Roar Rookie
Joined November 2013
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The number one goal and priority for me is for the Wallabies to be the best rugby team in the world. I want to…
Before I introduce the solution, let me highlight the problems with the professional rugby competitions in the Southern Hemisphere. The problem with SRP is…
The way forward for Super Rugby is simple and exciting. First, Super Rugby AU and Super Rugby Aotearoa should be played with six teams…
I want to make an appeal to my fair-minded Kiwi friends on The Roar. Let me tell you the plan, and then let me…
Like gold being refined and purified by fire, Super Rugby Aotearoa has refined the New Zealand players and balanced the New Zealand teams to…
If the main issue for New Zealand Rugby is increased injuries and player welfare due to the intensity of a straight Super Rugby Aotearoa,…
With the first two rounds of Super Rugby Trans-Tasman completed, it might be assumed that the problem for the Australian Super Rugby teams is…
When it comes to the domestic rugby landscape in Australia, Super Rugby needs to continue into the near future. Rugby at Super Rugby level…
While not necessarily my preference, this is my prediction of what I think the rugby landscape will look like from 2022 onwards. My purpose…
There are a lot of reasons why Super Rugby stopped working, especially for Australian fans. But I’ve sometimes wondered if one of the reasons…
Why don't we restructure Super Rugby into three conferences of six teams each. Teams would play every other side in their own conference twice,…
We could talk about structural problems in Australian rugby, mongrel among the forwards, lack of depth, or the fact that Australia's best athletes are…
It's time to admit the Wallabies just don’t have the capacity to be number one, or even number two in the world. We’re just…
What a game! The final of the 2014 Super Rugby season was a real ding-dong battle. NSW were the team to beat this year,…
It seems the New Zealand Rugby Union and South African Rugby Union have already put their eggs firmly in the Super Rugby basket, and…
With the three SANZAR countries all having different agendas and trying to map out the way forward for Super Rugby, I wondered if another…
Whatever the truth is, it just goes to show that when we don’t know the full story, we can be too quick to over-judge based only on plausible assumptions.
And then when the full story comes out, we want to find a way to defend our initial assumptions because we fear what it might say about us otherwise.
'I feel terrible, but...: Defiant Eddie Jones unveiled as Japan coach, JRFU reveals their version of THAT Zoom call
And yet, according to GainLine Analytics, the teams that (consistently) win across all professional competitions, have the highest numbers for ‘cohesion’ according to how GL defines and measures it—including for teams people usually throw up as exceptions and counter arguments.
Seeing the advantage of cohesion (as defined and measured by GainLine) doesn’t mean we should cut SR teams to achieve it.
Another accolade for Panthers: Best sporting team in Australasia - and it's bad news for AFL in cross-code wars
Silly.
Humility cuts both ways: Brett Clark and the QRU deserve the same scrutiny as Hamish McLennan
The reason has almost nothing to do with pathways. NZ rugby has no where near the same competition as Australian rugby.
Humility cuts both ways: Brett Clark and the QRU deserve the same scrutiny as Hamish McLennan
You might be surprised how many times I’ve thought we’ve finally turned a corner over the last 15 years.
New chair says Aussie rugby must end 'sugar hit' approach, 'fears' for game's future if reform doesn't occur quickly
Most people backed Eddie at the start. He was hugely popular, but then went off the rails.
New chair says Aussie rugby must end 'sugar hit' approach, 'fears' for game's future if reform doesn't occur quickly
That’s uncalled for AgainAgain. He’s entitled to his opinion as you are. Please don’t shame people for having a minority opinion. And let’s all respect those with whom we disagree.
Sorry for being a tone troll, I’ve got my own foibles.
New chair says Aussie rugby must end 'sugar hit' approach, 'fears' for game's future if reform doesn't occur quickly
Thanks for your article, Geoff. Coming from the outside—so to speak—I think you offer a helpful opinion, and a lens important for Wallabies supporters to look through. Enjoy your break.
ANALYSIS: McLennan's fatal blind spot, and why his exit leaves Australian rugby in a better place and a worse one
He gave his reasons.
There are always two sides to the story. Most of us only ever see one side.
'What a shame': McLennan GONE as Rugby Australia name World Cup-winner chairman to bookend wild year
I wouldn’t hold my breath. I reckon he might fight.
Exclusive: Embattled chair asks for extension, Rugby Australia meet AGAIN as civil war breaks out
HM’s final move should be, “Ok, I’ll sign a written agreement to resign after the centralisation model is agreed to and in place”.
Everybody’s happy.
Exclusive: Embattled chair asks for extension, Rugby Australia meet AGAIN as civil war breaks out
To be fair, HM’s mistakes have done a lot more damage to rugby in Australia than the individual state directors over time. And so I can understand people’s anger at him.
And I can understand the states not wanting to give up power to someone who might make similar decisions to HM.
But I agree with you. New Chairs, CEO’s, coaches, etc. won’t solve the problems with rugby in this country. That problem can only be solved when the states give up their power for the greater good.
I’d like to believe the states are truly concerned for the greater good and that’s why they are making this move before they give up power.
My fear is they are making this move so that they don’t have to give up as much power.
States not RA the issue Australian rugby is facing as Wallabies great calls on reform measures to be backed
Looks like it’s now best for him to go. Can’t have that level of division.
'No longer have any trust or faith': Rugby Australia chairman told to resign by SIX states, EGM looms with 'gloves off'
If they were to reduce teams, it would be something like that: the Brumbies to expand their region to include Victoria and Melbourne, and play some games there.
Should make a deal with NZR to allow Rebels to play in NPC as condition since 4 teams is to their benefit as well.
Having said that, I’m not sure RA have the appetite to reduce.
Key hire that must happen BEFORE Wallabies can recruit new coach, why Brumbies are stalling on RA plan
Yes!
Key hire that must happen BEFORE Wallabies can recruit new coach, why Brumbies are stalling on RA plan
I predict not much will change this year from last. We underestimate how much of an advantage the NPC gives the NZ teams. And good for them.
ANALYSIS: Every Super Rugby team rated - and why Australia will make up ground on New Zealand
It certainly is a depressing competition
ANALYSIS: Every Super Rugby team rated - and why Australia will make up ground on New Zealand
Sorry guys, but it’s silly to get your hopes up on this kind of article.
Oz have always had the talent. ABs gone through several ‘rebuilding’ stages. But still no chocolates.
Talent is not enough. Good coaching is not enough. NZ SR teams always stronger due to NPC. ABs always stronger because their stronger SR teams.
When NZR shaves 2-3 NPC teams, NZ SR teams will be even stronger! And ABs will be even strong.
Plus, NZ now have a coach who understands the contribution of TWI to a team’s performance and explicitly says that was the secret to his success at Crusaders.
Centralisation in Australia won’t be a silver bullet. We need a purpose-built third tier in 2nd half of year if we want to strengthen SR teams and match ABs.
I wrote an article on it. The model I suggested (and which many others have proposed) doesn’t have to be long term third tier, or even long term structure for OZ rugby, but does need to be immediate solution to make an impact in time for Lions and home WC.
'Talent to beat the All Blacks': Ex-Wallabies coach's bold call following 'hash of a year'
Yes, I think the right team won in the end. I felt very similar when England beat the Wallabies in 2003 WC final.
Anything but a snorefest: Revisiting one of the most fascinating RWC finals ever
“We were robbed by unfairness and unluckiness. But full credit to the other team. They truly deserved the win.”
SPIRO ZAVOS: 'Crazy brave' Boks are a team for the ages - but key decisions cleared their path to glory
Thanks for your article, Brett.
What Australian rugby fans have had to endure I wouldn’t wish upon any other country.
We can barely celebrate a great Boks win, or empathise with how gutted our kiwi cousins must feel, before we’re distracted by our own woes again.
I almost want to apologise for stealing the show with our own problems… again.
I’m sure in the end it will only make us stronger and more humble and more respectful of others. But we need the right leaders.
Have a lovely Christmas.
The joy of Rugby World Cup celebrations only ruined by Eddie Jones’ final act
Hey Jez, didn’t you once suggest an idea to build over the SR teams with two teams (one called the Drop Bears), and then have the SR teams + a few more play underneath them in a domestic comp? Or do I have that wrong?
Forget Eddie's Coogee circus, the biggest questions Australian rugby must answer were revealed in Paris
Picking a young inexperienced team was the reason the Wallabies did so poorly at the WC—that, and trying to adjust to a new game plan. No coach could have got them to perform better given those two factors. So that was Eddie’s blunder.
But the slow decline in Wallabies competitiveness since 2005 is not due to the coach. This has been demonstrated again and again by changing coaches.
The worst thing that RA could do is sack another coach. Let’s just move on and let this become extra motivation for him.
'I’ve taken a different persona': The changing face of Cheika - and why Los Pumas needed him to 'evolve'
Problem with Wallabies is not the coach. Solution for the Wallabies is not a different coach. Changing coach won’t solve the problem. Let’s move on.
'I’ve taken a different persona': The changing face of Cheika - and why Los Pumas needed him to 'evolve'
Speaks a lot of sense.
'It was remarkable RA couldn't see it': Quade slams Eddie chaos, praises 'phenomenal' McKellar