Is the Rugby Schools system still as relevant as the days of old - or is it in need of a serious overhaul?
What can be done to keep genuine rugby talent in the Australian game and reaching their potential?
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Rugby Tragic, love all facets of the sport.
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What can be done to keep genuine rugby talent in the Australian game and reaching their potential?
As I read The Roar and other comment sites, I can't help but be impressed how so many people have such strong opinions on…
A couple of weeks ago, I wrote an article re the Freddy Steward red card. I had a little hissy fit and pulled it…
Here's the thing. If we are going to win the Bledisloe and the RWC, there is one constant. No fear! I'll say it again, but louder…
It is the silly season, and, thanks to Eddie Jones, we at least have something to talk about. But in the silly season, we…
Happy Rugby New Year! Personally, I don’t think rugby is in as dire a position as many would have us believe. First, recall that…
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…
I've been watching a lot of the English Premiership rugby lately and a bit of the US Major League Rugby. Ordinarily, you wouldn't be…
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the silly season. The minute the Wallabies play their last game of the year, the real news stops. Mark…
I hope that this little essay would be read by World Rugby, and taken seriously, but I doubt it. I am definitely not in…
I am quietly excited, boys and gorillas. I think RA is starting to get it right. During the week, I had some discussions with…
Now I understand that there has to be a ratio — a few of us publishing posts on this venerable site and a lot…
In cricket you often hear the term 'bunny', such as when a particular bowler regularly gets a batsman out, and that batsman finds that…
What a season, what a tantalising finish. The Force are my number two team after my beloved Brumbies, but if they can beat the…
I am loving this season, not the least for the fact that we are all theorising. Nobody knows what is going to happen next…
Here's a random thought. Something out of the ordinary. I noticed that football - the round-ball game - is proposing some changes when they…
I wrote an article on this site a few years ago entitled 'The anatomy of the tribe', and while I thought it was one…
There is a lot of uncertainty in Australian rugby at the moment, particularly with regards to whether the nation is best suited by continuing…
Rugby communities often pay lip service to how we can give back, well Welsh club Scarlets have a tremendous idea to assist in these…
Yesterday, Rugby Australia CEO Raelene Castle announced that a deal had been done with the four Super Rugby franchises and the Western Force to…
…and Phil,, all of that has to be backed by centralising all facets of the game and applying uniform structures in all states, from the grassroots up. All schools should play their part but one of the difficulties is that teachers are less and less inclined to give up their time after hours to do voluntary activities.
What is the Rebels' endgame? A Super club in Melbourne makes sense - but only if their players play in local comps
Jez, I think that one major cause, which has not been addressed here, is the fact that only dedicated Rugby nuts like you and me can understand the game, these days. It’s slow, stop start and difficult for any newcomer, such as Mums etc, to understand. The prospect of going along to a freezing Bruce Stadium on a freezing Canberra night -v- staying home and watching the game on Stan, with a bowl of spag bol and a good red, is a no-brainer. That is why crowd numbers are low, and there is little hope of addressing those issues when Rugby Australia has no control over law changes.
What is the Rebels' endgame? A Super club in Melbourne makes sense - but only if their players play in local comps
TWAS, the simple answer is the NRC. As I keep saying, if the old ARC had been left to run it would be nearly 20 years old, today, and would probably be a different comp from when it started. I know money is the issue, but it always will be. For the life of me, I can’t think of a better solution. Players like Hamish Stewart, come back to their home clubs, in this case Brothers, not just for the experience, but also given that that is their heartland, where they have played with their mates, since school, and don’t want to put on another club strip. That needs to be factored, in as well.
What is the Rebels' endgame? A Super club in Melbourne makes sense - but only if their players play in local comps
I tend to believe the guy who was inside the camp.
'Something we needed': Coles says ABs would not have made RWC final without Schmidt - and why Wallabies stand to benefit
Totally agree, Noodles. EJ had no problem getting rid of Cooper, Foley and Hooper (not that I agreed with it), but dumping anyone who thinks he is bigger than the team ethic is the best way to send the right message down the line
'Something we needed': Coles says ABs would not have made RWC final without Schmidt - and why Wallabies stand to benefit
His younger brother – now there is a talent!
'Want to show rugby isn't dead in Melbourne': Rebels skipper's fighting words as Eddie calls for 'hard decisions'
It was a bare faced insult to World Rugby and the height of arrogance. The World Cup cycle is 4 years culminating in the tournament.Having qualified and (thus having other countries who tried hard and didn’t) you then do your best. But to start rebuilding before you even get to the final stage is not appropriate. You start your rebuid the day after the
World Cup final, not 8 or 9 months beforehand. Arrogant prick and RA went along with it. Shame all round!!
'Want to show rugby isn't dead in Melbourne': Rebels skipper's fighting words as Eddie calls for 'hard decisions'
Horsh shit – the money was there if they wanted it to be. It should have been seen as an investment in the future, but RA never does that.. and as I keep saying, the only thing that you do in life to advance while looking backwards, is rowing a boat. Everything else requires you to to look forward!!
'Want to show rugby isn't dead in Melbourne': Rebels skipper's fighting words as Eddie calls for 'hard decisions'
I just hope that the strength and conditioning guys and the medico’s manage him. He is young,FFS and still a bit fragile..like it or not .. I hope his Dad is watching closely.
RWC heartache, Eddie and what's next: In demand young gun delivers biggest clue yet on future
Thanks for that. Great colour!
Rebels put aside off-field drama to deliver Super Rugby 'statement' win over Tahs as recruits stand up
The NRC or its predecessoor, ARC would have worked if people had given it time. If the ARC had been left alone, it would now be 20 years down the track and probably a very different beast from where it started. But, I get it, Aussie Rugby people only want instant overnight success not “build it and they will come”. It’s one of my mantras.
'Want to show rugby isn't dead in Melbourne': Rebels skipper's fighting words as Eddie calls for 'hard decisions'
That’s what trials for for, isn’t it?
'We've moved to a more mental realm': JOC reveals the change from Thorn to Kiss - and his 2024 ambitions
Be interesting to see, KC, but he strikes me as a natural 15.
Pressure Points: Full throttle still to be found at Larkham's Brumbies, environment set for shake up
To be fair, I’m guessing most of you didn’t actually hear Marto this morning, I did, as I live in Briz and have been listening to him for years. Always good fun. MMM’s sports coverage is about 2% Rugby and 98% NRL, AFL and Cricket. He at least (call him a shock jock, if you like) gets people thinking about Rugby a little bit every now and then.
'We'll sack him and be in the same position': Ex-Wallaby condemns Larkham snub as Schmidt deal CONFIRMED
I thought it was Eain Evans
'We'll sack him and be in the same position': Ex-Wallaby condemns Larkham snub as Schmidt deal CONFIRMED
Quite right – he wasn’t chosen by a board of Kiwi’s. They are all Australian and all good Rugby IP.
'We'll sack him and be in the same position': Ex-Wallaby condemns Larkham snub as Schmidt deal CONFIRMED
You nailed it – woeful Wallabies on the paddock in those earlier days, but probably a steady hand on the tiller in the boardroom. Mind you the game was controlled by only 2 states back then, and it was amateur, and the press generally did not do much probing into private lives, nor was internet, social media etc even a thing. Purer days, all around.
Broken promises, sacrificial lambs and a monumental low blow - goodbye, good riddance to 2023 for Wallabies fans
Sounds like your glass is less than half empty and could use a refill!
Pressure Points: Full throttle still to be found at Larkham's Brumbies, environment set for shake up
I’m backing Andy Muirhead to have a breakout year. Lots of pressure on the 10’s and there are quite a few contenders who could stand up for the WB’s at 10 – Lolesio, Debrecini, Donaldson, Harrison, Gordon, younger Gordon, Pasitoa, Bowen, Lynagh, McLauchlan Phillips, O’Connor, Harry Burey, not to mention Quade and Bernard Foley. This is a non World Cup year and non-Lions year. Let them all have a crack.
Pressure Points: Full throttle still to be found at Larkham's Brumbies, environment set for shake up
I’m not thrilled to hear that last bit, Leahry, about the clangers. Perhaps we can build something around Tom Hooper or one of the other backrowers that will hold the fort, or even James Slipper, charging in without us needing to commit too many at the breakdown. We may need a genuine jackler. Having said that, I don’t really understand the dark arts. I just want my Brums to win every contest.
Pressure Points: Full throttle still to be found at Larkham's Brumbies, environment set for shake up
Hi, Sheek, good to hear from you. If you wanted evidence that NRL and AFL are the reasons for keeping us weak you only have to look at the growth of Rugby in the US. NFL is so big and so professional that it is virtually in another universe of its own and is not any sort of threat to Rugby, and will never go international, because apart from a few minor semi-pro leagues, people tend to give up the game as players if they don’t graduate out of High School to a College and make the big-time, whereas Rugby now has a pretty good foothold in high schools and amateur clubs. 10 or 20 years ago most Americans only started playing the game in College and mostly socially. It has taken off, thanks to Sevens, and a lot of people with vision. The concept of the NRL starting their season in Las Vegas, or wherever, is laughable. The average American either does not know or care about Rugby, or is a Rugby Union person and not likely to be that impressed with what is on for one weekend. Both College Rugby and MLR are making big strides and they have a world cup in 2032. Can’t see the NRL making much of a dent in USA Rugby, or suddenly a bunch of jocks jumping ship to League. Most Americans will just assume that it is just another Rugby game and get on with their lives, while our boys whoop it up for a day or two before normality sets in, again. About time the mungos got a reality check. Here endeth the rant.
Fears for Rebels' future as debt threatens their Super Rugby existence - but CEO says 'we will be fine'
DJ, let’s not forget that Jack Debrecini is the current incumbent 10, and Noah will now have to fight for his spot. the 9 – 10 ‘style’ is yet to show itself, which is interesting in itself.
Pressure Points: Full throttle still to be found at Larkham's Brumbies, environment set for shake up
I think I liked it better when Rugby was amateur. Here’s a thought – get an Art Union licence – half the proceeds to charities and half towards operating costs.
Fears for Rebels' future as debt threatens their Super Rugby existence - but CEO says 'we will be fine'
.. a thin one, at that.
'He's up for it': Why ex-Boks World Cup-winner Jake White should be on the Wallabies coaching hit list
..it’s called the power of hiring and firing. He selects the team at the end of the day and no player, in the current environment could even think of having a sense of entitlement. Like him or not, Eddie saw to that.
'Something we needed': Coles says ABs would not have made RWC final without Schmidt - and why Wallabies stand to benefit