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In my first ever Roar article I ask if we may take what is currently good and functional about Australian rugby, and deploy it…
“ The Wallabies had already fallen apart before the RWC cup with “ Jones’ mad hatter game plans, wild selections, poor assistants and distracted preparation brought on by a late regime change.
Skelton, as a selection and captain, was one detail, amongst the very few, that Eddie got right imo.
Scrap the Giteau Law: Rugby Australia should look to Rassie's 'Boks RWC recipe if it wants to re-join the big boys' table
Harry, that’s a deal, I’d accept. Where do I sign?
Scrap the Giteau Law: Rugby Australia should look to Rassie's 'Boks RWC recipe if it wants to re-join the big boys' table
Yes O’man, but like 3 schooners for under a buck, our ship may have sailed.
Scrap the Giteau Law: Rugby Australia should look to Rassie's 'Boks RWC recipe if it wants to re-join the big boys' table
I looked east for that speaker, but it seems he’s gone west, way west?
Scrap the Giteau Law: Rugby Australia should look to Rassie's 'Boks RWC recipe if it wants to re-join the big boys' table
Some come here for the rugby, Harry.
Me… I come for the argument. 😛
Scrap the Giteau Law: Rugby Australia should look to Rassie's 'Boks RWC recipe if it wants to re-join the big boys' table
Good spot Dusty.
Scrap the Giteau Law: Rugby Australia should look to Rassie's 'Boks RWC recipe if it wants to re-join the big boys' table
Thought the same Peter.
Every argument here needs to be ground out through the Eddie mincer.
The folly of the late change ( and the poor assistants) made a mess of the team then, and of the post mortems now.
Scrap the Giteau Law: Rugby Australia should look to Rassie's 'Boks RWC recipe if it wants to re-join the big boys' table
To be clear Harry, I would like it to work, because
-the SA example is clear and abundant
– we could ‘retain’ WBs without paying all their expenses
– we might have surplus resources to put into a national domestic comp, ala Curry or NPC, one key differentiator between us and the two SH juggernauts
There may be others.
BUT, laissez faire may have detrimental and unforeseen consequences.
And I doubt that such a genie once liberated will return to its bottle.
I’ve said it before – I prefer an expanded Giteau. But I’m grateful for your offer here. It’s an argument Australia has to have.
Scrap the Giteau Law: Rugby Australia should look to Rassie's 'Boks RWC recipe if it wants to re-join the big boys' table
“ Jean Kleyn wasn’t better than Eben Etzebeth. He didn’t have to be. But he was better than Nortje or Ruben ”
This aspect makes sense Harry I grant you.
The folly Jones foisted on us when he chose some work experience locals over veteran competence as back ups last year.
I’ve been arguing similarly with the ‘new broom’ mob who want all our 10 prospects to be under 30 y.o. irrespective of competence.
In the military they say – If you have one, you have none. If you have two, you have one…..”
Scrap the Giteau Law: Rugby Australia should look to Rassie's 'Boks RWC recipe if it wants to re-join the big boys' table
“ in recent years Marika Koroibete is probably the only overseas player that has returned home and performed well in the Wallabies jersey”
Unless you count 2021 as ‘recent’.
Scrap the Giteau Law: Rugby Australia should look to Rassie's 'Boks RWC recipe if it wants to re-join the big boys' table
“ The Bledisloe used to mean everything. But it’s lost its shine.”
Especially after looking at it through a southern Tasman fog for over two decades.
Scrap the Giteau Law: Rugby Australia should look to Rassie's 'Boks RWC recipe if it wants to re-join the big boys' table
I’m not in Harry’s camp (yet) CPM But if I was, a nation wide comp with less salary pressure makes sense.
Scrap the Giteau Law: Rugby Australia should look to Rassie's 'Boks RWC recipe if it wants to re-join the big boys' table
I would add Skelton to your list Peter.
Scrap the Giteau Law: Rugby Australia should look to Rassie's 'Boks RWC recipe if it wants to re-join the big boys' table
A sober observation Train, though I differ regarding Skelton. His selection and captaincy was the one tick I give to Jones (who remains otherwise tickless, though not penniless).
And also there was a ‘washed up’, ‘has been’ ‘loser’ 10, playing 2nd Division in Japan, who somehow rose above the locals in 2021, and led us to 5 straight wins?
Scrap the Giteau Law: Rugby Australia should look to Rassie's 'Boks RWC recipe if it wants to re-join the big boys' table
Thanks for your response Harry.
To win the fence sitters like myself, this discussion needs to explore the ‘cast die’ you speak of.
Rugby is thriving worldwide, no? But Test rugby is fighting for its life?
So it’s not just the Wallabies?
Borderless rugby, like borderless soccer, might see me take up surfing, or poetry, again.
Global cooperation I believe to be a good thing. Globalism, the like of which that dissolves national borders, not so much.
Scrap the Giteau Law: Rugby Australia should look to Rassie's 'Boks RWC recipe if it wants to re-join the big boys' table
Harry, well done, even if not your usual free verse, (a bit weighed down by the agenda?).
I appreciate the intention and goodwill you bring to this, and respect the fact that your travels inform you more than the average couch fan (like me).
I’ve not joined the laissez faire camp yet. I have an abiding concern that rugby could go the way of soccer, with fans that follow players and distant clubs to the detriment of the nationalism that Test rugby subsists on.
I note that you point to a win-win scenario in SA’s example. So I concede that it may ‘work for us’ too.
Assuming then we rise on the back of the Skeltons. Arnolds and Scott Young’s, riding on the back of euro IP, (and euro euros).
Let’s say we rise, perhaps snatch a Bledisloe during a NZ rebuild phase, then NZ will be under pressure to follow.
What is the brake to avoid the socceresque rise of big euro clubs that dwarf national unions, and diminish test rugby?
Scrap the Giteau Law: Rugby Australia should look to Rassie's 'Boks RWC recipe if it wants to re-join the big boys' table
Mugs, let me know if any of those meany backs pick on you again.
I’m not sure which side I’d take, but either way, it could be mildly entertaining. As someone who regularly exercises with a few heartless props, I have limited sympathy. But God bless.
'Not ideal': Reds star duo cop Super Rugby bans after red cards - but where's the consistency?
Savant, I’m not really pushing a barrow here, (other than wishing all pro halfbacks had a sharp pass) but I believe that McDermott was p155ed off with more than a forearm. They were insulted by the Moana’s first try and seemed ‘demeaned’ to be chasing the game.
Those two neglected kicks for sticks were signs that the Reds wanted to score tries ‘for revenge’ rather than victory.
Tate was part of the leadership that threw away the easy points and made winning harder.
Added to this referee’s ‘interesting’ calls (wtf was that ‘not rolling away’ penalty for when Fraser had clearly and fairly pinched it?).
All in all McDermott was dirty about more than a forearm, imo.
'Not ideal': Reds star duo cop Super Rugby bans after red cards - but where's the consistency?
Busted, I only believe what Harry tells me.
In 80 minute slots. 😛
'Not ideal': Reds star duo cop Super Rugby bans after red cards - but where's the consistency?
“ Be very careful judging the truth based on comments from a naturally biased audience.”
Indeed we do, Jacko.
'Not ideal': Reds star duo cop Super Rugby bans after red cards - but where's the consistency?
Is this your learned legal opinion Mugs, or are you per chance just continuing with a long history of tight5 monstering of 9’s?
But I agree that McDermott, similar to HW, is a ‘one too few’ trick pony.
'Not ideal': Reds star duo cop Super Rugby bans after red cards - but where's the consistency?
Makes sense Ferret.
In other news I saw a replacement Saders prop flop onto a Tah head late in their game. Moody or Franks, can’t remember. That and many other instances over the weekend make Fraser’s contact look innocuous.
Surprised that Tate didn’t plead provocation.
I agree that more must be done to reduce head injury. I have three team mates now enduring varying levels of brain injury, one in a home at 71 years, and unable to carry on a conversation.
So I’m okay with us hitting this ant with a sledgehammer, as long as we don’t miss the ant.
'Not ideal': Reds star duo cop Super Rugby bans after red cards - but where's the consistency?
I like that team Christy.
Swallows, summer and all that.
Five things: Lesson Aussie rugby can learn from Kiwis - and why next month will determine whether SR gap has closed
AA, whatever Joe chooses will decide this.
Unless you are Joe, my ‘strawman’ is as good as any other.
Are we not both ‘guessing’?
I am not arguing for Quade to ‘compete’ with Carter. I grant you that it is unlikely that he will even be in the squad.
But if Schmidt chooses to develop a game template of wide-field enabled attack, who amongst the young 10’s is at Gordon’s level of assertiveness and dexterity? Maybe Harrison or Donaldson, but I haven’t seen evidence. NL and CG have been recipients of the most in-service development.
Someone else has pointed out that Noah doesn’t have Carter’s attack assertiveness, and wonders if he will. As do I.
And Carter, as good as his front foot attack is, has a missing kick.
All our young 10’s are ‘unfinished’.
Here, I am arguing for the principles of:
1. Enabled attack, via high creativity 10’s,
2. The military principle of, ‘If you have one, you have none. If you have two, you have one’.
Fitness and form fluctuates amongst all players, especially young 10’s (see October’23). So we are not selecting The One to win test matches for us.
3. Develop, Don’t Rush, young 10’s. (ie. if given a choice between a fresh kid on work experience or a capable veteran, wise coaches usually choose the latter).’.
When all is factored in, who is Joe gonna call?
'Kid wonder': Lancaster, Gordon shine as Rebels take one giant step in locking in maiden Super Rugby finals berth
“ Last year can’t be for nothing.”
NEVER again, Q.
'Doesn't count for anything': Bernie gets serious with Brumbies as race for top two finish heats up