Wallabies captain James Slipper, who watched the Wallaroos’ stirring opening to their World Cup campaign “huddled around a phone” at a wedding on the weekend, has called for more game-day alliances with the women’s team.
The men’s and women’s teams came together in Adelaide where the Wallaroos played the Black Ferns ahead of the Wallabies’ win over South Africa.
“It’d be great to have a doubleheader, every game, it’d be awesome,” Slipper told The Roar Rugby podcast.
“There’s a real value in that. The fans would love to see it, it brings in another section of fans that want to see the women’s game and [would] create that carnival feel.
“The men’s team really enjoyed watching the girls while we were warming up and getting ready, and we were getting right behind them.”
Slipper was at the wedding of former Brumbies teammate Lachlan McCaffrey last Saturday when the Aussie women kicked off against New Zealand. The Wallaroos ran in three quick tries before being overcome in the second half at a time they were missing two players to yellow cards.
“There were a few of us huddled around the phone watching the girls go to war,” Slipper said. “The boys were yahooing when they go out to 17-0. But that Black Ferns team is a pretty handy team and the class shone through in the second half.”
Slipper said he felt the Wallaroos would take confidence from their performance into this week’s must-win match against Scotland.
“Confidence is massive in a World Cup. You’ve got to string a few games together, and you got to get the outcomes that you want,” Slipper said. “The girls would have been disappointed with the outcome, not getting the win, but they can they can hold their heads high and will build a lot of confidence going into the next game.”
He said hoped for closer connections between the teams in the future.
“We’d love to be doing more with the women,” Slipper said. “But calendars are so hard. To be in the same spot as the girls’ team is very hard.”
Meanwhile Wallaroos winger Maya Stewart is set to make her World Cup debut debut, replacing Ivania Wong in the line-up against Scotland.
Tighthead prop Eva Karpani has been added to the starting side in lieu of Bridie O’Gorman, who moves to the reserves.
“Even though the game at Eden Park didn’t go our way last weekend, it was an invaluable experience for the team,” said captain Shannon Parry.
“Everyone is on the same page for this weekend, we’re all reaching for the same goal and our training has reflected that.
“There’s been a shift in our intensity and the team is raring to compete against Scotland.”
Lori Cramer will start at No.15 with double try scorer Bienne Terita and Stewart on the wings and Pauline Piliae-Rasabale reverting to the bench.
“The team is incredibly excited to welcome Maya Stewart for her debut this weekend,” said coach Jay Tregonning.
“Her journey has been remarkable – coming back from an ACL injury is never easy, but Stewart has done it with a smile on her face the whole way through.
“As a team, we’ve analysed our performance against New Zealand, refocused our goals and are looking for the win this weekend.”
The game kicks off at 1pm AEDT at Northland Events Centre in Whangarei.
The match will be shown live, ad-free, and on-demand on Stan Sport.
Wallaroos 1-15: Liz Patu, Adiana Talakai, Eva Karpani, Sera Naiqama, Atasi Lafai, Emily Chancellor, Shannon Parry (C), Grace Hamilton, Iliseva Batibasaga, Arabella McKenzie, Maya Stewart, Sharni Williams, Georgina Friedrichs, Bienne Terita, Lori Cramer.
Reserves: Ashley Marsters, Emily Robinson, Bridie O’Gorman, Grace Kemp, Piper Duck, Layne Morgan,
Trilleen Pomare, Pauline Piliae-Rasabale.
Rona on way to Japan
There has been a development in the curious case of Curtis Rona, with the former Wallaby heading for rugby in Japan after walking out on London Irish.
It was reported earlier this week in Australia that Rona was being considered as a recruit by Gold Coast Titans NRL club, but it appears he’s staying in the XV-man game.
“Curtis Rona is set to leave London Irish with immediate effect to pursue a playing opportunity in Japan,” said London Irish in a statement on Thursday.
“Rona, who made 77 appearances and scored 16 tries for the Exiles, has made the decision to leave after initially joining the Club in preparation for the 2019/20 campaign.”
The statement quoted Rona as saying: “Thank you to the supporters and everyone at London Irish for making me feel so welcome at the club from the first day that I arrived. I want to thank the players, staff and coaches for everything that they have done for me, and I wish London Irish nothing but the best for the future.”
Rona, 30, played three times for Australia in 2017. He had gone missing from his club in the past week, refusing to answer calls from club officials.
Jantjies heading for France
Elton Jantjies is set to relaunch his career in French rugby after the scandal involving him and the Boks’ dietician.
French reports suggest that the incident involving Jantjies and Zeenat Simjee that saw the pair sent home from the tour of Argentina may have made the player unpalatable to his Japanese employers the Red Hurricanes.
A French publication says he is close to a deal with Toulon.
“This week should allow the RCT to finalise the arrival of the South African world champion … it’s just a matter of days and details. Elton Jantjies will, barring last-minute setbacks, join Toulon as an additional player,” Midi Olympique reported.
Iva and Elton Jantjies (Source: Instagram)
“The South African, ousted from the Springboks for an affair in September, will be officially dismissed by his Japanese franchise for the same reason.
“In the process, he should finalise his commitment to the RCT with immediate effect. The Var club had been looking for an out-half for several months to assist Ihaia West.
“Jantjies arrival is made possible by the early departure of Julien Blanc to Castres, who freed up a place in the red and black workforce. Jantjies’ commitment is expected to run until the end of the season.”
Wasps on the brink
Financial dark clouds continue to loom over British rugby with Wasps suspended from the Premiership after announcing they are “likely” to go into administration “within days”.
The club have twice filed notice to get insolvency experts in to help with their debts, which run to tens of millions of pounds, reports the BBC.
They face becoming the second side to go into administration within a few weeks after Worcester suffered the same fate.
“We appreciate this is a very difficult time for Wasps players, staff and supporters who will be concerned at news that the club is likely to enter administration,” the Rugby Football Union said in a statement.
“The RFU will continue to work with the club, PRL and any potential administrator or future investors to find the best possible outcome for the club.”
Wasps can reapply for the suspension to be lifted if they are able to demonstrate the means and commitment to pay their rugby creditors.
In a statement, Wasps Holdings Limited said they had been working to secure the club’s future.
“We strongly believe it is the right course of action,” the statement added.
Wasps won’t be able to fulfil this week’s Premiership game at Exeter, acknowledging “this will not only impact on our players, staff and supporters, but also Exeter Chiefs and the wider rugby community”.
Worcester were suspended and relegated to the Championship, a day after players and staff had their contracts terminated.
All Blacks and Force sponsor faces bribery charges
There could be some stormy financial waters ahead for the All Blacks and Western Force too with their billionaire sponsor Mohed Altrad facing bribery charges.
The Force have an arrangement with the club Altrad owns in France – Montpellier Herault, reports the Sydney Morning Herald.
The Force declined to comment to the SMH but the writer, Georgina Robinson, said they “will be watching with interest when the Paris Criminal Court hands down its verdict in December.”
The case, which also involves Bernard Laporte, the vice chairman of World Rugby, is much more significant for New Zealand Rugby, which signed a six-year, $120 million deal with Altrad last year.
The SMH says prosecutors built their case around an alleged “corruption pact” in which Altrad agreed a €180,000 image rights deal with Laporte in 2017.
“The former France coach and FFR president then pressured the Top 14’s appeals panel to drop sanctions against Altrad’s club, Montpellier, for the display of some protest banners at the club’s Altrad Stadium,” wrote the Herald.
“Later that year, Altrad was confirmed as the first front-of-jersey sponsor of the French national team in a deal worth a reported $60 million. Laporte pulled out of the image rights deal after it was revealed in the media.
“Both men strenuously denied the allegations, their defence lawyers claiming the case was a witch hunt designed to bring down two great contributors to French rugby.”
Guess
Roar Rookie
They have growing revenue but they overspend with ever inflating salaries. Wasps is local example of the same problem aru is forced to deal with that is caused by pe
Tez
Roar Rookie
I just read a report on another site about the debt levels of English Premiership clubs ..... holy hell damn near all of them are in debt to high levels ..... seems like the RFU have to step in with some drastic action to right the financial ship. If I was a southern hemisphere player I would be thinking long and hard, and doing lots of due diligence before I signed with a club in England.
metalisticpain
Roar Rookie
Wasn't it refreshing ???? Loved the tap penalties last weekend
Homer Gain
Guest
The club-by-club specifics vary, but put simply none of the clubs operating in the English (and French) model are economically self-sustaining. All depend on the handful of rich men, whose wealth and enthusiasm will vary over time. When some die, get bored, or prove themselves inept, or criminal in their handling of their money (and other peoples'), clubs are very vulnerable.
cookie
Roar Guru
BFit is true that there is increasing female participation but at a professional level will rugby just be a feeder for professional league teams not unlike schools have been? Circa 2003 , afl was still a Victorian perversion, league was doing its best to kill itself.. Rugby just had a World Cup was in prime position to capitalize on it and did the opposite?
Brendan NH Fan
Roar Rookie
My bad. From the premiership rules "Injured Player Credits totalling £400,000 – to allow replacement players to cover for long term injuries" this may seem like it doesn't apply but alot more players are finding it hard mentally and are moving as a result (see Monty Ioane) to get into a better head space. Going from a 10 month prem to a 6 months in Japan and 6 in Oz may be what he needs, going the other ways is hard for many as doing Family stuff is alot harder in a 10 month season. Either way his wages are gone abd will be a nice spending budget to pick up some unemployed players.
Busted Fullback
Roar Rookie
As we know, grassroots has and always will be amateur. The bigger the base, the bigger the support for the top. At least that’s the hope. I don’t know the answer to pro rugby’s problems or desires, or what those desires may even be. The economics of rugby seems to have its own problems and throwing money at it doesn’t happen to have solved it. Just ask Worcester and Wasps. Thanks for the exchange of ideas.
FunBus
Roar Rookie
Eh? Rona played in their first three games this season.
Brendan NH Fan
Roar Rookie
but it still doesn't pay the bills. Its debatable if the Mens game can. RA and NZRU should offer better match fees and then tell the girls they will get picked if they go overseas. If they try add the cost of early 6th Super Rugby teams because if you have 40 porfessionals you need all the support staff and also all the pathways to make it happen. $100m per year can only go so far and that is the problem for RA they are competting with Unions with much bigger income. RFU is nearly 3 times bigger, Wales is about $150m. At a certain point RA, NZRU and Canada and the USA will need to choose between two key things for the same money. Some might say they are already there, it will probably be between womens and something in mens. Will funding from SS, HC or NPC be acceptable to reduce to fund the women's game. That is basically what the RFU did. How does that then affect the men's game in 5 years time for smaller unions, England still has 12 professional clubs
Busted Fullback
Roar Rookie
Thanks Tim. Hope your family life is giving you joy as well.
Busted Fullback
Roar Rookie
True BNHF, but at least with the large number of women playing there are a large number of mothers, sisters and aunts encouraging the boys to get involved. And we all know how influential mothers can be.
Doctordbx
Roar Rookie
This is the big question. Why should they be professional? Something to think about… Australia has 230,000 registered male players and 2399 women players. The effort to achieve the top of the sport for the standard male Rugby player is massive. Even a Super Rugby berth… to make one of the 250 odd Super Rugby players is something else. Also bear in mind, in that 230,000, the majority of Rugby players are amateur. A whopping 99.9%.
Brendan NH Fan
Roar Rookie
Is that the WC one, it involves 6 teams and was not a standalone game which speaks volumes. Finding attendances for women's games is really hard. Generally we hear about tickets sold and how it will be a record as X number more are expected but when the game is held or reports after is hard to find, do we have an exact figure of people who came to watch the game on the day as opposed to brought a ticket to support the cause. WR are planning having women's annual tournaments outside of Europe, at one location per tournament. If attendances were growing WR would not be doing this. this means Oz will play more game but could end having no home games in a year
Tim J
Roar Rookie
It works for some depending on the format, SH is starting to engage in the women’s game more. The game between NZ and Australia is evidence of that with a sellout crowd, and a world record crowd attendance also.
Brendan NH Fan
Roar Rookie
its seems only the URC seem to give female refs a go in their league. I never understand why that is. Its not like they are going to be tackled and they just need to know the rules and we all know women are better are remembering
Brendan NH Fan
Roar Rookie
problem is how would the WBs play in the double header. there is no RC for the women. WR don't want tours for the womens game and so Oz might have 1 game against NZ each year at home while the rest of the games are all overseas. 6Ns are going the other way to build their support.
Tim J
Roar Rookie
Thanks for the background BF, and I hope that your children are doing well. How far the women’s game has progressed which is simply great to see, your work back then is a tribute to you. You would be more proud than most, along with Mrs Busted… :stoked: :thumbup:
Brendan NH Fan
Roar Rookie
let him suggest that he will give part of his match day fees to support the wallaroos. If the WBs had the same match fees as the ladies there would be money to fund the ladies as professionals.
Brendan NH Fan
Roar Rookie
NFL is so big because they have so few teams. Fans pay the bills and rugby struggles to be professional because to many people are playing games so can't attend games as fans. its the harsh reality of professional sports is that we should look at paying fans number and track that rather than playing numbers. I am sure Soccer clubs would love if all the lower leagues folded and became just fans.
Brendan NH Fan
Roar Rookie
but it helps the mens team that does make money. I am sure the A team in the PIs was a help in the RC.