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Rusty

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Joined June 2009

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Rusty
Roar Guru
Rusty
Roar Guru

The best of the Rugby World Cup: Part 1

Like any deprived fan I have found myself filling the live sports gap with voracious consumption of trips down memory lane and whatever content I can. Beyond the political, it has been pretty slim pickings to date. So I thought I would have a bit of fun investigating a few of the sport’s big questions.

Rugby
2
May
The best of the Rugby World Cup: Part 1
Rusty
Roar Guru
Rusty
Roar Guru

South African conference preview

Well here we are again. Super Rugby season and about damn time! It’s been far too long between drinks and the umpteen pointless one dayers clogging the calendar have offered little respite. So onward and upwards, here is a preview of the South Africa conference.

Rugby
20
2011
South African conference preview

As most have said – depends on the rules

If its league, then Roos with the edge. Not because they are quicker or better conditioned but because they know how to play their game better and the 10m line will be the bane of a union team that pushes the offside so much.

If its Union then the ABs will destroy them as the Roos will either a) have half the team sent off or b) have half the team injured in a set piece. This is not even accounting for the dynamic counter attacking capability of the ABs with their line speed, ball handling, removal of space and persistent contest for possession. Without any interchange reprieve the Roos forwards will be out on their feet by the 3rd quarter.

If its any sort of hybrid game that allows contests for possession at the tackle e.g. rucking then the ABs will crush them by turning them over or generating penalties for holding on. Its just not in the League DNA to attack or protect the ball that much and at this level, any hesitation counts against you.

So fun concept to think about but would either team gain anything from this other than money?

A cross-code All Blacks vs Kangaroos match could happen this year

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League
 
Jun

BackInBronze

You don’t have to be the best team – you just need to be the best at winning the 3 games that matter. Qtrs, Semi and Finals.

Thats the beauty of the knockout format

As for the 2019 champions – for such a poor team, its amazing that they are the only (non Lions) side to get results against the ABs in NZ since the French in ’09. Unless of course, you are saying that the ABs are not a quality side either?

The best of the Rugby World Cup: Part 3

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Rugby
 
Jun

ISO got you down and grumpy?

The best of the Rugby World Cup: Part 3

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Rugby
 
Jun

Seems more like a covert rule change

The principle is wrong, but are rugby's proposed COVID-19 law changes all that bad?

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Rugby
 
May

If you are in iso back in SA then thought you might appreciate the home brew references

The best of the Rugby World Cup: Part 2

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Rugby
 
May

Thanks mate – obviously not as interesting as the Queensland three but trying to keep it light

The best of the Rugby World Cup: Part 2

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Rugby
 
May

Part 2 – which covers the glorious period of 2003 has a surprise 🙂

The best of the Rugby World Cup: Part 1

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Rugby
 
May

but surely that means he would resign at the reduced salary anyways? in which case this has been a ploy to get out of the Reds.. at least for Rodda

Reds trio terminate contracts with Reds and Rugby AU

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Rugby
 
May

JP seemed small but at 6’3 and 106kg was anything but. He was the broadsword to the Habana rapier

Why the Wallabies need their big winger back

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Rugby
 
May

Gatland has not coached the Lions to a winning series against South Africa. It was the 2013 series against Australia that he won.

He will of course get his chance in 2021

The search for rugby's greatest-ever coach - and no, it's not Clive Woodward

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Rugby
 
Apr

Will have to ask AWJ if he was stirred by the action to the “head”

Rugby world shocked as Joe Marler inexplicably squirrel-grips Wales captain

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Rugby
 
Mar

Stiff arm to the head – red card and a citing 😂

Rugby world shocked as Joe Marler inexplicably squirrel-grips Wales captain

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Rugby
 
Mar

The Stormers have gotten gradually worse week after week.

PSDT mentioned them team needing a bit of a rest before the Blues game

I wonder if this is related to the effort needed to play the physical ala Bok style but without a near full team rotation game to game?

The Wrap: Super Rugby teams struggle at home. Why is it so?

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Rugby
 
Mar

Just win – fans will appreciate that a bit more

Waratahs promise return to running rugby as Jake Gordon prepares for 50th game

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Rugby
 
Feb

Superb article mate – enjoyed that very much

The real highlights for the Brumbies

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Rugby
 
Feb

Given the prospect of torrential rain, road closures and flooding.. Im not surprised the crowd was pretty average.

Quality of the game also did little to convince anyone that staying at home was the wrong idea

Rob Penney wants his side to harden up

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Rugby
 
Feb

What a joy to read. Thank you for this early Xmas gift! Best wishes

Winning in Tokyo: Finding the sun

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Rugby
 
Dec

as a package – for sure

Revealing The Roar's Test rugby team of the decade for the 2010s

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Rugby
 
Nov

The reason for that was the shuffling of Burger to 8 or blind to let Louw or Brussouw play openside. Spies then covered 8 for awhile – so there was simply no room for Duanne at that time
Burger really evolved as a player – from the breakdown menace to a link and defensive player. Still one of my all time favourites

Revealing The Roar's Test rugby team of the decade for the 2010s

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Rugby
 
Nov

but would you say he was close to being the worlds best in either of those positions in the last decade?

Revealing The Roar's Test rugby team of the decade for the 2010s

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Rugby
 
Nov

Agree – my only qualms is that centres are usually a package – so is the Darcy/BoD package better than then Nonu/Smith version….

Revealing The Roar's Test rugby team of the decade for the 2010s

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Rugby
 
Nov

Agree with that – the PDST comments is based on have DDA in the list.. I mean seriously – this was his one really good year and he is being put forward for team of the decade??

Revealing The Roar's Test rugby team of the decade for the 2010s

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Rugby
 
Nov

1. Tendai Mtawarira (RSA)* – been very consistent over the last decade so no qualms there
2. Dane Coles (NZ)* – Bismarck for his sheer physicality in the tight and over the ball work.
3. Tadgh Furlong (IRE)* – been a bit of a weak decade for stand-out tight heads not that they arent good but the fact I have to really think about a dominant TH says something.. sure there is a better option but just cant think of one…
4. Brodie Retallick (NZ)* – 100%
5. Alun Wyn Jones (WAL) – not sold. Yes he has got better and better over the last few years but feel like his real value is in being the talismanic captain. Would love to see an EE Brodie combo smashing people all over the place but cant have two power locks – so for me its Whitelock and Brodie as a 2 for 1 combo
6. Thierry Dusautoir (FRA)* – weapon. Surprised no Juan Smith or PSDT on the list
7. Richie McCaw (NZ) – MVP
8. Kieran Read (NZ)* – tough one but definitely better in the first half of the decade than the last. I would go with Vermuelen
9. Aaron Smith (NZ) – Yep. Du Preez at the end of his powers by then. Connor Murray up there
10. Dan Carter (NZ) – still dont think any 10 compares
11. Bryan Habana (RSA) – scored some beauties even as the pace began to wane.
12. Ma’a Nonu (NZ)* – best combo. Darcy for combo with BoD.
13. Conrad Smith (NZ)* – best combo. AAC lol. Surprised BoD didnt even get a mention?
14. George North (WAL) – Not entirely taken with this choice. North was a force of nature but has really gone off the boil the last few seasons.
15. Beauden Barrett (NZ) – Umm yeah nah – best in the world from the last 10 years when he has barely played a season there?! Bender in his prime, all day of every week. Others missing Liam Williams, Kearney

Revealing The Roar's Test rugby team of the decade for the 2010s

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Rugby
 
Nov

Seems more like a team from the last 5 years – some options are also outright laughable. AAC?

Revealing The Roar's Test rugby team of the decade for the 2010s

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Rugby
 
Nov

It was untenable when part of an 18 team competition with multiple matches between conferences. A cost and logistical nightmare.

Im sure its less of a factor for a single game

When will Japan join the Rugby Championship?

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Rugby
 
Nov
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