Roar Guru
Joined November 2016
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Location: Western Australia ----------------------- Rugby team: Western Force ----------------------- AFL team: Dockers
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There has been a lot of talk in the past week about what Fremantle should and should not be doing vis a vis trades…
I was lucky enough to attend the inaugural game of World Series Rugby last night between the new Western Force and Fiji A (Warriors).…
At 196 cm he’s a bit small to be a truly influential international lock so really he’s a good SR lock or an international 6. Hard to see him being a dominant international in either position. I hope he stays but whatever he does, good luck to him.
Wallabies in danger of losing Hanigan to ambitious French club just as forward enters his prime
You might add Carter to that since he played 80 mins on Saturday.
If Australia is looking for big men, let's not neglect the old and the fat
Bayle Kuenzle. He can play positions 10 to 15 ????
And he’s not a bad goal kicker
'It's disappointing': Petaia's Super season over - and it could end his Reds career
He has been talked up on his “potential” but lets not forget he is also a seriously competent player.
'It's disappointing': Petaia's Super season over - and it could end his Reds career
I think easiest to delete the nominations committee and allow the states, RUPA and the board itself to nominate prospective board members. Then let the state unions as the peak bodies representing the members in each state, to vote on the nominees.
'Definition of madness': Rugby reform must start with total cleanout of RA board - and this should happen next
I think Russ’s point is that Phil Waugh is no longer on the board but is the CEO and that he seems ok in that role provided he doesn’t get a board vote.
'Definition of madness': Rugby reform must start with total cleanout of RA board - and this should happen next
Ready to put your body on the line for your country, Ben. That’s the true ANZAC spirit mate… 😂
If Australia is looking for big men, let's not neglect the old and the fat
Thanks Jez.
'Definition of madness': Rugby reform must start with total cleanout of RA board - and this should happen next
Yes, agreed.
'Definition of madness': Rugby reform must start with total cleanout of RA board - and this should happen next
To be honest, I’m not sure what he is talking about. There seems to be a disconnect. But I am certain there are plenty of people who have a connection with the game who are competent.
'Definition of madness': Rugby reform must start with total cleanout of RA board - and this should happen next
No but it does demonstrate an interest in the game.
'Definition of madness': Rugby reform must start with total cleanout of RA board - and this should happen next
I think that it’s not a bad thing to have people on the RA board who can at least demonstrate some sort of historical link with rugby. For example, I played, or my brother played. Or my son/daughter/sister/mother/great aunty Betsy. Or, I have been a member of the Western Force/Rebels etc for 10 years. Something/Anything would be enough for me. There is of course an argument that having some non rugby people on the board is also necessary.
But really, I am asking Russ what HE means by that.
'Definition of madness': Rugby reform must start with total cleanout of RA board - and this should happen next
ATW,
I too share the view that the root of the problem is in fact the nominations committee.
'Definition of madness': Rugby reform must start with total cleanout of RA board - and this should happen next
True, but perhaps not the complete new broom approach that you are advocating Russ. I get the sense that people are advocating a little bit of caution in the approach. But I think there is brad agreement o getting rid of the nominations committee. Personally I’d like to see nominations come from state bodies and then voted on.
'Definition of madness': Rugby reform must start with total cleanout of RA board - and this should happen next
In short, some history of a grass roots attachment to the game at some point in her life?
'Definition of madness': Rugby reform must start with total cleanout of RA board - and this should happen next
Russ,
Thanks for writing this as it does clear up some of the lack of detail in your previous note. I’m not sure I necessarily agree with your proposal to scorch the earth and start again but just putting that to one side I have a couple of comments and a question. I note that I am crossing the lines here and that what you have proposed is an interim step but what is interim will have the power to make decisions until a final structure is agreed so it is important to get structure right from day one imo:
1. You refer to Member Unions voting in paragraph 9 and then later to Voting Members. I assume that these are the same?
2. I disagree with your proposed structure as follows;
a) A functioning board should have good governance and positions on that board should be voted and appointed by shareholders (in this case the rugby public through whatever mechanism is agreed). But your position two directors are appointed by the board is nonsensical and undermines your stated position on making the board open and accountable. The governance of this would be even worse than the system of appointments you are advocating to remove. Those positions should be nominated by either the Member Unions or the board (who should have the power to make a recommendation in relation to any nominee) and then voted on by the member unions. Remember, the board always has the ability to appoint advisors to fill any special skill or knowledge deficiencies that they may identify but these appointees must only have advisory roles not votes because the members didn’t vote them on.
b) For transparency, I am in WA. Despite the partisan positions often espoused, the reality is that the greatest number of players in the country are in NSW and Qld. That is why they currently get an additional board member if they have over 50,000 registered players. Rather than strip that away, it would be better to retain that as an aspirational target but reduce the 50,000 to (say) 25,000 players (pick any appropriate number). That means that any state union that grows it membership is rewarded by additional seats on the board and importantly, that target is realistic and achievable not seen as unobtainable.
c) WA, Victoria and ACT should have a single seat on the board with the possibility of increasing that as per the above membership target. ACT tends to be lost in most conversations but at the end of the day they are after all effectively running rugby in the south of NSW and we need to move past political state boundaries and recognise rugby state boundaries instead.
d) I do agree that the SR franchises have a right to representation on the board (a single seat rather than five seats) and that the CEO should be non voting (i.e. appointed by the board not voted in by members).
e) I do agree that the other states and Territories in Australia should also have a single seat (Tasmania, SA and NT) but there should be a mechanism to change that if registered player numbers crosses a threshold.
f) Overall that is 8 people appointed by the States, plus 1 or 2 independent directors by popular vote and 1 for SR franchises. It is a lot of people but this is a national sport and that is probably appropriate.
'Definition of madness': Rugby reform must start with total cleanout of RA board - and this should happen next
after giving yourself an uppercut
Five things: What Beale has over other golden oldies, double pain for Brumbies as Blues expose Australia's biggest weakness
Agreed. The Force were hammered by Hurricanes and Blues. Both teams at their best are a country mile ahead of the rest of the competition this year.
Five things: What Beale has over other golden oldies, double pain for Brumbies as Blues expose Australia's biggest weakness
“It was another important lesson for the Force that no matter which fancy backs you buy, you struggle to win rugby matches without setting the foundation up front first.”
Actually, I don’t think we have any “fancy backs”. 🙂
Five things: What Beale has over other golden oldies, double pain for Brumbies as Blues expose Australia's biggest weakness
Beale hasn’t lost his timing. He had a good game and worked hard in both attack and defence.
Beale, Rodda shine on Super Rugby return as Force smash Crusaders to keep finals hopes alive
Yes, I picked that up too when I watched the replay this morning. He held his own as a LHP. Kudos to the young man, he is only getting better. Great to have him back.
Beale, Rodda shine on Super Rugby return as Force smash Crusaders to keep finals hopes alive
The Crusaders forward pack were expected to dominate. They were bigger and more experienced but the Force held and then matched them.
The Force also won the breakdowns in the end and in defence they dominated the Crusaders attack which is unusual. The backs were also good. I see Crotty suffered a head injury and came off. That guy has been so good for his entire career but head injuries have been a feature for him. I hope it isn’t yet another concussion related injury.
Beale, Rodda shine on Super Rugby return as Force smash Crusaders to keep finals hopes alive
I think you are over thinking it. He has played one test 3 yrs ago as you say so he should be considered a fringe international. That means he is a great pick up for a SR team and provides depth for the national team. It’s a great pickup any way you look at it.
Aussie-born England capped rake Nic Dolly signs with Force ... and he'll soon be eligible for the Wallabies
I think there would be plenty of well qualified people, the question is why they would want to take on the job? Let’s face it, it’s a pretty thankless task. No matter what you did , people would still be baying for your blood.
'Easy to throw stones': RA chairman hits back at mudslingers' 'hypocrisy' after calls for AGM board cleanout