How the NRL fixed the concussion problem
In the face of widespread concerns over the NRL’s 2021 rule changes contributing to a plague of injuries, CEO Andrew Abdo met with club officials last week to placate their concerns.
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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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In the face of widespread concerns over the NRL’s 2021 rule changes contributing to a plague of injuries, CEO Andrew Abdo met with club officials last week to placate their concerns.
On Saturday night in Brisbane the Reds and Brumbies delivered what is becoming routine for Australia’s two best rugby sides: another nailbiting thriller.
In recent times it feels like there have been many watershed moments for Australian and New Zealand rugby. Tomorrow, with the anticipated announcement of a trans-Tasman travel bubble potentially giving the green light to a cross-over Super Rugby round, is one of those moments.
There are two ways of interpreting last week’s announcement that the NRL are setting up a “multi-faceted review” to look into aspects of player safety, including stiffening up penalties for foul play.
Dave Rennie was at pains yesterday to point out that his new 40-man Wallabies squad was both a reflection of current Super Rugby form and a look towards the future.
Australian fans have good reason to be buoyed by the impressive composed displays at flyhalf this year by James O’Connor and Matt To’omua.
In December 2020, Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V’landys announced a raft of law changes designed at improving the flow and spectacle of rugby league. “You’ve got to give the customer what they want,” he said.
A month ago my season preview article ‘Injuries and depth to determine Super Rugby AU’ looked at the potential difficulties in store for Australia’s franchises should they be forced to mine the depths of their rosters.
Consider the following names. It’s a long list, but bear with me; that’s the point.
No matter what tinkering around the edges of laws is undertaken, one fundamental rugby truth remains the same: games are won and lost at the set piece.
The results may have been predictable, with last year’s finalists scoring convincing wins over last year’s two bottom sides, but there was something for everybody to take away from a breezy opening to the 2021 rugby season on Friday night.
One of the benefits of playing Test rugby in December and starting Super Rugby in mid-February is that the ‘silly season’ is kept mercifully short.
Timing, as they say, is everything. Rugby union got its World Cup out of the way in late 2019, and World Rugby and Japan banked the financial and emotional spoils from what was a hugely successful tournament.
During trans-Tasman rugby’s brief off-season, there’s been no hiding from the issue of concussion.
When it comes to rugby in 2020, that we got a season at all is cause for celebration.
With the Xmas party season starting to swing into gear, imagine a Wallabies fan on Saturday night, instead of being in front of the television, being stuck at a function with work colleagues.
With apologies to my old English teacher Mrs. Bradbury, Argentina on Saturday night, versed the All Blacks, got nilled and will take some learnings from the game.
Readers who were around in the 1970s will remember The Newcastle Song by Bob Hudson, a number one hit single in 1975 in Australia and New Zealand.
There’s an age-old saying that tackling wins matches. More on Argentina’s famous and inspirational 25-15 win over the All Blacks later.
Interviewed immediately after their 24-22 loss to the Wallabies in Brisbane – continuing a run of poor results in Brisbane in recent years – Beauden Barrett said that “it felt like a bit of a dog-fight out there”, describing how his side lacked composure and didn’t move on from “those moments”.
I can assure you mate, it’s a humble, hard-working group. And remember it’s Melbourne. Most people here don’t know who they are, let alone pumping their tyres up.
As for what their issues are? They’re a small number of good players short. Trevor Leota tried hard on Sat, but he’s no elite SR lock. They’re missing Philip and also badly missing Naisarani’s go-forward.
Same deal in the backs, with Ili and the three 7’s players all new this season. Not just new to the Rebels, but new to SR. Powell new as well. So, compared to Brums and Reds, significantly less continuity. At this level, that’s enough to make a difference.
That said, as disappointing as that performance was, they’ve lost three matches at the siren, so they’re not miles off the pace.
The Wrap: The Reds ride the bumps all the way to Super Rugby grand final
Good question, Jacko.
I agree that there were a couple of times they were well used on the weekend. We’ve also seen a couple of fails. And luckily, the Canes didn’t have to rely on poor James Blackwell to use it, he couldn’t even figure out to play with the wind!
Not for me, mate. Call me old fashioned but I like to see the players play, and the referees referee.
The Wrap: The Reds ride the bumps all the way to Super Rugby grand final
They’ve scored a few nice tries AH, but you’re right, not enough of them.
The Wrap: The Reds ride the bumps all the way to Super Rugby grand final
Most excellent point Robbo, about the effect of golden point on the ladder. NZ Rugby should take note of how short term thinking/tinkering has provided them with a poorer long term outcome.
The Wrap: The Reds ride the bumps all the way to Super Rugby grand final
Andrew Dereham, JDK. Not exactly a youngster, ex Force, now in Japan.
Rebels have Carter Gordon, who def is a youngster, but I suspect they’ll push on with Holland at 12.
The Wrap: The Reds ride the bumps all the way to Super Rugby grand final
Yeah, wasn’t that a great passage of play, Perthstayer? Both those guys played really well.
The Wrap: The Reds ride the bumps all the way to Super Rugby grand final
Yeah, it was a throw back to the old days wasn’t it? When lineouts were more a 50/50 raffle.
The Wrap: The Reds ride the bumps all the way to Super Rugby grand final
Yes, good example Mz. That one was a shocker.
The Wrap: The Reds ride the bumps all the way to Super Rugby grand final
The other way to think about it, is that the players on their feet have rights to the ball.
The Wrap: The Reds ride the bumps all the way to Super Rugby grand final
No argument RT that the Rebels failed to create enough opportunities given the weight of possession. Just challenging the notion that it was an attitude problem.
The Wrap: The Reds ride the bumps all the way to Super Rugby grand final
Silver Lake, Muzzo.
People are right to express concerns, but what invariably happens is that things get twisted. ‘Selling off the haka’ and so on, for example. That kind of talk is not really helpful for people’s understanding of what is actually going on.
That said, it’s up to NZ Rugby to explain things clearly.
The Wrap: The Reds ride the bumps all the way to Super Rugby grand final
Mate, you’ve got me there. If it’s in the Courier Mail then that’s the end of the matter!
The Wrap: The Reds ride the bumps all the way to Super Rugby grand final
Thanks for all that Fox. Yes, interesting times ahead for SA. They’ll sort something out, although I’m picking it won’t be with the Japanese league…
The Wrap: The Reds ride the bumps all the way to Super Rugby grand final
That seems to be where it sits right now Richie. If the Brumbies can achieve parity in the scrum, that might be enough to tip things their way in a final.
The Wrap: The Reds ride the bumps all the way to Super Rugby grand final
Good observation and same last week too, Fin. The first try came from a great left foot kick by Stewart.
The Wrap: The Reds ride the bumps all the way to Super Rugby grand final
Tough marker, Tooly. I guess you could argue that Petaia was only any good for 80 minutes on Saturday….
The Wrap: The Reds ride the bumps all the way to Super Rugby grand final
The defensive line was strong Piru. As you say, like it had been all night.
But contrast what the Rebels were doing with how Mo’unga went about making those crucial yards forward. It’s tough at the end because nobody wants to be the guy who drops or pushes a pass, but you have to try to initiate something. Looping a long pass back to a guy standing on the 10m line isn’t going to cut it.
The Wrap: The Reds ride the bumps all the way to Super Rugby grand final
Interesting idea James, and maybe some of the fringe squad members will be getting a run, but I can’t see it happening for the main squad. They’ll be wanting to keep the environment fairly tight and controlled.
The Wrap: The Reds ride the bumps all the way to Super Rugby grand final
I’m no John Nash or Russell Crowe on the maths John, but just quietly, I reckon the Tahs are struggling to make it…
The Wrap: The Reds ride the bumps all the way to Super Rugby grand final
If there are a couple of easy wins to NZ sides when the crossover comp starts Scotty, expect the usual ‘Australia isn’t worthy’ stuff to start up again.
But for people who follow the game more closely, it’s obvious that with respect to talent, things are changing.
The Wrap: The Reds ride the bumps all the way to Super Rugby grand final
Yes, long day on the road today Chook, but with the ‘co-driver’ taking a stint, a chance to sneak in a few replies!
The Wrap: The Reds ride the bumps all the way to Super Rugby grand final
I wouldn’t be rushing Petaia to 15, Connor. He’s just had a great match on the wing, let him cement that in, I reckon.
The Wrap: The Reds ride the bumps all the way to Super Rugby grand final
I think that’s a wee bit harsh on the Brums, Fin. They’ve always been a well drilled side, so it can appear that way, but guys like Valetini, Banks, Muirhead are those kinds of player. Simone too, I thought he had a good match.
The main reason they lost was their scrum, and the possession and territory given up from those penalties
The Wrap: The Reds ride the bumps all the way to Super Rugby grand final
Lots of anticipation building around the cross over comp Rob. And genuine interest on both sides of the Tasman about how where exactly the Brums and Reds sit. Tipping comp will be very difficult!
The Wrap: The Reds ride the bumps all the way to Super Rugby grand final
It is Fin, but a tiring Tupou is still a formidable beast. In short, he’s no ‘normal’ front rower, and consistently plays long minutes.
The Wrap: The Reds ride the bumps all the way to Super Rugby grand final