The dangerous scrum behaviour rugby must work harder to outlaw
Flying out of Ireland in the second half of December and bound for the city of Clermont-Ferrand in the Massif Central of France, the…
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Flying out of Ireland in the second half of December and bound for the city of Clermont-Ferrand in the Massif Central of France, the…
This fine historic and vintage conveyance can be viewed by appointment at 200 Whitton Road, Twickenham, Middlesex TW2 7BA. Vendors note: This high-cost chariot…
The most impressive man-made hole in the ground that I have ever seen is the Kimberley Big Hole, in what is now the Northern…
I attended this event, which was part of the Tens weekend, on Thursday past at Suncorp Stadium. Rod Kafer, the National Coaching Advisory Panel…
Agree, oz, Dempsey is playing his best rugby with Scotland. A lot to do with playing in a team which is well coached and motivated.
For best in current 6N, I would also look at Wainright. Playing in a losing side, he has been a well rounded standout.
England conquered, Irish in their sights and 'the only holes Ireland have are exactly where Scottish swords fit'
Brilliant, Harry.
England conquered, Irish in their sights and 'the only holes Ireland have are exactly where Scottish swords fit'
Nice Wrap, Geoff. Good to get SRP underway. I have not watched enough to usefully comment broadly….too much 6N over the past weekend. But watching bits of the Chiefs v Crusaders, and the Hurricanes in Perth, and now most of the Reds v Tahs, I would fear it will again be hard for our sides to get many wins against the NZ sides.
One can see signs of Les Kiss beginning to shape his Qld. side. And he has material to work with, as does Adam Coleman with his Waratahs. I would not expect a score like that again. Joe Schmidt will be making lists. And like Kiss and Coleman, he will be aware of what he has to work with more and more as the season unfolds.
The Wrap: Opening round of SRP a case of the more things change, the more they stay the same
“The Scotland vs England test was also a ripper with Scotland making history.” It sure was, and Harry was there, so we should have a good article coming.
But what about the handling errors, Blik ? I don’t think I have ever seen such chaos in the first 15 or so mins in a game at this level. And it was both sides. And they managed to keep it going most of the match. The word “turnover” in this game had little to do with “jackals” 😊
The Wrap: Opening round of SRP a case of the more things change, the more they stay the same
“The problem with the Reds Tahs game was the weather. Hot, sticky and wet”
So Doc, you are not an ex- ringer from the Gulf then 😊 Hot, sticky and wet….man, that is great weather !!
The Wrap: Opening round of SRP a case of the more things change, the more they stay the same
Interesting and informative post, Kris.
The Wrap: Code Orange as looming Rebels decision places rugby pathways at risk
Good post, Bf.
“Personally think he thought he was going to come in, get the Wallabies deep into the WC and then depart to cheers for reviving them and heading into the sunset of a very well paid role in Japan.” I would think that is very close to the truth, probably even right on the money. Jones would have been talking to people in Japan from way before he was even announced as WB’s coach. When hesaw the writing on the wall in England, he would have been making calls, and Japan would have one of the first places he would have been looking at.
The Wrap: Code Orange as looming Rebels decision places rugby pathways at risk
Thanks for the Wrap, Geoff. It is a sad read this week. What Jimmy Orange has built, and is continuing to build in Melbourne is quite remarkable. I had not known much about him, or his business, but have educated myself more just now before writing this comment.
The power of sport to motivate young students is just enormous. It is life changing, leading in many cases to much more than just success in sport, and perhaps more importantly, enjoyment in participation. But it also, so often, leads to great success and satisfaction in life in general. In a career in business, professional fields, and relationships.
I have seen this in my own career as a teacher and rugby coach. Boys and girls who because of their sport, became highly motivated in the academic areas, lifted their levels of achievement, and are now retiring after very successful and rewarding careers. I think of two especially as I write. One really struggled academically, but had talent as a rugby player. With the input of very dedicated classroom teachers, he went onto occupy a high level position in one of the country’s leading banks. He also played Sevens rugby for Ireland.
The other was also not especially talented in the classroom, but again with skilled guidance made it through and became a teacher. He had a hard decision to make while at Uni. With one cap for Ireland, he was in line to tour South Africa, but had a exam resit to face at the end of summer. He made the academic choice, did not tour, and another player took his place, and went on to win 41 caps. He did win another five caps at the end of his playing days. He will retire at the end of this year, having taught and coached rugby at a smaller school for over 40 years. He has had an immeasurable impact on the lives of the boys and girls he has taught and coached.
If RA allow the Rebels to fold, all that Jimmy Orange, and no doubt many others too, have worked for over the time the Rebels have existed in Melbourne, will be lost. With no clear pathway through the Rebels existing, the academies will struggle. Everyone loses in that scenario. And it is must be made very clear that the losses go way beyond just people who would have played the game at a range of levels. Future coaches, mentors, administrators, and right down to people who merely spectate, will be lost to the wider Australian rugby family.
As always Geoff, you write so well, your arguments carry such force. This is an important issue, and one can only hope the bleak landscape faced now does not get worse
The Wrap: Code Orange as looming Rebels decision places rugby pathways at risk
“Eddie saw the writing on the wall. Rugby in Australia was on a fast downward spiral and he realised it needed to collapse to rebuild.”
So are you saying Eddie really did a superb job, Osr ? He will be seen by historians of the game as a saviour of the game here. ?
'Stands out like dog's balls', 'set up for failure': Wretched Eddie-Slips moment that explains World Cup disaster
Big hat, no cattle, as they say. Jones had the big hat, and pretty good cattle, so…..
'Stands out like dog's balls', 'set up for failure': Wretched Eddie-Slips moment that explains World Cup disaster
“Well there was no ‘fanfare’ from this little brown duck for the folly”.
“Little brown duck”. Yes, guess I must be one of those too ! Good post, Ken. I still recall the morning my wife told me that she had heard on the radio ” Eddie Jones is the WB coach. Convinced it was April 1st, I checked my dairy. I was not….horror then set in ! But like when we left Zimbabwe in 1988, because of a falling dollar, I never saw just how bad things would get. It took another 13 years for Zimbabwe to descend into chaos. Jones achieved that with WB’s in months. He does not need years….heaven help Japan.
'Stands out like dog's balls', 'set up for failure': Wretched Eddie-Slips moment that explains World Cup disaster
“You stick Geoff Parkes and I on a Bledisloe, I reckon we’d score!” Would be a dream team !
Spoiler alert: Confident Irish wary of grim, grafting England as France forget what made them winners
Great read, Harry. Thanks. I do worry about Ireland’s props though. The “best” two struggled against the French. The finisher lads did far better, with, from memory, one scrum against the “best” French props.
The “old Calcutta Cup” will be fun. The Scots will know they can win, not that they will win. That is a strength !
Spoiler alert: Confident Irish wary of grim, grafting England as France forget what made them winners
Thanks, Peter. Great read. I revered Meads as I grew up in Ireland as a young second row.
I never saw him in the flesh, but a lot on TV. he and Ireland’s illie John McBride had great mutual respect.
What makes the legendary Colin Meads the prototype for the most complete New Zealand rugby player ever
“If the Chiefs play DMac at 10 then they’ll fail – again”. I would agree there, In. He will always be targeted at 10 by opposition teams. And often very effectively, shutting him down. His tendency to run across the field makes him an easier target.
He is a great asset though in so many ways. For example, he is one of the best strikers of the ball off the tee in Australasia. A quick check gives him an accuracy level of as high as 85% in 2022, 80 % in 2021.
The biggest hurdle standing in Chiefs' way to claiming first Super Rugby title since Dave Rennie's side a decade ago
An All Black lock once played in Europe and called it ‘easy rugby’. Long time ago though, king. Lot has changed over the past 10 – 15 years.
“overestimated”. Not sure what you mean exactly….maybe over rated ? Do you mean the Irish URC teams, or the national team ?
The Wrap: 'Curious and uncomfortable' move on the eve of SRP, and 12 players who will light up the comp in 2024
Tupou also a liability at scrums to when he insists in turning/boring in. He could, even should, now be up with the best TH’s in the world. I hope for all the move to the Rebels sees him really shine.
The Wrap: 'Curious and uncomfortable' move on the eve of SRP, and 12 players who will light up the comp in 2024
“Playing in the lower grade URC (it is low level)”. You really serious about that, king ? I just don’t see sides like the top SA teams, Leinster, Munster, Benetton as being in any way inferior to the Super rugby teams down here. What you may have seen is games where teams like Leinster will field a sub full strength side one week, as they have a European Championship game the next week.
The Wrap: 'Curious and uncomfortable' move on the eve of SRP, and 12 players who will light up the comp in 2024
Thanks for the Wrap, Geoff. Plenty of players there I have to go and look up….but that is good. Always interesting to get insights into backgrounds. And who emerges from the shadows.
I watched some “frightening” highlights footage of the Munster v Crusaders game last week…….the speed and accuracy of the Crusaders at the breakdown was what was frightening. I don’t see that in the bits of pre season games here in Australia. Ofc, highlight reels can be misleading, as can trial games. I hope so anyway.
The Wrap: 'Curious and uncomfortable' move on the eve of SRP, and 12 players who will light up the comp in 2024
Thanks for the response, Peta. Interesting rugby career you have had. I do respect your right to your opinion, and I can see where you are coming from.
My career can’t match yours, as I never played to any high level. It was as a coach that I went higher, mainly at schools level in Ireland and Zimbabwe. Thirteen players I coached went on to wear an Irish jersey at various levels, five at full senior level. One remains a close contact, and lifelong friend.
Out of interest, where do you live ? NZ ? I now live in Qld…..have never done any serious coaching there
Super Rugby teams: Reds name young gun for Tahs clash in front of Schmidt, Test halves to start against Wallaby-laden Brumbies
“Skelton’s been continually poor, except in overseas clubs…maybe he actually realised he can’t just dial it in over there as he did here.”
I am always astounded to read these types of comment. I don’t think there is any real understanding of the type of lock Skelton is, or how this type of player is used by the good coaches who have mentored and developed him.
I think it is best to look at these articles, and then perhaps rethink the commonly held views of some on Skelton, and the other giant locks now playing the game.
https://www.rugbypass.com/plus/why-the-wallabies-cannot-do-without-will-skelton-at-the-world-cup/
https://www.rugbypass.com/plus/the-bigger-the-behemoth-the-closer-to-silverware-you-get/
Also look at this try Skelton scored on debut.
https://www.facebook.com/Wallabies/videos/skelton-2014-debut-vs-france/344445084038139/
Super Rugby teams: Reds name young gun for Tahs clash in front of Schmidt, Test halves to start against Wallaby-laden Brumbies
Great, TTN !
The Wrap: Concussion is a key area where Australian rugby can become a leader, not a follower
“well it’s evening here!” Where is “here”, TTN ? Always interested in travels ! Hope you are having a great time 😊
The Wrap: Concussion is a key area where Australian rugby can become a leader, not a follower
“huge forwards,” Not so sure about that. The WB’s had, as far as I know, the heaviest pack at RWC France. Ireland don’t have any really giant or exceptionally heavy players.
The Wrap: Concussion is a key area where Australian rugby can become a leader, not a follower
“Rustenburg”. Was up in that area years ago, fossicking around in the river bed below a dam wall. Hooter began to wail, next thing the flood gates began to open…quick scramble up the river bank !!
Sounds like a great trip you having, TTN…back to TLN next time we read your comments 😊
England conquered, Irish in their sights and 'the only holes Ireland have are exactly where Scottish swords fit'