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Armchair Halfback is the musings of a long time rugby tragic - a devotee and thinker about all things pertaining to the running game.
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Another year of Test rugby has come to an end. 2021 started with a Six Nations tournament bereft of crowds, thanks to Covid-19. While…
With almost a decade of Test rugby now under his belt, it’s easy to forget just how meteoric Conor Murray’s rise to Test rugby…
For the rugby romantic the Queensland Reds are the most beguiling team in Australian rugby. You might first think of brilliant sides of the…
It’s been a tough couple of years for the NSW Waratahs. The team performed poorly under coach Darryl Gibson, who left in 2019 after…
Jonathan Sexton. No name has been more synonymous with Irish rugby over the last ten years. There have been incredible milestones. Sexton has played…
The West Country is one of the prettiest parts of England. Devon - with its rolling green hills, the beauty of Dartmoor and Exmoor,…
Most Irish rugby legends are Munster legends. The great characters like the marauding Moss Keane or the mercurial Tom Kiernan. Most famously, Munster became…
A world team of the year? I’ve been engaging in this sort of international rugby star gazing for longer than I’d care to admit.…
This is my wrap of all the recent European rugby union action. France 36, Italy 5 An experimental France team scored a comfortable win…
With much of Europe still under restrictions due to COVID-19 and COVID-19 disrupting the southern hemisphere season, no spring tours have been undertaken by…
The Six Nations still has a little bit of rugby romance – its history, the noisy and colourful supporters, weekends in Rome, the packed…
While the new-world Rugby Championship may boast eight World Cup titles between its four participating teams, the Six Nations carries the old-world romance. All…
Eddie Jones is one of the great coaches and greatest rugby strategists of the last 20 years. Obsessive, ultra focussed, driven and demanding, Jones…
absolutely – Lavinini he ain’t…
AUS vs SA studs and duds: Coach or cattle behind Wallabies' troubling 'psyche' flaw, and what's up with Giteau Law pick?
Maybe give Harry Wilson a run. Skelton needs to be a regular member of the set up not just a ring in. That’s the weakness of Giteau’s law – nothing beats extended time together to develop synergy and understanding.
AUS vs SA studs and duds: Coach or cattle behind Wallabies' troubling 'psyche' flaw, and what's up with Giteau Law pick?
Etzebeth – full of manic, anger 75 minutes into a test match – was a sight to behold. Hard to beat that level of rage…
AUS vs SA studs and duds: Coach or cattle behind Wallabies' troubling 'psyche' flaw, and what's up with Giteau Law pick?
AB’s could do with a bit of (Rowan Atkinson’s) Blackadder atm. Certainly would put the ref in his place… 😂
Did Ian Foster just have an epiphany? If so, will we see it in selection or game plan for Saturday?
Unchanged AB’s starting team H. In some ways the Pumas are the ideal challenge for the AB’s – at their best they aren’t dissimilar to the Boks – big pack, passionately nationalist and willing to put their bodies on the line.
Did Ian Foster just have an epiphany? If so, will we see it in selection or game plan for Saturday?
Ode to Hodgey! Just wonderful. 😁
ANALYSIS: 'Improves everyone around him': What Reece Hodge did that makes him undroppable at 15
Yes, Koroibete had much further to travel to make the tackle, plus Mapimpi has serious pace.
Boks stealing rugby’s soul, not White and Koroibete
Hey JD – the AB’s could do with some more ball running impact of the bench – Sowakula, Sotutu, Mileage Tu’u – sort of vibe
'No identity': What are the All Blacks trying to do?
Some of the blame needs to lie with Sam Cane – the penalty he conceded for tackling (Matera?) off the ball was just stupid. One thing for a dopey prop to do that, quite another matter when it’s an experienced captain with 80 odd tests and a decade of test rugby experience.
'No identity': What are the All Blacks trying to do?
It was a fascinating game for the neutral. It one point the AB’s were cruising – the set piece, particularly the scrum was dominating a ball runners were getting over the gain line and they seemed to be cruising. The Gonzales try was a real turning point, the AB’s seemed rattled from then on – the Pumas defence and work at the breakdown did the rest.
'No identity': What are the All Blacks trying to do?
Koroibete doing a George Gregan, though Mapimpi would be quicker than Jeff Wilson was…
Boks stealing rugby’s soul, not White and Koroibete
Cheika has managed something he was never able to do with the Wallabies – beat the AB’s in New Zealand…
CHEIK MATE! 'Do it all the time' - coach fires back after Foster breakdown whinge as Pumas celebrate historic win
Thanks Matt – good to hear more about a rising star. A minor gripe of mine is that Rugby AU provide negligible bio with SR player profiles.
'He's a physical freak': The unbelievable rise of Langi Gleeson
I think Australian rugby had a couple of years of talent shortage in the middle of the last decade. If you look at scrum half the scenario is similar: White is 32yo. Gordon is 29 yo and Tate McDermott is 23yo. Any top class player in between that age gap will be of NZ, or Pasifika origin.
Where have all our flyhalves gone? The lost generation and why Bernard Foley can successfully fill the void
A roarer did a chat with Dave Loveridge a couple of years ago – worth the read: https://www.theroar.com.au/2015/03/17/a-beer-with-an-an-all-black-dave-loveridge/ Foster’s biggest challenge isn’t a lack of talent rather choosing the best talent in their best positions. You could move Savea back to 7 and pick Frizzell and have a hybrid No8 in Cullen Grace.
The Wrap: Where does Ian Foster rank on the list of rugby’s villains?
Cane was good against the Boks, and it’s valid assessment that he hasn’t had Frizell an others, though Papalii brings added physicality and a bit of mongrel. Cane’s had so many serious injuries over the years, there must aa toll on his body long term. Dave Loveridge was a pig farmer I think? Great tache too…
The Wrap: Where does Ian Foster rank on the list of rugby’s villains?
No, never had the pleasure.
The Wrap: Where does Ian Foster rank on the list of rugby’s villains?
Make Papalii the AB’s openside and let Sam Cane retire to the pig farm….
The Wrap: Where does Ian Foster rank on the list of rugby’s villains?
Nick work Geoff. Foster is probably the nicest AB’s coach since Laurie Mains… 😁
The Wrap: Where does Ian Foster rank on the list of rugby’s villains?
Taukei’aho has been good at SR for the last couple of years – in time Asafo Aumua should be his back up, Coles is long in the tooth and past his best. AB’s need a good mix of youth and experience – including the likes of Dalton Papalii, Josh Lord, Cullen Grace & Sotutu. I’d pick Crusaders Williams and Newell before recycled Rebel Lomas and wilted ex Waratah Ta’avao…
Coach's corner: The big question mark over Tupou leading into Boks series and how Richie led Foster to salvation
Maybe White at 10? 😁
'He's devastated': Everything Dave Rennie said about brutal JOC axing, Foley return, what next for Noah and 'grumpy' Boks
Taukei’aho was brilliant.
Coach's corner: The big question mark over Tupou leading into Boks series and how Richie led Foster to salvation
Thanks Nick. The Boks v AB’s was a most intriguing game and good to see the AB’s get their mojo back. Many of the errors from previous games were eliminated – even just simple ones like Jordie Barrett calling to take a high ball rather than leaving it to chance. Timing and passing was better too, mainly thanks to Richie Mo’unga.
Coach's corner: The big question mark over Tupou leading into Boks series and how Richie led Foster to salvation
Still frightening though! Etezbeth was doing his best impression of Bakkies Botha with a bad dose of haemorrhoids. 😂
AUS vs SA studs and duds: Coach or cattle behind Wallabies' troubling 'psyche' flaw, and what's up with Giteau Law pick?