O’Conner has copped a fair spray from many on his return to the 10 jersey. While, without a doubt, he has not been as influential as Cooper, are there other factors that have had a greater impact on his performance at 10 than simply his ability (or lack thereof)? Should he/ will he be replaced at 10 for Wales?

Righto Denny Crane, thanks for the advice 😂

“Learn the laws” 😂 you mean legislation?
Which legislation and contract clauses are relevant here?
As my point has always been Reg 9 states the clubs cannot prohibit, directly or indirectly, players from playing for their country.

No arguments there, I’ve never said anything to the contrary. My first, and only point was that reg 9 prohibits clubs from influencing/ prohibiting players from playing internationals, and it seems that is exactly what these clubs have done to the aid players in this circumstance

Well, reg 9 wasn’t enforced by RA, because the players said they wouldn’t play without their clubs blessing…that’s my point.
I’m not arguing with the reality of the situation, I’m saying the players should not feel obliged by the clubs to not play internationals, regardless of the situation when they signed (heaven forbid Japan try and develop a player!!) as is the intent of reg 9.

You are guessing that these players had a clause in their contract saying they couldn’t play internationals…which is even more ridiculous when they have already played internationals this year.

So their contracts say they can’t play for a national team? Is that a fact? Because they played for the Wallabies this year. At no stage did any of the players, club or RA say these players cant play because of a clause in their contract.

Consistent, like saying the Giteau law will be reviewed periodically, and then reviewing it periodically?

So what’s your argument here? That Reg 9 doesn’t apply to these players? Or that the clubs were right to put pressure on the players (despite reg 9 saying that they cant do that)? Or that RA doesn’t have the right to make their own policies?

I cant argue that the rugby landscape (and the entire world!) has changed in the past two years, but i was never trying to make that point.

Good points Aiden, the players made it difficult for RA in saying that they would only go with their clubs blessing, which meant RA had to negotiate rather than enforce Reg 9.
While we will never know the nuances and all the facts but for me the outcome is telling: They players said they wanted to go but only with their clubs blessing, and the players aren’t on tour.

It’s a good point. Is it possible that those Nations that got their players from Japan chose to enforce the Reg 9, playing hardball instead of try to come to an agreement? Do you think that would have made a difference?
I agree that the players wishes did play a part in the outcome, as they indicated from the start they would only travel with their clubs wishes…but then the clubs still had to tell them what their wishes were, judging by the outcome, the clubs didn’t want them to go.

Rennie said “I think if he had the support of the club and the blessing of the club he would have come. But he hasn’t.”
That to me says the club has told him they don’t want Quade to go. I don’t think I’m drawing too long a bow there?

RA have every right to change their own internal policies, and have publicly stated since its inception that the Gateau law will be reviewed in the future. Both Quade Samu and McMahon have also stated in the past that they would like to play for the Wallabies again. You dont think the club would have asked them the question prior to signing a contract?
Kintetsu signed him in mid 2019, he played his last test in 2017, hardly 5 years. I have no sympathy for the Clubs in this situation, they are well aware they are signing world class players and that their home nations will want to get them back for international duties.

Except Reg 9 says their employer can’t do that. It seem quite obvious that the clubs unofficially put pressure on these players, which is wrong, but I’m not sure anything can/will be done about it.
No criticism of Quade or Samu, they were put in a tough/ lose-lose position.

I understand, and agree with your frustration SS, but the problem is JRFU have no power over the privately owned clubs in Japan, I doubt they were involved at all.
For this reason, threatening to drop support for JRFU to join the RC would not get the desired outcome. In fact it could do the opposite as inclusion in the RC would increase the profile of Rugby in Japan resulting in an increase in participation and subsequently more home grown talent and Japanese players gaining the same profile as those foreign players they bring in. I then see this reducing the Japanese demand for foreign world class players.
Id like to se WR show some leadership in this situation, unfortunately with their Northern leanings I cant see anything meaningful happening. However that is the direction RA should be concentrating their attention.

Interested to hear how this series of events impacts peoples (nd RA) thoughts on the Giteau law and whether it should be scrapped. Has it changed anyone’s mind or just reinforced their concerns?

For me it shows that without the Law we would see increased movements from Australia to overseas clubs, but as this has shown even with Reg 9, we are not assured to get any of them back due to the “unofficial” pressure placed on the players by their clubs. In the end, the clubs are their own masters and will do what suits their best interests.

Wouldn’t be upset with those changes Jeznez. Leota was impressive off the bench the other week, brings more with ball in hand than Swinton as well i think. No doubt Hooper has earned a break. Will be interesting to see Rennies selections this week, will he change things up in order to build depth and give a few a break, or keep changes to a minimum to try and build consistency and build momentum? or a bit of both?

True, and the way they use Swinton, at the front of the lineout, you can probably get away with a non-specialist as long as we are quick on the ground and throw.

Samu to start and McMahon on the bench to finish with Swinton in the naughty chair to work on his tackling technique? I like Samu as a finisher but worried about McMahon starting only for the lineout.

The forward will gain the most confidence from that game. Say what you will about the defense and game plan of the Boks, but to go toe to toe with a big and technically excellent Bok pack and dominate them in many areas they pride themselves on (and gain parity in others) is a massive achievement. They also did it with a few key personnel out as well.
Consistency is the next hurdle for the wallabies, but the signs are looking good!

You did say the wallabies take part, its concerning that even you cannot understand your own comments..but not surprising. Thank you for your efforts in writing the article, but its one of the worst I’ve seen on the Roar and don’t know how it saw the light of day.
You seem content to go round in circles with your inane arguments, sorry not me, I’ve made my points and i find your retorts fairly weak. I noticed that you are yet to answer any of my questions, which is of no shock.
I look forward to your next article complaining about the times the Wallabies have selected to play on the spring tour, why don’t they think of the fans!!, and how they never talk to reporters in person anymore.
Cheer up, and try and be grateful for what we do have.

Sorry, you are correct, I googled national netball championship (which is a different netball competition), which was cancelled. However, this further strengthens my point. Netball were able to complete a domestic comp, but not an international fixture. It highlights the great job RA have done to get ANY internationals.
“French midweek game at all is because the less than full strength French squad demanded a two week test schedule. It was mooted by others in the media that a six day turnaround was not in the interests of player welfare and that this was the reason for playing the upcoming games on the Saturday” – Yes, so RA and the wallabies, who are so entitled in your opinion, put aside player welfare concerns to ensure international rugby was played! How goods that!
“I can’t figure out why they would be so stupid or so naïve as to agree to schedule the Rugby Championship in direct conflict with the NRL AND AFL finals” ground availability for a double header and compromise between the nations who want their nations games on at a friendly hour. As you say, you are not privy to the internal SANZAAR machinations…yet you still think you know better.
“The Wallaby’s entitlement, there you go, I’ve used the word again comes at the expense of the greater Rugby community” 😂 the fact you think the Wallabies decide Rugby Championship schedule shows how much of an idea you have. I can just imagine Rennie and Hopper sitting on a Zoom telling SANZAAR that they wont play Sunday arvo cause Valentini as his weekly haircut then 😂
Your last two sentences make little sense, and from what I can decipher are irrelevant anyway.

The Wallabies, the administration and you can all be entitled at the same time (though I don’t see how the former two are relevant in this discussion)
I didn’t mention that “only 4 domestic internationals were played over winter” because who cares, especially in a pandemic? RA have done a great job in being flexible and making sure we have ANY international rugby, remember the French midweek games? surely that puts your argument of favoring “player welfare over supporter expectations” to bed…have the NRL or AFL shown this flexibility?
The NRL, AFL and have a much easier job in moving their competitions in that it is only Aus and NZ competing. Netball cancelled their season and their international season…so not sure what your point is there.
What’s your obsession with the lack of rugby during winter? Why is it such a big deal for you? As you’ve stated, there is more than enough other sport on during winter. We are still getting the same amount (more or less), just at a different time. You should be grateful rugby has moved to give you a sport to watch at other times. You also complain about rugby holding events at the same time as big NRL/ AFL events…which are throughout winter….then you complain when they move them to not compete with AFL/ NRL, you remind me of the old man yelling at the sky.

Geez, there is no pleasing you. Your upset that there isn’t enough Rugby on TV at the moment, while also upset that the rugby that is on is at a time that doesn’t suit you? That’s a healthy dose of self entitlement there, how dare SANZAAR in arranging a tournament including 4 nations not cater to a small minorities needs. Through a pandemic, mind you.
You realise that the reason there is little rugby on the TV now is because:
1) Covid cancelled Premier rugby that would be watchable on Stan, and
2) Super rugby is scheduled at a time that avoids the NRL/AFL finals (as you want??)
What’s your solution? have club rugby, Super rugby and internationals all on at the same time??

There is a global pandemic, I’m grateful that we have any international rugby, and have enjoyed the steady flow of rugby from February to October.

So, 6 All blacks were going to tackle HP/ enter the ruck for a turnover? No, ridiculous, ABs were actively standing off rucks, look at the two previous rucks where the didn’t contest and we were able to secure quick ball with 2 cleaning out (they really didnt have to do much to secure the ball). HP should have picked a seam, long place and waited for support and if worse comes to worse cop the penalty for holding on….but instead you would have him throw a high risk intercept pass?

HP had clean front foot ball and is one of our most damaging runners with ball in hand. If he, and his 3 support players cannot secure position in that instance they have no business playing test rugby.