Heaps going on in Australian rugby of late and we thought it would be worth unearthing the trusty old Q&A session format that has gone so well in the past. So get your questions in now, and I’ll be online today for 90 minutes, from midday AEST.
For starters, Super Rugby has been simultaneously surprising and predictable. Plenty of teams that were expected to do well are, while a few teams expected to struggle are playing very well, too.
The home-team advantage has taken on extra importance in 2014, with the win rate in favour of the home side still sitting up near 80%, and that’s despite three teams winning away from home in Round 8. Furthermore, it’s remarkable it’s taken this long for Australian and New Zealand teams to win in South Africa.
Is the Western Force’s current, well-deserved top-six position an indication of a shift in power with Australian rugby? What do we make of the Chiefs, after two get-out-of-jail draws in South Africa, and a major blow in the form of Aaron Cruden’s broken thumb? Are the Crusaders getting back into their groove, or was last week’s win the anomaly? And has the Lions’ bubble finally burst, even before they leave Africa?
Today’s Q&A is probably a good closer to our recent interactions with Bill Pulver, too. For one thing, I was quite surprised to read that Australia’s preferred model for Super Rugby beyond 2015 was cast aside – to the point that I actually wonder how hard the ARU pushed it, or argued for it.
Pulver’s subsequent admission over the weekend that “we don’t always make decisions that are exclusively for the good of Australian rugby” was staggering in its frankness, but more so that the head of a national sporting body would make decisions for the benefit of anyone other than the constituents they are employed to represent.
Can you ever envisage Andrew Demitriou saying, “We don’t always make decisions that are exclusively for the good of Australian Rules football”? Neither can I.
Equally worrying for Australian rugby are reports the player’s association continued to push the trans-Tasman model to SANZAR in Singapore recently. It’s hardly the first time, but it’s never a good look for the game when the ARU and RUPA are on not just different pages, but in completely different books.
So please, start firing in your questions now, and I’ll be online live from midday to cover as many as possible in 90 minutes.
Australian rugby, the ARU, Super Rugby, expansion, whatever. It’s all worth talking about. Heck, you can even ask when I’ll stop tipping against your team, if it’s really causing that much angst.
See you online from midday.
Magic Sponge
Guest
Genia was one of the great half backs of all time, until the box kick. AGREE with all Roarers ban the Genia box kick and his game will flourish
p.Tah
Guest
Sheek, my comment wasn't directed at anyone in particular, but I include myself in there at times. A bit snowed under at the moment but I may write an article on it. I don't have an issue with people criticising, my gripe sits with the often uninformed rant that can occur. I think we all recognise those posts. I'm not including you in the uninformed rant category, by the way :) I read Bartlett's spray. As an ex player and a former advisor on AFL rules he is well positioned to criticise the evolution of the game and it's rules.
Benny A's Tackle
Guest
Thanks Brett
RobC
Roar Guru
Sorry I missed the window, Brett. I wondered what you think re the future of club Rugby. And the top three things Rugby needs to achieve (not necessarily tying it to ARU, or state RUs)
RobC
Roar Guru
I may be imagining this, but I think the Tahs doesn't seem to have coordinated leadership to control the team - especially then things are tough on the field. Reds, Brumbies, Force, even Rebs its clear. For the Tahs, it seems a bit too coach centric - probably not a bad thing in the past. But the sustainable solution is to develop their leadership team. Right it seems a bit like the forward do their bit, then the backs do their bit. If true, I'm guessing their coach already knows this.
RobC
Roar Guru
I can think of three turnovers involving Genia, none involving kicks. - One was forward pass on the left wing - to Lucas I think. Would have been a great pass otherwise. - Second was when he was creamed from behind before he passed, on attack in or near Force 22m. I think it happened a couple of times. - The third was when he was tackled also attacking re Force redzone. After turnover it was quick ball to the wing to Cummins, then a one or two rucks later try. Force on the other hand, I dont recall too many fumbles. When they had the ball, the didn't make mistakes, and moved it sure-handedly.
RobC
Roar Guru
In the force game, I think QC has shown he can run again. Unfortunately, the loose part of his game also returned with it. I hope it doesn't happen again. Both he and Genia are currently the poster boys for forward passes. They should also reign this in deliberately until the refs take the radar off them.
RobC
Roar Guru
re Reds backrow - they need seasoned campaigners at top level, not just weight/strength. Higgers loss to Rebs was the key loss in the last couple of years. Samo the other. They do to what Rabbitohs did, and import high impact backrow from NH.
sheek
Roar Guru
p.Tah, To answer your question to Brett more seriously, I'm perhaps one of those people you're directing your remarks to. The thing is, I base my opinions on what I know or can perceive. That's all any of us can do in our situation. I acknowledge that if I were in Pulver's position, with info not available to me now, I might make some decisions differently. Maybe. However, I was fascinated to read today that AFL great Kevin Bartlett has launched a savage attack on the AFL Commission, accusing it of knowing 'stuff all' about the game. Bartlett says, "They might be captains of industry, they might know how to run Woolworths or a Bunnings, tell you about finances and what to buy on the stock exchange, but I reckon they know stuff all about footy." Go Kevvie! And his blast at the nine person board includes outgoing CEO Andrew Demetriou & chairman Mike Fitzpatrick ( a premiership captain) who both played in the VFL extensively. So I retain a healthy cynicism that while Pulver & co are obviously smart people, they are also human, wedded to their own beliefs & agendas, & consequently prone to mistakes like any of us. Therefore, I don't take anything at face value from anyone in authority until I understand the motivation &/or ambition driving them. I recommend you read Bartlett's broadside. It's a, um, err, blast!
In Brief
Guest
Fair call, however, I believe the reward for being skilled at winning turn overs should be possession, not a penalty. In other words, if you win the ball, you win it, if you don't, play on. At the moment the defender is allowed to place the ball in any direction. However, he is not allowed to place the ball if the opposition is competing for it. So one law (being able to place the ball) has evolved, while another law (penalty for holding on) has not. So you have players penalised for what is a legal action in most cases.
In Brief
Guest
Hands in the ruck would make for a battle royal, hardly 'touch footy'.
ozinsa
Guest
I really hope not. Kurtley was always strangled with the responsibility of a single position as chief playmaker. His best rugby has been at 15 or when allowed to drift in and out of games as he saw fit - when obliged to take responsibility for running the game he reverts to running sideways to try and make things happen, never comfortable with the mundane. Give me Foley every time as the director of the match pace and location whilst Kurtley turns on the killer plays.
Scot Free
Guest
Funny how nobody's talking Godwin anymore.
SA
Guest
Another thing the Varsity cup trialled special binds for props http://www.rugby365.com/article/57500-special-jerseys-for-varsity-cup-props
Digby
Roar Guru
Thank you
p.Tah
Guest
:)
SA
Guest
This is the official website for the Varsity Cup http://varsitycup.co.za/
Digby
Roar Guru
Nice. Sounds intriguing. Is there any other way to view games other than searching on you tube? Might be worth having a look
SA
Guest
It also has 2 referees on the field. Its been great really think the higher powers should look more into this trailing system
Brett McKay
Expert
Probably for the same reason they get so up tight when someone has the audacity to tip against their side, PT...