Eales wants Wallabies to create own legacy

Abs went into sun Corp 2011 decider at full strength. Gracious in defeat. Not.

Tahs suck

I'll be happy with a game plan.

How good is king Carlos' cutout pass to get mortlock over the line. Rocokoko couldn't even catch him

I'm picking the aussies will come right by the next world cup, so long as they build key combinations, develop a healthy competition for starting spots, keep players in consistent position. They really should forget about the bledisloe and RC this year, dont even talk about it, dont have the expectation of winning either of them. They should spend the year learning to work as a team, develop their game plan (or at least get a game plan), learn to connect as players and learn to trust each other. They should just acknowledge the fact that they are rebuilding and there are going to be losses, yes be competitive and play to win, but, they need to be a little more realistic IMO and set a long term target for the WC where by then they have gained experience together, a few more years under their belts etc etc I'm clearly an ABs fan but actually enjoy watching JOC(K) play just give the guy space for crying out loud! I want to see the wallabies really competitive, I want to be on the edge of my seat again for 80mins instead of placing bets as to how many times QC or whoever will drop the ball etc But these guys need time, put your focus on the WC and forget the rest. If you get a trophy on the way then well done, Just need to convince your media to stop talking the wallabies up so much, the hype vs the results never add up!

Not that year - though i do watch the Aussie / NZ Semi once a week on my ipad...the kick off makes me chortle every time!

"9th is a great achievement with a side packed full of current Wallabies, including the world’s best LHP, hooker, openside, no.8, outside centre and fullback. " --------------------- LMAO! Its like you read Phil Kearn's mind and wrote down everything he thinks word for word. Priceless +1

I agree we need to do something about the marketing of the game to the general public, whilst also keeping a fine balance with the interest of corporate Australia. Personally I don't mid paying $400 a year for my Reds Membership as I thinks its pretty good value. However I do object that anyone should have to fork out about that much to take the family to a single test and sit in a pretty average seat and pay $7 for a beer and about the same for a meat pie! And I like my pies! I have no intention of attending the Springbok Test in Brisbane this year but will happily spend much less and have a good night at home with family and friends with some good steak and wine! The game needs to be given back to the people on a cost level and the crowds will come if we start getting some results.

Bungendore is a village east of Canberra in NSW. It's on the Kings Hwy heading towards Braidwood and Bateman's Bay, a favourite route for the hordes of Canberran's that flea the city on the weekends.

I get your point and I like Michael Hawker, but I wish these multi millionaires would do more for the average fan than their bank balances. O'Neil set the mould for just giving themselves huge pay checks that is now set in stone. Thank goodness we had those Lions fans here.

Agree and as I said I expect some OZ wins, just not consistently. Don't get me wrong, I think Australia does incredibly well considering the base of players. However you do need 2 wins out of 3 to get the Bledisloe back, and that is a bit tougher. Also we are in for an interesting RC, I don't expect the ABs to win it at a canter (if they win it), it will be more even this year.

I understand your point of view Kebab but I don't agree with it. In the previous administration under Jon O'Neill its my understanding he had a good working relationship with Matt Carroll. I understand they were also a package at Soccer Australia. Clearly they have a good working relationship and can work together. This is replicated in many facets of business. I have a mate who was head hunted recently and he said as long as his team came with him, and they did. Is that job for your mates or just good business to ensure your getting a successful team into your house? As for Pulver and Hawker being old school mates could be viewed in a 'job for your mates' perspective but then why is not the ARU then stacked with other Shore Old Boys? Pulver and Hawker appear to be both very successful in the business life, know each other and can work together. Is that not a good thing? If you are going to pay a bloke a big wedge you would want to make sure your CEO can work with his board I would think. Is that not reasonable and prudent? Mate I am note sure about the millions being splashed around. Where does that come from? I actually thought the ARU just became flush with cash after the BIL series TV rights etc in which credit should be given to O'Neill who did that deal. Can you tell us more about that? I think the ARU has a massive task ahead of them, especially in the development of the game, in particularly the results of our U 20's in recent times is questionable. Our schoolboys seem to alright but for those not making Super 15 squads straight up they seem to fall behind the rest quickly. This is an area of big concern. The sacking of Robbie Deans was probably Bill Pulver and the ARU boards biggest decision in recent times. I think its a little early to tell if there has been an improvement or not, so I will keep an open mind.

So do the Kiwi's jez, don't let Bazza try to fool you!

Oh I see, sorry I misunderstood you.

Jobs for your mates. Keep it in house. Thats the problem with the ARU administration it is just splashing $$$$millions of ith no accountability or improvement. Eales is part of it so though Eales is a complete legend his words don't mean much as he is part of that spin of the ARU he won't say harsh truths.

The way you tell it FOS the entire QLD is deserving of being capped. They did by the Crusaders. Not sure people in glass houses should be throwing such big rocks... Even if it is just because you don't appreciate critical comment regarding anything remotely Queensland. It all sounds a bit incestuous from the outside.

I wonder how many of the people that are saying that jake white isn't boring are the same ones who said deans was boring. Fact is jake white has no plan b. it's a, a and if a isn't working stick to a. Mckenzie can play various styles but people forget that he got sacked from the tahs for being too conservative. Just because he plays expansive at the reds doesn't mean we'll see the same for the wallabies. And I don't think too many tahs think Robinson is the best loose head in the world he is just head and shoulders above everyone in Australia

I think you are reading far more into my comment than was there Justin! I was just warning John Eales against placing reliance on how we go in the first match or matches under Ewen, as being a reliable indicator of future performance - sometimes the result is actually quite different. Ewen may bomb in his first few matches then come good. Or vice versa. "but that was largely Connelly squad" Well apart from Deans not having Stephen Larkham, Stirling Mortlock or George Gregan. And bringing in Wyclif Palu to replace Stephen Hoiles, and TPN to replace Adam Freier. And starting some newbie called Horwill. And having completely different wingers etc etc. And resurrecting the career of Benn Robinson to replace Matt Dunning. No, apart from those minor details it was EXACTLY Connolly's team from the previous 3N! Actually only six of the starting 15 were the same and they weren't all playing in the same positions. Let's hope Ewen emulates Robbie's first match against the ABs, and not the following 10 matches!

I agree with you, that its a better way to put it: "Australia will rarely put a world beating team on the park, always a mix of a few world class players and a lot of journeymen." That doesn't mean we can't beat the ABs, just that we need to win in spite of our comparative talent levels, not because of them. Be aware of our limitations in certain areas, and play with brains to minimize them.

Australians care!