Shop's Roar Profile

No short of controversy in this one! I thought Moore was very harshly done by for obstruction for being “in front of” Koribate. Moore was actually beside Koribate and the fact that Robshaw was racing back to get onside meant he was initially attempting to tackle from the side. If he was tackling him front on there is no way he would have been obstructed.

Hooper definitely slowed down when he saw the kick put through. I find it pretty harsh to expect him to stop dead in his tracks. There are plenty of refs who would have let that go. To the letter of the law he is meant to stop advancing but it is physically impossible if you’re already moving at pace. Still, the Wallabies should have finished off the opportunities with much more precision.

The Wrap: England gets the rub but Cheika gets it wrong

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2017

I’ve never even been to WA but I’m still absolutely appalled at the situation and I’m actually hoping RA or ARU or whatever are completely over turned with the board and management all be made to resign. Unfortunately there is little I can do but hope that Super rugby is soon disbanded and a comp with a national footprint that includes the Force is started.

The silence surrounding RugbyWA's demise

The Hooper off side is a tough one. The real question should be if he made an attempt to slow down because it is impossible to stop dead when you’re running like that. I believe he did and when he saw Koribete pass him he started to run again. A very marginal call and like many other decisions on the day it went against the Wallabies.

Wind your necks in, England; you didn't deserve to beat the Wallabies

I agree and disagree with you both. I believe despite the power of URBA, a sustainable national pro comp can be formed in Argentina. I live in the provinces so I have to believe it! I also believe Argentina has a place in the Southern Hemisphere along side NZ, OZ and SA. It is the cornerstone of rugby in the South American continent and if administered well it fits in with the other countries in terms of player base and market potential.

The current path isn’t sustainable and if super rugby continues as is, another team in Argrentina is an absolute necessity for the both the super comp and the national team. I don’t think Super rugby will exist however after 2020 and this is where Rob, your model is 100% the way forward.

Hope this makes sense, it has been written under the cloud of Malbec.

Argentinian Rugby is in search of a change of path

Hi eeds,
I’m of course going to the match on the 7th. Perhaps a cerveza before the game is in order?
I don’t know BA that well but can tell you it is too big and fast for me to live, awesome place to visit though! The rugby set up there is very passionately followed.
Rugby in Mendoza is strong but still amateur.
All the best for you move.

Argentina: The perpetual rugby oddity

Fantastic read Chris. The work done at junior level is where the majority of investment should be. Programs like yours should be the cornerstone of rebuilding rugby. While I applaud Shute Shield for getting their act together they aren’t “grass roots” clubs unless they they are also involved in developing juniors, which of course some are.

Supporting Australian rugby starts at the grassroots, but what exactly is ‘grassroots’?

Worth the trip Geoff and you can kill two birds with one stone. Most kiwis I’ve seen here cheer for the All Blacks against the Pumas in BA and then the following week get right behind the Pumas in Mendoza against the Wallabies!

The Wrap: Bledisloe Cup restored to past glory

Just wander across the road and watch it at the North Sydney Hotel Dave!

The simple, forward-thinking way we can empower rugby's grassroots

CH, I’ve never been to WA but I hope you guys lay the ARU to waste. Not just for what they have done to you but the mismanagement across the country. The whole structure of rugby in Australia needs to be leveled and reborn to accommodate the game throughout the country. As it is, those with the power are very distant from the reality of the game. I believe these dark times can end up being an extremely positive thing for rugby in Oz but a prerequisite is the dissolution of the ARU.

Out west, the anger continues to grow

Must be a conspiracy Ken. I also read in the Betoota last week that they were building a side entrance into ANZ stadium especially for Richie McCaw!

I found out I'm a Kiwi citizen - can I justifiably support the All Blacks?

In the same boat Liam with parentage Liam and I have always followed the Wallabies and love to hate the AB’s yet also prefer to see the black caps win over the Aussies. I think it was growing up and being a big Richard Hadlee and Lance Cairns fan!?

Word of advice regarding travel, the NZ passport is way better than the Aussie one. Lots of countries requiring visas or entry fees for Australian passport holders often don’t apply for Kiwis.

I don’t believe a mark is rewarding the ability to catch a ball, but to stop endless bombs and disadvantage kicks that have gone to far.

Law reform: Why the mark and maul rules are outdated

It was a great game to watch. Roos badly need a goal kicker as easy points were forfeited and a kicker that can gain more than 5 meters on penalties. Big swing in the game was when the Roos coughed up an easy turnover after their second try and Ireland hit straight back.

Still, better than a lot than I have seen from the Wallabies of late.

Wallaroos lose to Ireland in rugby opener

totalmente.

Argentina's rugby conundrum

The boys first ideas of a second team was that they’d call on all of the regional players to represent the new franchise (bear in mind they’re only 12). The professional reality is quite different but the concept of a regional team is definitely viable.

Fue clase de ingles, no rugby!

A lot to digest here Nobes and thank you for posting. I was discussing Super rugby with two of my students today and the topic of overseas based players being excluded from the Pumas came up. In theory I think it has merit but while there is a lack of depth to support two Super teams I think it is counterproductive. I also believe Argentina has similar problems to Australia regarding Super rugby and if not addressed could result in disaster.

I also think the introduction of two teams should be sooner rather than later if super rugby is to survive in Argentina. I got the kids to brainstorm about the make up of a second team should be. One said it should be based in Córdoba and the other Santa Fe?! At least we agreed that they should be named the “gauchos”!

Correct me if I’m wrong but didn’t the Tahs concede 40+ points in their last 5 games? How do the ARU promote a defence coach to the a full time Wallaby position with this sort of record? Or perhaps it is actually a demotion.

As you’ve clearly pointed out Nick, firing out a single defender strategy is a very dangerous tactic once the ball gets past the defender who shoots out. It has its place if a team is being pressured on their own goal line but to do it continuously seems ridiculous. It would seem most coaches have have worked Grey and can only predict the worst for the Wallabies.

South African leopards are changing their spots - can Nathan Grey?

A very Good article in support of the Brumbies and Canberra and some fantastic metaphors thrown in for good measure. Thumbs up and good luck Brumbies!

Canberra remains a key cog in Australian rugby

Hi Piru, just wanted to say I thought the end of the Force Tahs game was the highlight of the (albeit depressing) year for Oz rugby this year so far. Clearly a very proud bunch in WA.

The Wrap: Chaos reigns as Super Rugby finals take shape

Tranquilo chicos.

Carlos, for the record I’m not against Argentina being involved in Super rugby, I’m against them being involved in the current format. How much travel will the Jaguares/Pumas travel this year? Way too much. Two teams in Arg would be ideal to alleviate travel pressure but then we’d have the same problem that Australia faces where depth is severely tested and you get teams who become perennial losers. On balance I think two Argentine sides should have been introduced from the start.

The best model I believe would be to have 2 Arg teams in a conference with one each from Uruguay, Chile and Brazil and a couple from SA but these countries aren’t quite ready yet.

For the record Carlos, I’m not against Argentina being involved in a Super rugby, I’m opposed to how they are involved presently. How much travel are the Jaguares/Pumas going to do this year? Two teams would ease that burden and I’d be all for it. However, you’d then be presented with the problem facing Australia which would be regular beatings due to lack of depth.

Ideally, a conference with two teams from Arg and one each from Chile, Uruguay and Brazil joined to a couple of South African could be a very workable model but we are talking quite a few years before those countries are up to standard.

Yep, as if following a script.

Hi Sheek, I also believe losing Argentina and SA would be a huge loss but I reckon they’d do their best to keep the RC going. I also agree about your point about money but Arg and SA would go north for logistical reasons more than financial.

That’s exactly how I see it Geoff. Expansion for SANZAR at the time I believe was necessary, however it has been done in such a thoughtless manner that the comp will ironically shrink.

But TWAS, is just cutting a side really going to make that much difference if in the medium term effect is going to destroy a whole supporter base? To me it seems like putting a band aid on an axe wound.

The thing about revolution is that you have to want change

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