Roar Guru
Joined April 2014
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I am an avid rugby fan, combat sports aficionado and writer. My favourite sportsmen are those who chance their hand in an expression of creativity infused with athletic grace - be it David Campese, Shane Warne, Andrew Johns or the contemporaries Chris Weidman, David Warner or Israel Folau. "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take" - Ice Hockey sage Wayne "the Great One" Gretzky
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I can remember a point in my early thirties that all of a sudden my love for contact sports began to backfire. Every weekend…
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When I was told about the incident that occurred between Wallaby staff member Di Patston and Kurtley Beale I was bemused. Surely there had…
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Is that true???
If so – then he I completely step off my soapbox. I coached juniors when he was appointed second time and that is so contrary to the rhetoric that I am speechless.
We NEED an true rugby LOVER in the hot seat. The problems with Australian Rugby are obvious to anyone who has been involved but the game is quite immature in managing its own politics. If no player is bigger than the game then surely the management are more expendable. This remind me of the Football in Australia pre Frank Lowry
SPIRO: Anatomy of the Beale-ARU crisis: Heads must roll
AAC scored a try against the Highlanders 07 that is easily the best solo try I have ever seen. He bounced off half the team and got back to his feet three times to go over the line. The sheer awareness, athletic talent and tenacity was astounding. Its amazing to think he has worn the jersey as much as Campese and Larkham. I think he would have to be the first utility centurion in the history of the game.
'Mr Fix It' set to crack the ton for the Wallabies
Essentially this is a leadership problem. Every team in the world has to deal with big egos and inflated salaries of young people with too much time on their hands.
The ARU management has been on the nose since O Neil left. Love him or hate him – he was the “Boss” that had genuine passion for the game. In discharging his duties he wanted only the best for the Wallabies. The current leadership is steeped in political agendas and does not have the morale courage to do the job properly
Wouldn’t it be great that as the rugby community we could literally vote the management in and out of office.
SPIRO: Anatomy of the Beale-ARU crisis: Heads must roll
Gavin,
Great article. Agree with Thompson, I remember at one stage he was the leading try scorer for most of the season a couple of years ago. He is a lot more potent than Jackpot as he is a very intelligent complete footballer with a Gordon Tallis like strength. He will see the Reds back in title contention
Keep writing … loved the intro.
Off-season review: Queensland Reds
Thanks mate appreciate the nod. The military systems on management of elite combat units that are male dominated, alpha male environments filled with men and women who are used to being the “alpha” are often managed with a flat hierarchy and almost cult like culture.
But then again so are most of the best organisations . Give Jim Collins “Good to Great” a read … one of the best leadership books on the market for corporate.
Kurtley Beale: The ex-Rebel with a cause
I see your point. The unique situation that is presented by elite sportmesn however is that they are not only personnel, but the product and the marketing of the brand as well.
Does this mean that they are allowed to get away with anything like their NFL counterparts seem to? Not at all. It does mean that the risk management of these athletes is a force multiplier to the success of the entire organisation. To go back to very strict organisations as a benchmark -(you mentioned the military and there are few better examples) should a soldier not do what he was told in changing a t shirt by a senior officer there would be no question as to the outcome. Should a senior soldier (lets say CSM) was told to change his shirt by a junior officer outside the chain of command – not only would it more than likely be ignored but the any escalation of the problem outside of “ladies and gentleman shut up, shake hands and get back to work” would be frowned upon.
If Beale has indulged in unacceptable behaviour – that is a entirely different situation. I pointed out in the article that it is alarming that the players have sided with Beale. Either they believe that management are handling this incorrectly or they have a culture that does tolerate unacceptable behaviour. Both of these things amount to a leadership problem in ARU.
If in the wash it turns out that this was a “storm in a teacup” and Beale leaves Australian rugby due to the unwanted drama (it turns out that he was dissatisfied with his recent contract offer)- then heads have to roll. Any rugby supporter who thinks losing talent of that calibre over a non-event is not a friend of Australian rugby.
Look at how the All Blacks have handled SBW. He changes his mind about where he is playing every week it seems and indulges in dangerous sports like boxing. They have formed a mutually beneficial relationship with him instead of vilifying him. The NZRU have a deeper taint pool and stronger brand than the Wallabies but seem much more capable at forming these relationships than the ARU when they have less requirement to do so.
Kurtley Beale: The ex-Rebel with a cause
said like a true Brumby fan – Beale stays and he will be in the RWC squad and the Olympics – that is a certainty
Kurtley Beale: The ex-Rebel with a cause
No prejudices here Duncan. Simply a matter of extremely poor risk management and leadership on behalf of the ARU. I would not have made a different observation regardless of gender , creed or colour. For the record I have targeted the Coach and the ARU. How this has been handled in what is supposedly a positive culture is completely inappropriate – explain why the players have all backed Beale.
The fact is that you will have differences in ANY work environment – but to allow something so trivial to be handled in such a manner and escalated to a national PR disaster is ompletely unacceptable. It seems to me that other elite rugby teams manage to deal with their personnel issues; which I am sure as as numerous as the Wallabies, without having to recovered by every major newspaper.
The guy had on the wrong T-shirt! An incident has now got the entire teams culture being vilified in the press!! Get some perspective!
Kurtley Beale: The ex-Rebel with a cause
Campbell, this is elite athletes in a professional sport. We simply can not match the overseas clubs in cash so the best way we keep players like Beale is by providing other motivators. Being publicly vilified for a minor incident would have to get tiring. Beale by the way is not just “any [player”. He is a John Eales medalist, played almost 50 caps, still yet to hit his athletic prime and has been nominated for IRB player of the year. Any team in the world would love to have him including those with greater playing depth than Australia. Furthermore , wouldn’t you agree that poor treatment of Beale, by all accounts a very popular player amongst the playing group, would effect the motivations of other players and their willingness to stay.
Kurtley Beale: The ex-Rebel with a cause
Different situation entirely. He had been drinking and that was the team Captain. This last incident says a lot about the inability of the ARU to manage our elite players. Furthermore this incident has been over amplified and should have been managed in a team environment. Hooper and the senior players stood behind Beale … so past form aside he is not on the nose in the team – therefore it is a management issue.
Kurtley Beale: The ex-Rebel with a cause
I agree that he was in the wrong – but this has been blown entirely out of proportion and been very badly handled. Add to this that the Wallabies just lost a game they should have one and there is something off about how they are being managed. They have the cattle – not the culture… I think this is a good example.
Kurtley Beale: The ex-Rebel with a cause
Best comment I have seen on this sight for a while mate – well said
Beale's axing down to form only: McKenzie
Absolutely well said Mattjoe … since when does anyone other than the Captain or Coach discipline players?? Particularly Belae who has played 54 tests
Beale's axing down to form only: McKenzie
How can you say his form was shocking. Beale was instrumental in wining the Super Rugby tournament … he was being played out of his best position a la Matt Gitaue
Beale's axing down to form only: McKenzie
A lot more than your proposed “many” actually are Mark.
I must admit that this blokes professional approach in the way he conducts himself and endears himself to team mates and fans is a great example to future athletes.
The reason he backs up so well.?? Doesn’t drink, doesn’t smoke, doesn’t rampage around the town and apparently stretches an hour first thing in the morning every day!!
If the worlds biggest brand in rugby – The All Blacks – is welcoming him back with open arms … the same brand that was willing to drop Jonah Lomu … this bloke is doing something VERY right. It’s not like the All Blacks are struggling to win games or fill stadiums at the moment.
SBW to make return to union off bench
It was hard to believe that a ref with Mcarthy’s experience let him stay on that stool without deducting a point. Although slowing down time is what many corners do to allow their boy more recovery time. Ali did it with Henry Cooper, Mickey Ward against Neary … part of the gamesmanship – play to the ref
UFC178 review: Johnson dazzles as Cerrone outlasts Alvarez
I was an Axe Murderer fan… however he was juiced up in a lll those “epic” wars. Anyone can look super human when filled with testosterone and other PED’s. An indictment against Wanderlai was that Brian Stann retired shortly after the last fight he had in Tokkyo – that was a genuine “war” but Stann professed that it was too dangerous to take to the cage to compete with people on PED’s who perform the way Wanderlai did. Hopefully this and the TRT ban will be a turning point in the sport that was long needed.
On the flip side. Why is there a lifetime ban?? That is ridiculous and unprecedented. At worst it should be two years.
Wanderlei Silva: Triumph, retirement and a lifetime ban
I like that analogy Stu … except one bear had a mean ass uppercut WAR HUNT!!!!!
[VIDEO] Mark Hunt vs Roy Nelson: UFC highlights, blog, round-by-round updates
Jesus is the only other person who could knock out Nelson
[VIDEO] Mark Hunt vs Roy Nelson: UFC highlights, blog, round-by-round updates
Thanks Jesus … fair enough …
[VIDEO] Mark Hunt vs Roy Nelson: UFC highlights, blog, round-by-round updates
Huge left right for Hunt. He stuffs Nelson takedown … Huge uppercut !!!! TIMBER . Hunt walks off!!!!! SUPER SAMOAN VICTORY!!!
[VIDEO] Mark Hunt vs Roy Nelson: UFC highlights, blog, round-by-round updates
Rashad vs Lidell was epic. He has some solid wins – annihilated Sonnen.
Origins of MMA Part 2: The fall and rise of mixed martial arts