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The Roar

Caroline Layt

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Joined August 2016

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Caroline represented NSW in rugby league (2007-08) and Sydney in rugby union, winning four Rugby Australia women's national titles (2004-05, 07-08) along the way. She's also a qualified journalist who graduated from Macleay College with a bachelor degree in 2018 who wrote sports journalism articles for Inside Sports' The Women's Game (2017-19) https://thewomensgame.com/author/caroline-layt-1203054 She's currently caring for two family members, but has written commissioned article for the Sydney Morning Herald, MamaMia, The Age, Outsports, Star Observer, Pink Advocate. among others, as well as occasionally appearing on Today Extra as a Trans Woman Journalist/Sports Woman covering Trans issues in sports and she's been looking at getting back into covering sport and more specifically writing about one of her first loves of rugby league and rugby union while also caring for family members.

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WEL, said Cookie, you get it. The NRL is miles ahead as well. Although players will interchange between those codes, as we used to do a decade ago and it still happens as we weren’t paid professionals.

The thing is the other two codes have progressed and rugby hasn’t. I’ve had a lot of support on my own fb page from past players of my era and some players who are presently playing.

If the other codes are going to be professional, then women won’t play rugby and you’ve lost half your viewership. You see the bigger picture, it’s ashame others can’t.

The state of women's XVs rugby is not okay

Not a minority Jeff – 50 per cent of the population and believe me, many women do want to play rugby given the opportunity.

The state of women's XVs rugby is not okay

and the Shute Shield is going gangbusters at the moment Jock. TFF is always talking about how great last year’s Shute Shield grand final was.

Grassroots is strong by all accounts. We need more of the same at the top down (leadership at the ARU) now in regards to the ARU.

The state of women's XVs rugby is not okay

Thanks Sheek ??

The state of women's XVs rugby is not okay

Agreed surfside. The ARU needs to go beyond private school mentality. Yes we have 4 major winter codes competing, but they need to become more creative to untap western Sydney market… also Brisbane etc, ie to appeal to more blue collar people.

The state of women's XVs rugby is not okay

As to the misogynist comments about women’s rights to play rugby or strength levels, etc, I’m not even going to justify with comment.

Women’s rugby players are not fragile beings and those at the elite would have strength and speed levels above the average man through training at that elite level.

Elia Green can run 100 metres in 11.30 seconds. Not many men could run the 100 metres that quickly.

The state of women's XVs rugby is not okay

Hi everyone, thanks to all for your comments.

This is a general comment to all.

I’d just like to say I’m not after any coaching gig and have never been since I retired from playing rugby union and rugby league, but I have witnessed some great coaching talent lost to the game including my old Sydney university coach who was a former Canadian World Cup captain and Hall of Famer Kelly Macallum, who couldn’t acquire a coaching gig, despite being one of the best coaches I ever had the good fortune of playing under.

Someone also mentioned Anna Richards having to move to Europe to coach, so it shows we’re a little backward in giving female coaching talent a go in the Southern Hemisphere.

Once I retired, I decided I’d watch from the sidelines like everyone else, but as a journalism student I’ve been writing for the ROAR and my college newsite the Hatch. Im not going to sit back and sugar coat and say how wonderful the women’s game is, when it’s not.

We are Olympic champions in sevens rugby and kudos to Tim Walsh and his management set-up. From my understanding he was pivotal in making the women’s programme great and making sure the programme went professional.

Rugby league is thriving in this country and our Jillaroos will more than likely win at the rugby league World Cup. Granted the amount of teams are much less and there are only theee teams who can really challenge for the world title (Australia, New Zealand and England), but before the NRL got on-board Australia had never beaten the Kiwi Ferns in a test match.

The Jillaroos haven’t lost a match to the Kiwi Ferns this year and the support from the NRL has made a huge difference through their support and pathways when women play right through from a young age now.

There are now female-only competitions after under 12s and that has made a huge difference to the sporting landscape of women’s rugby league. Players are now becoming household names including my old Sydney rugby teammate Ruan Sims.

Bec Young, another I played with and against is now well-known as Indigenous captain and representing the Jillaroos. Sam Brenner, Caitlin Moran and others justnto name a few.

Also I wasn’t having a go at Paul Verrelll. I’ve never even met the man. My last season playing for Sydney was 2008.

The Queensland coach who doubled as Australian assistant-coach 2007 was actually a female coach. It was an observation after beating them, they got 10 in and we got only 7 to national squad tour to NZ.

Losa Fangupo, my wing partner also killed it at Nationals 2008 and yet she didn’t make the national squad and they took a girl into the squad unseen from touch football and she was an absolute flop and after the 2 test series she never played fifteens rugby test matches again. Losa had done the hard work, starred, yet missed out and all the Sydney girls were up in arms.

I just feel we,need to progress and we’re still stuck at the same place as 10 years ago. How come England, New Zealand, Canada and other nations can pour so much more money in and be so much more successful.

It just doesn’t make sense and not all the pieces of the puzzle stack up to me.

The state of women's XVs rugby is not okay

Thanks everyone for the debate. I was also frustrated with Hayne earlier this season. I want him to be great… I know he can be and we see glimpses of it like last Wednesday evening.

The conundrum is that he is so richly talented that he gets by on that and only pulls his finger out when he has to, but despite all of the above, I absolutely love watching him play when he is on. He’s one of those athletes who takes your breath away – as I wrote in the article – poetry in motion.

He did make a very good player in Justin O’Neill – no less a premeriship winner look like an also-ran and second rate, which is not an easy feat to achieve at Origin level.

For me the palm-off’s and that in and away inspired the Blues and was a key moment, as it showed the Blues intent.

Fifita, Tedesco, Maloney, Peats, Pearce and Wade Graham had huge games as well and of course were more involved, but so they should be, as they play closer to the middle and their roles are to be more involved.

Fifita was best on-field and deservedly so and the unbiquitous Tedesco had a blinder as well. Peats executed the Blues coaching staff’s plan so well. They were the top three performers on the night, no doubt.

The thing with Hayne is he can be an enigma and he can be disinterested and appearing to be rubbish at times, but when he is on he’s a joy to watch and sure sometimes I watch him playing for the Gold Coast and you wonder if that is the same player! It I always like to watch his matches in anticipation of what he can do on the field and that keeps me coming back time and again to watch the Hayne Plane.

Decoding enigmatic legend Jarryd Hayne

Great article Tim. I suspect NSW will go on with it in game 2 even with changes that are made by Queensland. They should pick Valentine Holmes as well as Slater. I can’t se them winning in Sydney, but they have to start rebuilding.

Of course Thurston comes straight back in if fit?

Coen Hess and Jarrod Wallace will come in for Myles and Guerra. Josh Maguire may be dropped as well.

NSW streets ahead at the moment. “Long live the new Kings” – agreed Tim.

The Queensland dynasty is over

Well said Fonga. Agreed – a national rugby club comp the way forward and 4 super rugby franchise teams. The NRCC teams could be feeder teams for super rugby.

The Club TV proposal still a good proposition for those to showcase their talents in trying to win a contract.

Australian rugby must go back to the future to save itself

I’ve seen how inept the ARU are as a women’s rugby player TWAS… I know different to men’s game, but I didn’t feel they were all that professional… interestingly one of those coaches does coach a Shute Shirld first grade team – I won’t say which coach, but players in the clique got ahead and not always on ability.

Questions have to be asked when your province (Sydney) wins all before them at Nationals, yet Qld – whom you beat 17-0 in the final get twice as many players as yours in the national squad and the Qld coach is an assistant Aussie coach – conflict of interest.

You may suggest I have an axe to grind, but that’s not the case. I just want to know what is wrong with Aussie rugby.

One thing they do really well is the sevens programmes and that reflects on our women’s team being Olympic gold medalists and our men always competitive. Kudos to the ARU for that success.

Australian rugby must go back to the future to save itself

thanking Laurie Daley for moving Farrah on and giving him control of the team… where he finally is given the pill to kick a field goal 90 seconds before full-time to get the Blues home 19-18

FINISH THIS SENTENCE: "By the end of the Origin series Mitchell Pearce will be..."

Hi Andy, just trying to work out what is best way forward for Australian rugby… if clubs almagamating in a strong national club competition it may be a good way forward… possibly the present clubs now could be feeder teams for the national club teams like Newtown, North Sydney, etc are for NRL teams… that is a long term plan though.

I think at the moment and short term over next five years the Club Rugby TV proposal is the way forward and there should always be a way forward for Colts players to showcase their skills and talent so they don’t fall through the cracks.

Australian rugby must go back to the future to save itself

Agreed Guru – they’re in as much trouble as we are.

Australian rugby must go back to the future to save itself

Yep it’s become a business and the bottom line matters… sport no longer played for fun and it’s all about the dollar now.

Australian rugby must go back to the future to save itself

Maybe you’re right? Is the current set-up working?

We’ll never know, as he’ll probably never have the chance. Not just him but others as well.

Take a leap of faith… who knows, these guys proved themselves as players.

0-21 system isn’t working

Australian rugby must go back to the future to save itself

Agreed Guru – Hoy. That is why we need the Dalys, the McKenzies and their like to contribute.

It seems these days players don’t earn their spots and the coaches are their buddies – I couldn’t see Barbed Wire – Bob Dwyer doing that back in the day. Not initially anyway, they would earn their spot, trust and respect.

Our scrum is also rubbish and we need a scrum doctor or two. What wrong with someone like Daly?

Our ARU coaching does suck and I’ve seen and experienced it first hand in the women’s game too. I heard of one potential Wallaroos taking coffees and breakfast to the Aussie coaching squad… needless to say she was in the plane to the World Cup. She was a good plsyer, but not that good.

Australian rugby must go back to the future to save itself

Agree with you 100 per cent die hard. Three super rugby teams seems to be the way to go – although I think we do need to stay in WA – whether that means the Force and Rebels playing in NRC? Might be a good option.

It used to be an honour for those selected to pay rep football, now it seems all about the dollar.

Australian rugby must go back to the future to save itself

That’s great to hear Guru… we need to see these players coming through.

I just wanted to know why and that’s why my line of questioning at the top about talent being spread too thinly among five super rugby franchises.

We used to beat New Zealand on a regular basis and now it all seems too hard? I just wanted to know why?

Ask Brett Papworth, another former Wallaby legend and he’ll tell you his reasons why as well?

Thanks for your input, it’s noted and I’m just trying to have this debate, as it’s obviously needed as 0-21 is not a good look on the super rugby front.

Agreed too many players heading off shore. Are NZ having the same problem or are they better paid? NRL also draining talent pool too I’d suspect?

Australian rugby must go back to the future to save itself

Agreed with you Guru… a national club competition could be the way to go.

Which clubs are in and which are out is the next question… amalgamation?

The coaching set-up needs to be better.

Why are Wallaby legends like Daly who has been there and done that – left on the shelf when he wants to coach and contribute?

More to do with image, rather than his ability to coach I’d say. He told me he could improve Australia’s scrum, why not give him a chance? What is there to lose? Not just Daly, but others too who are lost to the game before their use by date.

I like your rationale though. Could be the way to go.

Australian rugby must go back to the future to save itself

You’re most welcome Cynical Play, I’m glad you liked my article… is food for thought for those in their lofty positions at ARU headquarters?

Australian rugby must go back to the future to save itself

Thanks Guru… the crux of my article is there are late developers and Wallaby legends like Kearns, Farr-Jones and McKenzie – due to him being schooled in Victoria missing out under today’s criteria.

Tony Daly who gave me the quote and is far more an expert than I am said as much, “They’re going straight into the Waratahs from Australian schoolboys… they have no hardness, toughness from playing rugby against seasoned and experienced players.”

True I didn’t investigate further, but I do feel Tony is a credible source as a former World Cup Winning Wallaby whose expertise and input could help Australian teams do much better on the world stage if only given the chance. He thinks there is something wrong with Australian rugby and so do I.

I was investigating the reason we are losing so much at super rugby level. Something’s not working and I wanted to know why?

I rarely watch super rugby these days, as no one likes to watch your team get belted week in, week out.

Maybe I was spoilt growing up and witnessing a successful era when Australian teams were dominant.

Whatever the reason, it’s not working at the moment and Australian rugby needs to be more proactive in sourcing talent, so players aren’t left on the shelf.

Who knows there might be a gem or two running around in colts rugby as I type this?

Australian rugby must go back to the future to save itself

The debate is great. There are no soft premiers in my book. All premierships are hard earned. The multiple premiership winners of yesteryear like the Dragons, Rabbitohs, Sea Eagles, Roosters, Eels, Bulldogs, Raiders and Broncos are special as they won over multiple years. Much tougher to do in this modern era of the salary cap.

My point is if Cronulla can win back-to-back premierships then they will join the above illustrious company and in part the Sharks can thank Gus for firing them up. He already has paid them a great service by doubting their credentials – three cheers for Gus.

Could Phil Gould become part of Sharks folklore?

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