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Joined May 2021
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I feel the negativity towards Vunivalu is misguided. Fully fit is an absolute super star and provides a point of difference few Aus wingers can, including MK. I am happy to wager that if he stays fit without further injury he will be a Wallaby star. A backline with him and Kerevi in it would be sensational.
'I'd like to stay': Vunivalu wants to repay rugby's faith despite Dolphins circling for NRL return
Hi Bodger, the officials made some poor calls on the night for sure. My point though is this happens in rugby, the good teams find a way to overcome the disappointment and focus on what they can do to win. I will take my point one step further and say this is the type of game I feel we lost consistently under Cheika, who then in post match press conference would have sprouted conspiracy theories about how the faceless men of rugby are out to get Australia. Some of his histrionics were beyond embarrassing. Passion is great, but nothing beats calmness under pressure. Rennie is making his mark on our team and whilst we are not in the same league as the Kiwis at least we can have pride in our performance and character.
WILL GENIA: Why I'm impressed with Rennie, and how we shape up against All Blacks
Hi Will. Really enjoyed your article and contribution to The Roar. I have been really impressed with Dave Rennie. From my (non-professional) point of view it looks like Rennie’s calm and thoughtful character traits are having a positive influence on this generation of Wallabies. When decisions have not gone our way he has not used these as excuses or blamed the referees. I also feel he is having a positive influence on Michael Hooper’s captaincy. I thought Hooper was excellent in is exchange with the referee when MK was sent off. He could have easily been forgiven for losing his temper, but he stayed calm and rallied the troops. It was a win for the ages.
WILL GENIA: Why I'm impressed with Rennie, and how we shape up against All Blacks
Those are reasonable points. I thought the 2003 WC hosting issue was more to do with the IRB demands on stadium requirements, but I’m not across the details. Naively I hope that sanity prevails and the “game” is recognised as being more important than any particular administration. So I hope that with a new (and far more level headed coach) and changes to our admin we can build some bridges with NZ and work on long term success structures. I also get your points below about the recent demands from RA. I guess I can forgive them a little as they are trying to find a way to bring the code, that is on life support here, back to life. One of the most frustrating things being a life long Aus rugby fan is how well the code is doing everywhere else in the world. But I could go on for hours! Enjoy tomorrows game against Tonga!
The way forward for Super Rugby that's simple and exciting
LOL! I live in Perth these days, the Premier here locks the state down if a dog sneezes. I used to drink XXXX when I was a teenager, that changed when I tried another beer 😂
The way forward for Super Rugby that's simple and exciting
Hi BB, no sorry if that was not clear. NZ definitely keeps their 5 teams, they have clearly demonstrated their competitiveness. I would like to see some form Aus domestic comp with as many teams as we can afford but only 2 or 3 Aus teams to go up against NZ, Japan, Pacific and who ever else we can get in “Super Rugby”.
The way forward for Super Rugby that's simple and exciting
Hi Jacko, why should we not? In my experience most rugby fans from each country love the game and want each other to do well. I have spent my life supporting NZ when they are not playing Aus. Whilst it hurts getting beaten so regularly by NZ it does not diminish the admiration for their style of play and excellence. I also think it is in both countries interests to work together. There needs to be a regular “super” level competition between NZ, Aus and others. My preference is the Australian teams are condensed into 2 or 3 teams for this comp as I can’t see a future where 5 Aus teams are competitive with 5 NZ teams.
The way forward for Super Rugby that's simple and exciting
Hi Jeznez, As an Australian fan I really enjoyed SRAU. Whilst it was not at the same standard as Aotearoa it was fun to watch. There is perhaps worthy criticism of some of the SRAU rule changes but that’s another discussion. Whilst I understand the opposition to it I would support a Super Rugby comp that followed the domestic versions that includes all 5 NZ teams and 2 Australian teams, along with teams from elsewhere (Fiji, Japan, etc). The 2 Aus teams would be an amalgam of the best players out of the SRAU and should be coached by the Wallabies assistant coaches, whilst our head coach takes “a view from above”. I expect that many people will immediately cite that combinations will be too big a problem to overcome and that NZ sides will have had so much more time together, that’s true. But I really can’t see a future where 5 Aus sides are competitive with 5 NZ sides. Our goal will always be to get a Wallaby squad together than can compete, and that has not happened for quite some time. So kudos for out of the box thinking, we need more of it. Arguments like “you just need to get better” are silly in my opinion. If we have not improved in 20 years what will be the catalyst if we only want to do what we always have done?
Rugby in Australia needs Drop Bears
Hi Train, I take your point on the comparison with Lions. My counter is though that the 5 Australian sides are not competitive, have not been competitive for sometime and are unlikely to become competitive in the near future. If we accept that logic than concentrating the talent has a better likelihood of success. Further by bringing the Australian players into 2 camps there is potential that Wallaby combinations will improve for Test matches. All hypothetical, I know, but continuous hammerings does neither NZ, Australia or the viewing public any good.
Get your questions in for Issue 14 of Coach's Corner
Hi Nick, There are many questions around the skills gap and professionalism between Aus and NZ. Since the RWC final in 2003 it could be argued that Australian rugby has been on a downward trend. Where we were once a group of really professional amateurs we have become a group of somewhat amateur professionals. At least in comparison to NZ rugby (that pains me so much to admit!). Perhaps the structure of Super Rugby going forward could be an amalgam of past and present. We do not have the player base and talent to compete with 5 teams against 5 NZ teams, short of a huge cash injection and the ability to buy overseas players this won’t change.
Therefore would a competition similar to now make sense in that the Australian teams play each other whilst the NZ teams do the same. Then on completion of the domestic tournament the Wallabies coaching panel can select the 2 best squads from the all of the 5 domestic teams to then go on to compete against the 5 NZ sides. The 2 squads are coached by Wallabies assistant coaches. At least 3 sides from elsewhere, e.g. Japan and Argentina, get added to this comp for a champions league style tournament before the Test series start. In affect this replaces the previous SANZAAR Super Rugby tournament and Domestic Super replaces the NRC.
Get your questions in for Issue 14 of Coach's Corner
Hi Nick, A number of posters have observed the difference in pace of play between Aus and NZ. It was noticeable how much faster the NZer’s line speed was, particularly in defense. There as a call a few years ago to have linesmen ensure that defensive teams are lined up behind the last man’s feet in the ruck as the modern trend is to line everyone up off side so that all the ref can see is they are all in a line. Watching first receivers getting smashed 3-5m behind the gain line is not good viewing. Is this a case of Aus needs to improve the effectiveness of their rucks and ruck passing or is the off side line a problem. I am not criticizing the NZ teams here or blaming the refs, I am interested in what the Aus sides need to do to get parity.
Get your questions in for Issue 13 of Coach's Corner
Hi Nick, COVID has forced Super Rugby to change. A change I have personally enjoyed. The couple of years preceding COVID with regular thrashings by NZ teams were downright depressing. No disrespect to NZ, just really struggled to see our sides lose so often. There has been conjecture that the gap is closing. Personally I have no idea if it has, the NZ super games have been of a high quality nearly every week. I would love to know your thoughts prior to the first round of Super TT. Should Reds and Brumbies fans expect some wins, should Rebels and Force fans expect to be competitive and should Waratahs fans expect, well more of the same….??
Get your questions in for Issue 12 of Coach's Corner
Unlike the other two amigos of infamy JOC always played well for the Wallabies. He no doubt had behavioral issues, although I thought being dropped from the 2011 RWC campaign was harsh. Not being in the inner sanctum have no way of knowing if it was the right call. I have really enjoyed watching the second coming of JOC and the maturity he has in his game now. His decision making as captain has been clear and decisive. Whilst I am sure Rennie will retain Hooper as the Wallaby captain I would be really pleased if JOC gets the call!
James O'Connor to lead Reds into Super Rugby final
Vunivalu’s defense is fine, we can agree to disagree there. The speculation here exists due to a long injury layoff. Prior to coming back to Union he played his League career injury free, it was reasonable for RA to assume he was not injury prone. Hamstrings, like fans, can be fickle. Lets see how the rest of the season goes, your positional concerns may be alleviated.
'I'd like to stay': Vunivalu wants to repay rugby's faith despite Dolphins circling for NRL return