The ‘couch experts’ out there in Australia have massive televisions, booming surround sound and watch just as much sport as the selectors or so called ‘expert’ commentators.
Most sport fans spread their joy for many sports but always have one or two they consider themselves in love with.
They feel like they are part of the action, endure the sport’s ups and downs and don’t want to see it in any harm.
I grew up playing rugby union, cricket and football and was most fond for them in that order.
But I have fallen out with rugby, and we hardly even speak any more.
Like others who dated her before, I grew tired of penalty shootouts by quality kickers and haven’t seen running rugby in years.
She’s a shade of her former self, especially since cohorting with a Kiwi lover who has destroyed her image.
Michael Cheika has taken her off my hands, he’s trying to get some energy and fizz back in the sport and good luck to him.
I implore him to continue to buck the trends of world rugby and hopefully some of the other coaches/rugby organisations may follow him.
Someone is going to have to point out to those prudes in the northern hemisphere competitions, as well as within our national ranks, just how good rugby looks these days at the Waratahs.
I really hope Cheika has a long-lasting love and can change the way it is admired around the world.
I was watching the Brumbies-Reds game on Saturday evening and it was quite a labor-intensive early season game.
I am not expecting mistake-free footy at this time of the year but I am at least hoping for teams to not continually kick away possession and hope for penalties. I’d fallen asleep by the time the late tries came.
For rugby fans out there I put out this public warning:
Don’t get comfy in that lavish couch. Don’t turn down the booming subwoofer or turn off the light, because rugby is that boring at present she will put you to sleep and I’m not sure she has that special touch to get you up and going again.
If you have seen rugby looking good and showing off her skills lately, let me know and I will make a comment or two.
Love to hear what your thoughts on the upcoming Super Rugby season are and who your predictions for the winner are.
The_Big_Big_Show
Roar Rookie
im up for any radical changes that stop these kickers dominating world rugby. I don;t care how much practice they put in. I don't pay coin to go watch goal kicking.
Greg
Guest
I think the best thing to do would be to have all penalty goals taken as drop kicks, with the kicker only getting say 15 seconds to kick the ball. That would mean far less stopage time, less attempts at goal, and we wouldn't have bloody f steyn ruining games by blasting them from 60 m out.
Justin2
Guest
Simple, short arm penalties that you can do anything with except kick for goal. Goal kicks only for foul play, offside and one or two other offences. Think ELVs except you can kick for touch on short arms and you have a sensational game...
Justin2
Guest
What for? They played a game of Carter hoofing it very proficiently into space with a sensational kick chase. And a game on moving the ball from turnovers to the opposite side of the field quickly. It was simplistic and efficient. Running rugby? Not in my view The Brumbies with Larkham and co in their pomp? Now you are talking...
AndyS
Guest
As opposed to two guys in every team...
Sprigs
Guest
Don Clarke could kick a leather ball over from 65 yards.
The_Big_Big_Show
Roar Rookie
I can't see why you reduce the try 2 and 5 is a better percentage. more encouragement to get over the stripe. More forwards will score trys. One for the good guys.
AndyS
Guest
Go back to leather balls.
bennalong
Guest
Penalties 2 tries 4 .....................would do a lot!
bennalong
Guest
Hi Sailosi Check out the Crusaders under Deans! (they're still pretty good)
The_Big_Big_Show
Roar Rookie
Valid arguement. whats the solution. Scrap the penalty shot ? reduce the points? make them kick blindfolded or on non-preferred? its an on-going battle but a decision needs to be made by all Rugby organisations involved.
mitzter
Guest
"EIther reduce the points or make it so a penalty goal can not be an option unless more than 40 metres out from goal." The problem is not teams kicking at goal when they are close, it's teams kicking at goal from the halfwayline. They were not about to score a try so why should they get the reward of 3 pts (or the ball back on the halfwayline if they miss due to the dropout).
The_Big_Big_Show
Roar Rookie
Oh i like that idea, more skill involved. Eventually penalty takers will become just as good with more practice. Seems a good short term fix for a much wider issue.
big ol prop
Guest
Just make penalties a drop kick instead of off the tee
The_Big_Big_Show
Roar Rookie
I remember playing it as a junior. Its where the result does not hinge on which team has a better penalty kicker. EIther reduce the points or make it so a penalty goal can not be an option unless more than 40 metres out from goal.
Sailosi
Guest
What is running rugby?