Roar Rookie
Joined June 2017
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Melbourne Rebels, Harlequins, Biarritz, Rugby Union. Nunquam Dormio.
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Rugby in Australia is in a mess. There is no hiding from it. The Wallabies were beaten by Scotland in Sydney, the Super teams…
Agreed. They neede consistency wherever they could but it has been a bit of a lottery:
You are at 12 one week, 14 the week after, then 13, then maybe 15. Perhaps have a go on back row against the Highlanders?
They have had a miserable season. But they did get (a very dull) draw in SA. Not many Australian teams have picked up any points overseas. And beat the Australian champs! They need a new coaching set up as well as a bit of security.
Rebels have only one win to stand on, so stop moaning
In your previous article, it was the RUPA’s fault for not getting the 2 teams to drop legal action. But the main idea was that the prolonged period of uncertainty and anxiety could be halted by the players themselves persuading their clubs to stop legal action to make it easier for the ARU to cut a team. But now the players haven’t rounded on each other and made it easy and it’s still dragging on, the players should just shut up?
It feels like there is a theme here: ‘why can’t you westerners and Victorians just go away and leave us alone?’ The ARU implemented the expansion. It is up to them to act responsibly and in the best interests of the sport. Currently, I’d say they haven’t done that.
Rebels have only one win to stand on, so stop moaning
It’s like you don’t want fans outside of the traditional 3 teams to have any passion.
The blinkered view is that by cutting two teams everything will go back to being OK. It won’t. The Wallabies represent the whole of Australia, not just 2 (3) states and IMO you want the support of the whole country behind them.
There are some truths in this article but it is laughable to compare results of any Australian franchise with the African ones. All the Africansides got to play sunwolves, cheetahs and Bulls. This will have helped the Kings massively.
NZ are way in front-no secret.
MI is leaving and having a parting shot. So what?
I’m not sure there is any industry where a prolonged uncertainty in terms of future employment can just be ignored and everyone just gets on with it in a stoic manner.
Sometimes you just wonder what the comments would be like if they had said one of QLD or NSW will be cut because numbers are dropping in terms of fan base and AFL is growing! We’ve invested in the 2 new teams and it takes time.
Unlikely because it seems there is so much ‘old boys network’ in NSW and they basically don’t want to see any kind of shift away from their comfort zone.
But NSW is the real crisis state. Look at the attendance last week. AFL got triple. In Sydney! But I guess it was the school holidays and the BIL v ABs was on! Come on. It’d be great to see Force and Rebels win this weekend. Might not happen. If it does, awesome.
Rebels have only one win to stand on, so stop moaning
Not sure comparisons to past tournaments count. This year, No Australian teams play the sun wolves? That may have helped. But they have played all the NZ teams. That can’t have helped. But then the Lions are second overall. They haven’t played a Kiwi team. That probably helped them.
The whole thing is farcical. The bottom 3 teams in Africa 1 have won 7 games between them. Why couldn’t we have been drawn against them? IT IS NUTS!!!!!
Worst year for Australian Super Rugby
Did they steal him? Or did he just opt for a different set up? And is he promising talent if Beale will walk straight in?
Rebels steal promising young NSW talent
In other words, SKY (FOX) will get money from Pro 14 that it is losing in super Rugby. Then the Broadcast deal is running everything?
The thing about revolution is that you have to want change
According to green and gold: 7954.
Shame cos it was a good contest even if headless from both teams at times. Rebels have been like this all season. Unable to seemingly secure basic possession and control the tempo when needed. They haven’t looked close to their potential this year since they lost to the Waratahs at home. I really hope they can get a decent result against Argentina A next week. If they do stay, they need a massive change in game plan. Coaching and awareness.
The force have improved, but also turned over possession at crucial points.
Force beat Rebels in Battle of the Axe
Sounds like they could end up with a section each.
Fears of lowest-ever crowd ahead of Waratahs-Jaguares clash
There have been a lot of comments from Force fans about attendance at live Rugby in the last couple of months to be fair. Particularly after the Fiji game.
This was the first match after the internationals so I was expecting a massive crowd having read so much in the forums
Force beat Rebels in Battle of the Axe
Yeah, I was expecting to see every seat filled for potentially their penultimate game ever. But it didn’t look good at all. However, they deserved the win. Really both teams and their fans just need this season to be done and to know what is ahead in 2018.
Force beat Rebels in Battle of the Axe
It does sound good signing 4 in a day and some high profile names. TheForce have signed some too. I don’t know if we can read anything in to it. I feel like the ARU are hoping one of them will blink first so they don’t actually have to make a tough call!
Rebels go on signing spree despite looming Super Rugby axe
Now would seem like the right time for the ARU to step in and broker the force/rebel alliance as has been alluded to by various posters. Then offer SANZAAR the ultimatum that both teams return to competition in their own right at the start of the next broadcast cycle or the OZ teams are out. Then take the cash and put it into the NRC for two years and get it really well set up.
If not, the Pro 12 could become the Pro18 with all SA sides involved. I doubt they would spare a thought for Super Rugby when they have had 1/3 of their teams forcibly axed.
It’s actually really good for the Cheetahs and Kings to protect their brand and franchise, without sacking off players and fans. It might seem logistically rough to start in September but I reckon they would take it compared to Japan, Argentina etc.
If the ARU are serious about getting Union back to a good spot, they have to find the least painful way for a couple of years and then either go it alone or participate in a competition that really benefits all states and allows the cream to rise to the top no matter what.
South Africa's cast-offs set sights on European riches
Gatland is having a bit of a shocker here. I just don’t see why AWJ starts ahead of Lawes. The front row looked looked more like it could use a change than the back row. Ben Te’o did his job well last week.
I know these changes represent a change in game plan but it is easy to see why people believe he favoursthe welsh players. SW is going to have to have one of the best games of his career.
I can’t see it happening and I worry that the ABs will just see the new 10/12 channel as even more inviting for the likes of SBW, kR and BR.
I still can’t see anything other than 3-0 to ABs in the series. It’s not like they’ll field a weaker side next week and risk losing their record at Eden park.
Warburton returns in do or die Test for the Lions
Likewise, piru. No offence intended. It just sometimes feels like its only us, the supporters who think about it, see the pitfalls and loss and then turn on each other in the forums. It’s been made worse by the length of delay in progress.
Cheers,
Time to cut all the Australian Super sides and re-design the entire rugby season
I like the ROO idea. May as well do it now with Force and Rebels and shre the games out evenly. Then when another team needs ‘culling’ at end of broadcast cycle, they join into that Franchise.
Higher emphasis on NRC means people have a local team to support and lend their tribal instincts to. The ROO ensemble gives the public a higher level of opposition to see 4 times a year.
Then the support base grows country wide.
Unfortunately this post will be followed by a whole load of drivel about how amazing WA is with grass roots and how much money Melbourne has taken.
Someone somewhere might latch onto it but TV and money will have the final say as usual.
Time to cut all the Australian Super sides and re-design the entire rugby season
Thanks Brett,
As you say, unusual to see a positive take but you have to think positive in sport even if your next game is the ABs. I don’t reckon anyone fancied Ireland much in Chicago or England at Twickenham in 2012 but they found a way. Home advantage will only be there if the crowd gets behind them.
Could the Rebels use Genia for 2 games. They must surely have an injury that needs covering and it is unlikely to cause a massive change in league positions of the Australian conference!
Cheers
What the Wallabies can get out of Super Rugby
Hi Wax,
Thanks for the comments:
1) I don’t believe you need to get ruined by every player in your position in NZ every year in order to progress and learn. Maybe just once or twice.
2) crowds at all SR games.
3) I disagree. World Rugby needs Australia and their pedigree. Twice world champions, runners up last time.
4) I’m intimating that the NRC needs to be high profile as you go on to state.
Basically the NRC needs to give fans something to cheer about so they can celebrate some success. It feels like SR is just doom. Brumbies make finals but no one expects them to win etc.
Cheers.
Not so Super Rugby
And it killed them. And most importantly they didn’t adapt. The first try for BIL was awesome but was definitely not ‘built’. The second try for them was weak defence and too late. I thought the ABs had incredible control at set piece. They nullified rolling maul. Won the scrum.
I thought BIL pack looked slow after 30 minutes.
Retallick was awesome as was KR.
I just feel that whether the players, coaches or the collective, NZ have the rugby brain and wit to deal with anyone.
Makes it tough on BIL but maybe they need to create more? Maybe go all out attack?
Maybe stop Warren from chatting to Steve Hansen via the press.
Whatever it is, it just got a shed load harder.
Lions' tactics likely to change: Hansen
Good to see a Melbourne Rebel leading the charge. Hope Volavola brings this form into the last couple of games.
Well played Fiji.
Fiji down Scotland in Suva dogfight
For all the chat, the Lions set piece didn’t dominate. The All blacks did an awesome job of forcing the lions to tackle. The best way to counter a solid defence is to force it to function over and over. It’s exhausting. The lions looked shattered by the half way mark.
Then they wrapped it up with mainly subs. Incredible.
Hats off ABs. Some lovely skills as well into the bargain.
Lions should have started Maro, but apart from that they were outgunned.
Highlights: Lions tamed! All Blacks take first blood in Test series
It would also be devastating for Victoria. It’s not about any of this. It will start with the TV companies. They will want less teams, less easy to predict, people more likely to bet on games and watch them. I don’t get any of it if I’m honest. EGM would imply some kind of action in response to the ‘Emergency’. Are the top guys paid by the day?
Pulver not going anywhere after ARU EGM
He has. He’s gone to Sale.
Following the footsteps of D Cipriani. England gave the Rebels Danny. Australia give Sale O’Connor.
Call it quits?
James O'Connor reveals his next destination
Correct: people won’t like this article.
Incorrect: because it’s the truth.
It’s a whimsical moan.
Rebels have only one win to stand on, so stop moaning