J Joseph's Roar Profile

So much to like about this article; really interesting analysis of this terribly hard role. Andy Friend makes a lot of sense as usual, and he raises the idea of four pillars that make up a rugby community. The ineptitude of the fourth pillar in Australian rugby — the administrators — seems to be a major contributing factor in the overall malaise. We need more women and men who are genuinely interested in the well-being of the game rather than big noting themselves.

'Our system is failing': The 'crisis' sinking Australian rugby - and the 'crucified' coach that shows it

Quade’s best chance is off the bench. Bring him into the game when things are opening up in about the 65th minute, and not a moment before. He is not fond of tackling and rush defence panics him, but when the defence is a little weary he can be deadly.

Carter 'stitched up', Noah's 'blessing in disguise': Ex-Wallaby 10's verdict on 'personal' duel and World Cup fallout

Well Abraham sired a son when he was about 100 and Sarah was maybe 90, so who knows?

Bollocks to the doom merchants - Super Rugby 2024 offers Australian rugby its most glorious opportunity

My perception of Deans, Rennie and Schmidt is that they are quiet, determined and thoughtful. None are “know-alls” and they certainly don’t carry on like Jones and Cheika. What they know is in their blood, but they don’t trumpet that.

Poaching NZ coaches won't solve the Wallabies' woes - the real solution is a lot less sexy

Maybe this is all true, but you need a national coach who has a vision and a plan. You need a national coach who is honest and prepared to be transparent. And you need a national coach who will assemble high calibre assistants who are all on the same page. That is the first piece of the puzzle and I suspect the new appointee fills the bill.

Perhaps a new genre: Slap-stick Tragedy. Imagine what the Monty Python crowd could have done with this material.

'Stands out like dog's balls', 'set up for failure': Wretched Eddie-Slips moment that explains World Cup disaster

Interesting article, illustrating how little there is to cheer about if this is the best our provinces can do.

Super Rugby Pacific 2024: The best new signing for each Australian side

Can Australian provinces develop beyond the structure of the past twenty years? Can we develop an ability to play ensemble rugby with more frequent running and passing exchanges between backs and forwards? Can we play a consistent off load game that puts us in behind the defensive line? Can we see players using evasive skills at pace instead of, or in combination with, rehearsed and predictable backline plays? Can we teach players to play what is in front of them instead of being tied to structure? Can we school players to react more quickly to opposition mistakes through counter attack? Can we develop a national attacking scheme that is uninhibited and free from mindless pre-planned mechanisms that are not testing organised defensive lines? The 1999 plan was great, and well ahead of its time, but that was a quarter of a century ago.

'I noticed it': Why Eddie could still play a part in Aussie rugby's turnaround - and the 'hard conversations' driving Brumbies

Please Peter Horne address this issue now. Losing players like Kemeny cannot be sustained.

Wallaby signs with English giants in new setback for reeling Rebels

Let’s face it: the Rebels only hope is the Victorian government. Good grief. I’ve just realised: the Rebels have no hope.

Leaked document says RA out to 'destroy Super Rugby' and 'turn members against each other' as Rebels' pain comes to light

Point taken.

Utter stupidity to move Rennie on when the team had made some progress (38% aside). They lost narrowly to Ireland and France and at least had a sense of purpose and coherence. Who knows how they would have performed at the RWC, but I suspect they would have made the quarter final stage. So was it all Eddie’s fault? Not really. The blame lies at the feet of the architect who shoved Rennie out and expected a miracle in just a few months. Naive and extremely negligent.

Clever administration and thoughtful leadership are not RA strong points. Combine this with parochial franchises and you have the ideal conditions for a total cockup. If this document is real then why hasn’t it been circulated to all member unions? Get every viewpoint out in the light and let there be robust discussions. Blood will be spilt, but that is preferable than the continued Machiavellian behaviour so typical of sports administrators in this neck of the woods. Maybe bring back John O’Neill.

Smith is too good a player to keep failing, wherever he bats; Green not so sure. Is he a bit soft?

Aussies face huge call over batting experiment with Smith and Green failing again as Windies turn Test on its head

Jan

A great analysis of Bazball. My fear is that the BCCI will continue to demand absurd playing surfaces for this series. If they do so, and why would one think otherwise, then Bazball will be thwarted. Do you remember the last England series in India? The first test was played on a surface that was something akin to a decent cricket wicket and Joe Root scored heavily. The ball didn’t do diabolical things until day three. After that first test, on the first day of the remaining tests the ball turned on crumbling clay that reminded me of the Dakar rally. Will we see the same this time around? The crazy thing is that the Indians don’t need to do this ultra-doctoring as they have the second best balanced test team in the world, and some would argue it is the best. A great fast attack who bowl brilliantly in all conditions, a batting list to envy and spin bowlers who are serviceable, except on Indian pitches whereupon they become a nightmare to contend with. Can Bazball overcome? PS do not respond by saying all countries doctor their pitches (which is true to some degree). What India does goes way beyond acceptable limits.

Bazball heads to India: Can England still swing away, or will the spinners strike back?

Let’s hope that Joe can bring some sort of cohesion and singularity to the five state/territory franchises for the good of the national team. It would also be helpful if a directive went down the line right into the grassroots to abandon the highly structured and exceedingly boring and mindless style currently pervading Australian rugby. We need to return to a running game that used to be a Wallaby trademark that involves all fifteen players. We need to urge talented young kids (backs and forwards) who have an inkling to have a go to adapt to playing what’s in front of them. Encourage them to develop a daring offload game from the earliest age, and teach them to support, support and support the ball carrier (backs and forwards). If we can do this relentlessly from under 7s, in about three to five years we may begin to see some players who have heightened intuition and a different mindset.

Exclusive: Wallabies to turn to Kiwi Schmidt as Eddie Jones' replacement

Where does all this stop? I know players wear sponsor logos, and this is an obligation that they agree to contractually I presume. We all want peace for each other and mankind, but do players need to make public declarations? Khawaja’s original message was parochial by its colour scheme, and therefore quite divisive. So, for all the message of peace that it supposedly carried, it was a bit more than that. Most of us are horrified by war. I watch cricket as a form of enjoyment and to lose myself in a game usually played in good spirit at a high level. I don’t need a reminder about events that I am distracting myself from.

'Some human rights are inalienable': Khawaja scores a win in battle to display peace logo - as Albanese backs opener

This is a great article. Thoughtful and slightly provocative, but fair. I enjoyed reading this far more than reading about the Wallabies — we’re only a very small part of world rugby after all. Thanks for the time taken to write so creatively.

Broken promises, sacrificial lambs and a monumental low blow - goodbye, good riddance to 2023 for Wallabies fans

Dec

May not be a wise move.

Eddie Jones has second interview with Japan weeks after quitting Wallabies

Great to be reminded of one of the best Japanese exports.

Listening to Foketi, Bell and Gordon, there can be no doubt that Eddie Jones was a hard worker and had appeal to a variety of players. It seems he wanted the World Cup gig in the hope he could big note himself as the master coach. It is also clear he never wanted to continue long term. The Board was grossly in error in appointing him; reckless in fact.

Still no apology for the appalling treatment of Dave Rennie. How about it Daniel and Phil?

You are an utter champion JP. To coach year after year for forty years is amazing. You may have no trophies to show for it, but I’ll bet you have hundreds of grateful former Under 12s players, as well as their parents. That marks far greater success than any number of premierships.

Two NRL coaches, 20 seasons between them - and bugger all to show for it

League

Can they pronounce his name correctly? He is an exciting player, but I would have thought Marika was a better proposition.

NRL powerhouse target Wallabies young gun as replacement for Suaalii

Newer Comments Older Comments