Roar Rookie
Joined March 2021
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Australian rugby has had a rocky ride in the last few months (years perhaps, decades even) but let’s not dwell on that. Instead, let’s…
Harry Kimble had a thing for hats. He wore more than a few during his time in rugby as a ball boy, player, ref,…
Australians as a people tend towards a sunny outlook. At least that’s the popular perception. Yet for some reason, rugby in these parts seems…
It has to be a record. Not even three days after Australia was announced as the host of not one but two Rugby World…
Could there possibly be a more treacherous (some might say suicidal) rugby mission than to set up shop in the most rabid AFL city…
If we've heard it once, we've heard it a thousand times: Australian Super Rugby teams are just a no-good sorry bunch, losing 92 per…
At this time of year, everyone has their own rugby wish list. Wallabies head coach Dave Rennie’s list would no doubt begin and end…
Samu Kerevi said it best a couple of years back, with his memorable promise to “learn the learnings”, and – after a 2021 season…
“Age and treachery will triumph over youth and exuberance” was the encouraging message on a birthday card purchased recently for an older family member.…
The Wallabies right now resemble a golden retriever puppy – good-natured, full of energy and easy to like despite the occasional accident on the…
Numbers tell a story but not always the full story or the most important, and they don’t always get to the heart of the…
It’s the question that just won’t go away: should Australian rugby’s overseas contingent be eligible to play for the Wallabies? The argument fired up…
Like any respectable rugby tragic, I’ve spent the past few years scouring articles, listening to pods and indulging the experts who all claim to…
How much is too much when it comes to Test rugby? Rugby hasn’t always been good at getting its offering right. However, with Rugby…
A week is a long time in rugby. This time last week I started to draft an outline of the key things I thought…
I’m also wondering about the entitled egos, not to mention the gap between the erhic groups. Ethnic, maybe? Didn’t see much of a gap between a devastated Rob Valetini and Nick Frost after the Wales game. The real cultural gap was between two huge egos and the rest of the rugby community.
RA's new HP director 'totally open' to foreign coach as RA sets timeline, CEO reacts to player dismay over Eddie
Well said, Hughi. RA needs to draw a line under 2023 before next season, and that includes addressing the way players like Hooper, Cooper, Foley, Ikitau, Samu, Hodge and Holloway were treated, not to mention Rennie and Marinos. No one would dispute that they are decent people who were working hard for Australian rugby and deserved far more respect. I wrote to RA suggesting this months ago, and I’m hoping that the review highlights this so that everyone knows that what happened was wrong, and we can move on.
RA's new HP director 'totally open' to foreign coach as RA sets timeline, CEO reacts to player dismay over Eddie
It wouldn’t be physically or logistically possible, and I’m sure his contract would preclude anything like that.
'We don’t hold any grudges': Why Wallabies star will still be picked in 2024 despite NRL defection
Fascinating, FM. Thanks for such a well-researched piece. What I find hard to understand is that discipline has been terrible under two completely different coaches — Rennie and Jones. Did they try to implement ideas that the Wallabies just didn’t get, hence putting the team under constant pressure?
The pain that comes from shooting yourself in the foot: A Wallabies penalty deep dive
Hearing you, Rocky. Part of the problem has been the overwhelming financial pressures which almost force administrators to look for quick fixes rather than long-term sustainable progress. It’s likely that even experienced administrators from other sports would struggle given rugby’s unique challenges. At least Waugh and Herbert know rugby inside and out. Let’s see what they can do.
'Agonising rawness' that must be a lightbulb moment for RA’s new powerbrokers
Good to hear Vest is doing well.
'They're were a few crazies running around screaming': Connor Vest reflects on 'scary times' after broken neck
Thanks, Coker. No one has all the answers but the Roar community has produced some gems over the years! Amid all the doom and gloom, I really think rugby has plenty of upside. It’s a matter of identifying the positives and optimising them.
'Agonising rawness' that must be a lightbulb moment for RA’s new powerbrokers
He started out well enough but the problem with is when one person thinks they have all the answers. If he’d stuck with broadcast and sponsor negotiations, it might have been okay but getting involved in high performance matters was catastrophic.
'Agonising rawness' that must be a lightbulb moment for RA’s new powerbrokers
Must have missed those.
'Agonising rawness' that must be a lightbulb moment for RA’s new powerbrokers
Agree about SBS but I wonder if it has the finances to pay for Super Rugby? Christy Doran has made the point that Stan is not paying enough for rugby, which is adding to RA’s problems. Getting even less from SBS would be disastrous. Making rugby more family friendly is an important point but again it also needs to be at a broadcast friendly time. Perhaps 7pm would be a happy medium?
'Agonising rawness' that must be a lightbulb moment for RA’s new powerbrokers
Well said by Waugh, and the thing is that by putting everything into the here and now, you are building a solid platform into the future. Your best players are more likely to deliver high performance, which feeds into results, reputation, standards, pride, interest and awareness, finances etc etc.
'We don’t hold any grudges': Why Wallabies star will still be picked in 2024 despite NRL defection
Spot on, Dionysus. RA should look at the ROI for everything, while understanding that some initiatives take time to deliver. Love the Canadian slogan. Every kid should have a chance to experience rugby, and not just for the sake of our pathways but for the enjoyment and life lessons they stand to gain. Finances underpin everything, of course, but if we can get the Sevens Women and Super Rugby at least sustainable and ideally profitable, it would take the pressure off the Wallabies program to do all the heavy financial lifting
'Agonising rawness' that must be a lightbulb moment for RA’s new powerbrokers
Thanks for reading, RR. I do understand your pessimism. My original draft was far more negative but on reflection there’s plenty of opportunity to rebuild. Herbert and Waugh deserve a chance. Waugh has served in both the Waratahs and RA boards so he must have an inside view of how sports admin works, likewise Herbert at the QRU. In terms of practical steps such as building the profile of the sevens women, RA could look to create opportunity for those stars to be seen more. A Super Sevens comp perhaps, moving around the country year by year, ncluding Fiji, Samoa and Tonga, to follow the Oceania Sevens? Yes, it would require money but there must be sponsors who’d leap at the opportunity to have Caslick, the Levi sisters or Terita as the face of their brand. With Super Rugby, you could look to build on the personal, state and country rivalries, and invest in the celebration of Pacific sport and culture.
'Agonising rawness' that must be a lightbulb moment for RA’s new powerbrokers
Now I get why McLennan wanted ‘five Joseph Suaaliis’! 😂
Rugby News: RA hunting missing million after contract blunder, Suaalii worth 10x more than his deal, McKellar's big win
Whatever people think of the Rebs, they seem to be doing a fine job with Gordon. He’s the real deal and I think he’ll be fine now he’s back with them and away from whatever weird stuff Jones and his acolytes were smoking. Could be good for him if Larkham is appointed Wallabies head coach or attack coach.
'Sad to see him go': Young gun Gordon says Wallabies won't be scarred from World Cup flop
It was also an Australian coach who just blew the Wallabies up!
How McLennan departure could help Wallabies land ex-Ireland, All Blacks coach as Eddie's replacement
With support from an experienced high performance director handling the politics and the transition to a more aligned model, I think you could have an inexperienced national head coach such as Larkham. It might even suit a young team to have a young coach if we’re prepared to be a little patient. As important as the head coach, though, is the team around them, and their ability to work as a complementary and cohesive unit. That surely has to be one of the big lessons from this year!
How McLennan departure could help Wallabies land ex-Ireland, All Blacks coach as Eddie's replacement
Cadbury is the Wallabies and Wallaroos’ main jersey sponsor for the next two years. Why jeopardise that relationship?
'Shame on the plodders': Hamish blasts RA 'boneheads' as Harvey Norman deal ends - but founder denies link to axing
Goodness! With his demeaning comments about the smaller rugby provinces and insults directed towards Queensland, McLennan is really letting his true colours show. I’d be surprised if his other boards aren’t starting to have doubts about his suitability as a director given his struggles with self-control.
'Shame on the plodders': Hamish blasts RA 'boneheads' as Harvey Norman deal ends - but founder denies link to axing
Campo thrived as a maverick in the amateur age, and I get the sense he thinks he should be able to bring the same freewheeling style to a professional coaching position. But it’s not that easy, as he’s probably found. If he’s serious about coaching, he needs to start at club level and work his way up to a role in Super Rugby.
Winners take chances, and that is just what the Wallabies need right now: Is it time to start listening to David Campese?
As a Waratahs supporter, I don’t profess to know much about the Queensland set up. But it was reassuring to see Brett Clark’s calm and open approach to leadership, and the focus on players and pathways. Surely the alignment between the six provinces around RA’s leadership shows the states can work together for the good of Australian rugby.
Humility cuts both ways: Brett Clark and the QRU deserve the same scrutiny as Hamish McLennan
Just shows how inspirational these women are!
Meet the 'ridiculous' sevens sister act who can change Aussie rugby by winning gold and a World Cup
Thanks for a great story, Christy. Some stupendous rugby players in this team, and so exciting to watch. Looking forward to seeing the Levis on the biggest stage of all next year.
Meet the 'ridiculous' sevens sister act who can change Aussie rugby by winning gold and a World Cup
Not everyone appreciates a dose of reality, Tony. Rest assured many of us are very appreciative of the Roar’s comprehensive coverage of recent events.
COMMENT: 'Best interests of the game'? Hamish's dummy spit proves RA was right to cut him loose
Pete Samu too.
RA's new HP director 'totally open' to foreign coach as RA sets timeline, CEO reacts to player dismay over Eddie