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Joined April 2016
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For Rugby Australia, Saturday’s Bledisloe Test was an unmitigated success. The Wallabies earned some confidence in a thumping win over New Zealand and it…
Here we go again. The Bledisloe locked up for another year in New Zealand's trophy cabinet with no apparent salvation in sight for the…
The England - Australia series has exhibited some enthralling rugby these past two weeks and Saturday's game is likely to offer more. Of course…
As many of you would agree, the second Test was one of the very worst performances by the Wallabies I have ever seen. My…
The past few weeks have seen much debate over the depth of Australian rugby and there have been several suggestions of reducing the number…
I disagree. No matter the meaning, wearing the jersey permanently would dull its attraction. I think having one week a year that recognises aboriginal culture is fine enough. Remember that familiarity can breed contempt.
Moreover, whatever the 60,000 year history of aboriginals in Australia, rugby is an English game. There have only been 14 indigenous players to don a wallabies jersey for 100 years or so. To adopt the indigenous jersey full-time would be to represent one tiny minority at the expense of everyone else.
Cheika needs to use Brisbane credit for Spring Tour good
Agreed. The value of the jersey is due to its rarity. It will lose its shine if it becomes the norm.
If it were to be adopted full-time then the flags on each sleeve would need to be removed.
Cheika needs to use Brisbane credit for Spring Tour good
Fair enough. I just think that a couple of years as a short-term coach would do what’s needed.
Roar Forum: What changes should the Wallabies make for Bledisloe 2?
OUT:
Grey
Cheika
Larkham
The rest of the ARU
Hanigan
Robertson
Phipps
An ideal team:
1. Sio
2. TPN
3. Alaalatoa
4. Arnold – Due to a dearth in quality, he’s the #2 lock. For a tall unit, he lacks the grunt of a Whitelock or Retallick.
5. Coleman – the only standout player deserving of his jersey. He can reach Retallick/ Whitelock potential.
6. ??? – RHP might finally deserve a go.
7. Hooper – The guy has a big heart and I do feel for him. Who else though? Gill isn’t around.
8. Timani – Big bloke. Enough said.
9. Powell – Give the young bloke a go because he’ll likely show more passion than Genia.
10. ??? – Foley nope. Quade is yet to find his spark and can’t tackle. Real trouble here.
11. Speight – goes ok. Never sets the world on fire although I don’t think he gets the space he needs.
12. Meakes – provide some defensive mettle in the midfield.
13. TK – one dimensional in many regards but who else can replace him? Maybe Rona could be given a go in future.
14. Folau – could honestly do with a game on the bench to set his mind square and be used in a better position.
15. DHP – the only guy who plays fullback well. Only Karmichael Hunt competes with him.
Can’t quite decide on reserves.
Australian rugby needs a full clear out at the top. The new CEO needs to be completely removed from Australian rugby and indeed any other rugby union. One who can understand that results are vital, but can appreciate that grassroots need to be nurtured. Maybe look to Europe or America?
Cheika needs to go. So does Larkham and definitely Grey. Mick Byrne and Ledesma can stay. I don’t know a decent attack coach but John Plumtree should be chased with everything the ARU has. Get Twiggy and his money on board (keep the Force, ARU tw*ts), so that you can get rid of the current coaching staff and hire some decent coaches.
I honestly think that as a replacement head coach, Stuart Lancaster could be considered. While he’s not necessarily the man to get the Wallabies to #1, I think he could establish a much need culture change and would be free of interstate rivalries. I always thought his work with England after the 2011 RWC, getting rid of overinflated egos and underperforming players could be very useful when you look at the Wallabies.
Roar Forum: What changes should the Wallabies make for Bledisloe 2?
Does anyone know when the arbitration decision is going to be announced? I thought it was any day now.
Melbourne Rebels nab Wallabies prop from the Western Force
What a joke of a team. The Force are the only Australian team to win this week and only two of their players included? Compared to six Rebels and five Reds? Ned Hanigan at 4. takes any credibility away from this team. While you might have looked for balance, you’ve got two Tahs too many and have missed out the likes of TPN, Adam Coleman, Matt Philip, Bill Meakes, Jono Lance and a few more from the Force who should have been included.
The Super XV: Australian team of the week, Round 17
It’s a sad joke isn’t it? Well a fish rots from the head down and that’s what we’ve got going on in Australian rugby. A totally inept ARU followed by an inept coaching staff. Larkham can’t coach an attack, Grey seems to have a different definition of defence in his head to the rest of us and Cheika continues to make poor selections while we’re banging our heads against our TVs watching our national team. Same mistakes, no lessons learned. It’s Einstein’s definition of insanity. I somewhat hope that we embarrass ourselves against Italy next weekend in the hope that it lights the bomb under the people at the top to get them to do something. The ARU should all resign and the current coaching staff gone as well. The people have run out of patience. There are two years left until the next world cup, better to get someone new in, from outside the whole rotten setup here and give them the time to get us ready for 2019. I don’t believe that we don’t have the cattle, I believe our lack of decent coaching and management is killing the game here.
Scotland hold on in thriller against the Wallabies
I guess that this can be nothing short of expected when Larkham is coaching attack. Einstein’s definition of insanity sums up Australia right now.
Wallabies vs Scotland highlights: International rugby scores, blog
You’ve got something against DHP don’t you? He can hardly be blamed for the first Fijian try, he was banking on Speight completing his tackle. Had he stood his ground, chances were that the winger dotted down in the corner.
Roar Forum: What changes should the Wallabies make for Scotland?
I don’t know but Kiwis are South Sea Poms aren’t they?
Chiefs vs Waratahs highlights: Super Rugby live scores, blog
Poor officiating. Rugby is a physical game, there are always going to be some scuffles. Nothing in it, should have carried on.
Chiefs vs Waratahs highlights: Super Rugby live scores, blog
The Wallabies look like they represent both Fiji and Australia with the number of Fijians in the squad. Nabuli is poor in defence and ill-disciplined, Korobeite has only been in union for half a year, neither of them should be in the squad IMO. Naivalu was impressive on the EOYT last year with some blistering pace as does Speight although he has blown hot and cold. I still believe Kuridrani, for all his power and strength, is too one dimensional in attack and would not feature if there was more depth in the centres. Personally, I’d prefer Hodge and Kerevi as a centre combo. Hopefully Kerevi is able to improve his defensive frailties because for all his potential, he cannot be considered world class until he can defend properly.
Talking about the number of Fijians in the squad, I’ve got nothing against them being there but I do doubt their passion for the Wallabies jersey. Most of these guys have only arrived in Australia in the last five years. What does that exactly say to younger players here? Hopefully players like Newsome, Verity-Amm, Clarke and Banks will mature and reduce the need for foreign imports in the outside backs.
Wallabies squad announcement: Michael Cheika unveils young, inexperienced side for June Tests
I take it that jameswm is a Queenslander. Hunt is always going to be a first pick with guys like these.
A dream RWC 2019 draw for Wallabies but does Cheika have the cattle?
You are insufferable, aren’t you? As the saying goes ‘you make your own luck’. The Force have not won games due to their opponents having an off day. It has come through hard work and a gutsy determination that the rebels haven’t shown this season. Maybe its time to look with both your eyes instead of one – the Force are better than the Rebels and the tide has swung in favour of the sea of blue
Jaguares vs Force highlights: Super Rugby live scores, blog
The ref is going to do one over the Force when it comes to scrum time.
Force vs Kings: Super Rugby live scores, blog
This is good. It means that Cheika will have to pick a more dynamic lock than Skelton, so long as it is not Dean Mumm.
Wallabies giant Will Skelton off to England
The Force are an improved side from what they were last year. They have showed a lot of fight in their games but have been unable to achieve the results that they need. Winning games is the next step. They need to improve their finishing and execution as they often put themselves in good positions only to come away with no points on the board.
Blues beat brave Force in Auckland
My point being that the Reds have been poor for years now. Despite all the preseason talk that they could win the conference they only have one win to their name. The Waratahs have been poor as well and in a state of decline since their premiership back in 2014.
The Brumbies did make the final back in 2013 but I’m talking about now, 2017. The Brumbies do play boring rugby and are poor against non-Australian opposition.
I’m trying to point out that there are those on here who say that the Force’s results have been poor yet seem to ignore the fact that the Reds, Waratahs and Brumbies aren’t exactly promoting Australian rugby either. Every team is on a sinking ship right now and throwing a man overboard isn’t going to plug the hole letting water in.
UPDATE: Western Force respond to reports Super Rugby franchise will be cut
Frankly, I think that the lack of information has led to unfounded speculation. Everyone wants to know what the plan is so much that names are just being thrown out for the sake of it. A week ago it seemed as if the Brumbies were going to go.
If my beloved Force get cut, then I have nothing but contempt for the ARU. Same goes for all those who have spoken with such hatred of the team from the West, ignoring how poor teams in the East are.
No team deserves to be cut. I want to see Oz rugby doing well as much as I want to see the Force do well. Poor coaching and corporate ineptitude are behind super rugby’s woes. Not a lack of talent.
UPDATE: Western Force respond to reports Super Rugby franchise will be cut
You sound like yet another Reds supporter. Get rid of the Force…Sack Cheika…Hate all Tahs, blah blah blah…
It has become very stale.
What I will credit you with is coming up with some solutions, no matter how much I disagree with them.
Brumbies to consider moving to avoid the chop
Totally agree. When do Australians ever like being dictated terms by our small neighbour across the Tasman? If the story is true, then that is exactly what has happened – the ARU has meekly accepted a Diktat from the NZRU. With regards to South Africa, why should we accept anything they demand when the objective of current politics is to destroy the game in the long term to spite white South Africans?
Roar Forum: Which Aussie Super Rugby team should get the chop?
O’Connor has let himself down again. I hope that the truth isn’t as bad it sounds. A real talent who has been limited by his off-field behaviour.
James O'Connor arrested in Paris buying cocaine
Foley is ill. Genia has a calf issue. Hunt sustained a neck injury of some kind in training.
Michael Cheika mixes things up with experimental Wallabies side to play Japan