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Joined March 2019
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It doesn’t turn off the tap to these players or future players of their ilk. It provides a progressive pathway for these players to develop in SRAU, then if they are good enough, to develop via the Wallabies. Firstly, in a Wallaby training camp, then as replacements so they experience the higher pressure environment ( i.e. exposure to operating and decision-making under more time, space, weight & flow constraints) for a short period in the game situation of Bledisloe & TRC.
That’s how the science of skill acquisition works. See my other comments re this issue on this thread.
Six talking points from Super Rugby Trans-Tasman, Round 2
The stronger the competition only improves your own tactics and skills.
I disagree. Pick up a book about the science of skill acquisition.
The Argentinians improved because so many of their players now play in Europe. They are just one or two in a team that is competitive in that environment. Therefore, they can learn and improve – from those around them and in the competitive environment. That’s because they aren’t under the same pressures. The highly pressurised learning environment that exists when there’s a large imbalance between teams is not conducive to learning.
Six talking points from Super Rugby Trans-Tasman, Round 2
Australian Rugby does not have the ‘cattle’ at Super Rugby level. I also prefer the expression, ‘depth of talent’. That’s one of our problems. We exist in a highly competitive marketplace, competing for players against League, AFL and Soccer – read the ABS data and recent analytical reports. Then, look at the performances of Australian teams in Trans-Tasman SR over the past 10 years.
We don’t perform well at this level of competition. Your points about skills and tactics do have some merit. However, the real problem, stemming from our highly competitive marketplace – both local and overseas – is lack of depth in our SR teams. Take note, that our SR sides may struggle, but the Wallabies have been far more competitive. That’s because when we only select the 23 best from across all our SR sides for the Wallabies, we see a considerable lift in standard. Whereas the NZ SR sides are so strong, that when the ABs are selected we don’t see a commensurate lift in standard.
Keep the Bledisloe and TRC. It gives our best the opportunity to develop against great opposition, but at a level where they are competitive and can learn. But don’t keep throwing our SR teams out on the paddock to be punished by NZ teams week after week. As anyone who was a serious student of physical education/sports science at university level will be able to attest, this is not the environment to learn skills or develop a positive psychological mindset. It is not good for players, nor is it good for the sport’s future in Australia.
Give the Trans-Tasman SR a miss.
Six talking points from Super Rugby Trans-Tasman, Round 2
We had a great SRAU competition which seemingly halted the free-fall we seem to have slipped into over the recent past. Post-COVID, SRAU drew the crowds back and gave Rugby participation rates and TV stats a boost. It was great for the code.
However, a quick way to see the fans and support falling away again – undoing all the good of SRAU – is to quickly follow that achievement with a trans-Tasman competition where we watch our sides looking like easy beats on the scoreboard each week and our best players just being used as cannon fodder by NZ.
The damage to Australian Rugby is far greater than any supposed benefits of a pie in the sky ideal of narrowing the gap.
Maintain the Bledisloe and TRC for that purpose, but it’s time to give Trans-Tasman Super Rugby the flick.
Six talking points from Super Rugby Trans-Tasman, Round 2
A good article, Aaron, and comments, Butcher.
I’ve been discussing this same issue with mates over the past weeks. That is, how much more we’ve enjoyed the SRAU competition when we’re not just watching our Aussie teams taking a hiding from NZ sides in SR. Judging by the growing crowd numbers at Reds home games over the past two seasons, post-COVD, there are many more who agree. The Stan Sport and 9Gem free-to-air coverage has been what was needed for years! Their growing subscription and viewer numbers data would also support claims of regenerated interest in Australian Rugby since the inception of SRAU. (I could write a book on what I’ve always thought of the ARU decision to go with Foxtel, but I won’t broach that short-sighted decision now.)
Rugby in Australia would definitely be better off giving Super Rugby with NZ the flick. Maintain TRC, though. Option 4, above, is best. There are two teams located in the NSW/Canberra area already, so bring in a second team from Queensland (Red Heelers), and two from off-shore. World Rugby should be pressed for financial support of these, probably Pacifica or Asian teams, as development areas. These could be based – to keep travel costs down – in Townsville, the Gold Coast, Port Macquarie or Western Sydney, perhaps.
Forget NZ, we need to focus on rebuilding support and confidence in Rugby here in Australia again, plus winning back a solid sponsorship base.
Why Australian rugby should go it alone
Good call, Dan. A lot of us have been saying this for 20 years. Sadly, no-one at the ARU/RA Has ever listened…
Brumbies coach wants free-to-air TV deal
The independent panel only considered the issue of whether he breached the RA Code of Conduct.
We need a court to determine whether RA’s Code of Conduct and their sanction – if it’s termination – is in breach of Australian black letter law e.g. Fair Work Act (Cth), s 772(1)(f) and our common law rights.
Will Raelene Castle survive the Folau scandal?
Great news! Dan has done a great job at the Brumbies and will, no doubt, do an excellent job with the Wallabies.
Another excellent product from the Townsville Grammar School Rugby program – 1st XV Captain, 1993.
Dan McKellar joins Wallabies coaching team for 2021