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…
Well said, Dean. Did McLennan interrogate Jones as to what he’d learned from his catastrophic failures the first time around before appointing him the second time? My memory is that Jones took a champion team built by others and then used it to enact some insane plan to unite the two rugby codes, so starting a two-decade-long slide into oblivion. His obsessions are toxic for the Wallabies. Hopefully that much is now clear.
Wallabies are where the All Blacks were in 2007 - it's time to look in the mirror or risk more embarrassment
The McLennan/Jones train wreck is just symptomatic of a weak RA. Snake oil salesmen inevitably prey on the vulnerable not the strong. Neither has anything to offer Australian rugby and they’ll be gone soon enough taking their centralisation and private equity buzzwords with them. While we should look to work cooperatively across the rugby landscape as a matter of course and centralise resources where it makes sense, the focus should be on developing skills in coaches and players right through the ranks. How do we best do that? We already have a technical advisory committee in place, consisting of well-credentialled people like Bob Dwyer, Rod Macqueen and Dick Marks, so perhaps that’s the place to start mapping it out. The new high performance director should support and oversee at the professional level, consulting of course with the board, CEO and new head coach. No out-of-control egos, bombast, expensive vanity projects, short-term sugar hits or million-dollar leaguies. Just hard work, respect, steady improvement and things will start to turn around.
Wallabies are where the All Blacks were in 2007 - it's time to look in the mirror or risk more embarrassment
They don’t operate from the same building. RA is at Moore Park, the Waratahs HQ is at Daceyville.
Exclusive: 'Seismic shift' as Waratahs to hand over keys to RA in boost to reform push - others to follow
Enjoyed the positive perspective, JF. A truly competitive Super Rugby could see a return to the glory days. There were hints of what’s possible with the Reds in 2021 and the Tahs in 2022. Coaching will be critical.
'Beacon of hope': Wallabies' RWC disaster has made Super Rugby success even more vital for the game's future
Coaching was a focus of the technical advisory committee, formed in 2020: https://amp.abc.net.au/article/102918550
Perhaps Phil Waugh could let us know more about the status of the committee, what’s been achieved/implemented and where it goes from here?
Not so 'Smart Rugby': Putting the Australian coaching education system under the spotlight
Spot on, Spiro. Jones’ obsession with league is no secret but it beggars belief that RA would rehire him without any public acknowledgment the errors in his disastrous first term. I’m hoping that the ‘full support’ message from RA is actually code for ‘fired’ but encourage everyone to email RA to express their rage and insist Jones and his enabler McLennan go.
SPIRO ZAVOS: Eddie Jones' coaching flaw is his belief that rugby is the same game as league
You’re far too kind, Geoff. I think Jones loves being the star of the show and took the job as a balm for his bruised ego without any thought to what was best for Aus rugby. Every decision he’s made since is about getting shock, horror, outrage headlines so he remains in the spotlight. Likewise every press conference. It was never about the Wallabies, only Jones.
COMMENT: Kumbaya to chaos - if RA's boss is throwing in the towel so early, what exactly are we doing in France?
No chance of that, fortunately. He’s already said the women are a ‘secondary’ priority — ie not a priority at all.
'People smell blood': Eddie says Wallabies had to change ahead of World Cup ... even if it costs him his job
Six years to win a RWC? Good to know Jones is prioritising the Wallaroos’ 2029 campaign.
'People smell blood': Eddie says Wallabies had to change ahead of World Cup ... even if it costs him his job
Higher standards of behaviour … like that displayed by the boorish Jones in his press conferences? He might want to get some tips from the classy Hooper and Cooper about not being a jerk.
'People smell blood': Eddie says Wallabies had to change ahead of World Cup ... even if it costs him his job
Relieved to see Kellaway back. Would have started Philip instead of Arnold — fewer penalties and more carrying power. McReight will be missed until he comes on; Hooper the younger is not a 7!
Wallabies CONFIRMED: Gordon benched as Eddie banks on Ben Donaldson, star returns for do-or-die RWC clash
Nicely said, Geoff, but I’m really not that surprised by McLennan or Jones’ pronouncements any longer. Nothing about their behaviour suggests they care about the Wallabies or Australian rugby, just about maintaining their influence and power, hence the endless narrative shifts which are an insult to the team, supporters and media. Does McLennan really think he’s fooling anyone? On the bright side, Tate McDermott is standing up as a real leader — open, direct and positive — everything McLennan isn’t. And however poorly selected and coached this team is, no one watching the game v Fiji and the distress in defeat of young men like Bell, Valetini and Frost would have any doubt that the team cares very much. That at least gives me hope.
COMMENT: Kumbaya to chaos - if RA's boss is throwing in the towel so early, what exactly are we doing in France?
As others have said, the narrative has subtly linked the exclusion of Hooper and Cooper with letting go of the failed past. Unfortunately, Jones miscalculated, forgetting that many supporters have a strong emotional connection to these two wonderful players. Jones has lost control of his own narrative.
Exclusive: 'I back him 1000%' - RA chair endorses Eddie's 'bold, brave' Wallabies selection for RWC
As you wrote just the other day, Christy, we need to stop accepting mediocrity — presumably like the 0% Jones has delivered. Yet McLennan is 1000% okay with it? Surely not because he appointed the dude? This is not to wish the Wallabies ill — there are many fine players in the squad from Slips to young Gordon, Bobby V to the Fez and Kels to young Hoops. We support them. But it’s obvious that the overall squad selection is inadequate, leadership non-existent, communication terrible and the build-up chaotic. Oh for Michael Hooper at the helm of this campaign, who would tell you straight that there is no 1000%, and whose quiet positivity, respect and hold on reality we are desperately missing.
Exclusive: 'I back him 1000%' - RA chair endorses Eddie's 'bold, brave' Wallabies selection for RWC
Thanks for capturing my disquiet, Geoff. It may be that Eddie Jones sees himself as both mastermind and clown but will the rugby public really be fooled by the smoke and mirrors, or dazzled and distracted by all the youthful brilliance coming through? A few thoughts: Firstly, if the smash-and-grab job is off, Jones took Rennie’s job just because he could and not because he could make a difference. Secondly, if I was Jones, the last people I’d want around to challenge me and hold me to account would be wise and capable operators like Michael Hooper and Quade Cooper. Finally, Jones’ reputation has been built on ambush victories and leaving teams worse than he found them. The golden runway is likely to see a crash landing. Nevertheless, the gold beret is packed for the flight to Europe in a few days.
The Wrap: Is Eddie Jones playing the role of Keyser Soze or Frank Drebin?
A shining beacon for Australian rugby in often dark times, a heart matched only by his engine, courage on and off the field … what a warrior. Thanks for everything, Hoops! Have loved watching you grow as a player and leader. Hope there’s another chapter to come in your rugby story.
'You have no control over some things': Hoops' bleak prophecy that played out in ruthless Eddie call - and what comes next
I suppose he might just stumble across a game plan and team that works, but that’s not experienced, insightful coaching. It’s dumb luck. All he had to do was take the good stuff Rennie left and fix the discipline and attacking breakdown. 😔
'Load of rubbish': Eddie slams Carter critique ahead of ABs rematch, says Wallabies must 'invest' in young 10
Raft of excuses and changes of narrative are classic signs of a con job.
'Load of rubbish': Eddie slams Carter critique ahead of ABs rematch, says Wallabies must 'invest' in young 10
😂
'Load of rubbish': Eddie slams Carter critique ahead of ABs rematch, says Wallabies must 'invest' in young 10
Agree. The best coaches give emerging players the best chance to succeed by surrounding them with experience on the field. Having a host of players with little experience is setting them up to fail — and in a decade’s time you have another ‘failed’ generation. In fact, they haven’t failed; they’ve been failed by a system that values all the wrong things.
'Load of rubbish': Eddie slams Carter critique ahead of ABs rematch, says Wallabies must 'invest' in young 10
The cult of personality and shutting down dissenting views are two key signs of a dictatorship. My poor Wallabies. More than anything they need someone who can unite the rugby community behind them.
'Load of rubbish': Eddie slams Carter critique ahead of ABs rematch, says Wallabies must 'invest' in young 10
Absolutely — and the other journo was simply inviting Jones to expand on young players needing time in the saddle. It’s a topic that Michael Hooper discussed very openly and respectfully in a press conference a couple of years ago in the context of the Lolesio/Cooper dynamic. Shutting down the media is neither professional nor helpful.
'Load of rubbish': Eddie slams Carter critique ahead of ABs rematch, says Wallabies must 'invest' in young 10
You should’ve asked about Vunivalu, who’s training the house down apparently.
'Load of rubbish': Eddie slams Carter critique ahead of ABs rematch, says Wallabies must 'invest' in young 10
Jones accused one journo of trying to fill Gordon’s head with rubbish, which had to be refuted. What on earth! The Wallabies need to be engaging with everyone in the rugby community, especially the media, not treating them with disdain. If he thinks he’s above questions, he’s in for a rude shock.
'Load of rubbish': Eddie slams Carter critique ahead of ABs rematch, says Wallabies must 'invest' in young 10
I get the impression Jones wants to be sacked so RA is playing smart by not indulging him. Jones has now made the first move via his reps, indicating that he’s ready to go. It’s his decision so you’d imagine any payout would be modest.
'I'm so pissed off': Eddie open to walking away from Wallabies if it suits RA, sticks knife into Hoops, Quade