Agreed but I leave a little space for when independent reports are not so independent.

You seem to have a strong view on these officials OC, how and when did they kow-towed from your perspective?

Thank you for posting Rob

Thanks for posting Carrick. It’s a really interesting topic. I had just read your other article you posted on newscorp etc and had been cursing you as it is a tedious subject so I am really glad you posted this.

I agree with many points you make. I actually like the fact that ARFU are trying to put a line in the sand and send a message to other young talents that you should consider rugby. I agree with Tim HOran’s article wholeheartedly as well. We continually lose young talent.

So here is the key point I think that has not been discussed as much. If some wealthy benefactors want to join together and pay this players wages then that is absolutely fantastic. We need more of this in these times to help Australian rugby through. AFL coterie groups have been doing this for years and the amount of money raised by clubs through these groups is massive. So hopefully a few more benefactors will join in because any money that the ARFU don’t have to spend can then be spent on grassroots. And this guy represents grassroots as you rightly state.
Finally, a crack at Alan Jones. Instead of whingeing and whining, put your hand in your pocket and help out. I am sure you made some money in your career. But no…all he can say is that this young player has dodgy shoulders. Pathetic.

Interesting to note that there are some senior NZ rugby people who are appalled at the way the NZRFU are going about this.

ho hum…onto the next topic.

I am really trying to get my head around the NRC 2.0 but am struggling. I think the best option is to secure the trans Tasman comp first as long as it is fair and makes sense. Players not selected can and should go back to their clubs and play on weekends.
If this is not feasible then by all means work out a NRC but my gut feel is that is won’t work. I am very happy to be convinced and will support whatever opti9n occurs but the latter will affect our development and competitiveness at an international level whereas the former will fast track that.cheers

Interesting thread, very interesting.
At the risk of stating the bleeding obvious, Australia are currently not in a position of strength. However that can change in a couple of seasons.
But here is the bigger point. Doesn’t any normal rugby supporter want to see hard fought and close games between the Australians and the Kiwis? Isn’t rugby better off whereby we have many strong teams instead of a few. I know I believe and want that.
So maybe the kiwis can gloat now but the bledisloe cup is actually a weaker experience until the Aussies improve.
Maybe I am being a bit to philosophical but I just don’t think the kiwis see the bigger picture whereby a stronger Australia rugby is actually beneficial for them. Pretty simple really.

Cheers Paul, I’ll buy the first round and how about we meet in the middle of ‘quality and overrated’ and settle for glimpses of potential but a way to go in the long form but worth sticking with and perhaps better suited to the short form game at the moment. I honestly think England need him in the long form but only if he improves, becomes more consistent and sticks with it. Honestly, my gut feel is he won’t. Cheers

Thanks for posting Patrick.

Not sure your title and your last line make sense.

I have watched a lot of him so think he has fantastic potential. I think he is very new to test cricket so has a lot to learn. I think his fitness is probably not where it needs to be. I also think ENgland are still learning how best to use him, when and and on which pitches. I am also not sure he has the best coaching at hand.
I think it is fair to say that if England get those things right, and he continues to learn, and get fit, then he will only get better. The balance is that they need to get some more depth in their attack as at the moment, he is potentially a luxury. But when he is going well then he is a weapon indeed.
As an aside, I am not sure what on earth went on today with his omission. Living 8n London, the reasons they have given don’t add up at all.
One last point, I hope he sticks at test cricket for a while.

Cheers,

Potsie, further to Matt’s thoughts, I think you are focusing on one aspect but not all the reasons. Go and read the official inquiry report at the time.
Perhaps another way of looking at it was that the NZRFU were inept. They won’t be the first or last sporting body to be. And they have certainly lifted their game since then so maybe that was the catalyst. The ironic thing is that they have gone on to mange NZ rugby extremely well where we haven’t.
I agree that JON ended getting tough but perhaps the ARU needed to in order to avoid losing the RWC. It’s obvious relations weren’t great The official report by Sir Thomas EIchbaum doesn’t paint a great picture of the NZRFU at the time (and I am being kind)and that is probably why the Chairman, CEO resigned amongst others.
Anyway, we move on. I appreciate your thoughts. Cheers

I always thought the Australian way was supposed to be running rugby, scoring tries, technically supreme, massive skills etc. At least that was the 91 and 99 and 2003 teams.
Don I hear what you are saying but alas I reckon the commercial narrative is against that. And trust me, when I was a youngster the state clashes in the 70’ 80, and 90’s were awesome. Plus club rugby was fantastic because the teams would be chocked full of test players. I actually would love to see that and agree. But unless there is massive structural change in Australian rugby particularly with regards to the State administration, sadly it won’t happen and won’t be viable. Cheers

Simply not true Potsie plus maybe try some out of the box think8ng on the carrot part.

Go and look at Jon O’Neill’s comments regarding the reasons behind 2003. And maybe just maybe Hamish McLennan can make it worth their while plus NZ tourism wins.

I hear what you are saying RJ. It’s a choice isn’t it. Go internal, lower the standards, try and draw people back or go with the kiwis, risk some drubbings for a while but at least people can watch some good rugby teams, maximise whatever dollars are on offer. Tough choice to make. Cheers

Interesting topic and thanks for posting Peter.
For the first time in a long time I actually have supreme confidence in the selection committee. Langer’s motivation, experience, no-nonsense approach and what he has done for Australia as a batsman and more importantly as coach (particulars in rebuilding the side) means I have no questions over him just confidence. Hohn’s has experience so again no questions and I think bringing in Bailey who appears to be as honest as the day is long is a good choice. Whilst they may make mistakes I think every player will know where they stand and they will be ruthless (particularly Langer) and accurate in their selections.
As regards to being a selector, of course it’s a thankless task. But the flip side is you
get to travel, get paid, work with talent, so life isn’t that bad. Otherwise it’s quite simple, don’t put your hand up for the gig.
Finally, I would like to know who appoints the selectors so if anyone can answer that please. Cheers

As an Aussie living in London, I had the game on so watched bits and pieces of it. Good on the Windies. The game is much better off with a strong windies team.
A couple of points. The English batting is woeful and batsman did not perform. Denly is not a test batsman.
Secondly, apparently it was Stokes call on the bowling lineup not Smith’s or at least that is what I am hearing. Try dropping Andersen and see how far you get irrespective of form given how admired he is over here. I am not sure this attack can bowl a team up twice. From an Aussie perspective, I think the English are in a spot of bother. Early call I know but just reading the tea leaves. Cheers

Hi RJ, thanks for taking the time to post this. I can see where you are going but alas I am not sure it is as simple as building tribalism amongst other suggestions. This is not a criticism so please don’t take it that way, more the way I see the playing field at present. Of course that will hopefully change in time.

The overall fact is that the ARU need the NZRU at this point in time. I have been glued to the NZ rugby whilst the Australian rugby has been mediocre at best and I am being kind. My early optimism has been sadly replaced by the obvious chasm that exists in terms of skills, watch ability and pretty much everything else. On the basis of what I have seen so far, the losses by the wallabies will continue for some time as the kiwis are just well above us in every aspect at the moment. On that basis, I really don’t think Australian can go it alone despite what people might say.

I found Rob Clarke’s comments today to be frank, realistic and optimistic. A state of origin series would be great, and an Anzac Day Bledisloe cup would be fantastic.

Unfortunately, to maximise commercial dollars and appeal, the all Australian concept whether it be states or club competition just doesn’t move us forward, did not work before and that is why we need NZ. Plus exposure to the NZ teams whilst short term is not going to be pretty in terms of results (except for the Brumbies potential) but is absolutely necessary because they are well ahead of us in terms of pretty much everything. I hear you when you talk about the Western FOrce enthusiasm but alas enthusiasm only get you so far.

So whilst I can see where you are going, I am afraid we need NZ for now. I don’t know how many teams, how it looks, what happens with WRC pool games as a carrot etc etc but sadly I think for now the time is to suck it up and work closely with the kiwis. Cheers

Honestly, it’s handbags at 10 paces between a coach and his ex assistant. Not sure MT achieves much in his criticism and not sure that DW does much in his defence.
The point I would make is that I think DW has been lauded a little too much and achieved very little at this stage. Some have suggested he has a clean break and finds a bigger/better team as a head coach. I think this is ridiculous. He either works smarter and makes do with what he has got and gets the plaudits for that or he takes a step back and finds an assistant role under a senior coach somewhere else. McKellar at the Brumbies has now moved way ahead of DW in terms of the way he has handled himself, results and the way in which he has built a team and they play. Cheers

Really interesting article Bill so thank you for posting. Fascinating that a number of pies supporters and you think this way. I am not a pies supporter but I like to see a strong collingwood team but I tend to agree with you. He may have done a good job but he is now too conflicted and just continuously makes dumb mistakes and comments. I can’t listen to him anymore I am afraid. For me the Goode’s comment was the last straw.
However, here is the bad news. He is absolutely going nowhere anytime soon. Without the pies job I think his days in the media are numbered. His profile will wane, his influence and ability to be an influencer and a ‘power broker’ will diminish if not disappear and his ego is way way too big for that to happen. Who is going to tell him that it is time for a change and to move on because he won’t do it. Nope, I think you will probably have him for at least another 20 years or so. Cheers

Thank you very much for posting. So sorry.

Agreed JC. But we are kind of heading into a new era or at least I hope we are re are not exactly that many wonderful and international experienced wise heads available. Unless of course we relax the Giteau Law. Firstly, I hope that Rennie picks the team on form whether that includes experience or no experience. And secondly, 8 hope that the captain comes from those picked and not picking a captain first followed by the team. Unless of course your name happens to be J Eales or T Horan. Cheers

That’s a fair reply JC and thanks for that. Whilst I certainly don’t think he is as dreadful as you say I appreciate your opinion. I will watch more closely next time with the points you made in mind. I think it will be interesting to see how he goes under Rennie if he gets picked. I Don’t think we saw the best of many players under Cheika because he was such a poor coach during his time at the wallabies. Cheers

Geez that’s Harsh. You obviously don’t like him and that is clear from your comments which aren’t objective. But hey each to their own.

I hear you RG but i think at this stage I would prefer a player to demand to be picked on form rather than on potential as a captain. Liam Wright shows potential and I hope he forces selection and I agree that if form warrants it in a couple of years he may be considered as a captain. Long way off though.

Swinton could be an Owen Finnegan if he learns and matures. If he does become a clone of Finnegan well then that will be a result.