Your spot on again! The Crusaders have perfected the art of Patience waiting for the right time.

“Holding on to the ball sounds like an easy exercise, but in reality it depends on a huge effort of concentration and technical excellence across all 23 players.”
Their innovation of playing the 2-4-4-2 pod system has not been cracked for 2 years.

It creates wider ball movement, quicker up field movement and unique combination of forwards & backs, requiring the recruitment & training of players with more diverse skill sets.
Holding on to the ball is the key = PATIENCE!
Draw & isolate the defence and only when you have the number advantage attack!

Following on from your article.
How about this as a dream?
Crusaders – N01 Ranking for the world cup!
All Blacks minus Crusaders ranking 2, 3 4, 5, 6?

England had the AllB’s on the ropes and Sonny Bill departed, Reid called a huddle changed gears to “Crusader” mode and scraper in.

The buck stops with the NRL, penalise offending Clubs, players and then penalise the offending player by restricting transfers as part of the penalty.

I am not suggesting Clubs are not guilty of giving players far too much tolerance.
“Blind Freddie” can see this happens.
Also there would be players that are simply not manageable.
The players see the some Clubs are not playing by the rules, salary cap breaches, 3rd party breaches!
Obviously as is being pointed out some Clubs appear not to have sufficient control around their players and paid the ultimate penalty.

As has been pointed out thankfully we can look up and admire the past & present no offending real stars of the game.

Your right to a point. However the NRL have to approve the transfer and register the player.
Example Raiders down 3 key players – off they go after years of developing, no compensation.

“does an endless stream of redemption tales inadvertently reinforce the game’s worst stereotypes”

THE BIGGER ISSUE is — NRL allows offending players go to another Club if they are moved on for a genuine breach of the Club rules, policies and Community expectations, contract etc
There is no consistency in fact it possible rewards the Club with the lowest acceptance of behaviour.

I also subscribe to every one should be given another chance after their penalty period.

I have been turned off for years with the handling of the Canberra trio.
Not the Trio behaviour but the NRL handling of the player movement at the time.
Not the players Carney, Ferguson, Dugan they where managed under the NRL rules & regulations.
I wish them all well in their futures.

The players go to other Club’s, their Managers possibly obtain a more Lucrative financial contract for the offending players.
Players win Club loses.

Canberra was a good example of holding the hard line and paid the penalty.
The Club suffered long term losing 3 talented players, the Coach suffers as he loses people who he may have hoped to build a team around.
Crowds reduce as they are not winning and enters a never ending deepening downward spiral.
Coach is moved on!

I raised this inconsistent standards with the NRL at the time and received a Dorothy Dix reply.
NRL if they have not, should have standard contract conditions that control player behaviour and restrict play movement.
If they have the control start using it!

The NRL should stop watching and start acting.

By the way, I am not a Raiders follower.

Same old song.

Your adding your “Twist” again!

My reference is to declining numbers not what the history has been to the Australian percentage of people following Rugby!
“The depth of disenchantment is deep within the Rugby community as demonstrated by the lack of attendance at Wallaby games.”

If there is not a drop off who fudged the past attendance figures?

You do keep the forum lively with your left field statements of your version of fact!
Good fun making people think twice — sometimes?

Frustration leads to anger and anger creates bad judgement.
What has been the cause of the frustration & anger?

1. Karmichael Hunts move to NSW – that felt as though there was a hand guiding it on how quickly it happened.

Brad Thorne has copped heaps moving on Hunt, Cooper & Slipper – he was man enough to stand by his Principals on Culture & Drugs in Society. (Not sure the reason for QC) He put the Culture & No drug policy on public record.

I see it as positive reason for families of young Rugby players to support QLD Rugby, the QRU supported him. My observations are all 3 have grown as people and will be this year major contributors to Australian rugby. In hindsight in later years they may even may thank him?

I fully respect not everyone will agree for various reasons.

2. Folau coming out with the “happy to move to the wing” quote this weekend.

He said to fit Hunt in the Team? Whatever the real reason his comments are positive, as he is thinking “Team”

3. Twiggy backing off his Western Sydney move.
I would like to see how this unfolds. RA has not handled the Force cut with any dignity. In my opinion they have cut off 20% – 30% of prime “farming land” a backward step.

The media projected he had to knock the door down?

Twiggy has forced their hand they can no longer ignore Western Sydney, Penrith has collapse, now Parramatta picking up the pieces. RA has given the Western heartland to the NRL & AFL.

I am sure they have had an impute but RA have to wear the bad decisions made, the Coach has been the sole selector & selects the players he wants and the game style he thinks will provide the results.
The public have voted with their feet by not attending games & buying merchandise, their cash revenue has to be severely reduced. This has to reduce the options the Board can make!

The depth of disenchantment is deep within the Rugby community as demonstrated by the lack of attendance at Wallaby games.

RA is being brought to account (hit in the pocket) by the Public stand off, in the Corporate World they would have been replaced by now!

Yes there appears to be change & I hope for the sake of Rugby your right!

A lot of what you point our is correct!
You need to consider a site such as the Roar offers people a place to vent their frustrations. Even the Old guard or strongly opinionated writers should not be shut down.
It is a very health debate, it has obviously hit a nerve with you …. now you have joined the debate!
That is a positive and another oponion.
Unfortunately the participants in the Roar banter is just the tip of the Iceberg of Rugby fans frustrated!

Every one contributing has an opinion it may come from
Just a few quick examples.
– tribalism
– sack Force fan
– a family life time culture of not liking a certain Team
– player looking bad because he is following instructions, we have no knowledge of how the
– national coach has instructed the players to carry out his game plan?
– people like me that see Wallabies losing games because their skill deficient!
– not happy with how the board is appointment & no understanding of the Board decisions
– people like me who watch, English rugby, NZ Rugby and notice the difference in the ability to
execute a tackle or a player is hidden in defence because their skill is weak.
– how can a player hold down a key position if they left under pressure can not meet standards
with their passing – LEFT & RIGHT!
– grass root Rugby is ignored

One thing I like is the vast and varied opinions of who should play where.

But it is just, a persons opinion, they own it, it matters to them.
As you have done if you do not agree offer the counter argument.
Shut the opinions down and we become North Korea!
Whilst their offering their “Two Bobs” worth they are still a Rugby supporter.

Great to read your contribution.

Very obvious, Beal is the better fullback, Hunt @ 12 was in the Tah’s best.

“The good news for the men in blue is that Israel Folau looked in exciting form”
What game did you watch, suggest you review the game and include his loose passing in your ranking?

A change has happened!
Another layer below the Board
CEO
Scot Johnson Director of Rugby
Good Corporate Governance to shield the Board!

The Title winning bunch of Brumbies from Sydney, Brisbane, Randwick all traitors – Brumbies should have been named the “Rebels”

Exactly the point 3 games in Canberra balance West Sydney!
Huge catchment for Rugby not being serviced.

The fill Manuka Oval

Sorry a wider view, Canberra has a very small catchment area “a small bubble in a big pond”
Population – around 350,000 v Syd 4,500,000

The Team has to be imported.

The Waratahs should win the comp every year with the Shute shield talent, the strong GPS + excellent local & School comps. Talent to BURN!
Imagine what the Boys from Canberra could do if they had the Western Sydney as a recruitment area?
Yes, years ago pre 2015, the Brumbies had good crowds. So did the Wallabies?
Where are the crowds now and why do they not support the “local” Team now?
When they started they had a good selection of locals Gregan & Larkham plus the Waratahs overflow and quickly became “South Randwick”.
Eddie moved on to Greener pastures.
Crowds followed.
The crowd “Bubble” has burst!

Yes, “punching well above their weight” ….. Imagine the power base they would have if they had Western Sydney as a development area and split games as the AFL has shown works!

Not sure Sydney Uni, Waratahs & the AR would like the suggestion?

There is also another local reason the crowds are low!

If the Brumbies can not turn the crowds around how long will it be before they are forced re-locate?

RA missed the Boat with the Brumbies, should have mirrored the AFL Sydney model.
HQ in Canberra, take games, grow and support the Western Sydney market.

Unfortunately Canberra is an insulated Bubble!
Beautiful large Country town with major demands on the sporting $$$$$
Only the size of a Brisbane, Melbourne or Sydney suburb.
AFL & Cricket attract big crowds with few games to watch.

Brumbies punch well above their weight just require a wider vision & area to tap into.

Maybe your close to the truth he has a young family at School in Canberra.
From memory he didn’t appear to join the Australian Coaching panel without persistence from Checker & above!

Maybe his initial thoughts where, yes I would like too but not just at this point in time?
Only he & his family would know?
I admire his inner strength, it would be tough to walk away,

Shouldn’t be shot for having a go!

Hi Spiro

Has Foxtel Rugby Kick & Chase on Wednesday been axed for 2019?

Excellent article
Are you suggesting the RA financial distribution of funds is correct and the grassroots anger is due to a lack of PR, NOT sufficient funds to run their Club?
Is the politics in the way of uncovering the real grassroot problem?
Allan Jones, Papworth, Shute shield & QLD NSW premier clubs, they are all able to offer their view because they are successful and strong.

That is not where the problem exists in Grassroot rugby!

Have a deep long hard look at the real grassroots level clubs (exclude the premier Clubs), fielding under 6 to 16 years, they are run by struggling Clubs with a lack of resources.
Mum & Dad worriers doing their best.
Eventually as they fold and the young people drop out the feed into the pathway system is diminished, no “star” for the picking to go upstream to Premier pathways.
The Club I am close to is struggling to field a u15 Team, over the years players moving taking up options in AFL, NRL & other sorts has paid the toll!
If they do not fill a roster a very talented group will follow their mates to NRL!

If a Farmer doesn’t respect his land, fertilise the crop and recognise change, he leaves the land.
Recent history shows RA sold out of 25% of their farm by cutting WA.

The entry level is the Mum & Dad at the local club, the “loud noise” is due to the continual financial struggle. (Finances have improved slightly we are receiving 10c / can or bottle.)

Agree the Wallabies need a quick fix to lift revenue!

Larkham suggest it is the game plan / rugby style that needs to be reviewed!
Blind Freddy can see that, the selected players have not been able to deliver results with this game style.
The direction on how to play the game, the players selected, by the sole selector / Coach, is the $64 question that needs reviewing!
The Coach & RA has not been able to turn around the downward spiral.
Their answer is lets handed the job over to a new man Scott Johnson to review.
Lets hope something positive happens from Stephen falling on his sword and speaking out?.

Congratulations for RA keeping Stephen they have a big investment in his Coaching career, he has achieved past his age and his best years are in front of him.
He would do RA a favour if he put 3 years as an assistant in the Guinness Pro 14 and came back. A young family will most likely stop this option.
Stephen and Jake White achieved positive results at the Brumbies.

Up Ship Creek without a paddle or a boat without a GPS paddling upstream?

Appointing a selector​ can not work on it’s own!!!!

Reading all the different comments about who should play where, who should Coach etc, highlights the many and varied styles of Rugby people think will win if their changes are made.
They then support the players they feel will deliver.
This is a very health debate and really opens the door to “what style of Rugby should the Wallabies play?
Current Results show , “The Checker current style” is just not a winning style, not functioning or the players do not have a “buy in”.

Is it the Coach ? the game plan/style or selections?
The first 2 questions that need clarification are ….
Step 1. Review Checker’s game playing/style of Rugby he wants to Coach
Step 2. Find the answer to the Question, why as past sole selector and Coaching head has he not been able to obtain a pass mark with his selected players and game plan?

Answer these 2 questions and correct the flaws in the game/style/plan/selections, just maybe things will change?
or
Maybe the swamp needs to drain and throw the paddle away!
or
flood the system and paddle like Ship…..

Interesting?
A few questions,
who from your “Blue” selections would make NZ, Ireland, or England Teams in their Club positions?
10 – Foley
15 – Folau
12 – Beal
5, 6 or 4 Simmons
7 – Hooper

Who has won the World Cup without a strong defencive 10 & 12 Combination?
What would you rate Foley, Beal, Folau in defence out of 10?

Why is the forwards not creating space for the “Blue” top 3 players?

If the Waratah combinations, the bases of your World Class players, are not beating the top 3 NZ Teams consistently how do the Wallabies with Hooper, Foley, Beal, Folau combination change things at Wallaby level?
The Crusaders are the bench mark for Innovation, game plan, Coaching and selecting players that are suitable for their style.

To make decisions on a player you need to know what/how the Coach has instructed them to play.
Hooper “loitering on the wing” for example is a Coach decision with his Pod attack system, that is not working & easily shut down.
Hooper is then left “Loitering”

The analysis of a player at Wally level must start with the Coach and his game plan.

We can only hope Scott Johnson and an independent selector will make a difference.
Change has to start at the Top!

The problem is deeper then debating players abilities if the top level of NManagement and Coaching is not on top of their game.

I was offering 3 observations I appreciate it is hard to communicate in a short comment.

1. Le-Rugby is live and well in Junior Rugby land thanks to lack of financial support from RA into Junior Coaching.
Devoted Mums & Dad’s some with very limited or No Rugby game skill / tactics training drawing on League knowledge.
A Hybrid game has emerged. Le-Rugby
Juniors Rugby with League plays, defence and set moves.
The League hooker acts as dummy half and the 1/2 back distributes the forwards and backs are split left & right side.
League is now a left, Right field game. Reduces the player movement across the ground resulting in much tighter defence.

2. Crusaders have a proven system that is very adaptable to League left right player placement.
Crusaders 2-4-2 defence a faster version of the old 1-3-3-1 and more ball handling by the forwards.
Creating space for the loose forwards to attack through the tram tracks or a flanker playing mid field.
They then defend where they end up, no slow forwards back to the centre pod.
League Teams play left side, right side and the hooker acts as dummy 1/2
In the 2018 league final the 1/2 (injured) ran the game calling the playing structures, the hooker distributed and the Centres played left and right
The 2-4-2 Pod system is very adaptable to the same attacking structure. I watched an English game where the 7 acted as dummy 1/2 and the 9 directed the pods playing left to centre of field and the 10 playing right side. After 10 pod rotations to the left, the 9 called the 7 for the ball, with a wide cut out pass to the 10 deep on the right where they had 4 on 2 and the winger scores.

3. Rugby has for years adapted League tactics & skills
A couple of standout examples of Rugby borrowing League style attack.
2003 Eddie Jones had a number of League players in the world cup squad and League style attack was deployed.
Big fast wingers running over the smaller opponents.
Also the League “Warren Ryan 80’s” compressed defence is still used today.
Up & in defence forcing teams to go wide into a swooping cover defence trap.
The All Blacks with Sunny Bill at 12, playing as a loose forward drawing 3 tacklers, off loading one handed.
Jack Gibson League of the 70’s commiting 3 to 4 tacklers, Roosters won titles.
How many junior park players are playing Sunny Ball?
Now England with Ben T’eo, if your 10 & 12 are not defenders your not going to win the game!
There is an endless list.

What I really wonder with Michael Checker has he kept his powder dry?
He is obviously not at all that worried about current results, playing a 1-3-3-1 pod system that is not producing the results. It appears his game plan is easy to defend.
The All Blacks are trying different system during games one with McKenzie at 15 and if it is not working reverting back to 2-4-2 Crusader football!
Checker has Hopper playing wide channels, It depends on the pods creating space for the ball to go to the wide channels.
Unfortunately it is not functioning and the opposing teams easily shuts the play down.
Critiquing players without fully understanding the Coach game style / plan can only be judged on the OLD Rugby systems or how you feel the game should be played!
Example Peter Samu in the Wallabies, he worked for the Crusaders and has a Super 15 champion medal.
The Coach is selecting the players and setting the game plans. Not the players or assistant coaches.
The buck stops with Checker.
Has Checker a Master Plan for the world cup?

Another great article to read.
Le-Rugby is well entrenched in the juniors on a Weekend!
It is evolution, examples big bodies on the wing, Joe Rolfe, League imports Lote & Del.
Crusaders leading the pack with 2-4-2 Pods, loose forwards ball handling, as good as a Centre, attacking in the tram tracks and centres.
Sunny Bill a league forward introduced new skills as a Rugby 12, Eddie’s England with a league forward Ben Te’o at 12.
Hurricanes with Coles on the wing etc
An endless list.
Next to be copied is the Roosters defence used to win the League premiership with very talented xRugby juniors, left side & right side Rugby 2 & 10 in attack etc!
The half didn’t touch the ball?
I watch an English game with George Smith playing. The 7 acted as the 9 with the 9 standing behind him directing the game through the 7 driving the pods an awesome try was constructed.
Lots Junior Parents Coaching with no formal Rugby training & league back grounds. New game style emerging in the juniors every weekend – Le-Rugby.
Copying the League stars on the TV.
Very exciting!