My rugby union manifesto
I've been thinking about this for a while, and I've written sporadically here, mostly when something gets my dander up. But this is just…
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Joined February 2008
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Rugby Tragic, love all facets of the sport.
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I've been thinking about this for a while, and I've written sporadically here, mostly when something gets my dander up. But this is just…
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The only aspect of the game that I would immediately change is the rolling maul. Keep it by all means but have a rule that the opposition can bring it down without being penalised. Have it so that the lineout thrower can’t join the maul.
How about making a try under the posts an automatic 7 pointer? Only allow 1 scrum reset then a short arm to the next offender, whichever side it is. Have a scrum clock and penalise slow play. Bring back rucking….! Who knows?
How rugby union can change its laws to improve the spectacle... including six-point tries
That is spot on, but I come back to my point about talent spotting.NRL and AFL are so sophisticated in that area, and we have to get better at it.
'Fiddling at the edges': RA needs real change for overseas selection rules
No argument there, TJ but there is a lot more to it. There has to be a happy medium to encourage blokes to have a crack at a professional career, or even a semi-pro career. The Aussie setup doesn’t allow for it, so we have to give those guys chances. Yes, it’s a pity if they end up playing for another country, but that is just a numbers game.
Agree we need to get it into State Schools, and that is a no brainer, but at the same time we need to have a more diligent talent spotting program.
'Fiddling at the edges': RA needs real change for overseas selection rules
Yes, but those windows are only for the countries that want to have them. Japan Super League doesn’t seem to care about them. Even its predecessor didn’t really care that much about the Sunwolves.
If you have windows where there is only Test Football and all countries can play, then the playing field becomes level.
'Fiddling at the edges': RA needs real change for overseas selection rules
A global season with defined test windows would be a start. In Football, the likes of Tim Cahill and Mark Bosnich and all the other great players would never have played for Australia if there weren’t defined windows, and you can’t blame them for wanting to play on the best stages. I hesitate to guess this, but from where I am watching Aussie soccer is getting stronger and better and the big dogs always want to come and play, and wear the green and gold, because they have the structure that allows it. It’s not so much that RA needs to get its act together, but World Rugby. It must happen, and soon I hope. We’re only on this earth for a measly 80 or 90 years and I’m on the bum end of it!
'Fiddling at the edges': RA needs real change for overseas selection rules
It comes across as shyness to me.
Jordan Petaia vs Will Harrison in the quest to be Wallaby fullback
I still Banks has it and don’t forget Jesse Mogg comes back into the mix
Jordan Petaia vs Will Harrison in the quest to be Wallaby fullback
Yeah, I could always do something else between 2 am and 5am other than lying around and sleeping!
I left out the Japanese League (Stan)
The world of rugby union through Aussie eyes
Catchie,
Last time I signed on as a correspondent for an American site, it folded after about 10 weeks and I didn’t earn a dollar!
But here goes, with the viewing details
Stan:
English Premiership
6 Nations
Brisbane Club Rugby
Shute Shield
Super Rugby
Super W
Currie Cup
NZ Provincial
Tri Nations (highlights)
B & I Lions highlights
Autumn Series (NH Tour)
Rugby Heaven
various other national broadcasters Rugby Shows
The Rugby Network (App)
US Major League Rugby
Various US Rugby shows
International documentaries
Cluch (App)
Ella 7’s
Kiama 7’s
Blowes Cup (Central West NSW)
ACT South Coast Monaro 2nd Division
Warringah 7’s
7’s by the Sea
Mick Curry Memorial 7’s
Tailevu Sydney Rugby 7’s
2022 Waganha Waagangalang 7’s
Fatboy 10’s 2021
Brisbane Boys College Doco series
Central North Rugby Union
Subbies Central
SRU Premiership
Jack Scott Cup (NSW Womens)
Oceania 7’s
NSW Country Junior Championships
NSW Rugby Junior State Championships
Bar TV Sports (www.bartv.com.au)
John I Dent Cup (ACT Premiership)
Southern Inland Rugby Union
Australian Defence Force Interservice Championships
ACT & NSW Rugby Union
ACT Junior Rugby Union
Jack Scott Cup
Monaro Cup
Hunter Rugby
Schoolboys Rugby
Sevens by the Sea
Southern Inland Rugby Union
Sydney Rugby Union
I’m still searching for Melbourne and Perth comps – they were definitely available last year.
The world of rugby union through Aussie eyes
Yes, but I am not prepared to fork out for a BEIN Sports subscription. I have been following Fin Bealham since Brumbies Under 14’s.
The world of rugby union through Aussie eyes
Theo Strang – don’t recall him at the Rebels, but that is no surprise, as we are blessed with good halves and he would have had to be good to get past Joey Powell and Tuttle. Bristol also have Luke Morahan and Semi Radradra, to name a couple more.
The world of rugby union through Aussie eyes
I mistakenly said that Dave Dennis was the captain of the Gilgronis, but meant Giltinis, and another Aussie, former Waratah Sam Harris, is the coach of the Gilgronis, who are currently undefeated.
The world of rugby union through Aussie eyes
Yeah, it is definitely on the improve. Considering the first year, with almost all American commentators, who talk a good game but knew very little about it, a fair few of the commentators are now from Australia, England, New Zealand and Sth Africa. There was evern a Kiwi ref, the other day.
They are playing in fair sized grounds and the crowds are turning up. Sensible that they are playing in the NFL off-season, too.
They have a hydration break at the 20 minute mark of each half and they have introduced a rule that a try under the posts is an automatic 7 pointer.
The world of rugby union through Aussie eyes
It beats using animals – that is probably done to death even more so in America – s’pose he could have called them the wombats or the quokkas!
The world of rugby union through Aussie eyes
Not to mention Gil and groni as in the Austin team.
The world of rugby union through Aussie eyes
No, mate, I am in flooded Brisbane, happily with feet dry
The world of rugby union through Aussie eyes
I just trust the Brums brains trust to come up with new ideas each week. Simples!
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pa-lease, mate. It’s time to join us in the 21st century!
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Top bloke. Onya Tombsy!!
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Holy Dooly, what a rat’s nest. I usually only write on the Roar about Rugby. You blokes seem to have gotten yourselves into a real tizz about this. Amazing. I do seem to recall Ian Chappell once saying that the only coach the Aussie team needed was the bus that got them to the ground.
Just sayin’…
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So penalise it, or award a scrum – just not a card. Let the Captain kick his arse.
It's time rugby union changed the intentional knock-on rule
Most knock downs are accidental, or an attempt to regain the ball, which are just plain clumsy. A simple penalty should suffice if the ref decides against a scrum. A deliberate slap down might deserve a yellow card, but I would prefer that the player stays on the field and the offending team be penalised. That allows for the usual options, penalty, short arm, quick tap, scrum, and the game gets to keep flowing. This action is usually of such a minor consequence that it should not be allowed to influence the outcome of a game, other than giving the non-offending team the chance to score three points or go for touch and try for seven. In the redzone it might result in a penalty try and that is punishment enough, in my view. Keeping 30 players on the field, wherever possible, should be every referee’s mantra.
It's time rugby union changed the intentional knock-on rule
..spoiling a pass might be a bit close to the wind!
My rugby union manifesto