The spirit of rugby is in good shape

Errr no, it isn't. You professed to write an article about Generation Y, but you *chose* the (essentially media-created) cliche of "the amigos" as the sole expression of it.

Have to agree those above who made the point that youngsters are pretty much the same whichever 'Gen' they belong. Australian Rugby for a very long time now has failed to preach the mantra of hard yakka; speed, accuracy and tireless support support support which has always been the essence of the 'Rugby Brain'. This has exposed our test sides which then sends us scurrying off to find the culprit(s). Had we been coaching better we may have not be too concerned with some of their antics which are no more than an expression of their times, their reality. The pill to take is to imagine JOC as a grand-parent having to reconcile himself that girl grandchild affectionately known as Brannie-X refused work experience on the space station University cafeteria because her 'girlfriends' are doing the Mars thing (don't ask me what that is - I've been dead for forty years).

The Americans never actually paid any of those taxes, Sheek. What they resented was the British sending the taxman to collect ONE tax on tea that was cheaper and better quality than the stuff they were smuggling in to avoid paying the tea tax.

Very good point RobC. When all is said and done, this is yet another article focused on the glamour boys (by which I mean backs in general!) which is a shame.

Points are correct, but misplaced The less we hear about backs as the match winners and saviours of teams and the code, the better for Australia The Gen Y conversation should be about Gill Hooper Pyle Skelton Ryan Slipper Wykes

JOC,Beale will always be the Burger boys, tarnished in the game. And they' along with Quade, and Diggers, will all be the amigos, we won't forget. Haveing feeds at Hungry jacks late at night in a Lion's series, disgraceful, gotta feel for Deans, "remember him".

The three amigos played very well for their country. They did their talking on the field. I read plenty of criticism of Beale as "an amigo", and all the criticism accomplished nothing useful. Fortunately Tahs stepped in with practical support, and look at the result now - the carry-on from some critics (not accusing you of that) did absolutely nothing to achieve that. Cooper said some silly things at times (often egged on by others, I suspect) but the bottom line is that he got out there and played for his country. I doubt JOC's huge ego took a hit, since he is well regarded OS. He probably also now has a better view of how parochial Australian rugby can be. If he comes back he'll get a test slot again, and continue to deliver stirling performances on the field, while we fans watch safely from the side.

Nice one Rickety, there are many fine young ambassadors of the game in this Country. Pocock is a standout but there are many, many others also. The act formerly known as " The three amigos " hopefully is history. Cooper has reformed and now a leader of the Wallabies, Beale seems rejuvenated back in Sydney under Cheika, let's hope he stays on the straight and narrow. JOC huge ego took a huge hit having to head o/s, lets hope he returns a mature and rounded / grounded person. Australian Rugby is not in a position to discard such a talent. Let's hope Link and all the Super coaches continue to build the right culture for our players to flourish in.

This was an article on nostalgia, a throwback to the amatuer era and dreaming about the past, about how things were "back then", and the old values of rugby you want to come back into the game. Rickety Knees, would you object if rugby went back to being amatuer, many baby boomers actually say rugby was better in the amatuer era, and the values and traditions are lost on the younger generation, who don't appreaciate rugby, "like we did back then in the good old days", amatuerism.

100% agree

Awesome karlos - couldn't have put it better :grin:

"...as he plies his trade in the relative anonymity of Europe" Thanks RK, I couldn't stop laughing. Mind you, some dopey European will probably think you are serious and go on about "Aussies who don't understand that they are actually the ones in relative anonymity". But don't you worry about them.

I've been coaching u/19s or younger since 1980 and I'm telling you kids are basically the same.

Yeah in the good old days everyone was an angel. Were they f---k. If this article is suggesting behaiviour of players has gone down in recent years youre dellusional. The modern era demands players behave to standards that past players were never subject to. Players are better behaved now by miles the difference is the the media scrutiny and the fact that if a player farts today we know what it smelled like within the hour on the internet. For example, it was social media that gave up the Burgergate scandal of 2013 and what a scandal that was. I still cant believe that JOC went to Hungry Jacks! Hes a monster and must be stopped.

Holy shiznits! Former English colonies and England have not been peacefull!!!! America is constently at war and England isnt far behind. Other former colonies or countries (or part there of) include South Africa, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Burma, Zimbabwe, Northern Ireland, Palistine etc. Thats a sweeping statement Sheek and an incorrect one. The justice system and political system isnt perfect but its one of the better ones though.

How impressive were Toua and Speight! If the current bunch of Wallabies and super 15 superstars, of all generations, Y, Z whatever,, (lets include the management of the game at the top levels), showed half the gratitude and humbleness of these two, the game would be in great shape.

What you said.

Karlos we're not that interested in a list of your web browser history. What did you think of RK's article?