A strategy, a strategy, our kingdom for a strategy

And Crous . He was the Catalyst for improvement.

'This tactic/strategy needs to be used sensibly, within your tactical mix and with the surprise factor built in it!' Exactly. It's necessary when you are in tight spot near the touch line and there is a risk that your flyhalf while have his kick charged down. Conor Murray one of the best at it uses it as a Garryowen (his actual club I might add) which allows is team to chase and put pressure on their opposition to win the ball back. Ireland and Munster are often effective at this.

' Although I’d prefer to cut the Jaguares and Sunwolves, I’d settle for the latter option, as it would at least simplify the conference structure. It’s not SANZAAR’s role to spread the Rugby gospel to the world' Argentina are a part of SANZAAR

' What if the ARU Board implodes before a decision is made on which team to cut. ' There will be an EGM as you can't have a governing body without a Chairman

'Geoffrey Stokes OAM are gutless' Topo I would leave him out of that he was the only member on the board to vote against the majority when the topic of culling a side was raised.

'What happens on the field is reflection of what’s happening off it. ' Well said Dav. No coincidence that the Brumbies form fell off a cliff last season when the then CEO sort legal action and threatened the existence of the organisation. This season there are at least 20 off contract players in limbo and they can't sign offers until this is sorted out. Look at the Kings form since the Watsons were shown the door and got control back from SARU. In the unlikely scenario that they do get chopped the Brumbies should offer Deon Davids a gig.

Accenture took the role of the Management Consultant review

' I wonder where this leaves the rebels and force players the longer this goes on in terms of next season?' In the same situation as the Brumbies, Waratahs and Reds players that are off contract. They can't begin negotiations until this is all sorted.

Thats life, same with your GST distribution considering that it was propped up for 50 odd years. The Force are a rotting carcass they've had 10 years to sort themselves out. Melbourne has to have a team its Australia's 2nd largest city its a no brainer!

Delivered as usual with clarity & direct common sense.

Can anyone of the Roar experts please explain the purpose of a BOX KICK? Apart from the obvious of course, giving the ball back to the opposition. Waiting in anticipation, Yours faithfully. Hein Cloete. TO: Dear Hein, Sheek and Readership at Large, FROM: EERB, The ART of Scrummaging and L.3 Performance Coach DATE: Sunday 30th April 2017 SUBJECT: Box Kick - Origins, Usefulness of it, (Tactics and Strategy) Dearest All, This is one of the very rare occasions I receive an open invitation to provide information about the selection and use of different tactics and strategies in regards to “Utilisation of Possession” (Box kick). This may be perceived as a ‘Lecture on Backline Play and its Tactics’ and…so be it. I have learnt this from back in Argentina in the early 70’s when I graced jumpers No 14, 11, 12, and 15 from 1971 till 1974 (19 y.o. till 23 y.o.) when I moved to the back row to play flanker. Later in 1979 touring with the Pumas throughout New Zealand, I confirmed its ‘usefulness’ when watching half backs such as Sid Going (Nth Auckland), Mark Donaldson (Manawatu), Gary Seear (Otago), and David ‘Trapper’ Loveridge (Taranaki). Before I get to the nitty-gritty of tactics and strategies, I must assert some principles and philosophies of rugby (the ‘modern game’ as some like to express to say that something is ‘different’, in my opinion is not so! – Rugby through 167 years of existence still is a game of ‘Position and Possession’ (one without the other is useless and vice versa). Therefore, I can assert, they are interrelated and interdependent just like forwards and backs. Furthermore, the four principles of rugby remain unchanged throughout history: a) Go Forward, b) Support, c) Continuity and d) Pressure (in defence AND without the ball). Rugby is played with and without the ball (a proactivity principle) Therefore, at times we may decide within our ‘Tactical Mix’ to put risk (50% + 50%) one or the other! Generally speaking, you may have heard one of rugby maxims: “A kick is as good as its chasers” BINGO! – We do not sacrifice possession without gaining a good portion of territory. Therefore, giving away possession and position is a CAPITAL SIN (just like dropping the ball or surrendering it to the adversary). A tighthead and any loss of possession should be punishable by the coach as in Strike 1, Strike 2 and out/replacement come in from the bench. Now that I have that premise (of What?) asserted and the principle of the matter cleared I’ll move onto the (How?) and (When?). New Zealand is renowned for its consistent bad weather particularly in the South Island which is exposed to the Antarctic gale force winds castigating stadiums like Carisbrook in Dunedin, Southland Stadium in Invercargill. Opinions are divided, depending on the mental strength and skills some captains prefer to start the game against the win and other with the wind. Moreover, in those years and today 38 years later NZ rugby is about ‘low risk’ and ‘high percentages of efficiency’ in maintaining possession while gaining territory no matter how slowly is this achieved. You wait and see How they will play vs. The British and Irish Lions? So, when playing against strong winds also aggravated by the rain and cold temperature? you are unable to gain much territory with long kicks, in fact I have seen and played in games where the ball landed behind the kicker (5/8, Fullback, Wing or Centre). Thus, a short grubber kick to ‘the box’ or a high up and under (Garry Owen type) also to ‘the box’ with chasers will ensure the territorial gain/yield. This tactic/strategy needs to be used sensibly, within your tactical mix and with the surprise factor built in it! – The expression used those days was “We got to hide the blind side” (the 15 metres lane between touchline and last man of the lineouts. You may imagine now the rest if you have no chasers? Might as well keep possession in hand! – This is a 'Play to Win' and not necessarily To Entertain crowds. When these players of today get paid up to $20K p/match it is not too hard to guess what their chosen tactics will be, or is it not? In conclusion, $$$ most of the time decide the quality of the rugby displayed, only when you have an adventurous coach or captain you will see some bold tactics and surprising strategies and initiatives on the rugby field. Happy tactical kicking with hard chasers! Enrique Edgardo Rodriguez Basi Level 3 Performance Coach (Certified by ARU 2016)

What about the beast Al Baxter? (I jest)

Hi Oliver, It’s a reality of a modern, professional sport that players will leave their country of origin to ply their trade elsewhere. No matter how good the structure at home. The trick for Australian rugby, & this is crucial, is to find the right vehicle of national comp to keep as many players as possible interested in staying here. I remain convinced the traditional model, i.e., pre-dating professionalism, is the best model. For Australian rugby this means either a provincial based, or national club based comp of initially eight teams providing sufficient places for aspiring professionals. Now, no matter how many different ways we try to dress it up, initially it will be low-cost & if Australian rugby loses players overseas in the short-term, then so be it. The reality is Australian rugby is poor, but its crucial the game is rebuilt from the ground up. Massive patience & trust is required. Neither of these qualities presently exist. Super rugby has outlived its usefulness in its current structure & NRC is so full of structural holes it is neither a viable alternative in its current format either. Some people think TV broadest rights are the Easter bunny that will keep giving. There are worrying signs that media moguls are realising that sporting rights are becoming too expensive. I think its prudent that sport stops relying solely or mostly on TV rights revenue. So you build it from the ground-up. Get fans to invest in the game, through club membership & live attendances. AFL provides the template most effectively. Fortunately, there already exists the bone formation of a good structure in Australian rugby – juniors, schools, district clubs. But this needs to be fleshed out obviously. For the aspiring professional, when they leave school, they sign up with a premier rugby district club in their province, state or territory. From there they get a contract with either a provincial team or national club side, whatever the case. From there they might get Wallabies selection. For the recreational player, they can find their niche in subbies or regional rugby. What the ARU is proposing, culling an Aussie province to save money, is disastrous in my humble opinion. Shrinking the professional base will send the wrong message entirely. It smells of a sport going down the gurgler with no vision of how to move forward. Telling players they will get less money until the game grows again requires courage & belief. But critically, Australian rugby must agree on the right structure & implement it immediately. Sadly, the ARU, despite the quality & experience on their board, is floundering.

Yes Hein, it was invented back in antiquity by halfbacks, or at the direction of their coaches, who had no imagination & were lazy in their tactics beyond the box kick.

It's a fair point and raises another huge question - do the ARU actually have the ability or authority to cut the Rebels or Force? I have no idea but they could be finding that the reality is that the Force and Rebels are operating in line with the Super Rugby rules and so cannot just be kicked out. The ARU could arguably pull financial support and let the teams sink or swim but they might not be able to stop them playing. Again - the ARU should be all over this but it seems quite likely that they've misunderstood their position and authority​ in this matter far too late in the process.

Hi Can anyone of the Roar experts please explain the purpose of a box kick? Apart from the obvious of course ,giving the ball back to the opposition. Waiting in anticipation Yours faithfully Hein Cloete.

Can I throw a spanner into the works? What if the ARU Board implodes before a decision is made on which team to cut. If a new Board is appointed or even as already suggested by TOPO, an Administrator and Trustees are appointed, if they decide to retain all 5 teams and stick it to SANZAAR, what then? SANZAAR is then placed in the position where it can either mount a legal challenge, cut the Jaguares and Sunwolves or retain the 18 team structure, but split it into 3 conferences, with the Jaguares included in the NZ conference and the Sunwolves included in the Aus conference. Although I'd prefer to cut the Jaguares and Sunwolves, I'd settle for the latter option, as it would at least simplify the conference structure. It's not SANZAAR's role to spread the Rugby gospel to the world, that's the responsibility of World Rugby (IRB in short).

End the ARU Topo, get Brett Papworth and co . The ARU is simply just money for nothing. What does Eales and Gregan do. It is Criminal how this mob have destroyed a sport.

iSTEVE, May I rephrase it? I'd use different words with deeper meaning such as: SHORTSIGHTEDNESS. CORPORATE IRRESPONSIBILITY, RECKLESSNESS, etc. These Directors including John Eales AM, Dr Bret Robinson (both Wallaby Captains), Cameron Clyne, Ann Sherry AO, Pip Marlow, Bill Pulver, Paul McLean MBE, Geoffrey Stokes OAM are gutless and I hold them the fully responsible witnesses of this debacle before ASIC (Australian Securities and Investments Commission)! - [This is not petty crime MATE!] I can only say, the man and women on this Board, probably unbeknown to them, seeking a bitof extra prestige for their CV's, what a nasty boomerang! - We can only feel sorry for those non-rugby-lites! EERB

iSTEVE, May I rephrase it? I'd use different words with deeper meaning such as: SHORTSIGHTEDNESS. CORPORATE IRRESPONSIBILITY, RECKLESSNESS, etc. These Directors including John Eales AM, Dr Bret Robinson (both Wallaby Captains), Cameron Clyne, Ann Sherry AO, Pip Marlow, Bill Pulver, Paul McLean MBE, Geoffrey Stokes OAM are gutless and I hold them the fully responsible witnesses of this debacle before ASIC (Australian Securities and Investments Commission)! - [This is not petty crime MATE!] I can only say, the man and women on this Board, probably unbeknown to them, seeking a bitof extra prestige for their CV's, what a nasty boomerang! - We can only feel sorry for those non-rugby-lites! EERB