Roar Guru
Joined August 2011
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There have been some great articles written recently about how average the coverage of rugby on TV in Australia really is. So I thought,…
A brilliant article by Brett Susan yesterday on the memories and dangers of Newlands got some great responses from members about their rugby memories.…
With all of the negativity that has surrounded his tenure, I thought I might try and write my view of Robbie Deans the man…
There has been a lot written and said about the relative strengths of each conference in this year's Super Rugby Competition, particularly in relation…
One of My favorite stories is Craig Green waiting on a Christchurch corner for a lift to work as a roofer the Monday morning after winning the 1987 RWC. As a self employed he had to retire from Rugby @ 26 to make a living.
Ten All Blacks and zero Wallabies - although one came close - named in fan-picked all-time rugby XV
Lomu’s 10.7 is also pretty amazing considering he was 120kg (Probably a bit lighter as he ran that @ School)
Top end pace must have been pretty high simply based on the time needed to get that mass up to top speed in a 100m sprint.
Rugby World: Eddie Jones' 'wince-inducing' prose, fastest All Black revealed, Wallabies reality check from Lions legend
I don’t have an issue with it, similar childhood dreams comments have been made by James Lowe, and many others before they play against the AB’s
'Still at All Blacks level': Israel Folau grabbed the headlines but 'lethal' teammate has Tonga dreaming
Its about depth thought too, take those players out when Biggar et el are injured and Wales have some bigger problems. So the gains might be marginal to the top level, but as demonstrated against the AB’s you don’t need to lose many to fall away very sharply.
'Still at All Blacks level': Israel Folau grabbed the headlines but 'lethal' teammate has Tonga dreaming
WR is being misleading in using those 12 guides in 2 main areas,
1. They are general health guidelines not specific to people in at risk sports/activities.
2. The lancet report is specific to Dementia and not CTE, so whilst those risk factors still apply to football players (exactly the same as the rest of the population) they are not the leading cause.
In fact the risk factor for CTE/Dimentia of a football player is 6 times higher than the general population.
So for World Rugby to take general population risk factors and imply they will have a significant impact on Rugby players is 100% misleading and diversionary.
Why World Rugby’s Brain Health Initiative is making my head hurt
University of Edinburgh professor, Craig Ritchie, explained how, “dementia isn’t necessarily a consequence of one factor”, and how rugby players can maintain good health by actions such as “tackling stress, anxiety and depression to reduce certain risk factors.”
Is straight from the cast some doubt, blame the victim and let the internet do the rest, play book.
Its not new and, Tobacco, Antivax, big Pharma, climate denialists have all had a turn at ignoring the strongest links, cast a bit of doubt and let others do the hard work of spreading misinformation. The internet has just made it much easier to spread the lies and then Facebook etc’s algorithms do a nice job of feeding it to those susceptible to the BS
Why World Rugby’s Brain Health Initiative is making my head hurt
“ “dementia isn’t necessarily a consequence of one factor”, and how rugby players can maintain good health by actions such as “tackling stress, anxiety and depression to reduce certain risk factors.””
Is straight from the modern -cast some doubt marketing- play book.
Because science is rarely 100% make a statement with other potential causes, ignoring the most likely/damaging and let the internet deniers take over.
It has been the go to for decades for Climate Deniers, Antivaxxers, Tobacco companies and dodgy Pharma.
Shame on World Rugby.
Why World Rugby’s Brain Health Initiative is making my head hurt
If Jack Goodhue can come right I think the mid field will be Ok, No.8 is a concern but style is where we are really struggling.
And Whilst everyone talks about McCaw and Carter the big losses, we lost more in the struggle for gainline than glamour.
We miss guys like Keven Mealamu, Franks, Thorn, Hore, Woodcock, every bit as much
The three things the ailing All Blacks need to return to the top
Eye gouge on Matt Cooper (fellow AB) during a NPC game.
A definite sufferer of Red mist fever, as he is very asute and well spoke off the pitch.
Rassie and Rugby SA apologise to Berry, drop appeal to ban
Particularly on Defence H,
Whilst they both (Read especially) had a knack of popping up at end of a backline move, how often would you see either one bend someone in half who was cheeky enough to try a blind side snipe.
I am hugely impressed with Blackadder but he doesn’t yet have that physical dominance on D, Kaino or Read had.
Dispelling the myth that the All Blacks struggle against the rush defence
Career progression is irrelevant if he can prove his reputation was damaged in an unfounded attack in a public forum.
Yes his employer might support him but certainly his reputation in SA and in some cases in Rugby in general has been damaged.
So the stickler for him is if he can prove the attack was unfounded and damaging.
As I said this will depend on which country he is able to file the suit.
'Forever tarnished': Nic Berry reveals heavy toll of Rassie's 'character assassination'
Name one sport where you wish is a reality 😂
BANNED: World Rugby punishes Rassie Erasmus over ref rant
Would be interesting and depend on where the suit could be laid. Some jurisdiction’s will apportion significant damages for stress and emotional harm in defamation. Particularly for such a public case.
If Nic Berry’s legal team can prove that RE’s actions were defamation and unfounded (ignoring every call that went in SA’s favor comes pretty close) then he may have a very strong case for damages.
'Forever tarnished': Nic Berry reveals heavy toll of Rassie's 'character assassination'
“i don`t rate Wyn Jones at all”
And in one statement you just saved me ever reading any comment you write from now on.
Thank You
The Wrap: Dumb rugby sees Wallabies sacrifice too many points at Murrayfield
Australia are finally getting on the Propping band wagon with Taniela Tupou, but in knowledgeable circles elsewhere players like Franks, Carl Hayman, Olo Brown, Os du Randt, Patricio Noriega, Peter Fatialofa and Martin Castrogiovanni have all been held in the high esteem they rightly deserve.
Blindside is rugby's new most influential position
I guess the law is written to discourage players from “having a go” when it isn’t clearly on.
I thought the application in Barrett’s case was good, yes he was trying to catch the ball. But due to timing never had a realistic chance. This then rewards the attacking team for “attacking” and makes sure the defender is cautious before attempting an intercept.
A bit like very few head high tackles are intentional but incorrect timing deems them wrong.
The laws of rugby and their loose connection with common sense
Putting aside how offensive so many of your statements are.
There are far to many players and coaches who have rated him as the most influential team player since his retirement for anything you have said to be remotely true.
“The greatest rugby player I’ve coached was (Richie) McCaw but Sonny would be the best athlete I’ve coached from a pure athlete sense,” Hansen said.
“At times he could probably be more selfish because he is such an amazing athlete and he is so big, he is so strong, he is fast and he probably could destroy opposition even more but I think he gets just as much satisfaction as setting players up…” Dan Carter
Rugby World: What SBW owes to Mundine and Wilkinson, McMahon out of Japan clash, Faf's woe
And the taking leave from the Blues to spend time with victims families after the Christchurch massacre.
From a kid with too much time, money and hangers on, he has proven to have plenty of self awareness and grown into a thoughtful socially aware man.
Rugby World: What SBW owes to Mundine and Wilkinson, McMahon out of Japan clash, Faf's woe
I don’t know Nich, one of my favourite AB’s ad campaigns
But maybe it does say more about me 😂
Is Taniela Tupou top of the props?
I agree with you BB there is nothing inherently wrong with the Boks style. They like the wallabies under Cheika have gotten sucked into taken their “DNA” to the extreme. Trying to spin the ball wide at every opportunity is no more boring than kicking it to death. And every bit as destined to failure.
Something does have to be done about the stoppages though. What happened to the blood bin. Straight off the field get replaced get it fixed and back on again. Even injuries used to be play on unless they were directly in the way of play or a prop needed to scrum.
Time wasting hurts more than just rugby's spectacle
It got a bit like watching an episode of ER. I saw so many medical procedures.
The Wrap: Tense, gripping clash of styles falls the All Blacks' way
The person willing to speak his mind is usually right. Because the majority are usually just part of a mindless herd.
It just makes them think they are so right to point of beating other’s in to submission. I give you Pauline Hanson Bob Katter, and Craig Kelly
The Wrap: Tense, gripping clash of styles falls the All Blacks' way
Don’t care is strong. But having that sharp edge is not easy to find every week. All 23 will have it this weekend regardless of what style they play.
'What the Boks can learn from Shane Warne': Fans dissect SA rugby's predicament
Losses and lockdowns have the same effect on me Harry.
'What the Boks can learn from Shane Warne': Fans dissect SA rugby's predicament
A much wider social problem unfortunately JD
It is an issue that genuinely needs to be addressed when a Maori or Pacifika males lives 8 and 6 years less than the average.
https://www.stats.govt.nz/news/growth-in-life-expectancy-slows
Infant mortality rates are even worse with a Maori or Pacific Island child more than twice as likely to die before the age of 4.
With the situation worse here in Aussie.
The Wrap: Brilliant Hurricanes and Blues show how private equity money should be spent