Roar Guru
Joined August 2012
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I've been living in Mendoza, Argentina for the past 8 years and have been coaching rugby here for the last 4. Very pleased to see SANZAR open up to Argentina. Favourite player of the past 10 years would be Agustin Pichot for work both on and off the field.
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At the end of the Rugby World Cup, the governing body will no doubt do a revision of how successful the tournament was. In…
In what was a terrible year for Australian rugby, the lowest point of 2017 was the Western Force being cut. I'm from Sydney, have…
I was probably only one of maybe a few hundred spectators that took an interest in the Jaguares versus Kings game last weekend. Having…
When I last lived in Sydney, my typical Saturday involved coaching an under-13 team in the morning, playing about noon, then refereeing a game…
Well, now that the curtains have been brought down on the 2015 Rugby World Cup and many of the fair-weather fans have left us,…
Every time Wales, Australia or England play, the post-match commentary talks about whether or not they will get out of the 'pool of death'…
There has been much talk and jostling about the status of the club championships in Europe. The way I read it, France and England…
While most Roarers' eyes are on the massive Bledisloe game this weekend, spare a thought for the other match being played. Most southern hemisphere…
I noticed that the last Chiefs game was played at Mt Maunganui. They also play home games in Rotorua, with Hamilton being their principle…
While many people may have been surprised with the failure of South Africa to beat Argentina in Mendoza, I certainly wasn't. Of course history…
I think the test run of the Kings and Cheetahs will be crucial for the future of Super rugby. If it goes well I don’t think any of the South African teams will want to continue traveling east/west for their games. Time slots are a massive part of bidding rights these days as is player welfare.
I see migration north for SA confronting two major hurdles. Playing out of season and a desire to continue competing in the RC. If these are both overcome I can’t see SA involvement in Super rugby past 2020.
The consequence would leave ANZAR to find a solution but it is likely ANZAR would shrink to ANZR or become JANZR as Argentina would likely see Europe as a better option also. Turbulent times ahead I see….
The thing about revolution is that you have to want change
It would be fantastic for world rugby and the Lions concept if they beat the Darkness, unfortunately I can’t see it happening. I think the AB forwards are going to monster their opponents this weekend which will make it all too hard for the visitors to rack up enough points.
The centres of conundrum at Eden Park
Yep, massive! By the way the “kiwi excuses” article has been well covered by Spiro.
The Wrap: Lions keep series, and their future, alive
I read the first paragraph and thought this could be an article of “kiwi excuses”. After reaching the bottom of the page however I think it is the best piece of the weekend, truly good journalism. Well done Geoff, looking forward to next weekend!
The Wrap: Lions keep series, and their future, alive
Yep, it’s all a bit of a dog’s breakfast. I’m in a couple of other tipping comps that have included the Chiefs canes match in last round.
Super Rugby Round 15 part II: Here it is!
Sounds like a Donald Trump impersonation Piru!
Why I'll be cheering for the Lions this weekend
You guys need to tour Argentina and try a Malbec. Hint: Wallabies play the Pumas on the 7th of October.
Time to cut all the Australian Super sides and re-design the entire rugby season
Can I ask why your coach has the nickname “Shag”?
Time to cut all the Australian Super sides and re-design the entire rugby season
A complete pyramid structure which is proven. I played for the East Coast team in the Wairapa bush and claim that perhaps even a 5th tier exists.
I agree if we had that structure oz rugby would be extremely strong but unfortunately the landscape of winter sport in Australia makes it a very difficult prospect, not impossible though.
Time to cut all the Australian Super sides and re-design the entire rugby season
As a Tahs fan, can’t say I’m sad to see Nathan Gray leave. Defence has been woeful this year.
As a Wallabies fan I fear the worst.
Waratahs keep on losing - this time two coaches
It is no secret that the current format is rubbish but the proposal for next year isn’t going to address the real flaws that have caused the Super rugby decline. There has been little to no thought go into expansion and it has been done only to mark out territory in potential markets. The once great Super comp has been reduced to a watered down mess which has become a cancer on both rugby in Australia and Argentina (can’t comment on SA). It needs to be completely overhauled.
Not so Super Rugby
Fantastic outcome, only possible in a fantasy land unfortunately.
Pulver not going anywhere after ARU EGM
Hola Carlos, local rugby is strong and I’d guess that it is the no.2 team sport here (obviously football no.1). I don’t think the Jaguares lack of success has had much of an effect on your average fan, although many watch Super rugby it is more for entertainment than really wanting to get behind the Jags. As you know the provinces don’t always have the highest affection for los porteños so rugby here is happy to keep to itself (include San Juan and San Rafael as it is the Cuyo comp). Of course when a Mendocino makes it as a Puma it is well reported, I think Bertrenaud is the most recent. The Pumas are well followed but last year they went to London, ridiculous move, the year before the cost was extremely high so hopefully this year prices will be more reasonable and the get a decent showing to Malvinas Staduim.
I hope Super rugby here doesn’t have the same disastrous effect that it has had in Australia!!
Modern rugby, more seagulls than Bondi Beach
Nice piece Matthew and I agree entirely. Many players are slandered horrendously in forums like these for playing a certain way when they have no idea what the game plan is. I came from an era when game plans were very loose and my plan as a no. 7 was just follow the ball all day. That isn’t an option these days in pro rugby.
Modern rugby, more seagulls than Bondi Beach
I was amazed that Messi went to Australia. Good on the promoters!
The Wrap: Sun shines on Wallabies and Lions
Spot on Carlos, conflict of interest doesn’t mean squat in Arg. Legal disputes often see lawyers on BOTH sides take a percentage of settlement payouts. Go figure.
As for the future of Argentina rugby, they need to change tack in regards to Super Rugby or they will end up with the same mess that Oz has.
The Wrap: Sun shines on Wallabies and Lions
Reckon you could count on one hand the number of Tahs as a second team Bob, well done!! Obviously a glutton for punishment.
The simple joy of having a second team
“It isn’t as though anything has changed in rugby on a global basis in the last 40 years”
That has to take the prize for the most outrageous statement on the Roar this year!
NRC sponsorship loss must convince the ARU to return to its grassroots
It comes to me as no surprise that Saracens are front runners. They were very innovative at the start of professionalism when I worked in England as a teacher 20 years ago. Sarries offered a bunch of free tickets for the kids to promote the club (even though our school was in Henley). I think it was Nigel Wray who was driving the show and it was a pleasure to see Pienaar, Sella and Lynagh playing on the same team.
It would be nice to se some of this cutting edge conditioning in Australia again.
The curious case of Will Skelton shows the south can learn from the north
I agree this attitude that the North have towards professional rugby including diet, fitness and physical preparation etc. is very evident. I can’t help but think NZ also have this same attitude and it is just Australia who seemed to have drifted behind in rugby (not other many other sports) and not since the Macqueen days have we strived to be better. I remember seeing a typical Waratahs week I think last year and I was very underwhelmed by their program. Some players, Lealifano comes to mind, have gone to play in the NPC and returned much better for the experience.
The curious case of Will Skelton shows the south can learn from the north
The Wallabies really should put in a better showing than the “super” teams but I can’t say I’m brimming with confidence. At least the selections seem to be more promising than last year.
Cheika’s biggest challenge this June
I’m not so sure BB. The tier two nations have gradually crept closer to the traditional powers and the nature of RWC is unique because it gives these teams a solid window of preparation which is not so common in regular years. Will Georgia beat Australia? Unlikely in 2019, but upsets like Japan v SA (probably not the same magnitude though) will be more frequent as the world game continues to grow.
Can Georgia beat Australia at the 2019 Rugby World Cup?
That’s the plan? Not become insolvent? I think this is exactly what the article is pointing out, that there needs to be more direction as to what the ARU are going to do to improve the game, where and what levels as opposed to just staving off going bust.
The thing about revolution is that you have to want change