Roar Rookie
Joined November 2022
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Well, here we are. The Wallabies made no quarter final showing in the World Cup, are 10th in the world, and could only muster…
When Eddie Jones said that the Wallabies could win the World Cup in a “smash and grab” raid, it conjured images of a rugby-style…
Sun Tzu wrote in The Art of War that if you “know the enemy and know yourself, and in a hundred battles you will…
Well, here we are. Another woeful northern tour, the Wallabies languishing in the rankings, and the standard blaming of coaches and players. For the…
I’dve thought a bigger roadblock to Eddie getting the Japan coaching job (or any coaching job, for that matter) would be the woeful record he has in recent times with both the Wallabies and England. But he’s obviously the best candidate. You just ask him.
Rugby News: 'I'd feel like a traitor' - Eddie says he'd reject prestige job, reveals surprise Japan 'stumbling block' as SBW goes WHACK
It’s a curious thing; McLennan claims to be about unity, but chirps out with “spear me, and there’ll be a world of pain”. Very unifying. Further, his claims about caring for the game, if not exposed as nonsense by the very use of that phrase, are clearly nothing more than self-serving drivel as evidenced by the manner in which he has been forced to leave. Someone who cared about the game and had the slightest shred of integrity would have agreed to step down when the letter was received, and assisted and facilitated a smooth transition to the next chairman whilst shoring up sponsorship support.
ANALYSIS: McLennan's fatal blind spot, and why his exit leaves Australian rugby in a better place and a worse one
It’s curious how he views getting rid of him as “divisive”. If anything, it shows he’s so unpopular that the states will unify against him. The mere fact that the letter demanding he step down was drafted shows his position is untenable. And as for his backers, Forrest may bankroll the Force, but that still doesn’t actually give him any say in this discussion, and the others mentioned have usually “worked closely” with him, and, like Twiggy, are in no position to put their little oar in; thus, two words for them, and the first word sounds like duck.
As for McLennan, if he gave two hoots about the game, he’d leave. If he did, both he and Australian rugby would be saved embarrassment, and he could leave with some semblance of dignity rather than dragging things down to the level of the Bold and the Beautiful.
'I won't back down': McLennan set to dig in as embattled RA chair calls on EGM to 'clear this up once and for all'
All we need now is McLennan to resign, and the rebuild can begin. No incoming coach will want to work with him.
REPORT: Eddie Jones to quit Wallabies and join Japan as head coach
I find it hard to disagree with your statements. In my opinion, if Rugby Australia wanted Eddie Jones as Head Coach, they didn’t have to bone Rennie; they could have let him see out his contract, and gotten Eddie to spend the time from being employed by RA until after the World Cup lining up the assistants he wanted and liaising with the various Australian provincial unions to check the talent and how things were running.
McLennan et al put EJ in a ridiculous position vis-à-vis the 2023 World Cup, as there was never going to be enough time to prepare the Wallabies for said WC. I can’t fathom what Eddie was doing accepting the role in that situation. The big problem is that whilst McLennan and anyone who took part in parachuting EJ in must surely find themselves in an untenable position, and Eddie’s position is, at best, on shaky ground, who replaces them?
Poison chalice, anyone?
A letter to RA, that has never been answered, on the sacking of Dave Rennie
@Woolfe Yes
'Load of rubbish': Eddie slams Carter critique ahead of ABs rematch, says Wallabies must 'invest' in young 10
A gentleman named Harry Day said, “rules are for the obedience of fools, and the guidance of wise men”; in the modern era, “wise people”. It seems to me that referees are being asked to pick up the most pedantic and sometimes straight out irrelevant infringements that occur. Everybody knows that at many breakdowns, you may play the game of “pick the infringement”, because there are plenty from both sides.
Referees should be allowed to use some discretion when an infringement occurs based on whether it affects the game’s flow, whether an opposing player has been interfered with, and even the reality of “does it really matter?” This would go a long way to getting the whistle out of the game.
And “Advantage” is certainly overplayed. If a side has made 25 metres down the field, and still has the ball in hand, I’d call that a big advantage, and arguably a better one than a lineout followed by a maul, all of which requires stopping the game, dragging play back for the original penalty, yada-yada-yada.
The powers that be should suggest to referees that they heed the sage advice of Harry Day. At the moment, blind obedience to the rules is making rugby union look like it is populated by fools.
'The most boring play on a rugby field': Why Wayne Smith is right to call for radical rule tweak
The captain and leadership group are the officers underneath the general. It is their job to ensure that the battle plan is carried out correctly. It’s all in the tale of the concubines.
'Know the enemy': why Eddie Jones would be Sun Tzu’s choice as Wallabies coach
These are other things that Sun Tzu does discuss; “all warfare is based in deception”, and “appear weak when you are strong; far when you are near”.
'Know the enemy': why Eddie Jones would be Sun Tzu’s choice as Wallabies coach
OFF WITH THEIR HEADS! I’m sure that the threat of decapitation would keep even the most mouthy of players in line. I’m equally sure a lot of coaches would be grateful to have that option at their disposal. As for Sun Tzu, he’s a coach who played fly half.
'Know the enemy': why Eddie Jones would be Sun Tzu’s choice as Wallabies coach
There’s a rule to any review or inquiry; you never start one that you don’t already know the outcome of.
Exclusive: Top RA executive quits after just 292 days - with high performance review writing on the wall
You are correct, the modern game necessitates that tight forwards be able to be effective in loose play, but I remember a French coach making the observation that where the French picked good props and made them good footballers, Australia seemed to pick good footballers, and try and to make them good props.
Ideally, I guess if there are young players (and I’m thinking ones that haven’t even hit Super rugby yet) who have those key basics solid at the level they have played at, then they’d be given encouragement to develop the skills and fitness they otherwise lack, and, in time, they’d become all that and a bag of grits. How that would work, and how it would be resourced, that I don’t know.
Everyone’s an option: Why next season will be a great time to be an Australian hooker
I’d say a lack of basics seem to be a problem in more positions than just hooker. For years, so many of Wallabies tight five seemed to get selected on the grounds of being good around the paddock, but get bitch-slapped in the set piece and ruck and maul. As you say, the basics are more important than ball carries, and it is the open play work on top of rock-solid basics that are the mark of players good enough for higher honours.
Everyone’s an option: Why next season will be a great time to be an Australian hooker
Unfortunately, the theory of the merit found in competing theories has been rather debunked by underperforming Super rugby teams and the Wallabies. As for politics, it is the politics of the multiple systems that has led rugby to this sorry state.
To fix the Wallabies, we need to fix the real problems
Thanks Sheek,
The history of how rugby in Australia came to be in such a parlous state is very interesting. I only discovered rugby in 1987 as a teenager, so am one of the ones who were spoiled by the Wallabies success a few years later, and was unaware of any of that information.
I was also unaware of what were clearly some very poor decisions made by John O’Neill that can only have contributed to the decline of rugby. As you can gather, I’m fond of quotes, and Julius Caesar said, “in war, events of importance are the result of trivial causes”. You cite three decisions which should have a easy and small choice for the guy, and he clearly botched 3 for 3…and we have seen the consequences.
I fear, as you do, that the code will soon go the way of the dodo. Even with private equity, the politics within the code must be addressed, otherwise all we will be able to do is sit back and marvel at the selfishness and stupidity of those who would see rugby in Australia burn rather than surrender their petty fiefdoms that, ironically, aren’t even theirs.
To fix the Wallabies, we need to fix the real problems
Indeed, and much of what you say is covered in another one of my favourite books, The Art of War by Sun Tzu. Training with SAS would indeed be good, as would doing cross training with judo and wrestling clubs (both sports rely on body height and grappling). On that note, in the hypothetical situation where private equity and centralisation were to occur, then as young players developed, they could be exposed to regular cross training events to enhance their core skills and strengths.
To fix the Wallabies, we need to fix the real problems
If you mean me, I had to google what the book was about! 😂 No, that’s actually how I write. 😊
To fix the Wallabies, we need to fix the real problems
Actually, it’s the whole year. Inconsistent performances, shipping 48 points to Argentina in a humiliating loss, losing for the first time to Italy, and sitting around 8-9th on the world rankings…the whole year has been woeful.
To fix the Wallabies, we need to fix the real problems
Absolutely. Without a meaningful strategy, sponsorship and funding is pointless. Who knows, if there was an intelligent strategy in operation currently, maybe things would be different.
To fix the Wallabies, we need to fix the real problems
Yep. If the current system remains, PE would probably be a largely fruitless endeavour sabotaged by the traditional rugby cohorts, and you may as well give candy to schoolkids. Rugby needs to be shaken up from top to bottom.
To fix the Wallabies, we need to fix the real problems
Kearns’ comments were published in a Fox masthead, a corporation which, since losing broadcasting rights, has been little short of openly hostile to rugby. Little wonder he’s giving RA a spray, as any positive commentary wouldn’t get published. As for his “Hamish paid the price for their pride” position, what nonsense. McLennan’s position was utterly untenable after the World Cup fiasco, especially when Eddie Jones legged it to Japan.
'Our talent is spread too thin': Ex-Wallabies captain urges Rugby Australia to cut Super teams