The Roar
The Roar

Grumpy

Roar Rookie

Joined September 2023

0

Views

0

Published

71

Comments

Published

Comments

Grumpy hasn't published any posts yet

Was at the match. View from the stands (so no benefit of replay) was Campbell struggled. Seemed off his game and regularly out of position.

Reds denied a losing bonus point by Drua in Fiji as Suli Vunivalu is sent off for tripping

Was at the game with some
mates and wedged with a heap of Reds supporters so lots of good friendly banter. One of their gang needs to start a business in how to be a sports fan – she was fabulous.

Was also sitting next to Suli’s brother so while there is a lot being said about him online, it really brought home that at the end of the day there is a young person copping all the criticism – sometimes warranted, sometimes completely overboard. There’s a difference between being harsh and fair and being an ar$ehole.

Great to see the boys get up and from the stands the Reds never looked like they’d win, even when they got really close. Admittedly we were a bit worried in the first half when a breeze came through and took the edge off the humidity.

Reds denied a losing bonus point by Drua in Fiji as Suli Vunivalu is sent off for tripping

Great to see Drua put the ball theough the hands and play running rugby in those conditions and get a well deserved win. To be fair to the Force I’ve seen schoolboy games in Fiji played in these conditions on worse fields so these guys knew what to do and how to do it.

Early days, but Armstrong-Ravula seems a real talent with a long future ahead of him (if he played for the Tahs the Sydney media would already have him hoisting the Webb Ellis trophy).

'One that got away from us': Fiji's fortress strikes again as Drua beat Force in washing machine-like weather

Piru, that’s if the match goes ahead as there’s significant rain and flooding across Viti Levu at the moment. Also, 27 deg is only actual forecast temp, with high humidity the apparent temp will probably be in the low 30s. Rain during the match would cool it down though.

Super Rugby teams week six: Foketi back after horror injury, Suli benched, Sam Carter set for debut, DMac rested

I just read in SMH that Rugby Australia will participate in the review of Coleman’s performance.

I suppose they must as they now own the Tahs but past performance does not inspire confidence.

If the palaver around the Rebels has become a bit of a circus, then this might be sideshow alley outside the big top.

'He's holding a grudge': Fiji coach trolls Coleman after dramatic win over Tahs

And, if WA RU had followed the Force solely on the basis that Twiggy and Hamish are mates, as is suggested here they should have done, that wouldn’t exactly make the clear sighted and objective.

Arguing against factionalism on one hand then recommending it with the other.

Strong custodians or factional hacks pushing state agendas? The numbers that will decide future of Australian rugby

Good point. Forgot about that one.

'What you permit, you promote': Reds slam late 'cheap shot', HMP set to start ahead of Lynagh in Rebels grudge match

Three or four years ago B O’K was my favourite ref. But recently, while his games still flow well, he seems to miss or downgrade acts of foul play on a regular basis.

Of course, it could be confirmation bias on my part as I’m now looking for it, but Finau’s tackle was very ordinary.

'What you permit, you promote': Reds slam late 'cheap shot', HMP set to start ahead of Lynagh in Rebels grudge match

Looking forward to the Brumbies / Chiefs game. Hopefully will be a cracker. And of course the Drua.

Super Rugby teams: Marky clear for Crusaders clash, Blues rest two All Blacks after just ONE week, DMac to face Brumbies

With you on Fiji for the location KH. It already has the best crowd so an influx of visitors would just add to it. You also don’t have to sell a kidney to buy beers and snacks at the game. And they put your beers in a bag with a couple of scoops of ice.

Even if they never hold the super round in Fiji, I thoroughly recommend that anyone who can afford it comes over for a game. Just don’t come when your team is playing as you’ll feel a bit left out of the fun. Come when the team you hate the most is playing the Drua and join in the insanity (might want to get in early for Cbr and Bris flights when the Tahs come over).

Super Round is a celebration of rugby - that's why it should have never been held in Melbourne

Thanks for the vote of confidence Nick. We’ll reserve a bowl of Kadavu’s finest for you.

Cast off the underdog tag! Fijian Drua set to become one of Super Rugby’s most dangerous sides

I’ve heard in France following Dupont’s move. Expect to see posts from Coeur le Fleur.

Rugby News: 'An incredible party' - Dupont prepping for Paris, Western Force sign Black Ferns duo

Don’t agree with reserves to be only for injuries as coaches would find a way to milk it. Rassie probably already has a plan in case that ever comes in (not bagging Rassie, he’s just too smart). Would prefer to cut the bench to 5 or 6 and try to ensure fatigue plays a role.

Rugby News: RA starts Wallabies coach 'sprint', 'SBW-like move' mooted for NRL star, Gatland wants 'mark' erased

Yup, still a way to go before fully convinced but my first thought on reading the article was ‘now that the clowns have left, RA is looking a lot less like a circus’.

CONFIRMED: 'I doubt it' - Nucifora returns to the fold after backflip, as new head of HP locked in

Agree. Phil Waugh is behaving like a CEO, key appointments are being made and explained, and the antagonistic tone of the last year or so has been tempered.

There’s still such a long way to go and not everyone will be happy or united (after all it is SPORT) but so far they seem to be doing pretty well in very difficult circumstances.

CONFIRMED: 'I doubt it' - Nucifora returns to the fold after backflip, as new head of HP locked in

Thanks Christie. Great article that gives good insight into Jaime F and what drives him. I really hope that over the coming year, with RA having to rebuild itself and it’s image, we get a lot more with key personnel as they come on board and throughout the year. Be nice to get similar from Jo Yapp and Peter Horne.

The more people can hear from the doers inside the RA set up the better we’ll understand where things are headed and why.

While articles on “Fighting words from the Chair” and the three act Greek tragedy (minus catharsis) about Eddie needed to be written, it’d be nice to see a change in focus in 2024.

'Nose to the grindstone': Meet the other 'Hamma' who can help change Australian rugby forever

Thanks Christe. Is there any chance this could be the last Eddie article for the year and we draw a line under the whole sorry mess that was 2023?

Fiasco complete: Eddie Jones officially CONFIRMED as Japan coach

It was the headline, Tony. ATW noted he’d like to hear more of these games and he’s not Robinson Crusoe on that score. So maybe something like “Japan Season Off to a Cracker” would steer that course (clearly I’m no journo).

Eddie taking the Japan job was the cherry on top of a gluten free, vegan, decaf Tiramisu of a year for Aus rugby. It’d be nice if the spotlight went elsewhere for a while.

Eddie gets another win over coaching rival days after beating him for Japan job, Rennie's super start

C’mon editors you can do better than this. Finding Eddie Speaking To Erstwhile Rugby Internationals Never Greenlights a Complete Over Reaction to a Possible Sighting of Eddie (FESTERING CORPSE).

Eddie gets another win over coaching rival days after beating him for Japan job, Rennie's super start

So, to paraphrase Phil Kearns, it was a bad decision to select Eddie but that is not the responsibility of the person who selected him, it’s Eddie (and the players) who are to blame for Eddie being chosen.

The logic of this makes my head hurt. Goodness knows how much Phil’s parents spent on his education but it clearly wasn’t enough.

States not RA the issue Australian rugby is facing as Wallabies great calls on reform measures to be backed

Looks like Hooray Hamish has finally achieved alignment by almost all the member unions. Just not in the way he wanted.

'No longer have any trust or faith': Rugby Australia chairman told to resign by SIX states, EGM looms with 'gloves off'

“…. and most to gain.”

'Bold step': NSW Rugby confirms RA alignment in bid to rid game of 'conflicts and self interest'

Thanks Geoff, for an excellent wrap on a dreadful year (for Aussies at least).

Of course, with seven weeks to go before new year it’s more than likely that Hooray Hamish will find a new problem to turn into a crisis and from there to a cluster***k. My money is on the reports that ARLC is considering salary cap exemptions for union signings. Let’s see how our low rent Tarzan handles that?

The 2023 Wrap: Man who was 'dropped from heaven' and the abject s--t show that followed in his wake

Re: the Drua squad and games. If you’re a bit flat after the last season (especially Aussies), and can afford it, come to Fiji for a short holiday and take in a Drua game.

Haven’t been to Lautoka but watching games in Suva will make you fall in love with rugby all over again. The crowd is nuts: breaking into fits of laughter when someone gets smashed, giving kickers all manner of grief then clapping when it goes over, and making themselves part of the whole occasion.

But my tip would be to come when the team you hate the most is playing. That way you can stock up on some merch and join in the insanity on the side of the Angels.

PS. Beer is cheap at the game and they put your cans in a bag with a scoop of ice.

COMPLETE SRP 2024 squads: Rebels the big movers, Tahs build depth, Reds shore up front-row

Absolutely. But no one will be sending a B team over here anymore.

COMPLETE SRP 2024 squads: Rebels the big movers, Tahs build depth, Reds shore up front-row

close