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Joined April 2010
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The World Cup has been both a blessing and a curse for Australian rugby. While there is no doubt about the benefits of winning…
On Saturday night in Canberra, something remarkable happened as more than 1000 people rose to their feet and cheered at the top of their…
I cannot agree with this more. It’s like you have read my mind.
Australian cricket can no longer afford lifeless pitches like Optus Stadium abomination. It's time for CA to act
I often think back to the days before professionalism when Australian rugby began its climb to the top of the heap. We didn’t have a domestic competition. We didn’t have the Brumbies. We had Test matches, Qld v NSW and occasionally a match against the ACT Kookaburras.
Where our players got their experience was tours to play other provinces in New Zealand and Argentina, and their provinces touring Australia. I remember going to see Qld v Tucuman at Ballymore for example and being astounded by the Tucuman scrum. But we played other Argie sides and many different NZ NPC sides as well.
I also saw USSR play at Ballymore, and Bath take on Darling Downs in Toowoomba (six-all draw).
It was great to see Qld and WA tour Japan recently and perhaps if we can’t have a full domestic competition, the state bodies can arrange these tours which are mutually beneficial to both countries involved, and along with NZ and Argentina, we can increase contact with Japan, the South Pacific and other South American sides, and who knows, maybe even US MLR sides.
I know someone will come on here and explain how it can’t be done, but let a man dream.
The surprisingly simple fix to the domestic rugby malaise
It sounds simple KP but the chances of state bodies voting themselves out of existence are slim. Sport Australia want and are really pushing sporting bodies to move to a national body with no state associations to stop them doubling up on resources and services, thereby using their funding more efficiently. Some organisations have gone down this path — golf probably the most prominent — but most are resistant because they believe that their organisation is best placed to provide services to their state. I am on the board of a minor state sports organisation and we don’t want to go this way because we can’t see how a national body can deliver services to our state, which has a very different population distribution to other states. However, judging by the resurgence in golf in recent years, perhaps there are benefits.
But, I could never imagine Queensland and NSW Rugby voting themselves out of existence. I also think WA will never trust RA again and Queensland and the smaller states are all distrustful of NSW.
I think everyone agrees there needs to be a second tier, but not sure your proposal is a realistic option.
The surprisingly simple fix to the domestic rugby malaise
Whoops. Was very emotional when I wrote it.
Stop thinking about France 2023 Australian rugby - think about next week
100 per cent agree KP.
Stop thinking about France 2023 Australian rugby - think about next week
Tooly, I wonder if your perception would have been different if those players had come into a settled team, one or two at a time, rather than as part of 12 changes.
I agree with your comments re tackling techniques though. That needs to improve for a number of our players. I am a big fan of Hamish Stewart, largely because he never seems to miss a tackle and he was a superb defensive organiser for the Reds backline. Not flashy, but effective and a defensive master.
Stop thinking about France 2023 Australian rugby - think about next week
I think we are paying the price for Rugby Australia’s philosophy that if the Wallabies do well, then rugby as a whole will flourish, so therefore pour all the resources into the top end of the sport. And that worked while the Wallabies were winning, but we’ve been seeing the flip side to that for the past six years or so with poor ratings, poor coverage, much less money and much less interest.
Stop thinking about France 2023 Australian rugby - think about next week
Same here KP. If we can’t have a second tier then Australia A is vital.
Stop thinking about France 2023 Australian rugby - think about next week
Good points Ferret. By strongest team I mean the strongest available, so if that only means three overseas players so be it. When I said don’t change the team, I accept there may need to be some rotation for player welfare, but as you say, only two or three at a time, not 12.
I wrote this very quickly while quite emotional, so I expect to taken apart by more rational Roarers.
Stop thinking about France 2023 Australian rugby - think about next week
If only we had a No.12 in Australia who is a defensive dynamo and can organise defensive lines. Oh that’s right, we do. Hamish Stewart is an old-fashioned 12 who would at least add some solidity to the shambles we saw last night. Not the flashiest, but a brilliant defender, organiser and ball distributor.
It's pasta joke! Rennie defends mass changes as discipline a killer again in first-ever loss to Italy
I feel a bit for Hamish Stewart – not used in the first match then gets limited time in the second, but wins it for them with two huge defensive moves, while they persisted with two under-performing centres in both games.
I think the only people that rate Stewart are the Reds fans, and probably the Force fans going forward.
How many Spring Tour questions have been answered by Australia A players in Japan?
Perhaps he should move to the Brumbies.
'I get annoyed by that': Jock shows safety and spark vs Japan, but can he cope with physical demands of Tests?
Nice story. I think they’ll have to consider calling time on Warner, especially overseas. They certainly can’t take him to England next time so they need to start planning.
I like the idea of Street, but Aussie selectors are always looking for a shiny new toy and am not sure Street fills that role.
We probably need some old fashioned grit at the top.
What lessons will Australia learn from the tour of Sri Lanka?
Jason Gilmore coached him at Australian U20 level and he was a much more attacking player then. Watch this space…
Australia A is back. Who are they going to pick?
You’d have to think that if relatively young players like Liam Wright and Hamish Stewart don’t get picked they’ll head off. There’s no point in them staying financially or Wallaby wise if Rennie doesn’t rate them.
More excellent talent would be lost to Super Rugby – like Fergus Lee Warner.
I’d have Stewart, because he can play flyhalf and fullback as well as at 12, and he had an excellent season for the Reds – I’m sure he missed a tackle this year but I can’t remember when.
Wright a strong leader who can play 6 or 7.
Australia A is back. Who are they going to pick?
Just putting it out there – could Penrith play in the ACT competition? It’s a 3 hour drive from Penrith to Canberra – maybe the ARU or NSWRU could subsidise travel costs, although in Toowoomba clubs are regularly travelling four hours and more for games.
Seems the level at this stage might be more suited to Penrith, it would put Penrith players in front of Brumbies scouts and would be a big “get stuffed” to the SRU.
The Wrap: Something is rotten in Australian rugby and it’s not the Wallabies
I thought Henry had an excellent game but when things started going pear shaped in the second half, I thought Hamish Stewart could have been brought on much earlier to take advantage of his defensive leadership.
Why there are more Townsville twists and turns to come for the Reds in Super Rugby Trans-Tasman
“There’s a lot of water to pass under the bridge before this squad is trimmed to a match-day 23, but the message from Rennie was clear: there are Test spots up for grabs for players who offer hard bodies, repeat efforts and consistently high performance in Super Rugby.”
So what is Angus Bell doing there then?
The Wrap: Wallabies squad unveiling a step forward and a step backward
I’m sure the A League will be watching rugby closely next year to see how their new partnership with 9/Stan goes. Both codes were in a similar position – Fox were huge supporters early and created the competitions – A League and Super Rugby – then lost interest and in rugby’s case, News Limited actively worked against the sport. A lot of rugby fans see the new deal as a chance to rebuild the sport, with a significant free to air portion and the streaming service. Plus there is the added bonus of other rugby competitions being broadcast now as well, from schools to clubs to a national club competition. Football also has a number of other leagues that could benefit from a similar arrangement.
Is the A-League's broadcast deal now a hostage situation?
Agree RW. Neville desperately unlucky and Stewart completely outplayed Simone two weeks ago. Stewart has been form No. 12 this competition. He must have Scottish roots with a name like Hamish Stewart – wonder if he’s now looking to Scotland as a possible international option, especially when he’s overlooked for Brumbies bench player.
Why the Reds have the best defence in Australia
I feel Queensland is so big that if they based them in Townsville, then any southern rugby areas, like Toowoomba, Goondi, Dalby and Sunshine Coast will not get to see them. Ideally it would be good to have them play in all the big centres, who all have decent grounds, but I assume it wouldn’t be feasible logistically or economically.
Why Super Rugby AU is the competition we never knew we needed
But most people outside SE Qld probaby don’t consider Gold Coast as being in Queensland Country. The issue is the decentralised nature of Queensland with major cities in Toowoomba, Townsville, Cairns, Mackay, Rocky, maybe even Sunshine Coast all with greater claims to being a base for Country than Gold Coast. I would love to see a Country team, but it’s not as clear cut as NSW Country.
Why Super Rugby AU is the competition we never knew we needed
Green’s hardly set the world on fire has he? 18 tests averaging 33 with the bat and 35 with the ball. He’s hardly used as a bowler, so all his captains haven’t shown much faith in him. The most overs he’s bowled in an innings is 15, when the other quicks are in the high 20s. And his batting against the Windies was woeful.
Warner’s career-worst form not a concern, claims McDonald: ‘He’s in our plans for the immediate future’