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The Reds are the real deal. Les Kiss’ side have now played all five Kiwi sides, beating three and pushing both the Hurricanes and…
Joe Schmidt achieved much of his success by making Eddie Jones look like a Pomeranian, with his coaching methods reported as tough, unpleasant and even brutal.
The pressure on Darren Coleman over the last few months was both foreseeable and unsurprising. Much has been written about Coleman not having enough…
Les Kiss identified the most significant change made since his arrival at the Reds to being his diverse and highly qualified assistants.
The Reds performances against Kiwi opposition over the past two weeks are the most impressive back to back by an Australian side since 2014.…
The saddest thing about Australian Rugby right now is that it hasn’t learnt its lesson. In a month when Tom Brady was throwing darts…
It has been interesting to see the reaction to Hamish McLennan’s purge this week. It was unanimously agreed on these threads that Hammer McLennan…
"I’m not a fan of changing the rules because one team is dominating,” commented one Roarer last week. It is a disappointing interpretation of…
"Winning is winning. We don’t care how we do it.” That was the common refrain from South African supporters before the World Cup and…
Rugby has become 'cynical' on the back of bigger players, confusing laws and game stoppages.
As a proud Queenslander, I was saddened by the QRU’s ‘centralisation position' - but not surprised. It is a stark reminder of the parochialism…
Geoff Parkes’ article last week suggesting the game was entering ‘Chinese Water Torture Territory’ was one of the best-written pieces of 2023 regarding the…
In case you missed it, Eddie Jones is currently public enemy number one. It may be cathartic for Australian Rugby fans to make Jones…
The historical revisionism and wishful thinking floating around this site now is tantamount to denial. “Should never have got rid of Rennie”. “Eddie is…
A missed opportunity. One that slipped through the net. Sad. None of that is strong enough. It is a tragedy for Rugby Union that…
Eddie isn’t crazy. He hasn’t lost the plot. He knows exactly what he’s doing. He’s channeling his inner Jose Mourinho. First up, let’s get…
Ripping the bandaid off. Shock and raw. Call it what you like but Eddie doesn’t mess about does he? Some may see it as…
"Don’t you do it!" How many of us were thinking that, no screaming it, as Nic White went to box kick the ball away…
Let’s leave his cringeworthy warning to the All Blacks to one side for now. Eddie Jones’ early press conferences border on alarming. Rambling in…
"Leaguies know nothing about playing Union. Never have, never will." I was astounded to read the above post on an article following the Springbok’s…
It’s probably the most highly anticipated Wallaby selection in a decade. Will be very interesting to see where Schmidt goes.
If I had to guess:
– I don’t think Wright is his kind of FB (Petaia definitely isn’t). And he will have picked up on Campbell’s defensive frailties. I think he’ll pick Kellaway.
– He may well start with Lolesio or Donaldson but I think Lynagh is the closest we have to Sexton and will come into the side in either 2025 or 2026.
– Liam Wright is a dark horse for captain, he’s a Schmidt type player. Valentini and Wilson will compete for #8.
Kells, Wright, Donno, Jock or Kurtley? What Joe Schmidt's past tells us about the Wallaby fullback sweepstakes
For me an unintelligent approach is thinking that focussing on kicking in Rugby will get viewing figures up, increase crowd attendance and participation at youth level.
The laws as well as the way the game has been officiated over the past 5-8 years has noticeably slowed the game and encouraged playing without possession of the ball. A few examples:
– scrum resets, short arm penalties resulting from.
– ball being held at the back of rucks.
– increased stoppages from TMO reviews.
– no prohibition of 7/1 splits on benches (bearing in mind 8 man benches only exist to ensure front row safety).
– not limiting number of replacements.
There’s a long list.
Australian rugby is so reluctant to develop a kicking game - and that's a big mistake
It isn’t about the exclusion of other tactics though, quite the opposite. It’s about laws that facilitate a balance between all the skills, between defence and attack, possession and non-possession.
For a period of time, which I’m not convinced is over, the laws favor the side not in possession which encouraged kicking over all other skills. It also encouraged the slowing of the game and an over emphasis on set piece- scrum reset.
That in turn led to bigger bodies and smaller forwards (Liam Wright a prime example) being less effective.
Not good for the game at grass roots or international level.
Australian rugby is so reluctant to develop a kicking game - and that's a big mistake
Great to see Paisami sign on!
'The real deal': Love 'em or hate 'em, the Reds are exactly what Australian rugby needs
Exactly. The teams that do it, it isn’t their fault, they are just taking advantage of the laws. But laws that encourage sides not to possess the ball need to be looked at.
Australian rugby is so reluctant to develop a kicking game - and that's a big mistake
This is where we disagree Piru.
Rugby is the ‘running game’ – the kicking game is soccer.
Dropped passes, misdirected lineouts etc. are all frustrating but kicking possession away is not what Rugby is about.
It’s just my opinion but it’s noticeable that crowds and viewing figures go up in most places when sides look good in possession.
Australian rugby is so reluctant to develop a kicking game - and that's a big mistake
How we play rugby matters, especially in Australia where it’s a crowded sports market.
There is absolutely nothing worse than watching a poorly executed kicking game demoralise players as well as the crowd.
That said, of course kicking has a role to play in the game – the Reds this year have got a varied and intelligent kicking strategy that isn’t predictable and appears to have an aim. It’s also good to watch and not dominated by box kicks and kicking duals.
Australian rugby is so reluctant to develop a kicking game - and that's a big mistake
Ah that neutral commentator Jeff Wilson 😉
As I say in the article, the Reds are maturing and part of that process is consistency – they dropped their bundle against the Force and Moana.
Think it’s quite unfair to say the Auckland were reffed out of the game… most Kiwis were very even handed in acknowledging the ref favored neither team that night. Not sure it’s entirely balanced to ignore the Canes and Chiefs games either.
But there we are. Agree to disagree.
'The real deal': Love 'em or hate 'em, the Reds are exactly what Australian rugby needs
Well said Bears.
Like I said in the article, how a team wins and how it loses is important when competing in a market and attracting fans.
No greater example of that than a fair minded New South Welshman complimenting a QLD side.
'The real deal': Love 'em or hate 'em, the Reds are exactly what Australian rugby needs
Schmidt has a ‘type’.
He’s provided some clues- rugby being 90% about work, 10% talent or picking players across a body of work, not on potential or 2 games.
Ryan Smith and Liam Wright are my prime bolsters. Lynagh won’t be picked this year but he’s the closest we have to Sexton… Will Schmidt prefer Lonergan over McDermott, quite possibly. He might well prefer Wright on the wing and Kellaway at 15.
Great problems to have.
'The real deal': Love 'em or hate 'em, the Reds are exactly what Australian rugby needs
Cheers JD
I think a really important part of this is not so much excellence but the Reds playing ‘the right way’.
It’s controversial, many people say there is no ‘right’ way to play Rugby but in an environment where there is so much competition across codes, it matters whether people are bored to death or not – especially new viewers or kids who have never seen a game before.
After the Blues game, I don’t know many Rugby people who didn’t applaud the loser. And I know plenty of part time watchers/ league fans who have tuned in since.
'The real deal': Love 'em or hate 'em, the Reds are exactly what Australian rugby needs
I’d like to see Wright captain the Wallabies.
For me, a Wright, McReight tandem at 6/7 is exactly what you need to take on the Kiwis. It’s at 8 where I think Valetini and Wilson will need to be rotated on a horses for courses approach.
'The real deal': Love 'em or hate 'em, the Reds are exactly what Australian rugby needs
Hi Peter
Yes, debate has always existed and always should.
I have detected a little animosity / toxicity creeping into the Brumbies v Reds rivalry and I hope it subsides. It’s great that we have half a dozen players all pushing for back row spots and you would think that all of them should get opportunities over the next 2 seasons.
'The real deal': Love 'em or hate 'em, the Reds are exactly what Australian rugby needs
For me, McReight is more a Josh Kronfeld type player – if he can be 75% as good.
I actually think Liam Wright has a lot of McCaw about him, similar build, not as effective over the ball but similar work rate etc.
Five things: The Reds have flipped the script - and it promises to be rewarded at the Wallabies selection table
Picking on form… now there’s an idea.
It’s an interesting one as Schmidt’s comments on consistency are important a probably right. In circumstances where they’ve put 5 solid games together against NZ…
What id like to see from Schmidt is 2 things:
1. Giving a few of the younger bolters time off the bench against Wales and Georgia.
2. An honest conversation where he sits down particularly with the back row and says there’s going to be games where I pick the entire Reds backrow but others where Valentini must come in etc. Horses for courses.
'The real deal': Love 'em or hate 'em, the Reds are exactly what Australian rugby needs
Kiss and Schmidt worked very closely together in Ireland where Kiss spent years at Ulster as Director of Rugby.
One could argue that players like Ryan Smith and Liam Wright are Kiwi style players who bring a Kiwi type presence to the all important breakdown.
'The real deal': Love 'em or hate 'em, the Reds are exactly what Australian rugby needs
First year HC at the Reds and in Super Rugby …
Reds snap 25-year drought in Christchurch to beat Crusaders as Wilson, Ryan star
Being a legendary player doesnt always translate to coaching. The two things are separate.
It’s too early to say whether Larkham is or will be even half as good a coach he was a player. He didn’t go great at Munster.
All I’ll say is Lolesio is in his 5th or 6th Super Season, Larkham has been in and around the Brumbies for 25 years, assistant coach 2011-13 from memory, head coach last year.
This is Kiss’ first season with the Reds, rotating 3 fly halves who are barely 20yo. All while playing Rugby people will pay to watch.
Most importantly, great to see another coach along with McKellar and Larkham who will be in the frame after Schmidt. Good for us as a nation.
Reds snap 25-year drought in Christchurch to beat Crusaders as Wilson, Ryan star
Big shout out to Ryan Smith too.
The work he does which isn’t flashy is so important, especially in international rugby. A Wallaby bolter for mine.
Reds snap 25-year drought in Christchurch to beat Crusaders as Wilson, Ryan star
Ryan Smith is a great player, underrated but hopefully not for long.
Reds snap 25-year drought in Christchurch to beat Crusaders as Wilson, Ryan star
Lols
The Saders were awarded a try even the Kiwi commentators couldn’t see. The local cameras / broadcasters played Red ‘high’ tackles repeatedly seeking to bring the TMO into it but didn’t even mention the Saders indiscretions.
Lose with some dignity mate, the Blues barely survived last week and the Reds have now beaten 3 Kiwi sides as well as taking the other 2 past 80 minutes.
Reds snap 25-year drought in Christchurch to beat Crusaders as Wilson, Ryan star
You can’t understate the significance of this Reds side – run by 9’s and 10’s who are mostly barely 20.
Beating the Chiefs, Highlanders and Crusaders as well as taking the Blues and Canes past 80 minutes. Run by a first year coach.
All while playing a style of rugby that people can get behind and will pay to watch.
Reds snap 25-year drought in Christchurch to beat Crusaders as Wilson, Ryan star
Lynagh’s been better than Donaldson, Gordon and Edmed this year…
He should start for Australia A and be in a 33 man training squad alongside Lolesio and Gordon if they are picking on form.
Why Schmidt isn't sweating about Wallabies star's cross-code temptation
It means:
– Option taking: knowing when to pass, kick, run, hold the ball.
– Accuracy: when kicking or passing getting it right.
– Reading defences: adjusting your game to suit different opposition.
The good to great international 10’s know how to do that. Being brutally honest, the only 10’s in Australia right now who gets most of those things right more often than not are Lolesio and Lynagh.
Why Schmidt isn't sweating about Wallabies star's cross-code temptation
I’m a massive Campbell fan, he’s a real footballer, great 2 handed carries, enters the line in attack well, brilliant kicking game.
But to argue he doesn’t have a few issues in defence, especially when confronted by bigger bodies (test rugby has plenty) lacks all objectivity.
Kells, Wright, Donno, Jock or Kurtley? What Joe Schmidt's past tells us about the Wallaby fullback sweepstakes