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Joined September 2017
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Your comment about both the aye’s and nay’s being correct is correct; the code should not move to winter because there won’t be access/enough/quality stadia available; that the code shouldn’t move to winter because there are too many other sporting codes competing for space on television (devices in general); that it is too hot in summer; the list goes on. The pitch is king – without it, the game is a waste of time – therefore any efforts to access good pitches is really important, so summer it is…
That the code should move to align with Asia is just plain obvious to me. One look at the struggles that rugby union has with time zones, scheduling, player retention, and salary caps should be enough to ward anyone off this notion that just because Australia is big and wide it can therefore exist of and for itself.
The Asian journey has not even got out of the blocks but it is where our countries football future lies. Witness South Korea’s Under 23 performance to understand that we will be left behind and we may never catch up again.
Lastly, I believe that the Women’s World Cup bid is an event that could really push football development in Australia forward. I hope it is a successful bid. My son and I have been following Samantha Kerr for a couple of years now and he gets as much joy from seeing her latest tricks and goals as from his other heroes.
Winter switch opens up endless opportunities in Asia
I don’t know anyone who doesn’t have ties to the fossil fuel industry.
Federer responds to Thunberg criticism
I am confident that they will win at least one test next year.
Foster officially unveils new set of All Blacks assistants
Regarding Brisbane – perhaps Fowler is finding that the A-League standard is higher than he anticipated and that second tier players in the British competitions (leagues that some have unfavourably compared the a-league to) are just not quite good enough.
Mariners and Phoenix competitive, but Brisbane and Newcastle have real concerns
Yes, cultural is a better way of putting it. 👍
Six talking points from A-League Round 8
I believe that the Dutch refer to this ‘truth telling’ as ‘plain speaking’. It’s a really common way of approaching every day life. It can come across as critical but that has more to do with the listener – Australian (and New Zealand) people are generally less self assured than Europeans.
Six talking points from A-League Round 8
I hope you are right Wally, but I wonder about the flip side, which is the amount of players going off with HIA after their effort to complete a tackle – Sinckler and Mbonambi being the two obvious examples from last night. No such thing as a perfect world though and I am pleased to see the high shot disappearing 👍
Seven talking points from the Rugby World Cup Final
If England kick it from their own half, as is their general style then that AB lineout and open filed running will cause problems. If England keep the ball in hand (which I hope they do) then they will need to punch some massive holes in the NZ defence. Can Tuilagi and Vunipola do this? Yep, but they’ve got to get the ball first. The front five battle will be enormous and that is what I am looking forward to the most. The kicking of Ben Young’s also has to be spot on – Murray’s kicks last week were awful and handed the ascendency to NZ, the rest is history. So, for me, front five and half back are the key match ups that can be won by England. As for the back rows and outside backs, well… NZ have it all over the English.
England vs All Blacks: Rugby World Cup 2019 semi-final preview and prediction
Wales’ attack? I am not sure you are being just a little bit cheeky here Harry (!) when comparing the attacking potential of NZ against that of Wales.
Six talking points from Japan vs Springboks
Precisely terrykid. The extra five days rest will make all the difference. I can see Scotland staying close for 60 minutes, but then heavy legs will set in. For the sake of ongoing local interest and just because they deserve it, Japan to go through!
Rugby World Cup tipping Week 4: now we're getting serious
Yep, some real ‘must-win’ games which is great for the spectators. My only hope is that the refs continue to do a good overall job and that they perhaps think about proactively dealing with the players running on from the in-goal area. My only disappointment has been with some of the scheduling for certain teams, where short turnarounds have proven significant.
Rugby World Cup tipping Week 2: into the grind
Those are my feelings and I have mentioned as much in comments on this site before – about the Wallabies exceeding the expectations of doubting fans. All it takes is a yellow card, an injury, an opposition ‘off’ day… and the Australian team progresses. I hesitate to say it but, at the back of my mind, in the dark recesses where obviously silly ideas are banished to, I have one that keeps nagging me – that Wales don’t progress from the pool.
Why all Wallabies supporters should be watching Wales vs Ireland this weekend
“Presuming the Wallabies top their pool and win their quarter-final….” I hope that they do, but you are drawing a long bow I think. Still, I agree that this game is going to be really interesting to watch.
Why all Wallabies supporters should be watching Wales vs Ireland this weekend
I was looking forward to this mornings Wrap Geoff and, as I was returning home from work, was thinking about the mindset of the Wallabies too. Last week, the AB’s (and perhaps I am wrong) thought they could ‘phone it in’ and were expecting to win, such is their current appraisal of the Australian threat. The loss last week was necessary for the AB’s to move forward, just as the win was necessary for the WB’s to move forward as well. But I stand by my opinion that Australia has a chance of doing very well at this World Cup – provided they do not meet the AB’s!
I took the time to watch the recent Welsh and English games and was left underwhelmed with the lack of ingenuity on attack, although the line speed in defence seems to be very fast. Will the team that rushes the best win the tournament? It seems that the player best positioned to deal with the rush is the 9 and I am beginning to think that this WC could be decided by these little men.
The Wrap: Normal order restored in Bledisloe Cup whitewash
“But I’m always wary of writing off champions too early”. True, true, true. Geoff, I think that this loss is exactly what NZ needed – a bit of kick in the pants. They need to re-identify what it is that makes them such a good side and perhaps, just perhaps, stop trying to over-outfox everyone.
The Wrap: Resurgent Wallabies place one hand on the Bledisloe Cup
I agree Harry. There was something a little too deliberate about the approach in the last two games. The intention to play very flat when in attack was one, as was the emphasis on their defensive systems (as you allude to in your comment). If the old analogy of ‘defence wins championships’ rings true again at this WC, then the All Black performances so far this year would serve to reinforce the thinking of both you and Steve Hansen.
Wallabies and All Blacks gamble at Perth, are they defying the odds? Good for them
Imagine for a moment the jealousy that should be levelled at Australia for being able to have their final two pre-world cup matches against the number one ranked team? This is the ideal preparation for the Wallabies and should work considerably in their favour come September. If I am permitted to take the analogy further it’s a bit like being able to warm up with Roger Federer when you are still outside the top 50. On a more serious note, it is great to see that Chieka and Grey have been forced away (as surely must be the case?) from the defensive patterns by the new selection team. Australia are still a good chance to do well at the Cup. “Keep taking the kicks for goal Michael!”
A win, signs of improvement, but still plenty of questions for the Wallabies
I suspect that Barrett may be a little bit of a distraction here. Mounga’s kicking game (general and from the tee) is very good and will be vital in countering the rush defence, while he also offers the backs outside him with more opportunities. But, when all is said and done, it don’t mean a thing until the forwards get their hands on the ball and create go-forward. I, for one, will be closely watching the loosies. The opportunity to win or lose the game may well rest on their shoulders.
Richie Mo'unga named to start alongside Beauden Barrett for All Blacks vs Boks
Probably neither Tim. We have to beat them in any case to ensure we finish top. It could be a cracker of a game if AUS and JOR are tied on points going into the final fixture though!
First Socceroos 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying fixtures revealed
Success for Australia at the RC and World Cup has less to do with the players than the coach. Ordinarily, players tend to drive each other to higher levels of achievement (every team should have a 2nd stringer pushing for selection as an example) and a coach can harness this energy. As so many have said before, the hope is that Chieka is not given the freedom to continue with selections that have proven poor for periods during the last four years, rather that the best players are picked in their best positions. I genuinely believe (and have said as much to people) that Australia is a chance at this World Cup, provided one or two issues are dealt with rationally. Player selection is the first issue, followed by flexibility in game planning. I, like so many others who contribute to this forum, hope that this occurs.
Brumbies win the best medicine to counter Folau Fatigue
Great to see players in their (or coming into) their prime – I have just read up on the three latest signings and am genuinely looking forward to this season. After the Aloisi years, I hope that the 2019 season is an improvement.
Roar sign O'Donovan to lead the attack
A good article Stuart and ‘to the point’. How people work effectively together and in what situations those relationships can bloom is impossible to predict! While it would be nice to know the juicy details of dismissals like Stajcic’s, I prefer to be left in the dark and let him get on with the next chapter of his professional career. Surveys such as the one that led to his firing can push aside qualities of true leadership and expertise, replacing them with a contest for popularity. I enjoyed your article. Keep up the good work.
Has the man responsible for the Matildas' 'toxic culture' repaired one at the Mariners?
It reminds me of football (soccer) where players find themselves in different areas of the pitch but expected, and able, to execute the same skills…. except…. that rugby is not football. I wonder whether Chieka, instead of making a substantive effort to develop a wider squad of say 40-50 players, is intent on using a smaller number of ‘reliable’ players in the expectation that they will be able to execute their skills in different areas of the pitch. I use midfield as an example; instead of having three to four specialist, but different, players available (think Williams, Crotty, Laumape, Goodhue for the AB’s), he insteads uses Foley Toomua, Hodge and Kerevi in rotation, one of whom shouldn’t be there, and one who should be focusing only on 10/12. It is all very confusing indeed. And a shame to watch.
Why do the Wallabies make the game more difficult?
I accept your challenge Stevo…
The Phoenix v Perth derby (of course it’s a derby, how could it not be? Same hemisphere… obviously a derby) should be called the Time Zone Derby. The Adelaide v Brisbane derby (again, same hemisphere, obvs a derby) could be called the Alphabet Derby (A, B, C, D… you get the drift).
As for the Western Sydney and Sydney Derby, well, is it really a derby? Same goes for the Melbourne City and Melbourne Victory Derby, I mean, really, a derby? Unless it involves more travel than most international teams have to cope with, we can’t call it a Derby.
The one thing I am absolutely sure of Stevo, is that the more I write the word derby, the more ridiculous it looks.
The Roar's A-League expert tips and predictions: Round 18