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Joined June 2019
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I agree.
This is why, in my greatest team of the modern era, I would have Lockyer in at fullback. I cannot put him at 6 ahead of others like Fittler, Daley, Thurston etc but I can squeeze him in at 1 ahead of Billy Slater and Teddy. Slater probably has the crown as the best fullback, but I just cannot leave out Lockyer as he dominated in all facets, playmaking, running, kicking, and controlling the game.
Of course when I see Tedesco and Turbo play blinders I think they just might be the best.
But back to Lockyer, I must have him somewhere in my greatest team (since 1980, or when SOO began). And in big games he was supreme.
Darren Lockyer is the best big game player of all time
I always tune in to a game around half time. I watch from kick off and fast forward at every stoppage, scrums, penalties, TMOs, injuries etc. Inevitably I catch up with the live coverage before full time. That is one problem. The other is the rules and refereeing being way too pedantic. The refs seem to decide all the close games.
But honestly, I only watch because friends sons are playing in the top teams. As an entertainment form it is too hard to invest in rugby. At times watching rugby is like being stuck in a traffic jam while playing Russian roulette. League, AFL and soccer do not have those issues.
WILL GENIA: 'Killing the game' - why I can't watch live rugby, surprising Pete Samu trait, backing Dave for RWC
A little while ago if anyone, with complete goodwill, called for Donaldson to start at 10 and Harrison at 15, they got curt and often rude responses, as if they were somehow trying to derail Harrisons career. Now the elite rugby brains in Aus, the Waratahs coach and the Wallabies coach, seem to think it is a good idea. Harrison may develop into a great 10, but right now he is better value to a side at 15. And it gives him a chance to play to his strengths. And if Donaldson keeps developing as a 10 we may see some of the magic that so often he showed before turning pro. And I have not forgotten Edmed who also impresses each time he plays.
Donaldson daring to dream after surprise Wallabies call-up
Some Waratahs fans want think world class players just appear out of the juniors, with out needing any experience or development.
Others recognize the real improvement over the past 2-3 years of young players like Bell, HJH, Will Harris, Tizzano, Donaldson, Harrison, Mark N, Ramm, Foketi, and others.
It would be nice to snap out fingers and have a world class side. However the reality is different. I would rather support these young players who are trying hard. training hard and showing real improvement. I think encouragement is a better approach than wholesale criticism at this point in the season.
REACTION: Brumbies get it done at GIO Stadium fortress, but Tahs' improvement 'incredible to see'
Ah maybe the headline should say two teams named for this weeks Rugby round. I am a fan of the Force, I think they have done very well all things considered. And the team may be stacked with internationals but they are mostly has beens or B grade Internationals.
In every game the Force play they are generally out gunned in every position (on paper) but they lift and make it competitive. I wish the Tahs would do the same.
Super Rugby Trans-Tasman Round 3 teams: Ready steady go for the Western Force
I like the Indian team selected but it left out Mohinder Armanath. I remember in the 1980s against the West Indian attack at its height he was magnificent. He played them better than anyone in the world, scoring heavily in the Caribbean and at home. I think he has to come in for Dravid. I would also play Kapil at 6, he being one of the best fast bowling all rounders ever. Its hard to choose from the great Indian spinners, but Chandra, Kumble and Bedi all move the ball away from right handers so you would have to include one or two of them and either Prassana or Ashwin for balance. A good read, I like the debate about the Australian team. I would go with my heart and have Thommo and Boon.
The best Australian and Indian sides of the last 50 years
Those flat passes by Lance said a lot for me. No other 10 in Australia is doing that. The back line looked threatening whenever he straightened and threw a flat pass to a runner.
I think the best Wallaby back line has JOC at 12, so I would not rule out Lance as the first pick 10.
Has COVID-19 gifted Lance a Wallaby lifeline?
Looking forward to seeing the whole team play. I am especially keen to see Joey Walton and Ben Donaldson. Both seemed to offer that touch of the sublime, magic hands and innate football sense. Great to see some rugby starting, good luck to both teams.
Waratahs smashed by injury ahead of Super Rugby AU opener
Waratah forwards are very fragile, the ball is never really secure, so the backs cannot play with confidence. Will Harrison is going to be tough for the coach. He is an individual 10 as he likes to kick and run. He looks good behind a strong pack, like the Under 20s pack last year. But his outside men do not easily get into the game when he plays. In the Schoolboys game 2 years ago against the junior All Blacks the centres were Noah Lolesio and Jordan Petaia. They barely got the ball all game as Harrison took on the line with impressive hard runs (but no line break) and useful kicks. Australia were well beaten that day. This seems the reason Randwick played Harrison at fullback, to bring the other outside backs into the game more. As Randwick did not have a dominant pack they made use of the ball they did get. I do not think Beale is the answer. I would stay with Harrison now the ice has been broken, as long as the forwards can make some improvement. But his confidence looked shaken last night so he may need a break to release some pressure.
Too soon for doom and gloom at Waratahs?
Does that explain the Cronulla riot too? Not racism, just a reaction?
I think you are trying hard to justify an ugly element in out society that needs to be addressed.
Uncomfortable as it might be, all sports fans should watch The Final Quarter
That’s it, play the man not the issue. Straight out of the Trump playbook. Think about what Ali and Pickering say, even if you don’t like it, open your mind to the possibility that they are right. Then you might learn and grow.
Uncomfortable as it might be, all sports fans should watch The Final Quarter
The women are standing up and saying they will go play rugby league, for money and respect. And the boys club, the rugby administrators (who I bet all went to boys only private schools) tell the girls that there is no money for them while they collect big salaries, pay huge dollars for Eddie Jones, Sualii, Vunivalu etc.
More power to the women I say, I am so sick of the rugby boys club.
The Wrap: Why Rugby Australia’s women problem isn’t going away any time soon