The Roar
The Roar

Christy Doran

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Joined November 2022

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Christy has been covering rugby since 2014 after falling in love with the game in 2010 during a year in England. He was employed at Fox Sports from 2015 and worked at News Corp across two stints. During his time at Fox Sports, he was a prolific newsbreaker and published regularly in The Australian. He also covered the Tokyo Olympics for News Corp. Not shy of setting the agenda, he wants to cover rugby from all angles: from Super Rugby and sevens to the international game.

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I can point toward multiple positive articles/podcasts over the past week. Sorry if the reality – a story or two that questions the status quo – doesn’t sit well with you.

RA reeling and facing a mass exodus of biggest stars - there are three key reasons why they're in peril

Don’t disagree at all with your alternate view. Most just want clarity. RA seldom can provide that.

RA reeling and facing a mass exodus of biggest stars - there are three key reasons why they're in peril

They can start by talking to players and their agents more and giving them some clarity. While most want to play international rugby, they also accept that not everyone can play. But they do want a sense of what’s next and what direction the side is heading.
Take for instance the All Blacks. Razor would have been having conversations for the best part of a year about the direction. Then they have stability at the CEO, chair level, a head of high performance who has been there for years. They also have all their coaching staff in place for 2024.
Ditto, Ireland. The Boks similarly have had their battles but have managed to be decisive in their decision-making.
RA and the Wallabies, most positions aren’t filled so everyone is left second-guessing the next move.
That, my friend, is why players and agents have little confidence because no one knows what’s going on next.

RA reeling and facing a mass exodus of biggest stars - there are three key reasons why they're in peril

These rumblings have been occurring for months, not days. It’s not a case of me writing that the sky is falling as you suggest, but it’s another reminder for Rugby Australia, who are incredibly slow to move and have little vision, that they must be proactive. They’re continually reactive. That is the essence of the story.

RA reeling and facing a mass exodus of biggest stars - there are three key reasons why they're in peril

Nice job highlighting some of the shining lights in Aussie rugby. I agree we’ll be seeing a lot more from Josh Flook. He’s a player who often makes the right decision, and has an understated skill set.

'Breathing life back into Australian rugby': How Reds revolution can supercharge several Wallaby careers

As written, he was later asked about whether he was pencilling players in already and did namedrop Tane Edmed. But I appreciate your concern.

Five things we learned: The general who caught Schmidt's eye, why next week is vital for Coleman's Tahs

G’day Ed, unfortunately the website is old and a bit clunky. I’ve been told it’s hard to pinpoint why exactly it’s occurring because it’s not every story. Hopefully, it improves. Thanks for sticking with us!

Five things we learned: The general who caught Schmidt's eye, why next week is vital for Coleman's Tahs

Valid points!

How do the other Australian sides emulate the Brumbies' set-up? The Reds might be showing us how

The difference in 2022 was that Razor rested several players for the match. Penney won’t be able to bring back those stars next week or the one after. Several injuries haven’t helped, but they don’t have the outrageous quality they did last year. Crusaders will still make the finals, but I can’t see them being in the top three. That generally counts when it comes to finals time.

The Crusaders dynasty looks dead - so how will it impact the All Blacks?

Great intro. Once again, another fine wrap.

The Wrap: ‘World’s best provincial rugby competition’ delivers a superb Super Round

The No.1 reason I left News Corp. It’s not that I was told what to write, but that News Corp didn’t want much coverage of Super Rugby. One thing could change that, successful sides in Queensland and NSW.

The Wrap: ‘World’s best provincial rugby competition’ delivers a superb Super Round

Several laughs along the way Ben.

Legalising foul play, laneway bars and Molly Meldrum: Ten ways we can conquer Melbourne for rugby

RA review a wasted exercise in many ways. We know what happened last year. Plus, the crucial positions – director of HP and new Wallabies head coach – was effectively sewn up without recommendations taking place. Selection panel etc one of the recommendations. Who knows what Joe Schmidt will think of that.

Five things we learned: Aussies given early Super Rugby warning, Lolesio's timely reminder

Yes, he’s always been strong over the ball. We’ve got to remember HJH was moved from loose-head to tight-head and that’s not been an easy transition. But he’s always had a strong ability to get over the ball. If he stays fit, the Tahs will be much stronger for it.

Five things we learned: Aussies given early Super Rugby warning, Lolesio's timely reminder

Depends what you want out of your back-rowers, but I agree that Wilson had a great game. He’d simply become a battering ram under Thorn. That’ll change under Les Kiss – and I think we saw that over the weekend.

Five things we learned: Aussies given early Super Rugby warning, Lolesio's timely reminder

Yes, it does depend on what game Schimdt wants to play. At Ireland and NZ, securing possession and quick ruck speed was essential. Whoever gets him that will play IMO. Schmidt will be about balance across the forward pack and midfield.

Five things we learned: Aussies given early Super Rugby warning, Lolesio's timely reminder

Daugunu’s yellow card saw me turn to Flook. He’s got to get rid of that in his game. Too many brain explosions. Fraser was quality, I just think the Reimer’s work on the defensive of the game, lots of it goes unnoticed in the highlights reel, was outstanding. Two good options for TOTW.

Five things we learned: Aussies given early Super Rugby warning, Lolesio's timely reminder

They managed to beat the Blues last year in Melbourne. It would be great for the tournament if the Brumbies were to take down the Chiefs. Reds a sneaky chance against the Hurricanes, too.
Rebels will be better than last week and they need to be. They were shockingly poor. Perhaps anxiety played a part. Big moment for Carter Gordon to stand up and be counted.

Five things we learned: Aussies given early Super Rugby warning, Lolesio's timely reminder

Given the average weather, it wasn’t a bad showing. But you’d hope that this fixture generally brings in 20,000. In any case, crowds are a big issue across the game in Super Rugby. That said, the roll up in Hamilton, Perth and Dunedin was reasonable.

Super Round is a celebration of rugby - that's why it should have never been held in Melbourne

Love it H. Thanks for the lovely read. Edinburgh. Murrayfield. Marvellous.

England conquered, Irish in their sights and 'the only holes Ireland have are exactly where Scottish swords fit'

It’s an interesting idea and one with some merit. It’s been discussed before, even recently by former Origin coaches like Laurie Daley.
I feel like there’s zero chance of this occurring. Not any time soon.
Regardless, it’s brilliant that David Moffett – a man who has worked at the top of both codes – wanted to write this story for The Roar.

10 reasons league and union should merge to become One Rugby - and give AFL nightmares

Perth heat could undo Hurricanes. No confidence at all in a couple of tips.

Super Rugby tipping panel week 1: Brumbies to sweep Rebels, cliffhanger brewing between Tahs and Reds

No Cane and no Pita Gus too. Lots of changes to the forward pack. I’m expecting it to be a close tussle.

Super Rugby tipping panel week 1: Brumbies to sweep Rebels, cliffhanger brewing between Tahs and Reds

Top 50. Tough to judge every player and where they sit. I’ve enjoyed seeing where you’ve ranked them. No one will ever agree with the list, but I think you’ve done a fab job assessing them all. If nothing else, it whets the appetite ahead of tonight’s opener. Giddy up.

Super Rugby's top 10 players: Aussie props dominate, but Kiwi sensation smiling on the summit

There’s solutions provided in this story, too.

'Our system is failing': The 'crisis' sinking Australian rugby - and the 'crucified' coach that shows it

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