Roar Guru
Joined March 2014
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a Forward. proctor of the Bullingdon Club, retired Barrister. Once ran 68.7 meters unassisted.
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Donald Horne wrote The Lucky Country in 1964, and though the title has become an iconic phrase for Australians, it has been universally misinterpreted.…
I must acknowledge Bluesfan, who germinated these thoughts, and apologise to Wilbur Smith – this is no story of the courage of a single…
'Indolent' is an adjective that means wanting to avoid activity or exertion; lazy, arrogant and disrespectful. That's the summary of Folau's performance against the…
It's the mid-season breather in MotoGP. Normal service resumes in two weeks at the Chez Grand Prix. Top of the table is tight with…
One of the beauties of the northern hemisphere summer is meeting my whisky mates on Islay, of the west coast of Scotland. For those…
If the AFL gave you a magic wand to change only one rule to improve the game, what would it be? It would have…
As one stumbles around the internet and life, you accidentally learn a few things about rugby. Here are some things about the game I…
If the IRB gave you a magic wand to change one rule to improve the game, what would it be? I agree with other…
Every sports fan has months of the year that they mark in their calendars as their favourites. For me those months are February and…
I worked with a group of Englishmen who introduced me to Fantasy English Premier League – I performed poorly until I learned that picking…
Since 1990, only New Zealand and France have had no foreign-born coaches. The South African Roarers are about to hit “reply in disagreement” but…
As a merciful distraction, the spring tour teams to Europe have been announced. I wondered if they could provide any insight purely by the…
The great shame is that we expect rugby to imitate life. We expect every pass to stick. But, guess what, we are human. That…
Agree completely cashead within a legal or policy framework, but I was just pointing out the content was wide ranging – and the comments are moistly off topic!!
But I do like Ricky Gervais’ take that being offended is a choice. After all, it is merely someone’s opinion. And what other folks think is none of my business.
Should disruptive behaviour be punished?
I’m not sure where to start in a piece with such a wide range of issues from culture, aberrant personal behaviour, codes of conduct, leadership, how and why individuals disrupt group cohesion, and not least of all free speech.
Thanks for the contribution, OM.
Should disruptive behaviour be punished?
your logic is impeccable!
Australia let down by poor discipline in final game of the season
Hooper declined 7 penalties. Even close to 50% success is 9 points!
Australia let down by poor discipline in final game of the season
The fact that Hodge had another chance to win the game says everything about Hoopers dismal and persistent failure to take points when available.
Australia let down by poor discipline in final game of the season
Suggestion – long kicks into touch are chased by non-kicking players that limit the opportunity for teams to take a quick throw-in. The chasers would otherwise be offside but for the ball being in touch. The ball chasers should be limited to the line where the ball crosses into touch. The defending team can then move the ball back and recommence play with a quick throw without interference by chasing players. This would speed the game and induce a speedy counter attack.
Thoughts?
Three easy changes to improve rugby right now
RA accounts showed they saved circa $12 mil in the year after they cut the Force – salary, plus on-costs. The true cost is actually closer to $15 mil, with the balance usually coming from sponsorship.
Twiggy, here's your 2021 shopping list
Great article Richard, and very interesting follow-up comments too. I love the concept Kearns getting the RWC gig to get him out of the way! If the only benefit is removing him from the commentary box, that alone would suffice.
Phil Kearns: Keeping the elephants inside the tent
Cheika’s game plan:
“On attacking line-outs, 7 will move to 13 in anticipation of 2, who’s a 23, gifting the ball to the opposition, thereby cunningly providing the opportunity to counter-attack, in which case 14’s skills come in to play, once he has retreated from the 12 position.
15 will play at 14, and 14 will play 15, but, in defence, 15 at 12 on attack – except counter-attack, when the 12, who is a 10, is filling in for 10 who is a 12, except for set pieces.
9 will play a defensive role, except in attack.
14, the right wing, will play left wing on kick off but right wing for a 22. But 14 must move to left wing when 11, who is the left wing, is chasing a re-start from the 22.
7 will play at 8, except when 7 is playing 11 or 14, which will be between minutes 23 and 32, and when 15, who is playing 14 is actually playing 12.
On defensive set pieces, 10 will move to 12, and 7 to 3, except for line-outs.”
MC = Absolute friggn’ joke.
Cheika denies O’Connor’s World Cup claims
A lot of very logical suggestions in this well researched piece Joe. However, 2022 is 18 months away. The ARUs capacity to mobilise itself and effect any change let alone the global shifts you propose is honestly impossible. It lacks the leadership, executive horsepower, skills and money.
Most importantly, the ARU lacks respect and influence.
It ain’t going to happen.
My fearless predictions for rugby in 2022 and beyond
Al Baxter, Rob Simmonds, Bernard Foley got votes. Proves Roar readers havent lost their sense of humour!!
The greatest Wallabies team of the Super Rugby era, as voted by you
If Beale is not dropped until his performance improves then this proves Keith’s point – the remainder of the team will not feel they are accountable either, and that’s the slippery slope of a poisonous culture.
Are the Waratahs a symbol of an ordinary workplace?
Fair enough. What Hooper does is subject to intense, probably unfair scrutiny. I’m 57.5% against him, 22.3% in favour, remainder undecided, irrespective how he plays, he’s never better than 50%. Same rating as the Tahs overall, except for byes.
Waratahs' experience counting for not very much at all
Yep. Not the destination, just the journey!
Waratahs' experience counting for not very much at all
The only three things Skelton cleaned out simultaneously were Mrs Macs.
Waratahs' experience counting for not very much at all
Wasn’t trying to win an argument just saying folks views on Hooper are polarised. Refer answer to Mzikazi below.
Waratahs' experience counting for not very much at all
The issue with Hooper is I like and loathe him. First Crusaders try after the break he just bounced off the Crusaders player like a rag doll- this led directly to their try. Make no mistake his has my admiration but I was just making the point that he is a polarising player. But there are no “ absolutisims” – he’s neither the best not the worst!
Waratahs' experience counting for not very much at all
One could also argue he is the least effective 7 in the world.
Waratahs' experience counting for not very much at all
I was on a boring phone conference when I read your comment and burst out laughing!! LOUD.
Super Rugby: Five talking points from Round 4
Irrespective of the money and let’s assume it was $0, the fact that RA got his dismissal so wrong and even had to apologise means they comprehensively stuffed up.
Why everyone got it wrong about Rugby Australia and Israel Folau
Great memories too Mark, thanks for sharing. Only been once to the 12 hour but I’ve watched all Bathurst races since forever. My wife even joins me for the day because that’s the only way we can spend any time together on race day. I was lucky to be in the Salmon/ Luff pit/ Box (friend of a friend) for three days the year after Rod Salmon and Warren Luff won in a Evo. I’d love to take a drive around the course and you’re spot on about the cost of accommodation in the town.
Mate, have you ever thought of dropping the ‘r’ out of your surname???!!
You’d be treated like royalty.
A first timer's trip to the Bathurst Supercars