Why is it that one star player gets to dictate terms to the ARU and to the detriment of the Wallabies?
It seems the ARU always get played by some of their better contracted players, because they are desperate to not lose any star power. A few weeks ago Waratah Kurtley Beale threatens to go and play in Europe or switch to the NRL if he’s not starting.
After a few games from the bench, he gets moved to the prized 10 jersey – even though he’s not played there all season for his club side.
His much improved form has been from inside centre, where his famed running in broken play is well suited. Further still, Beale bumped Bernard Foley to the bench after Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie said “he’s not put a foot wrong” all year. Foley was successful against the French, as well as with the Super Rugby champion Waratahs all year.
I can image this shift of personnel worked wonders for team confidence. Who else in the team wondered if they would be suddenly moved to the bench or dropped after playing so well?
These personal changed reminded me of how Robbie Deans seemed to be at the mercy of Quade Cooper and James ‘The Brand’ O’Connor.
How are the team supposed to gel and play as one when the star players get treated differently to the team?
After the annihilation by the All Blacks on the weekend, the Wallabies are back to square one.
Why aren’t decisions based on what’s best for the team made by those in power, instead of short term marketing gain from ‘x-factor’ players that continually fail to deliver against the All Blacks?
Surely bringing the Bledisloe home to Australia would be the marketing stunt to top all marketing stunts.
Ken Stewart
Guest
I think Beale is a great player, however if he threatens to go to Europe or back to league then let him. In fact I would happily carry his bags and give home a lift to the airport. You have to go with the mindset it could be his last game because of an injury, illness or any other unforeseen event. Which means always do what is best for the team.
Nick
Guest
Not just one test match but one that Australia were in a rare patch of optimism of winning against there arch rivals. One that represents the heart and soul of Australian Rugby. This could have led to a platform to launch the next years World Cup on. But now back to square one. How are the team going to have much confidence in the coaches tactics and selectees when they got so dusted? How are the players going to believe in there own ability and rely on each other when they fell in such a crumbling heap? It may seem like just one player out of position but it's the most important position but it's the way that he was selected that matters. It shows how one player who threatens to quit Australian rugby is then given exactly what he wants. I'm sure this has not been lost on his team mates or Bernard Foley.
Gareth
Guest
So Kurtley's demands has basically cost Australia at least one test match. I believe they would have won the first bledisloe match if they had the Waratahs combo of Phipps, Foley, Beale and the 2nd would definitely have been closer.