Roar Guru
Joined July 2014
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Formerly, I am a mediocre rugby backrower and more mediocre water polo centre-forward. Writing is a hobby and rugby is my passion. Catch up with my rugby thoughts and analysis on the Rugby Fixation podcast, available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts & more.
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The Rugby Championship starts this weekend, and while there’s so much importance in the Wallabies returning to winning ways in their first hit-out against…
Dave Rennie is a man who knows what he wants. In the current catch-cry of Australian fans, #InRennieWeTrust and his selections throughout his 20-Test…
It’s been an almighty age since the Wallabies held the Bledisloe Cup. Embarrassingly long. Against one other team (albeit, a very good one), the…
Two games into Dave Rennie’s tenure with the Wallabies, one thing is certain: if you’re not up to it, you’re out. Pete Samu and…
Following on from that enthralling Bledisloe Cup fixture was a range of emotions. No one is ever truly happy with a draw, but this…
It has been nearly an entire year since Australia’s quarter-final exit at the 2019 Rugby World Cup, but with only two of the same…
Saying that the year has been a cataclysmic cycle of cluster rucks is putting it mildly, but in every cloud, a silver lining. For…
The South African Super Rugby conference has a slightly different feel about it this season, but even without some of the names that have…
Following on from the brief analysis of the Australian conference, I wanted to inspect the trans-Tasman rivals and see how the New Zealand conference…
The 2019 Super Rugby season is barely over a month away and excitement is reaching fever pitch. A much-needed break from rugby was taken…
Time and time again the axe gets called in a knee-jerk reaction to the abysmal state of particular aspects of Australian rugby. Recurring themes…
The completion of the Super Rugby season has left an empty feeling within me. It's not that I didn't enjoy the season; I did.…
What a whirlwind year! I feel I haven't had a week without rugby since February and it has often been hard to compose my…
Following on from my article regarding my predictions for the bottom nine of the ladder is this set of bold choices for the other…
Every avid fan of rugby has seen the constant news outlets posting of new signings, new goals and new motivation for the upcoming 2017…
Continuing on from the discussion of forwards in Australian rugby that I'll be looking out for is my delve into the backs as I…
Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has conceded “when you play 15 Tests against the top eight nations in one year, there's no easy games”. This…
Since the Maori All Blacks ventured to the United States on the eve of the first weekend of November for a non-Test match, countless…
Prior to the third match of the European tour clash with France, Michael Cheika took it upon himself to shake up the Wallabies team…
The Wallabies' 2016 season is on the final stretch. There are five games against Wales, Scotland, France, Ireland and England. These are all that…
It’s a tough ask to debut McReight in a must-win game agaisnt the best side in the world. Especially in place of our captain (who does seem to be nursing a small shoulder injury). Would you really swap the two?
All Blacks by 20 means changes aplenty for Wallabies
I am a Queenslander, but I don’t want them in there for that reason, otherwise I’d be trumpeting Tupou and Tate to start or bemoaning the absence of Stewart and Campbell in the squad.
I completely see why McDermott wasn’t starting/benching in the first game, and I won’t be upset if he doesn’t play in the next match either, but I don’t think we’ve seen enough from Gordon based on why he was initially included. I like what he’s done at the Waratahs and I hope to see him prove me wrong and excel off the bench, but in my view of prioritising impact, McDermott fits that best imo.
All Blacks by 20 means changes aplenty for Wallabies
Not sure how to get the editor’s attention on that, but clearly a problematic error that wasn’t on my end. Thanks for picking that out.
All Blacks by 20 means changes aplenty for Wallabies
That’s a fair comment, and not one I would suggest if I hadn’t seen the good defence from Blediloe 1. Clearly it’s there somewhere, they just have to find it again given the players didn’t change all that much. Could call in Stewart and Ikitau as centres if going for defensive, but I’m sure the crop that’s there can do the job – Rennie won’t allow numbers like that two games in a row.
All Blacks by 20 means changes aplenty for Wallabies
100% agree regarding Hanigan and his performance. I put Wright in to start as I feel he offers a ‘safer’ and more secure game in terms of protecting our ball and trying to turnover some of theirs, however I’d be happy to have Hanigan at 6, Hosea at 19 and Samu at 20 if that was the change to be made.
Part of why I wanted Hanigan on the bench was because of how well he ran and his injection into the game. I’m curious to see if the All Blacks let him get away with so many metres next time if his spot is retained, but he’s definitely done enough to keep starting.
It’s a nice thought regarding Powell. I initially thought Gordon would be the right balance of Powell and McDermott and so thought he’d make a good bench option, but it seems either a specialist runner or specialist passer would be the better option now.
All Blacks by 20 means changes aplenty for Wallabies
It’s still proving tough to get the right balance back there. What would your backrow be if you had the choice?
All Blacks by 20 means changes aplenty for Wallabies
Cheers Short Arm, and me too! A dry field not only makes it a little easier for the Wallabies but will make it a far better spectacle.
Bledisloe Cup Game 1 preview
Thanks Bob, and a good point regarding the 9 selection. While Tate was definitely the most exciting scrum half and looked certain for a jersey, Rennie has said he’s opted for 9’s that offer more in kicking (primarily) and passing, so I can’t argue with his selections in this case. As a QLDer and a fan of his style of play, I’m hoping to see Tate get his chance in TRC.
Bledisloe Cup Game 1 preview
Paul, you’ve nailed it with precision. It was inaccuracy that cost us games against Wales and England last year and too often the foot is off the gas for a second and they pounce. It’ll take a focused and efficient performance from the Wallabies.
Bledisloe Cup Game 1 preview
The back three haven’t played together and Koroibete being the only ‘experienced’ one is a bit of a concern, but if on the field matches what’s on paper it’ll be a treat
Bledisloe Cup Game 1 preview
Thanks DieselPwrd and completely agree regarding speed. The Wallabies have the forwards to play it tight and try to match/overpower the ABs there, but it seems like the backs chosen have the capacity to play it tight with some heavy traffic through the middle before getting Daugunu and Banks in a bit of space.
Bledisloe Cup Game 1 preview
I love the optimism Bobby! This Wallabies team looks so exciting that it’s entirely possible.
Bledisloe Cup Game 1 preview
Fantastic piece, Harry. I don’t say it lightly when I say that’s comfortably the best piece I’ve read on rugby. Love your work.
Winning in Tokyo: Finding the sun
Because they have such a green side I was under the impression they would be using Harrison at 10, a combination of Foketi and Hunt in the centres and Beale at fullback. That way they have the experience elsewhere to be able to bring in Moeroa and Donaldson (either at 10 or 15) from the bench. Keen to see this side with a new coach.
Huge off-season for Australian No.10s – unless you’re in NSW
On this note, I can’t believe there hasn’t been more set discussions/plans put in place to make this all happen.
Japan are fresh off the back of hosting a great tournament and performing far better than anyone outside their own team thought they could. Ideally, they would be able to keep the hype going with Naoya Okubo naming either a team he knows he can build a foundation for the next few seasons with a host of Brave Blossoms or he will know he only has a year left and will put together a formiddable, perhaps more exhibition-style team and send the Sunwolves out on a high note.
Either way, the lack of certainty on the matter makes it hard to commit to a team like the Sunwolves who routinely struggle, when in reality, this team could and should be everyone’s second favourite team if the last 2 months were to mean anything lasting.
When will Japan join the Rugby Championship?
My favourite part of this is the mention of English podcasts. The change of tune was music to my ears.
Rugby World Cup 2019: the tipping panel wrap
Exactly right, Nobes. That wasn’t a great Pumas performance by any stretch and the Wallabies weren’t even convincing in their win. 16-3 with 30 minutes left looked promising, especially defensively as the Argentinian outside backs countered well and put themselves in good positions despite Sanchez’s form, but scoring no points when Toomua was the 10 showed that he isn’t up to it and that the team as a whole fixed only a small proportion of the issues that were present in SA.
The Rugby Championship: The feet-up week
It’s an interesting position for a Wallabies fan. I feel vaguely better after the win, but don’t see us being competitive agaisnt NZ, SA, Ireland or England and really struggling with Wales. Games against Scotland, France and Argentina I would have chalked up as wins 5 years ago, but as they have improved, we have stagnated or regressed. I am a diehard Wallabies fan and will support them and their choices through to the end, but the litmus test is next weekend and I’ve seen little to sway my thoughts on us being still a touch short compared to the other RWC ‘contenders’.
The Rugby Championship: The feet-up week
Fantastic article, Harry. Very well-written and thought provoking.
Team is king: Deciphering the new prose of Michael Cheika
Thanks for the comment, Carlin. The Blues do seem to be the big improvers, but they were such a way off last year that I’m still undecided if they have the cattle to match it with the rest of their conference for a full season.
Chiefs really do have some great depth their and I think it could be how they use their backrow and which players remain healthy in their backrow and midfield back sections that shape how they go this season.
I’ve got big hopes for both Jordan and Ennor this season, two very talented guys that could add even more spark to a classy Saders team. Whether they can push out the incumbents though to get some gametime remains to be seen. It may end up being the forced resting from the All Blacks that is the greatest benefit in unearthing these talents.
Unpacking Super Rugby: New Zealand conference
Yes, I should have included the likes of Josh Ioane, Sio Tomkinson and a few others who are still with the squad and very sound players. Still a chance for a lot of those fringe guys to crack the matchday team and although I’m an Aussie fan, the NZ conference definitely provides the most intrigue given the depth of squads and the possibilities surrounding selection.
Unpacking Super Rugby: New Zealand conference
That’s true definitely for the short term. The Blues look to have signed experienced players to help them in the immediate future as well as some development players whereas most of the other teams have pulled in youngsters that they’re hoping to develop over time, perhaps with the exception of a few Canes signings.
Unpacking Super Rugby: New Zealand conference
I hope Black has an injury free season. There’s been a bit of talk of using Perofeta at 15 if Black makes it back to full strength, so I’d like to see that.
I agree on Ruru too. Pulu offers a dagerous running game, but can be selfish with ball in hand. If they’re looking to really ignite the backline, which has always been a threat on paper, then Ruru and maybe Nock could see more game time.
Unpacking Super Rugby: New Zealand conference
That’s a great point and with Hawera out of sorts most of the time and Kuenzle being so young and under developed, they need the steady head of Lilo to guide them. Apparently Wright is being looked at as a first-five too, but given this squad, what would you like your 10-12 to be?
Unpacking Super Rugby: The Australian conference
I think the logic behind that is sound and does mean the least disruption to the side. It also means that Lolesio either has his Brumbies partner, or, if Simone isn’t up to it, he can come on and move JOC to the 12 jersey, meaning he still gets an experienced player alongside him.
It’s a very interesting decision to be made.
All Blacks by 20 means changes aplenty for Wallabies