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Joined April 2017
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I am a man on a mission to save Australian rugby.
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It has again been another tumultuous year for Australian rugby. Just when you think there may be a sliver of light to latch onto, it seems it is swiftly taken away and we descend back into chaos.
The group stages are over and we have had a bit of everything. Massive upsets, one-sided drubbings, refereeing controversies and game cancellations.
First of all, congratulations to the Springboks, who came away the strongest from the Rugby Championship and deservedly so.
Last year, Australian rugby was in the midst of its worst debacle in recent memory. Results were horrific, clubs were at loggerheads with administrators and a path for resolution was as clear as mud.
Of nine games the Lions have played at home this year, they have lost only twice – both times to New Zealand opposition – and the Waratahs have actually never won a finals game in Johannesburg.
Ever since Michael Cheika took the reigns at the Waratahs in 2013 he has strived to build a clear rugby identity for his teams and players.
The Melbourne Rebels have had an up and down year but their weekend win against the Blues in Auckland will go down as a definite high point.
At the start of the season among all the obligatory predictions and rankings of sides I noticed a trend. Everyone was playing it safe.
In last Saturday’s win over the All Blacks, the Wallabies’ back row stood tallest.
In two years’ time the Wallabies will be in the midst of their campaign for the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
After an expected 37-14 victory over Fiji in front of a dismal crowd turnout in Melbourne the Wallabies now face their toughest test of the June internationals. Make no mistake about it – it will be tough.
In a Test match, players sometimes aren’t able to hear calls or broken play may see traditional structures abandoned. In these moments, combinations stand out.
The Wallabies’ challenge before the 2019 World Cup is turning a group of players from grossly under-performing Super Rugby teams into a dynamic, world-beating unit.
Last month I wrote the first of my two-part article on the solution to the shambles that is Australian rugby with hopes that there would be more clarity around which Super Rugby franchise will be cut by the time I released the second part. There hasn’t been.
For months now, Australian rugby has been a whirlpool of speculation, finger pointing, rhetoric, confusion and anger. I for one am sick of it, mainly because there has been some fantastic Super Rugby on display.
Great stuff Baylion, and as much as I do dump on Foley’s kicking out of hand his conversions and penalties have been very much improved and because of this he is rightly the point scoring leader in Super Rugby this season.
Waratahs vs Lions: By the numbers
Agreed Paul D, should be a high scoring game and maintaining possession is key. If the Tahs win the midfield battle and can then get the ball quickly to the likes of Naiyaravoro out wide then they can run over the top of the Lions wingers. The Lions will be looking to do the same thing though and their wingers have the pace to cause some real havoc.
Waratahs vs Lions: By the numbers
Thanks Craig, yeah i though the same thing when looking over the stats. Both teams don’t have a great defensive records but its their attacking stats that really save them.
Waratahs vs Lions: By the numbers
thanks CJ, yeah it certainly will be tough and even if they make it through it will be tougher again next week, especially if the Crusaders win and the final is in NZ.
Waratahs vs Lions: By the numbers
Cheers for the advice Mrs. Bradbury. Grammar is definitely not my strong suit but I always appreciate some constructive feedback.
The Wallabies and their kicking game
Thanks Bigbaz. Good to see Cheika back the same team two weeks in a row and the lineout is indeed still in progress.
The lineout is such a key indicator for a hookers confidence and it seemed a little like the occasion got the better of Brandon Paenga-Amosa at times. Deserves another crack this week.
The Wallabies and their kicking game
Thanks Rhys. I think the keyword for the Wallabies kicking game is balance. It will take a while for the Wallabies to know when to use the kick and when not to. Their skills will sharpen in time but Foley particularly needs to get better with his kicking game.
The Wallabies and their kicking game
Thanks Waxhead. You are spot on about needing to be able to execute skills to suit your conditions and having a range of options.
As for Phipps I do take your point, there are a range of half backs out there for Cheika to choose from but he is basically just banking on Genia never getting injured.
I feel Phipps is just there to bring energy and experience towards the end of games so Genia can get a rest.
There haven’t been too many Aussie halfbacks really making the position their own this season but i still think a dark horse like Ruru may be preferable.
The Wallabies and their kicking game
Thanks Tom, yes he is the most underrated player in Australia rugby in my opinion. Hopefully he gets a chance to prove his worth in gold sometime soon.
The forgotten Rebels
Cheers! Yes the opportunity was there to select English and Ruru, especially Ruru as the halfback stocks aren’t as deep as the centres right now. I thought that Cheika would give Ruru a go over Powell but he has obviously identified Powell as a future starter and likes to stick to his guns.
The forgotten Rebels
Thanks robbo999! You can bet your bottom dollar that the Irish will be sending plenty of traffic towards the centres over the June series. Meakes and English are miles better in defence than Kerevi and Beale, although they are still no enforcers. Lets hope Cheika isn’t ruling out re-evaluating his option in mid field for the Rugby Championship and Spring tour.
The forgotten Rebels
Meakes certainly does work hard and has good hands – he is a great option for 12 in my opinion but Beale is ahead of him in terms of pace, kicking game and x-factor. Meakes should be considered for a bench spot though. I think these last few games after the June break will be crucial for him and his Wallabies hopes.
The forgotten Rebels
Good point Fionn, it is strange that we can produce so many awesome 7s but 6 and 8 always seem to be lacking. You may be right in that all these players are snapped up by league as that is the body type league scouts look for.
The forgotten Rebels
Thanks Sinclair, yeah Melbourne scoring either side of the half was key and Meakes certainly had his best game of the season. Hodge still looks like a centre being squeezed into the playmaker role and doesn’t have the slight of hand or long passing ability required of a top class 10 yet. I feel his best position will always be in the centres though and he looks more like he is being played at 10 just because noone else is standing up than because of his playmaking ability.
The forgotten Rebels
Lol thanks Machooka, if the Reds are to get back to the glory days they do have a long way to go but they are just doing the basics really well this year and it’s a big upswing.
Are the Reds on their way back to the glory days?
Thanks ThugbyFab and I completely agree. The scrum has been amazing, lance is a more than solid defensive 10 and Timu has had a great year. It is a shame that lance and Douglas are heading away because they are both in form.
Are the Reds on their way back to the glory days?
No mate, I still think he got rid of him quickly. As in before the season even started. I would call that pretty quick. Also I think you are still missing the point. Its about him cutting QC. What is your opinion on that move? Do you think cutting him was a good or bad idea? The one thing I think he should have done is offer QC the chance to help coach the backline.
Are the Reds on their way back to the glory days?
Peter from what I read most people, like ex Wallabies and reporters, did pick the Tahs and Brumbies at the top of the conference and who knows that still may be true. People did pick the rebels to improve but that’s not hard when they were dead last and basically have two teams in one. My point was they didn’t pick them for the top of the Aussie conference early or that they would jump into gear straight away like they did. Additionally my point is not how quickly he got rid of QC just just that he did and it was the right call in my opinion. Really the Reds attack now have the most question marks hanging over it but it will be an interesting game this weekend.
Are the Reds on their way back to the glory days?
Only time will really tell but Thron definitely has a massive soft spot for QLD. I am hoping that he continues to develop as a coach and eventually get put into the Wallabies coaching staff but you can bet that if he continues to do well NZ will have their eye on him too. RA should really work to have the inside lane here.
Are the Reds on their way back to the glory days?
Thanks bluffboy, I am a tahs fan actually so don’t have alot of love for the Reds but I do love Aussie rugby and they are doing some of the key basic stuff that has been lacking in some Aussie sides in recent years. I’m sure the nz sides will have their plans for the Reds and nz are still far and away the super rugby bench mark setters.
Are the Reds on their way back to the glory days?
Hope I haven’t put the mockers on then Armchair
Are the Reds on their way back to the glory days?
Yes Hunts defence is very good at centre. Its a tough ask for the Reds this weekend but i think if they defend like they have been and their scrum keeps going forward they might just get a result.
Are the Reds on their way back to the glory days?
I’m loving these stats Baylion
Waratahs vs Lions: By the numbers