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Joined July 2023
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Brumbies fans – what is going on with the low spectator numbers for home games in Canberra at the moment? Brumbies are good and worth watching – just curious
The Wrap: Rebels young gun rockets out of Wallabies contention, and why Samipeni Finau's 'brutal' hit on Edmed was fair game
A man after my own heart KFTD – nothing better
RIP, David Lord: Australian sports journalism icon was 'always thoughtful and thought-provoking'
PeterK – appreciate your point but another way of looking at it is that this is about depth and having a high floor along with a high ceiling between all the players available.
Aussie-born England capped rake Nic Dolly signs with Force ... and he'll soon be eligible for the Wallabies
Here is a longbow for you – I feel like David Nucifora’s hands are all over this one. In his time with Ireland, he has implemented or fortified a lot of systems to improve depth. One of the important systems that he fortified was the Irish Qualified (“IQ”) program (It had been in place in different guises forever) – Basically if one of the Irish provinces needed to sign overseas for a , let’s say loosehead prop – the first port of call was the IQ program (Tom Court from QLD to Ulster is a good example). I.e. If we are going to pay rather than grow, let’s see if we can get one who is eligible for Ireland as the first port of call.
Australia have never really had to worry about that as traditionally it had so many players it was just next man up. It should definitely be a consideration for all future transactions though. Dolly is clearly Aussie born and bred of which I had no idea until reading this. Someone is doing their homework behind the scenes. This is encouraging
Aussie-born England capped rake Nic Dolly signs with Force ... and he'll soon be eligible for the Wallabies
STT – spot out about Julian Heaven – some really punchy carries – can’t recall exactly what his throwing stats were which would be interesting to have. He is apparently 6,1 tall in old money and 103 kgs. He is only 23 so plenty of time to add timber.
Brumbies make it 12 straight against Tahs as Bell hobbles off in worrying sign for Wallabies
Excellent, well written and researched article JD!
I was aware of a lot of this but great job in putting it all together – so bloody frustrating that the new president has shelved a program that is obviously paying dividends.
You should have a look at and compare the Scottish situation to Italys. They were meant to implement a Super 6 semi pro tier under Glasgow and Edinburgh a few years ago and it never materialised. Once this current Scottish team gets old, I really fear for the future there.
How Italy revolutionised their youth system to produce a golden generation – and what Australia can learn from it
You are on the something here KCOL,
Polite clapping at Moore Park isn’t the applause required for a future.
I lived in Sydney during that era and went to a lot of Tahs matches. Having come from Ireland, I could not get over the lack of atmosphere at the games (they were good then too!) relative to the efforts of the team on the park. It struck me that people were there to be entertained and to eat their hot chips in their plastic seat.
Back home you went as a supporter to barrack on your team, get behind them and shout them on – hot chips were not front of mind…..
Five things we learnt: Why Cheika could be the man to resurrect Tahs, Thor is the new Quade, value of sevens
Then why not offer Steve Hansen 2 million a year to coach them? Ah right, we don’t have any money.
We need to get realistic about who we can afford and what we should be spending on every single appointment within Australian rugby.
The current predicament with the Tahs is the result of years of issues including pathways, talent identification and retainment etc etc.
Hiring a big name expensive coach won’t necessarily lead to immediate success. I’d rather spend moderately on the Tahs coach and that it be a local appointment – Friend fits this bill
Concurrently, NSW Rugby needs to be overhauled to ensures that the best schoolboy and Country prospects are being looked after and directed to the Tahs.
Five things we learnt: Why Cheika could be the man to resurrect Tahs, Thor is the new Quade, value of sevens
Friend spent 5 years as Connachts head coach and improved them year on year with very little resources. He had to find players that were overlooked elsewhere and coach them. At the end of his tenure, he was universally respected in Ireland for his achievements, well regarded by the fans and was excellent with the media – not sure there is a better Australian candidate out there currently available IMO
Five things we learnt: Why Cheika could be the man to resurrect Tahs, Thor is the new Quade, value of sevens
Andy Friend took Connacht (Ireland’s fourth province with by the least resources)to the URC semi final in his last coaching role and was a sniff away from the final. That is like nearly taking the Force (without Twiggys money) to the Super Rugby final
Five things we learnt: Why Cheika could be the man to resurrect Tahs, Thor is the new Quade, value of sevens
“A talent jam at 15” pray tell, name your 3 best 15s available for the Wallabies?
'We’d like to see Taniela stay': RA 'absolutely' want Thor for Lions, have 'contingency plans' for Rebels crisis
Ironically enough Holland is actually Dutch!
Razor's pursuit of 'hard bastard' Sam Whitelock reveals the ugly truth about the modern All Blacks
Calling this now – Leinster linked with TT sounds like the biggest load of rubbish.
They won’t tolerate players that cannot maintain basic fitness regardless of their potential. I could be wrong given his power would make a difference if fit ( not being harsh, we all know how good he could be)
Five things we learned: Schmidt's selection headache, Carter's a No.12 wildcard, and $1m Thor must step up
Spot on fellas, very undervalued player. The Reds, Tahs, Force and Rebels would love to have him.
'Statement game': Brumbies smash Moana Pasifika as Lolesio, Wright and Toole light up Canberra
Just leaving this here Charlie!
'Statement game': Brumbies smash Moana Pasifika as Lolesio, Wright and Toole light up Canberra
This is actually a really nice piece of business. I wonder how they got a release from Leicester mid season?
'Ready to go': Force sign ex-Wallabies lock in Super Rugby mid-year boost
W Evans – Good article and thank you
I think you can also argue for the opposite side of the coin here. Yes, a lot of these coaches are ‘stepping’ up a level but isn’t that actually a positive?
The other way to do it would be to spend a fortune on overseas coaches (who then leave and return home with Australia losing that IP) at a time where we are already in financial strife.
I actually think Cron, Coleman and Foote are doing really well given the resources and respective issues they are facing.
Cron doesn’t have a tight five currently, Coleman is light on tight five forwards and the ridiculous Sydney expectations. Foote we all know about the Rebels.
AND – how about a word for Brad Thorn? Les Kiss is doing an amazing job but no way he hits the ground running without the prior work of Thorn.
I think a forwards coaching role needs to be found for him ASAP. The man knows how to get mongrel in a pack.
Set up to fail: The gaping hole in Aussie Super Rugby coaching CVs - with one clear exception
Doc – Rob Kearney was a consummate professional rugby player known at Leinster for driving standards – if any of the Force youngsters picked up even half his habits they’ll be on the right road.
Kearney was signed by the Force for that reason, not his playing ability at the time. (Which was still more than adequate at that level)
Set up to fail: The gaping hole in Aussie Super Rugby coaching CVs - with one clear exception
Seriously Ben, love your work but
The NRL and AFL can both rightly claim they are the best available competitions in the world for their particular sports
The AFL is only played in Australia…..
Passionate, visceral, irrational tribalism is vital for any competition to succeed. Is a lack of it damaging Super Rugby?
No one produces more high quality young players than South Africa MM. You only have to look at the number of SA players playing professionally around the globe. SA has great domestic progression and an ability to handle change – Look at the FS Cheetahs – still going and still decent. The chat is that Scotland are going to apply for a third franchise in the URC soon. I hope the FS get the chance to come in too.
ALso, the Varsity Cup does not get as much credit as it deserves. Great rugby and on TV on a Wednesday night – that is just so smart
Ireland hold firm to clinch Six Nations, Gatland offers to quit as Wales hit 'rock bottom', France win thriller over England
All teams go through cycles and it is so hard to stay on top – New Zealand 2011 through 2017 is probably the pinnacle of consistency. Ireland’s form has definitely dipped fractionally *but* only relative to the standards they have now set themselves. They have just won back to back 6 nations and the sentiment is somewhat negative. Shows the altitude they are now running at.
JD – re whether or not Ireland can replenish – have a look at the U-20s sides we have produced over the last three years – two grand slams and just pipped by England this year (a fine young English team I might add) – over the last three years Ireland have produced some incredible young players, this year’s crop have some of the biggest Irish men I have ever seen – three of the second rows are 6-10 in old money. They are heavy too. Fingers crossed……
Ireland hold firm to clinch Six Nations, Gatland offers to quit as Wales hit 'rock bottom', France win thriller over England
That should offset about half of the unauthorised overspend at the World Cup!
Ireland hold firm to clinch Six Nations, Gatland offers to quit as Wales hit 'rock bottom', France win thriller over England
Mate, ask yourself a couple of questions – Are the Reds good to watch this year? Are they playing with heart and fight? Are they the type of team that people want to watch and get behind? I think the answer to all three questions is yes. I am not a Queenslander but I am actively checking the fixtures each week to pencil in watching them. Can’t say I have done that in a long time…..
'Be useful': how unrivalled discipline and work rate is lifting the Reds to new heights
I was thinking of Blyth yesterday. The Reds were giving away a lot of Kilos vs the Chiefs and Hurricanes. Blyth will add some size. To be fair, Uru was been fantastic and is a great footballer.
Another big, hard working body does help though
'Be useful': how unrivalled discipline and work rate is lifting the Reds to new heights
Great article Nick,
Force should go after Brad Thorn for forwards coach for next year. Pay him what he needs and let him build a pack like he did at QLD – would be a game changer for them
Australia's SRP sides may have fallen at trans-Tasman hurdle - but three signs point to a closing gap