Roar Pro
Joined July 2014
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With a raft of Internationals upon us, I felt it was a good time to take a look at the World Rankings. Most people…
It is a very exciting time in world rugby, with a number of big events on the horizon. We have the rest of the…
After watching the Wallabies receive an utter thumping at the hands of the indomitable All Blacks, I felt the frustration and anger of a…
Why is it that when I search for information on the National Rugby Championship I am left wanting? Is it just that I am…
I agree with you Sheek. We need good structures, and good planning from the top down. Activity also needs to be driven from the grass roots up. We need a few strings to the bow, and we need to plug into the community in numerous ways.
SPIRO: The Australian Rugby Union should be stronger
Well said Spiro. I have been a big advocate in these forums for a more strategic approach from the ARU, and greater engagement with the community, as I believe this is the only way we will build our game. Hopefully by raising more awareness through articles such as this, we will start to move in the right direction.
Speaking of moving in the right direction….I will be greatly disappointed if SANZAR were to choose Singapore over Japan to enter Super Rugby. There is absolutely no argument that could justify this move, which by most accounts, the NZU & SARU seem to favour. Japan hosts the RWC in 2019, followed by the Olympics in 2020, where hopefully the rugby sevens will feature again. Japan has a healthy domestic competition and so much to offer. Not supporting a nation that is so involved in rugby already would be just plain wrong.
SPIRO: The Australian Rugby Union should be stronger
Great game. Good to see the rays get up. Fantastic effort by Sam Ward. Also some great kicks from the sideline to help the rays win.
Love it.
Perth Spirit vs North Harbour Rays: NRC live scores, preview
It’s an interesting topic BB. Looking at the big football/soccer leagues, one might be even more concerned with the perceived rising power of clubs. I do believe that local labour laws will always trump a sporting codes regulations, so I guess it is up to players to demand specific clauses in their contracts, which will only be achieved with a more unionised players and increased solidarity on the negotiating front.
After 18 years of professionalism, are clubs more powerful than country?
Hey Kev. Another great article mate. You are on a roll lately.
Agree with the sentiment of every player. I guess the assumption is that the run on players are of serious quality to want to bench these guys. i.e. Moore at 2, presumably a fit and inform Genia at 9 (I don’t rate White that highly), who is in the lock position I do not know. The backs are less of an issue with a little more depth there. Especially with Speight coming in, and Tomane back from injury.
Who are Australian rugby's best impact players?
Hey Kev. Another great article mate. You are on a roll lately.
Agree with the sentiment of every player. I guess the assumption is that the run on players are of serious quality to want to bench these guys. i.e. Moore at 2, presumably a fit and inform Genia at 9 (I don’t rate White that highly), who is in the lock position I do not know. The backs are less of an issue with a little more depth there. Especially with Speight coming in, and Tamane back from injury.
Who are Australian rugby's best impact players?
Hey fellas. Great questions.
1. NO – Any major experimentation should be done with now, and I think the wins are still too important.
2. YES – Hodgson deserves a crack. Fardy not standing up to the task.
3. Australia – Breakdown, basic handling skills, mental preparation. I think there are a lot of nerves before these matches.
SA – more running with ball is about right. Trust themselves that they have the firepower.
NZ – not much I can say here when they continue to be so successful.
The Rugby Championship: No rest for the big questions
Great for AU if we can get the arch but I would suggest that the Kiwis will argue for it to be in NZ instead.
Let’s hope the Lions like the idea.
ARU bids for 2017 Lions tour-opener
Hey Kev,
Good article, well thought out, and explained.
It has been interesting to watch Hooper evolve of late. He was known as a great pilferer. But now the wide running is far more common. However, given the number of tries the man keeps scoring, it is hard to criticize his effectiveness in this area. But clearly there is a negative impact at the breakdown which is your point.
The lack of enforcer is a big one. Finnigan, Kefu, and even Willie O in their time all did this well. Unfortunately we are lacking in depth and options.
Great read.
Thanks
How to build a perfect Wallabies back row
He is not currently an 80 minute player (especially at Test level). He needs to lose a few kilos and learn to jump. Then he is a permanent lock.
How to build a perfect Wallabies back row
I agree that there have been a couple of decisions that were not ideal, but in fairness, he is every young and new to the job. A few tests to settle in and get used to the job, and learn to manage the pressure is probably fair.
No doubt Moore will contest for the job though and with his enormous amount of experience there will be serious considerations. But something will have to happen for the captaincy to be taken off Hooper. I don’t think it is a walk up start for Moore to take the captaincy…although I agree it will likely be a walk up start for the Hooker role. But then again he will have proven himself over the Super Rugby season.
Totally agree with your comments on Pocock if he comes back fit and challenges….which I am sure he will do. But the challenge piece is a requirement.
Pocock's no Hooper, but he might be a hooker
No doubt Terry. The debate will rage on, it certainly stirs up a lot of opinions. I just read a lot of comments that Pocock will replace a hooper when he gets back, and I am always surprised to hear it given his lack of game time over such an extended period. Great player….when he was fit. I hope he contests for the Wallabies position, it will only add value to the team. But players must be picked on performance, not reputation. This was, in my opinion, one of the major failings of Robbie Deans.
Pocock's no Hooper, but he might be a hooker
This is an exceptional idea, and it is fantastic to see someone in Australian rugby developing a long term strategic plan for talent development. Targeting other sports is also a great idea. I have always lamented the amount of talent lost to the AFL and NRL (they would probably say the same).
I will be watching the progress of this with great anticipation…although I recognise it will take time to generate results.
Mickey Arthur sets sights on rugby glory
I get the wishlist approach, and it is fun to dream……how much is lotto this weekend?
BUT…what is your suggested team with who is available?
Personally I think having AAC back is a good thing, but I am really glad to see Robinson given a go, and Tomane back in the team. Tomane was excellent on the tour last year, and his last hit out for the Brumbies was awesome. He’s big, strong, and runs hard. Linking up with Kurindrani could be really dangerous in attack.
I have every belief that the Wallabies have the talent and the game plan to win in SA. But of late the inability to manage basic skills and execute on the game plan sees them falling well short of their potential (see Scott Allen’s latest article).
My tip is SA to win by more than 15.
My Wallabies team to tour South Africa and Argentina
Hi Scott. Great analysis as usual. The following two sentences sum it up for me pretty well:
“How is it possible for a team to make so many poor decisions and be unable to consistently execute basic skills?”
“As a dedicated Wallaby supporter I find their performances so frustrating and my biggest concern is the inconsistency…”
The frustrations of being a Wallaby fan or coach
“Pocock’s return in 2015 will initiate debate as to whom between Hooper and Pocock should be the Wallaby 7 – especially during a Rugby World Cup year.”
This is no debate. Hooper is the Wallabies Captain and is one of the performers in the team. It always baffles me the way people suggest Pocock is a walk up start after only playing a handful of games in 2 years.
Pocock will take time to recover properly, and when he does he will need to compete for a position in the Wallabies like everyone should have to. I get the point about him converting to a hooker, and don’t necessarily disagree with your logic, but lack the technical knowledge to comment further….perhaps Scott Allen could comment here.
Bottom line I can’t see it happening…but I love your thinking outside the square.
Cheers
Pocock's no Hooper, but he might be a hooker
Ah hahahahahaha……I look down the list of the AB players last week thinking what an amazing team. Then you read who is returning this week and you see that Hansen is spoiled for choice. NZ rugby is truly blessed.
Quartet back to boost All Blacks
Ha…..as a Tahs fan, I loved this SUper Rugby season too. 🙂
SPIRO: The ARU needs to push for the fully monty ELVs
Agreed Simon. The ITM Cup would be the perfect proving ground. The NRC is already trialling new law variations.
SPIRO: The ARU needs to push for the fully monty ELVs
…and yet the Boks almost rolled the ABs in the final minutes.
Close scoreline or no, the Boks can't match the All Blacks
Great article, and well researched.
I am also a big supporter of Japan being awarded the Super Rugby franchise. There is an enormous amount to be gained by them entering the competition. The fact that the Boks and ABs are favouring Singapore, a country with no real domestic competition, is an absolute joke when compared to the intrinsic value Japan brings to the table.
WAKE UP SANZAR or you may make a big mistake.
The rise of the Tier 2 rugby nations
Thanks Brett. Good insight on the Wallabies thinking. It is easy for us arm chair experts to make comments in these forums and ask a lot of questions of the team, the coaches and the decisions being made. But we have to accept to some degree that the guys running the show are professional, can obviously see the weaknesses in the team, and are creating a plan to address said issues. Your update certainly helps in this area.
But it is also a concern that the team appears to have a lack of preparation time going into the next leg of the comp. Quite frankly, I do not understand why you wouldn’t haul the team in earlier this week to look over the videos while they are recovering, and give them more time to consider their options, and more time for players to do some soul searching, and use the additional training day (Friday) to be in the field.
Another win but more uncertainty for the Wallabies
Hey BB, great write up. You are bang on with your assessment.
Thanks for the article.
Australia's report card from the Pumas Test
Hey BB, great write up. You are bang on with your assessment.
Thanks for the article.
Australia's report card from the Pumas Test
Great article Brett.
Cheers
James Grant: NRC is a good concept, but more support is needed