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Joined February 2012
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Does anybody really know what Quade Cooper is doing? I believe he is leaving Australian rugby and will let everybody know on Monday. And if all the stories are right, who cut his salary and what did they expect Cooper to do?
We talk about it week-in, week-out, but it’s the same old problems for the Wallabies. There was no enthusiasm against the French, no skill, and no attack.
A lot of Roarers make the point about how much bigger, faster, and stronger the players of today are. And I agree with them. But my concerns lie more around how the basic skills have been neglected in the process.
I played international rugby against Robbie Deans. He was a good, steady player who liked to kick goals. There was nothing flash about him. And judging by his recent comments about the Wallabies scoring tries, nothing much has changed.
Some of you might find it ironic, but I actually tipped the Wallabies to beat the All Blacks in Brisbane last weekend.
So John O’Neill has finally stepped aside. I’m wondering why he didn’t he take the underperforming Robbie Deans with him.
The difference in the quality of the respective wins of the All Blacks and the Wallabies on the weekend was striking. Whereas New Zealand were confident and looked happy to be on the field, the Wallabies played like they were completely lost for ideas.
On the weekend we saw two teams that were under significant pressure to perform. The Springboks at home lifted their game, knowing how fickle their supporters can be. The Wallabies, on the other hand, were awful.
There’s been a lot of speculation about what happened with Quade Cooper to provoke his outbursts. But one thing is clear: as a playing group, the Wallabies don’t look happy.
It’s been interesting reading some of the comments on my columns from the armchair experts asking why I talk so much and don’t do something to help Australian rugby at grassroots level.
I know I must sound like a broken record but can anyone tell me what Robbie Deans is doing with the Wallabies? What is he trying to achieve? I have no idea, and I don’t think he has either.
It’s concerning hearing all the talk about the ARU wanting to control the coaches in Australian rugby. Things haven’t gone their way, but they are still trying to exert their influence everywhere they can.
Can someone explain how the ARU can give Robbie Deans four more games to prove himself? I don’t understand what the purpose of this approach is.
It’s very frustrating watching the Wallabies play at the moment. The more I see, the more upset I get with what is happening. Or not happening, more to the point.
I’m all for the Wallabies playing attacking, positive rugby. But by the looks of the squad Robbie Deans has picked for Saturday’s Test, they’ll be doing a lot of kicking.
As an Australian living in South Africa, it has been interesting watching the Olympics, when so far the South Africans have three gold medals and the Australians, who finished 6th overall in 2008, have the same number.
It was a great weekend of rugby, and especially good to again see the New Zealand sides play in an attacking and positive manner.
I was reminded over the weekend just how prevalent the ‘runners’ have become on the rugby field. No, I’m not talking about the players themselves. I’m referring to the ‘trainers,’ who invade the field at every opportunity.
I really didn’t expect the Waratahs to play as badly as they did against the Reds on the weekend. It used to be a proud rugby state, but now they need to clean out the whole place. No more excuses.
It was interesting watching the Super Rugby over the weekend, knowing the Reds needed 5 points to be in with a real chance of making the finals, yet seeing them quite content to just win the game.
