting article about the good Christain whites of Alabama, who as they lynched or set their dogs on blacks, they clutched their bibles. Izzy might have been one of the ones they lynched, what with him being so big and strong and everything. So, I stand by my point. These deeply tribal religious beliefs are cults and spurn stupid ideas like Folau’s “gays will burn” rants. Enough – to ALL of them!

Israel Folau digs in for the fight of his professional life

Just as an aside, I am interested in the ‘free speech’ angle from another perspective. A child is indoctrinated from birth in a religion and community that draws its inspiration from the beliefs of the 16th Century, and, in the seeming absence of any critical thinking, or any interest in individual thought, spouts that doctrine with ‘gays will burn in hell’ style rhetoric, despite the evidence that this kind of hate harms people at a profound level.
Is this really ‘free speech’ representing his ‘beliefs’ or the ravings of an indoctrinated idiot?

Israel Folau digs in for the fight of his professional life

I wonder if Hooper will come out in support like he did with Beale?

Folau to fight Rugby Australia on sacking after meeting RUPA boss

I was recently in Berlin and stood in front of the Reichstag, In front of me were a gay couple, one of whom was a black man, holding hands. How times change!
In a time not too far distant, Israel Folau’s doctrine gave succour to cops who pushed young gay men off cliffs in Sydney, to bullies who taunted children in playgrounds and that stopped loving people being able to walk down the street.
Folau can say what he wants surrounded by his brethren, but RA are operating in the modern world with modern values.

Israel Folau does not deserve the sack

I wonder if players will respond to a shift in the power balance in the Wallabies. If they think that they might now be considered for selection with the 3-man panel, and are responding to that opportunity, we might see some inspired form. It’s just a fact of human nature that if players feel the ‘fix’ is in with players like Hanigan having an inside run, they will be dispirited or go overseas.

The Wallabies need to drop some of their Waratahs stalwarts

Although it does appear that England have settled on Farrell at No 10 and Elliot Daly at No 15.

Combinations and chemistry take time. Why haven't we been patient?

On a slightly different tack, I have just returned after 6 weeks in Ireland, watching one sold out Leinster v Edinburgh game. The support for Irish Rugby is palpable: kids carrying balls down the street looking fit and lean, women talking about the players and upcoming matches like AFL women do.
Beyond that, it is the perfect thing for the youth of Ireland according to people I spoke to. Heroes standing tall and winning after centuries of denigration as being stupid Paddies.
This has implications beyond Rugby to the Irish, a validation of their culture, coming at a time of such disruption with Brexit.
What also stands out is how healthy the rugby system seems to be. All the dialogue is about rugby rather than broken systems and dysfunctional management.

The biter bit: Ireland wrong-foot the All Blacks in Dublin

My sense is that this team is structurally sound, without the endless moving parts in defence, with a back row big enough to perform their core roles well, and some serious grunt with Kerevi in the middle. Only questions: Do Dempsey and Samu jump well enough at test level? Would Kerevi and Petaia handle the defence in the centres? If not, then maybe stick with them until they do.

Wallabies selector wanted. How hard can it be?

I look at real coaches in the box, people like Schmidt, Hansen and pretty much all the others, and you see professionals observing whether strategy is working and developing responses. Cross to Cheika barracking for ‘his lads’, being ‘passionate’ by mouthing “f..ing cheats’ not once but twice to the cameras at Twickenham last year, railing against scrum penalities on Saturday.
No wonder the onfield decisions of his captain have a ‘death or glory’ feel to them.

Lost: Wallabies’ game management nous

Some random points:
I recently spent 6 weeks in Ireland and was overwhelmed by the support of the Irish Rugby team from young people and women, as well as crustly old men. Interestingly they have an Australian, David Nucifora, shunned by Gregan and co, as Coaching Director. The Irish are clearly administered with intelligence and foresight.
I listened to all the games last night and there was none of the whinging Kearn’s nonsense of barracking for the Australians and blaming referees. Commentators were there to commentate which they did impartially.
I watched coaches in their respective boxes analysing their teams performances and making strategic decisions. Except for the extraordinarily crass Michael Cheika doing his usual impersonation of an enraged baboon on amphetamine.
And finally, who would have though that an Australian captain who knifed his coach in the back to support an errant Kurtley Beale, and his provincial coach, the aforementioned baboon, could possible go wrong?
Not quite finally. Anyone who sang the praises of Hooper, who is on about 1.5 million dollars a turnover, should reassess their knowlege of rugby.

Heads must roll as Cheika's Wallabies lose against Wales with stupid play

Who would have thought that an Australian Rugby captain who knifed his coach in the back in order to support Kurtley Beale’s misconduct, which in turn paved the way for the very definition of an Aussie bogan as coach, could have turned out so badly.

The Wrap: Cheika and Jones both losers, but heading down very different paths

I was watching the game from an internet-challenged Mumbai and had to wait until I got home to see that gem of a try by Barrett down the blindside. It seems to sum up the best of the All Blacks perfectly, with the well-considered strategy of the coaching group working in tandem with skills of the players, not to mention the power and speed of Rieko Ioane.
Brains + Skill + Speed.

Do the Wallabies have reason to be cheerful from Bledisloe 3?

That Ardie Savea is a beast. I noticed he’s only 25 and only going to get stronger.

All Blacks beat Wallabies in Japan to secure Bledisloe clean sweep

It is a bit of a Catch 22 for a new coach. One of the conditions will be that a new coach will probably have to agree to select the Six Million Dollar Ball Boy who is being paid about 1.3 million dollars a turnover. And no professional international coach would have him in the run-on side let alone captain. What to do?

Michael Cheika must go, but who should replace him?

“And if he plays good enough in Super Rugby, then he’ll get an opportunity I’d imagine like any other player”

His English is on par with his selections!

Cheika supports Ashley-Cooper comeback

I envisage one issue with a new coach would be keeping Hooper in the team so that the administrators don’t look stupid. That’s the rub because a decent international coach wouldn’t have him anywhere near a run-on side.
It will be interesting to see what Hooper eventually pockets if his 6 million is broken down per breakdown steal. At the moment I’d rate it at $1,500,000 per turnover.

My coaching panel to restore the Wallabies to success after the 2019 Rugby World Cup

Yep. Ardie Savea did more in 15 minutes. He is the protype of the new Number Seven.

Brilliant Beauden Barrett bags All Blacks another Bledisloe Cup

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