Roar Guru
Joined September 2013
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Following Saturday's debacle, I can understand the hue and cry of Australian fans and the knee-jerk reaction to sack the whole playing staff, irrespective…
I will keep this short and to the point. Ewen McKenzie's shock resignation has muddied the waters even further and brought into sharper focus…
It is probably a good time to produce a first term report card on the start of the RC and have a look at…
A great deal of ink has been spilt discussing the issue of southern hemisphere rugby players moving north to further their careers. Until a…
A lot is being said, debated and threatened at the moment about the new format of the Super Rugby competition after the 2015 season.…
Another Rugby Championship done and dusted, another whitewash by the All Blacks, who went on their merry way and left everybody gasping in their…
I had to admit in a recent post (when I was compared/accused of acting like a headmaster) that my father was my headmaster for…
Now the dust has settled on the latest train wreck called Australian Test rugby, it's a good time to re-visit the question of selecting…
I just don't get the Australian rugby public's fascination with Quade. What do they see which I don't in either his personal attributes or…
In December 2008, the ARU appointed Robbie “Dingo” Deans as the manager to oversee the Wallabies through to the next World Cup. For the…
Over the last few years I have read and written numerous posts lamenting the lack of objectivity, quality and substance in the local premier…
Ha ha, still not happy David. I still want to now what “non-platonic” Wallaby squad berth entails. In the words of QLD’s famous Mrs Hanson, “Please Explain. 🙂
Time for Michael Cheika to select the way he played
True Sheriff, but could he do any worse? I just don’t think Cooper is the answer against the ABs and if his confidence is riding high at the moment, well lets wait and use him where he might have a better impact.
Not quite 99 problems, but the Wallabies only have time to fix three
Spot on with all your comments, now why can’t highly paid coaches spot the obvious as well?
Not quite 99 problems, but the Wallabies only have time to fix three
“Kyle Godwin. Has been high on my list of talent for three years, and even though he’s sometimes been given a Wallaby squad berth, that was purely platonic.”
Sheer poetry, pure gold David, I’ll have what you are having. Can you now elaborate on the WBs training methods based on the above? 🙂
Time for Michael Cheika to select the way he played
I’d throw Debreczeni in and see how he goes. Historically the ABs “own” Cooper, you might as well wait and use him against SA.
Not quite 99 problems, but the Wallabies only have time to fix three
True Digger, and “yet” is not a given that he will get there eventually, and if he does there will be a painful experience in between. That is why I feel the most urgent need is for an experienced international coach to join the team and shorten the learning process, someone like Wayne Smith, Graham Henry (heaven forbid) and the like if they can be found. Can’t see it happening though.
Can’t help but feel that if OZ stuck with Deans for a few more years they would have been much better off, certainly no worse than what we are looking at now.
Well it will all come out in the wash, but apart from the warm fuzzies for us AB supporters, this isn’t really good for the game in general. Australia needs to be competitive.
Five talking points: Bledisloe 1
Sadly you are right re Cheika and unless things improve drastically he will probably be gone. I think back to Wayne Smith, a brilliant up and coming coach dropped into the AB position, not coping, and doing the “honourable” thing and resigning. Look at him now, is there an international team that wouldn’t grab him if he was available?
Its no shame loosing to the modern ABs, they are that good, loosing by 34 points though it is inexcusable.
Five talking points: Bledisloe 1
6th point, Cheika is not a quality top level international coach, yet. Ditto Larkham. They have been out thought now for 4 consecutive games by more experienced and skillful coaches.
Cheika I feel was a panic appointment after Link’s “long walk” and on the back of some excellent European and super results, but I feel the saying that super rugby is not test rugby applies to coaches as well, ideally you need to cut your international teeth under the tutelage of a successful international coach?
Where to from here? It is obvious Cheika needs some help so the ARU must make sure he gets it, longer term if he survives he is probably the answer but at the moment he is out of his depth and floundering. He really looked a beaten man last night.
Five talking points: Bledisloe 1
I think their rugby has done faaaaaarrrr too much talking already!!!!
Hansen takes aim at Australia's Bledisloe advice
Haha, which team did she coach?
The Wrap: Hurricanes finish the job off, captain Coles slammed
Exactly my point, but Mr Kearns still felt the need to try and sour the occasion. Credit to the other two panelist, they ignored him and moved on straight away.
The Wrap: Hurricanes finish the job off, captain Coles slammed
Phil Kearns? What a non issue, always found him and his sidekick Matto bordering on the offensive.
Having said that, the Coles incident was noticeable and it should be made standard procedure to mention the opposition in after match interviews. I have absolutely no doubt that it was not meant as a slide and that Coles privately had a beer and a chat with the Lions afterwards, but why give morons like Kearns the opportunity to create an issue where none exists.
Thanks Geoff, great column as usual.
“As my nana always said, grease your cake tin first for the best results!”, haha, pure gold! 🙂
The Wrap: Hurricanes finish the job off, captain Coles slammed
Absolute tragedy, certainly takes the gloss off anything “rugby” including the final last night, a timely reminder it is only a game and there are more important things in life.
Very sad for you champ, and wishing you all the best in the biggest fight of your life.
Lealiifano diagnosed with Leukaemia
He couldn’t be as quick as BBBBBBBBBBB, surely Muzzo!!!
Win the big moments and you'll win the big finals
Two points.
Early days to judge Eddy’s England tenure, most new coaches seems to start with a bang (Cheika?) and tend to come down to earth soon after. I am not implying that either Cheika or Eddy are or will become failures, but too early to judge how well they will perform in their current environment in the longer term.
Ewen? I always felt that he was far too much of a political animal, always scheming in the background and manipulating to get to where he wanted to get, and they say, you lived by the sword etc. Whatever people’s feelings about Deans and irrespective of whether he should have gone or not, I always felt the Ewen had a lot to do with his demise without being visible or obvious. My perception anyway. But overall I agree with the sentiment, Australia is not flush with good coaches for Link to not rejoin the fray somewhere.
Ewen McKenzie, is it time to do an Eddie Jones?
You might be right when I sew them back on!!
The June Internationals talking points: The last hurrah of Eddie
I tried that with my wife when I was 65, it didn’t go as expected either!!!
The June Internationals talking points: The last hurrah of Eddie
Put like that Harry, who can argue.
I guess that is why the best teams/coaches use their benches to such devestating effect late in the game, assuming you have a quality bench.
The Wallabies are too tired to sprint
Spot on Alex. Good coaches go through rough patches learning and evolving and eventually master their team and enviroment. I never rated Hansen all that highly in his early days as an international coach with the Welsh but with experience and a few setbacks (2007?) he has morphed into arguably one of the best ever.
Like you I am stunned that in the space of 2 weeks Cheika has gone fron hero to zero and a number of players as well as the coach absolutely villified. This is a very awkward (not brilliant) english team superbly coached and playing to their full potential and to their strengths. They were always going to be difficult and awkward opponents (in spite of what those clowns on Rugby360 would have us believe) and so it has proved.
The series is gone but what is needed is cool heads, patience and support. Australia will recover in time and be a real force as long as they are afforted some time.
Don't get too excited about questioning Cheika's appointment
I do not think its all doom and gloom for the Aussie sides, there is a distinct possibility of both the Waratahs and Brumbies making it because of the vagaries of the conference system and the inevitable carnage when the kiwi sides get stuck into each other in the remaining rounds.
Once you are in the finals all bets are off and anything could happen, although you do have to fancy the kiwi sides at that stage. And then of course we have the SA sides as well.
Despite my dislike of the unfairness of the conference system, I must admit that the prospect of 3 NZ, 3 SA and 2 OZ sides (if it happens) has me salivating. Bring it on.
Searching for Australia's Super Rugby finals hope
Sanzaar should start creating, publishing and selling comics Digger. Put Eddie Jones in charge of Sales & Marketing and I reckon we got those Toulonites licked!!!
Like to contribute more brilliant ideas but I got to dash, late taking my medication.
The talking points: Super Rugby Round 13
Never was a McKenzie fan although I must admit that I felt for him towards the end.
But I do like Cheika, competent, nice level of confidence without crossing into the arrogance area and a great and quirky sense of humour. Never seems to take himself that seriously either.
Great news for Oz rugby.
Michael Cheika re-signs as Wallabies coach through 2019 World Cup
Don’t think Cooper is captain material, and I would not expose him to the ABs in NZ now, the Bledisloe is as good as gone anyway. He is a confidence player, and is highly likely that confidence will be again be knocked sideways against this AB team.
Use him for the rest of the RC where he will probably more successful, keeping the powder dry sort of thing.
Has Michael Cheika reminded the Wallabies of Twickenham?