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Geoff is a Melbourne based sports fanatic and writer, who started contributing to The Roar in 2012, originally under the pen name Allanthus. His first book, A World in Conflict; the Global Battle For Rugby Supremacy was released in Dec 2017 to critical acclaim. For details on the book visit www.geoffparkes.com Meanwhile, his twin goals of achieving a single figure golf handicap and owning a fast racehorse remain tantalisingly out of reach.
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Fathered by the same sire in SANZAAR, with players from both countries familiar to fans, the natural inclination is to compare Super Rugby AU with its three-week older half brother Aotearoa.
Sunday afternoon, 15 March, in Canberra when the Brumbies wiped the floor with the Waratahs 47-14, the final match before Super Rugby was abandoned, seems an age ago.
It is a popularly held view that rugby sold its soul in 1995, and in the process, leached the spirit and essence from the game.
These might not have been matches from the ages, but there was enough high quality rugby played in front pulsating, near-full houses in Dunedin and Auckland to demonstrate that there is life as we knew it post-COVID-19.
The word ‘tora’ has multiple meanings. It is the Japanese word for Tiger and in its abbreviated form translates to ‘lightning attack’.
With domestic rugby in Australia and New Zealand now only weeks away from resuming, World Rugby has released a framework of law variations and hygiene measures, designed to provide for a return to active combat, while simultaneously minimising the risks for participants.
The crude extrication of Izack Rodda, Harry Hockings and Isaac Lucas from Queensland and Australian rugby has, among other things, renewed calls from the rugby community to scrap the Giteau’s Law regulations, which restrict players contracted to overseas clubs being available for the Wallabies.
It’s an old adage that the very best ideas start off as one thing and evolve into something greater.
So what has the last few tumultuous weeks in Australian rugby taught us? Not much that we didn’t already know.
The Wallabies ex-captains’ advance being checked last week by new board member Peter Wiggs shows how difficult it is to effect change in Australian rugby.
So how did it get to this? The execution of a CEO who committed no capital offence? And, with demands being made for governance changes to Australian rugby, the prospect of more bloodletting to come?
With lockdown continuing and no rugby on the immediate horizon, we take time out this week to talk to Australia’s leading referee, Angus Gardner.
Hands up if you believed that Australia’s quarter-final exit at last year’s Rugby World Cup was due to one or more of the following reasons.
Last Tuesday, Rugby Australia CEO Raelene Castle stood in front of staff and announced that most of them were stood down from their jobs, effective immediately.
Strange times like these throw up surprising twists and turns.
Since Super Rugby was shut down last weekend there has been much discussion and conjecture around financial concerns (what does this mean for the future of the game in our region?) as well as rugby matters (how soon can games resume and in what form?)
The 1976 tender lament written by Doc Neeson and Rick and John Brewster for The Angels, nicely sums up the despair and hope for all involved in rugby as the effects of the COVID-19 virus bite deeply into all aspects of society.
No, you haven’t woken to the news that South African rugby has absconded to the United Kingdom. Not just yet, anyway.
As Rebels lock Matt Philip set himself for the final lineout of their match against the Highlanders, the intent in his eyes was clear and obvious.
Australia is currently ranked seventh in world rugby. If rugby bashing were a sport, it would rank first, with daylight second.
They are of course the last Australian side to win SR.
Which, when you put it like that, highlights a few issues… 😢
Super Rugby Week 5: The Force is strong with this one
“I don’t think much of the ‘traditional’ wisdom is worth a lot this year.”
That’s just it mate, no real form to go on, especially for the Force. Everyone knows they’re going to come out and give it a red hot crack, but does that mean, first game up, they’re ready to beat a Super rugby side?
Maybe yes, maybe no. But, even allowing for the fact that it’s the Tahs, currently the weakest of the 4 other sides, the safer bet is probably no. This week is really about having a good look at the Force and trying to get a handle on things.
Super Rugby Week 5: The Force is strong with this one
Definitely something in that, Nick. Great to see Maddocks get a decent opportunity at 15, keen to see how he goes over the next few weeks.
To be fair to the Rebels, when he first arrived in Melbourne he didn’t really have the conditioning for Super Rugby and so they were a bit cautious with him (over-cautious?), as was Michael Cheika.
He’s bulked up a fair bit, seemingly without losing any speed, so it’s definitely his time now.
Australia’s other forgotten man stands up at Suncorp
Thanks for sharing, Joe.
A charming and moving tribute to them both.
Too much life to live to worry about footy: Goodbye Benny Bear
I think he’s trying to play it cool.
But I reckon you’re right, Rob.
The Wrap: Be patient and Super Rugby AU will stand on its own five feet
“I wish Australian rugby could do something similar – play to our strengths, rather than wanting to play all manner of game types.”
This is a really interesting one, ozinsa. I’m sure a lot of people agree with this. But the trouble is, what actually is Australia’s definable style of play?
Many will say that it’s fast, flat movement of the ball as per the Ella brothers, Ken Wright etc in the 80’s, others will say it is the fast recycle game of the Brumbies in the early 2000’s, but the truth is, young rugby players come up through the grades without having an inherent understanding of ‘this is how we play the game in Australia’.
I’d argue that the same young players in South Africa, NZ, England, even Japan, would have this.
Last year’s WC is a good example. A major reason for SA winning was because Rassie took his squad back to the basic values and style that everyone associates with SA rugby. Michael Cheika meanwhile, made noises about ‘playing the Australian way’ and suddenly had his side running the ball, but without any real purpose, and without it being reflective of a baked-in style that he could have developed over the previous four years.
The Wrap: Be patient and Super Rugby AU will stand on its own five feet
He had a big game coming up at the 2011 World Cup. He was focusing on getting all the big calls right in that.
The Wrap: Be patient and Super Rugby AU will stand on its own five feet
Why would there even be any discussion about a red card, ozinsa?
He hit him late, with a shoulder, but it wasn’t to the neck or head, and it was with medium force at best.
Definitely worthy of a YC, but not even remotely near the threshold for a RC.
The Wrap: Be patient and Super Rugby AU will stand on its own five feet
It’s been a long time since the Blues have travelled to Christchurch with any real expectation of getting a result, isn’t it Carlin.
So we’re kind of spoiled that this is shaping up as a classic contest. That said, it’s hard to go past the Crusaders, they keep on proving what an outstanding outfit they are.
The Wrap: Be patient and Super Rugby AU will stand on its own five feet
Yeah, that’s a good comparison.
The Wrap: Be patient and Super Rugby AU will stand on its own five feet
Perhaps could have chosen a better example, Nick! I wasn’t even trying to make a strong point about one better than the other, more just to enjoy each for what they are.
To your point, I certainly enjoyed the Tahs v Reds match, more than the Chiefs v Hurricanes yesterday. And it’s definitely true that the Brumbies’ and Rebels’ wins in NZ this year weren’t flukes.
But even if your goal post idea caught on, Rugby Australia can’t afford to replace all of the goal posts in the country! 😂
The Wrap: Be patient and Super Rugby AU will stand on its own five feet
“bruising his hand on Frank Bunce’s head”. 😂
I didn’t make the comparison just for that. Both not automatic standouts at first look, but play with plenty of energy and competitiveness.
The Wrap: Be patient and Super Rugby AU will stand on its own five feet
😂 Even by his standards it was a strange column.
He also tried to argue that getting rid of Scott Johnson would enable some large number of development officers to be employed. So many that Johnson would have to be on a few million, or alternatively, the development officers would have to be on less than the minimum wage.
The Wrap: Be patient and Super Rugby AU will stand on its own five feet
It’s a fine line isn’t it Don? I think most people would be pleased to see the Tahs play with passion. And Swinton put plenty of oomph into his defence.
At the same time, nobody likes someone who carries on a bit too far, who doesn’t have the runs on the board to back it up.
The first time I saw him was in the Shute Shield 2-3 years ago, and I thought, ‘here’s a bloke who’s got something’. If he’s able to temper any dh tendencies, and still play with aggression (and accuracy) then the Tahs will be well served.
The Wrap: Be patient and Super Rugby AU will stand on its own five feet
Fair points, TWAS.
The Wrap: Be patient and Super Rugby AU will stand on its own five feet
It’s funny isn’t it WB, how nobody likes seeing matches decided by penalty shots at goal, but everyone loves it when guys like Barrett, Frans Steyn and Eliot Daly tee it up and have a crack at a long bomb!
The Wrap: Be patient and Super Rugby AU will stand on its own five feet
“The first try was dodgy , the ball was picked up by the winger at least 2 metres forward.”
The pass clearly went backwards first Tooly, then bounced forward after it hit the ground. According to the laws that’s not a forward pass, and the referee was right to award the try.
The Wrap: Be patient and Super Rugby AU will stand on its own five feet
“I only ever packed a scrum once”
Is that you Kurtley?
The Wrap: Be patient and Super Rugby AU will stand on its own five feet
Yes, good move not buying a ticket to go to Sydney, robbo. We might have to get used to being stuck in our leper colony for a while yet!
The Wrap: Be patient and Super Rugby AU will stand on its own five feet
I’m sure we’re going to see some good rugby, Frank. Particularly once the players and refs adapt to the new interpretations.
The Wrap: Be patient and Super Rugby AU will stand on its own five feet
“it’s pretty impressive that a prop is chasing down clearing kicks”
Good point Cassandra, he’s a special player, no doubt about that.
The Wrap: Be patient and Super Rugby AU will stand on its own five feet
Just made a comment above TWAS about how Smith and Drummond kept up their level of performance for the whole match, despite the speed of the game.
McDermott had a good game, he’s a running threat, backs up well, and his passing has improved.
But he tired noticeably in the second half, a couple of passes missed their mark.
I’m sure he’s fit, but halfbacks now need to have ridiculous aerobic capacity.
The Wrap: Be patient and Super Rugby AU will stand on its own five feet
We’ll probably get one each, Tooly…
Super Rugby Week 5: The Force is strong with this one