It’s easy to be negative.
The Roar is guilty of it at times. Fans can be guilty of it at times. People, in general, not only find it easy to be negative, but also take note of the negative more than they do the positive.
How many footballers have you heard say they proved the doubters wrong, rather than proving the supporters right?
More in our ‘Get behind the Wallabies’ series:
>> PART 2: Time to believe in the Wallabies’ selections
>> PART 3: How the Wallabies can win the Rugby World Cup
And much of the content on The Roar‘s rugby opinion pages is focussed on criticism of the sport, which doesn’t necessarily have to be negative, but can certainly stray into that territory too often.
So to go along with our usual mix of criticism, subjective reporting and calling-it-like-it-is, I’ve asked some of our experts this week to focus on something positive, specifically Wallaby-related.
I’m looking for real reasons for Aussie fans, Wallabies fans, to get behind their national team for this Rugby World Cup.
Reasons beyond the fact we’re from ‘Straya, mate. A reason to believe in our national team. To have a bit of love for that jersey. To jump off the couch when our winger, whoever it might be, crosses for a try in the corner in the quarter-final. To have a little cry if we get knocked out.
It’s going to be parochial, yes, but it’s also going to be informed. I’m not asking Brett and company to forfeit their ideals, but just lend them to this cause.
To that end, I hope it doesn’t isolate too many of our overseas readers, who come for the rugby. Obviously we’re based in Australia, so you’ll either just have to put up with this for a week, or enjoy the arguments, the banter, and maybe even start your own series with Roarers pumping up your own team. If you write it, we’ll publish it.
The plan for ‘Get Behind the Wallabies Week’ is I will indulge a little here, Brett will have a say on Tuesday, Elisha on Wednesday, Chris Roche (a former Wallaby, so he should know!) on Thursday, and a very special guest on Friday.
That will be a day to put into your diary…
So, to a brief sermon on why Aussies should get behind their team for the World Cup.
It’s been a tumultuous eight months.
From the debacle of a plane trip over 12 months ago, to the departure of Ewen McKenzie as coach, the end of last season was not a time that Wallabies fans were particularly proud of or happy about.
Since that time, when Michael Cheika took over as Wallabies coach, the ARU and the team have been working very hard to put all of that squarely behind them, and keen to press on with the job of winning football games.
The end of year tour was not a good start.
The Super Rugby season was good, but not great. People questioned whether two jobs were too many for Cheika, who had taken on the mammoth task of defending the Super Rugby championship and coaching the Wallabies.
It was fodder for those who love to divide things across state lines, each and every time. The ability to write things off as Reds bias, Waratahs bias, Force bias, Melbourne Rebels bias and Brumbies bias in Australian rugby is virtually unparalleled in this country, bar State of Origin.
The question Australian fans must answer, then, is who they like more: the Wallabies or their Super Rugby team?
And if you can’t set aside your Super Rugby team’s priorities when the national team squad is announced, then what do you follow international rugby for? Just to snipe at the coach, or at players?
Nick Phipps happily passes to Quade Cooper, who happily throws a cut ball to Tevita Kuridrani. They come together for the national cause. If you consider yourself an Australian fan, it’s clear you should do the same.
I was lucky enough to be invited to the John Eales Medal and chat with a few of the Wallabies lads, a couple of days before they flew out to the US to play the Eagles, and have their super secret training camp.
A couple of things stood out.
The first was that they were ready to start playing.
Their energy was up, the expectations were clear, and they were buzzing to get out on the field.
The second was that they were tired.
On an evening of celebration for the game’s best in this country, there were very few celebratory beverages being consumed. None in fact.
All the players had a glass of bubbly… water, while the rest of us popped a cork.
Word was they’d had a particularly difficult fitness session that morning, followed by media and social commitments, with another the next morning. Michael Cheika joined them in all of their fitness work.
They will be fit. The energy will be high. They will be prepared.
If you don’t think they’ll try, think again.
And get ready for Get Behind the Wallabies Week!
Breakdown
Guest
if you are not positive a few days before a world cup you have problems
Dan in devon
Guest
Sounding just like the English commentators now! This is why Scott Allen is surel missed- informed and empirical analysis!
the french
Roar Rookie
In. Go Wallabies! Bring Bill back home!
The Slow Eater
Guest
Great article. Discussion is one thing but constant negativity can be very draining. We should all get behind the WBs - those guys pulling on the gold are going to bust their guts to bring back Bill and the very very least we can do from our cosy position on the armchair is to support them whole heartedly. So I for one will be yelling, screaming and cursing as the mighty Oz take on the best in the world and bring it home Good luck boys. I wish I was there.
boonzie
Guest
I'm positive ! Positive I might go to work with an early morning beer or 2 under my belt!
The Slow Eater
Guest
You lucky bugger. Enjoy it and I hope the WBs bring it home !
RobC
Roar Guru
Aussie! Aussie! Aussieeee!!!!!! Oi!!! Oi!!! Oi!!! Aussieeee! Oi!!! Aussieeee! Oi!!! Aussie! Aussie! Aussieeee! Oi!!! Oi!!! Oiiiii!!!
Akari
Roar Rookie
Me too
Rugby Tragic
Guest
Whoops was responding to a 'negative post from Red Rag but note it has now been moderated
Bondy
Guest
Nice read Pat, I have to concede I'm an A League supporter first but I cant wait for the Rugby World Cup and will watch more than just the Aussies gallop around the paddock too . Its disappointing that International sports such as Rugby get largely ignored by the mainstream media in Australia, I'd suggest if you asked any local person on the street when the Rugby World Cup was on they'd struggle to know when . Go the Green and Gold .
Birdy
Guest
A number of people are worried that with Burgess on the bench England look light for cover in the back 3 and 13. The plan, I suspect, would be to move Joseph from 13 to the wing and use Watson to cover fullback bringing Farrell or Burgess on to 12 and shifting Barritt to 13 depending on who's injured. All those players have played these positions before, but it's a lot of re-jigging for one injury during a game. It's all been done to accommodate Burgess on the bench, as you could have included Slade and/or a back 3 cover and done a 1-1 swap whatever the injury. Nowell, for example, can cover either wing, 13 or 15. It shows how much Lancaster wants Burgess involved. Whether that's just for the Fiji game or throughout the tournament we'll see. Burgess is in the 31 because they want a physical presence at 12. With the injury to Tuilagi it became a straight shootout between Burrell and Burgess to cover Barritt. They could have gone with a playmaker at 12 and Slade would have been perfect, but that's not how they want to play. I see the logic. With a playmaking fly-half (Ford) a speedster at 13 (Joseph) and quick but not monstrous wings, it's good to have a defensive organizer and physical presence at 12. Therefore, I think it's less that Lancaster sees Burgess as the 'second best 12' but more that it allows him cover to keep the balance he wants in the backline. It's certainly a gamble, but they have obviously seen something in the extended camp to think it's worth it. The more conservative pick would have been Burrell, but that's why coaches get paid the big bucks I suppose. England, I think, will always go with a 5/3 bench - can't remember ever seeing them do different.
Yogi
Guest
Birdy in the spirit of positive discussion.... Sam Burgess will be very effective for England against Fiji. If anyone can put those big boys on their backsides it is Sam. Beyond that, he must have been selected in the squad as either the second best #12 in the country, or as a bench impact player, or both. But he is not really versatile enough to be a bench player. Do you think Lancaster sees him as the second best #12 in England and will therefore run on if Barrett gets injured? Do you think he will be on the bench for the big pool A matches? If so can he cover any positions other than #12? Would his presence on the bench mean England would need a 5/3 bench?
Red Kev
Roar Guru
Okay so I pulled out the mag and skipped forward to read it at lunch today...I'm just going to shake my head and walk away Mr McKay.
dc nz
Guest
The Roar has inspired me to head over from Sydney to London this week. Thanks for all the posts from the wizened older rugby heads since 2011. I have learnt a lot from you. I have my old style loose fitting ABs shirt and 2011 beanie, and I am locked in to see ABs vs Arg, Namibia and Georgia. Does anyone know please of great ANZAC rugby bars in London please. I don't know the City. thanks in advance!
Hambone
Guest
we said... i for one cant bloody wait to see the boys run out and start their campaign... whats their catch phrase #strongerasone .. and we are... get behind the lads..
TonyH
Roar Rookie
From wobblies to wannabes to Wallabies to Rugby World Cup winners. Go you good thing!
Jerry
Guest
Oops, yeah the mention of extra time should have clued me in that it was 99.
Yogi
Guest
I meant 1999. 2003 semifinal was up there too though.
Jerry
Guest
Your best memory is one that never happened? I think you mean Wallabies v All Blacks. One of my least favourite RWC memories, funnily enough.
Yogi
Guest
Best memory for me was watching the 2003 semifinal Wallabies vs Springboks at home with my missus. I was hyperventilating during extra time. The missus was ready to all an ambulance. It nearly happened to me again at the cake tin in 2011.