To claim that ‘running Rugby’ is peculiarly Australian is a bit rich. Yeah, we had sides in the past that could hold/exploit structure in broken play but not every team has the spirit, desire or brain power to pull it off. And to that we can now add, coach.

Contrast the two early games last night.

England kicked away even the slightest hint of a chance and lost. You can only hope that they got a taste of what could have been but then their attacks lacked purpose and conviction so it is moot whether they ever had a chance. The ABs said ‘thank you’ for the ball and probed for any weaknesses, not many on offer, but enough. They ran the ball, gave themselves a chance, and it paid off. Nothing like the precision and speed of what previous ABs have done but at least they looked the part.
vs
Les Bleus also kicked away good possession thinking what, I honestly have no idea. The Wallabies said ‘merci, mais non’ and promptly gave it back and the courtly manners and gracious bowing exhibited took some of us back to the movie ‘Barry Lyndon’, which we do not thank them for. To our collective shame the Wallabies carried out this tactic all night. I even got to the point that I wanted the French to win just to sink a boot up Link’s butt. How dare he bring this rubbish into the game. We have heard him say in the past ‘Play the game we want to’ and ‘Fit into our plans as to how we like to play the game’ and this was it? What happened last week when we ran all night, admittedly with better ruck ball, but at least we got to the point of having many rucks. There is no defence possible for this turgid, cowardly, even creepy game plans in a Wallaby Guernsey. We have a competent pack, we have a great back line, we have the skills so go out there and entertain, have some fun ourselves, practise winning games of Rugby with flair, purpose. Link has been presented with a great side and this is the best use of it? He and his defenders will be able to say ‘Look at the scoreboard’ but if he continues building a team spirit, a team memory, based on ‘field position’ will he be able to say it with confidence against the AB’s and Saffas? He won’t, and if he doesn’t, send him back to Stade Français with a note explaining his absence. Doing it properly next week in a dead rubber will add just that extra nail because; why didn’t he back his boys from the off? In his defence the game was played in a ‘limiting injuries’ fashion which he learned in his first season at the Reds.

The point being even an underperforming AB side like last night will wrest any chance of TRC or Web Ellis success.

My suggestions: Bring Nobody into the team structure as Mentor; tell John his job is to bring pride back into the Guernsey; the kind of pride that does not countenance failure of the ‘having a go’ spirit; spend a few lunches at Chez McQueen and let’s get this Running Rugby back into the lexicon and the soul of what it is to be a Wallaby; elevate Fardy to VC as well, Jones for Simmons, tone White’s volume down, McCabe for Kuridrani.

What was the difference from previous campaign starts? Too easy, this lot played for each other, with enthusiasm and worked harder than recent games. A ‘team’ ran onto the pitch and then got down to the job at hand. That they enjoyed playing with each other overcame any errors, oversights became obvious. That game even had its own learning curve.

The next task is maintaining that common spirit right through the entire squad available for TRC, the spring tour, and the world cup. Any tactical, injury, rotation caused replacement has to fit seamlessly into this formula. The benefits for Rugby Oz? Others will see what a good Rugby team looks like, how it projects itself and what has to happen in order to show a profit, win wise.

I honestly did not believe Link was the man to do it and I apologise. That he has done it with some players who still maintain their own agendas is even more impressive. The last game was a good moment in Oz Rugby.

Handshake video is on YouTube but my link keeps breaking down and as I don’t need 30% off of animal husbandry products I didn’t chase it up. How hirsute and what the dress code of the panel are not my pay grade (and I hope I never sink that low ever again) but I have to concur, they are a percipient and august gathering. Religion is Rugby, services are held most Saturdays between the Winter and Summer solstices. And that is all I am allowed to tell any Muggle.

Yep.

I predict a Guru promotion in your future!!

Even braver you, “dropping McCaw”, even this cheeky monkey didn’t think that. I was thinking Nonu, Jane, Woodcock; from the bench Mealamu, Crockett.

Very similar trajectory. Though I have noticed the service at the Bank is just that little bit crisper. Rain only occurs at night and the ground is not at all sloppy in the morning. My tv screen is also brighter and allows me wider views than other carbon-based life forms. Altogether a very rarefied set of conditions, most apposite.

Do they have other titles like Shaman, Doctor (a la Valentino)? We already have a Lord so I guess that one is taken. What about Baron, Prez? I never hankered for be called a Pro so we were just lucky I guess.

Just telling it like it is Coconut, with effort comes reward.

The AB’s did look flat, unenthused. My Wallaby supporting antennae was picking up all kinds of encouraging input; stuck with the old guard for too long, no thought to introducing something new (tactically), going through the motions. Turns out that those aerials were tuned perfectly, they had won the game before they ran on, that all they had to do was wait and ‘somebody else’ was going to lift to get the job done. If that had been against the Wallabies or ‘Boks you would now be shot of the passion-killers who dulled that knife. If Hansen cannot see that then you better get rid of him too. Let’s see some new names, some enthusiasm because if we are good enough to beat you later this year, beating this ageless, rudderless mob will be a very hollow victory.

(1) Ok, not sure. Didn’t we recently hear about Argentina’s problems with so many players overseas? If the test release was mandatory then why is it a problem for them apart from logistics? (Ep 15 Rugby Club made by Kafer).

(2) Moot point, Gits appears not to have lost a beat, still a game changer; granted he is in a very small club. Also with 5 franchises with runs on the board we do have more depth. It is the team dynamic that concerns me most and favouring players with a recent history will help form those all-important bonds that steam-roll oppositions when needed.

Possibly the solution is to allow the players to negotiate for themselves with the o/s club. A proven Wallaby/Springbok/All Black would have more room to negotiate and be able to insist on test release clause whereas a journeyman may not have that clout. So the players orchestrate their own careers. Someone like Brock may decide he is now prepared so he will get himself a gig with a Super franchise, ply his trade under the selectors noses and demonstrate his potential. It was his decision to have a go. Failure still means he can go back to what he was doing before. Therefore any player with an Australian passport may be accepted but only their contractual circumstances will limit their chances.

Can only wish Angus a speedy and complete recovery. He was one of their tougher nuts.

As for the Force. What happened to the Rugby we had seen since Rd 3? Suddenly what worked for all the intervening games was not good enough any more and the solution was to prove the recently discarded Brumbies tactic of kicking for field position was in fact pure genius but not in the hands of those rank amateurs from the lower inner east coast? Ebersohn forgot he had crossed the Indian Ocean and just belted the ball downtown to ‘second rate’ All Black ‘wannabe’ stooges like Israel Dagg who inexplicably did something in return unfortunately more skilful (he must have been having a one-off blinder). That it didn’t work in Cape Town doesn’t mean it won’t work in New Plymouth! We all know the difficulties of their travel schedule, but so did they, before the season started, so getting the requisite amount of rest must have slipped someone’s mind or just been too hard to work out.

These hot and cold team tactic changes indicate that Rugby imperatives are not the basics that guide our coaching staff. Their brief is to prove the whole world is wrong and that only a solution branded ‘made in Oz’ will be acceptable to their public who don’t mind losing games/seasons because that is really only a minor setback in the interests of science. The Force blew last night’s game, it was always going to be tough but a team like the Crusaders will give you the ball so if you are prepared play the possession first/offload/fast ruck/support support support game ball then you will wear them down and give yourselves a chance. And even more importantly in a team not burdened with internationals choices are limited so that has to be plan A. Frustrate a pack like the ‘Saders and they will eventually infringe and that is the field position game at its finest, set piece and away we go again.

Seriously folks, if your first option isn’t to play with the ball in hand maybe Soccer is your go.

Ditto, no understanding of the test concept at all.

RB, it is about rewarding our best with international travel and exposure against another countries finest; not a training run for unproven possibles and probables who will generate little interest and therefore empty stands. Trialling hopefuls is the role of our junior sides.

Good point. Maybe that little bird was wrong, but it made sense when as one of their more potent attacking weapons and defenders he couldn’t get a start, thinking possibly they were protecting his troublesome neck. And if true then maybe McCabe is still going to be on the bench for the test team, keeping him around just for his attitude.

Start by watching the replay of the Chiefs game 25th Apr, that might help. After that game many of us were wondering if this was the permanent new Brums winning with 5 tries against the form NZ side and playing with enthusiasm. Mayhaps the hubris after that game went to their heads but that was their high water mark of this season and where they need to get back. They must to do it for their fans and Oz Rugby.

Many on the Roar blame Mogg’s form or confidence slump but he is only one of many contributors and when the team in front of him is going forward he is one of our better finishers. McCabe is not healthy enough to be on the run on side (a little bird) but he is great off the bench. Too many penalties (attitude) and too many kicks with no apparent menace (intent) have shown this side in a very poor light.

However they are going to have to start by doing it against the Mighty Rebels who have no sympathy with Canberra’s problems and a point to prove.

Satanic Versus…?

But if we dumb it down then the intellectually challenged will follow it. Too simplistic. We still need a good old bash and charge session that makes our brains work overtime. We want to develop and expand the ability to think accurately under pressure and not just be doing what we were told to do by someone else with only 2 (or fewer) IQ points advantage.

We think universities are a good thing, know reading is a prerequisite for a full and meaningful life, want to have the top job because we can help this company/regiment/organisation work better. And we are not alone after all, we have our Rugby memories and the lessons they taught us which enriched our lives and provided access to a brotherhood which can help us with any hurdles life presents.

Rugby is not mere entertainment, it is one of the defining features of our lives, so no thanks, I won’t bother with the SoO, in fact I haven’t for more than 20 years. Sacrilege? Nah, common sense for some.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/rugby-union/alarm-as-future-wallaby-kieran-longbottom-cuts-ties/story-e6frg7o6-1226932364190#

This squad had internal resources they have learned to tap. The Stormers game would have been a big lesson in game management. Never again will they let another side have the pill for near enough the first 20 minutes. Any possession near the start of the game must be retained and worked, even if for zero yards gained because the energy debt is nigh impossible to recover. If Richie can contribute with a few well-timed and inevitable penalties then they have a chance.

GO the Force!!

lol, We’ll start a facebook page!

You have to have a taste for the jugular in arguably the best comp outside of tests. Ruthless, uncompromising… Like a Shark perhaps? Team name change in the offing?

Correction: Its a game for Thugs played by gentlemen. We go out there and bash someone up whilst copping a few ourselves so we can rid ourselves of the frustrations of everyday life. On the way we learn how to do this as economically and effectively as possible.

Anyone who doesn’t ‘get’ the importance and necessity of ‘Sir’ will not be hanging around for long. In fact those of us who truly love this game are amazed at how many decisions they get right considering the mathematics. 30+ players, 1 odd shaped ball, 20 pages (without pictures) of Laws, 3 officials and 80 minutes of concentration with optional sideline noise. That is a tough gig and though I have never reffed above school level I do remember the headache I had afterwards. It was just a pick up game with 1st formers – bl..dy monsters!

But not enough 4 try bonus point wins says to me that deep down they are guilty of merely going through the motions rather than putting a team (themselves) through its paces and building self-belief.

Quite a few lop-sided scores last round, bit odd, maybe its a mental tiredness thing. The Brums are probably not immune. Though if they did crash and burn because of the willingness to ‘win ugly’ then its a case of tough bickies. Not death riding them at all but if you play with Beelzebub’s toys then Mephistopheles just may find a way to get even. Can’t stop myself wishing the Force would surprise most of us (except those in the brains trust that put their season together after Rd 2). Rebels next year :).

Fails the domestic stuff, plus hasn’t played a good game this year for any franchise, I mean have you ever finished watching a game and wondered ‘Where the hell was he?’. Not enough hair, having too much fun in the tropics,… tlgo

Your usual thoughtful stuff, thx Tane.