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There are three curiosities from this week in rugby.
1. The IRB appointed the following referees for the last 4 matches of the tournament:
France-England: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa)
South Africa-Argentina: Steve Walsh (New Zealand)
3-4 playoff: Paul Honiss (New Zealand)
Final: Alain Roland (Ireland)
Compare this list with the referees who officiated in last weekend’s quarter-finals:
Australia-England: Rolland
New Zealand-France: Wayne Barnes (England)
South Africa-Fiji: Alan Lewis (Ireland)
Argentina-Scotland: Joël Jutge (France)
Making the reasonable assumption that the best 4 referees have been appointed for the last 4 matches, one has to conclude that 3 second-best referees were appointed for last weekend’s quarter-finals.
What do rugby fans think about this curious situation?
It is already well documented how Kiwis feel about the seemingly misguided IRB experiment of giving the inexperienced Wayne Barnes a premature taste of the big-time.
And given that the Wallabies now have a record of zero wins from 4 matches under Rolland, how do Australians feel about him being endorsed as the best referee in the world?
2. The Australian Schoolboys beat their New Zealand counterparts for the first time in a decade. [Read article]
This is seemingly good news for Australian rugby fans. But then consider that the two stars of Australia’s previous win in 1997 were Craig Wing and Ryan Cross, and we all know what glittering careers they went on to have for … the Roosters in NRL.
Indeed, some of the 2007 Australian Schoolboys are already contracted to NRL clubs, while scouts are scrambling to sign up others.
Assuming these kids could be enticed back to rugby in 2-3 years, is it necessarily a bad thing that they go to the NRL now? After all, that will place them in a much more professional environment – and therefore will develop their skills and physiques better – than if they bide their time in (unpaid) club rugby.
And why is New Zealand Schoolboy rugby union largely exempt from such raids by league, even though it is an even deeper talent pool, and – exactly as in Australia – these kids cannot earn money in the short-term by staying in rugby?
3. Australian rugby lost doubly last weekend, firstly on the field against England, and secondly in that New Zealand’s subsequent loss almost certainly eliminates Robbie Deans from being the next Wallaby coach, because all the money is on him succeeding Graham Henry.
Eddie Jones has been mouthing off with a lot of rubbish in the Australian press this week, but one comment he did get right is that the ARU should seriously consider Jake White to take over from John Connolly.
Putting the above two points together, an interesting thought occurs: would it be stupid for the ARU to consider appointing Graham Henry as Wallaby coach?
One loss does not change that Henry is an excellent and highly experienced coach.
Henry is superb with the media, something that is vital in Australia, where rugby needs all the soundbites it can get in order to be heard above the other footballing codes. (By contrast, Robbie Deans matches Wayne Bennett in taciturnity when it comes to the media.)
Henry also has a brilliant track record at getting the best out of Polynesians, something of ever increasing importance in Australian rugby. Anyone who doubts this needs only to look at the names from the Schoolboys clash mentioned above. Probably in a sign of things to come at higher levels, this match could be described as Australian Polynesians versus New Zealand Polynesians.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.