Roar Rookie
Joined September 2008
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The question first hit me when watching the news about a month ago which gave all the trial results, including Penrith playing two trial…
Which is what happened in the NRL, first it was twilight GFs… now they kick off at 8pm!
The solution that could solve the twilight saga
Agree. If you want to properly promote the game in somewhere like the US having an odd test here or there won’t cut it. It needs to be given high quality matches on a regular basis.
League of Nations is an idea worth discussing, but…
I’d opt for a year long (calendar year) where every top 12 side must play each other once and those games count for points in a world series / league of nations.
Six nations and the Rugby championship would continue as normal with the games counting towards the world series as well. For the rugby championship where there are multiple games, the first game between each team would count towards the series. During the June and the November test windows each top side would have to ensure they play all the other nations. So for example Australia would need to play the Six nations sides and Japan/Pacific islands sides in these windows.
It would mean that these Test matches have a deeper meaning than just a one off Test ‘friendly’. It also means that a side like Fiji or Japan have the opportunity to play all the big guns in one year.
It also keeps it further from replicating or being too close to a rugby world cup as I think the league of nations proposal does.
League of Nations is an idea worth discussing, but…
Frank this line “My opinion is that Brian O’Driscoll isn’t quite the player he was in his prime, but he’s just as valuable.” hits the nail on the head.
I thought he was great against England and Wales.
As you said, he does what needs to be done, both games jumped into the ruck to bash the ball over the try line.
And against England the Poms were targetting him and he got absolutely belted but just kept going.
Is Brian O'Driscoll back to his best?
Good call, the man is a workhorse. I don’t understand why they keep flirting with Tahu at 12 when Carter is such a good solid player there
Tom Carter - honest toiler or a glimpse of rugby’s future?
Good stuff canberrabear (i know a very supportive bear fan in canberra, is this you JB?), i think it makes SO much sense to bring them back up there in the CC
the central coast will support any side that is genuine and local and it will awaken a whole heap of supporters on the north shore
lets do it!
Expansion talk begins, Bears to be considered
Knives Out, are you referring to the three games against each opponent in the 3N as the successful expansion?
If you are then I have to say I think that was an ordinary idea. The tournament goes for too long, teams sometimes have gaps of three weeks before playing games (so much so last year RSA played the Argies and NZ played Samoa within the tournament). Now if they included Argentina and played each other twice…. THAT would be good expansion
Expansion not the way forward for Super 14
znotty, if its true will you apologise for publishing unfounded accusations about the teenage girl?
Punish indiscretions with comp points
What would the NSW v Queensland clash like on Friday night become when there’s a Western Sydney team?
Please please please give it to Victoria…
And the winner of the fifteenth team spot is ...
Good points James B, though at least they’re giving it a shot. Good on the IRB I say
Sevens World Cup is a glorified Olympic bid
If this ‘conference’ system in Super rugby gets up and running (see todays rugbyheaven) which sounds pretty good to me that would mean there would already be two NSW v QLD games. The lead up to this game with the pre-game talk has been pretty funny and long may it continue! However there is a chance in my mind of the ARU flogging a good thing to death.
Let's have a Rugby Union State of Origin
I’m seeing heaps of support for this concept but I think in a way its a step back. Rugby is trying as much as possible to make itself a more national game (even though it’ll obvioulsy always be well behind AFL in Vic, SA and WA). To me, having this sort of series is a bit of a white flag to the fact that rugby is a NSW and QLD game.
You might say ‘well it is, get used to it,’ but I think there’s been good work in getting more and more support in Perth. One day it’d be fantastic to see more done to get rugby on the map in Melbourne. I accept AFL will always be the number one sport in these cities but I personally think rugby’s competitive advantage over league on a national level is its potential to be more national than league.
Would it not be strange for a QLD born Waratah, firing up against the Reds and whoever else when playing in the Super season and then play against the Tahs for Queensland in this Origin series? Would it not send a signal to rugby supporters in ACT, Perth and yes Melbourne too that rugby is just a NSW and QLD game? What about players born in Canberra (there are a few), Melbourne (like Elsom) and Perth?
Let's have a Rugby Union State of Origin
To be honest when I clicked this article I was ready to say ‘no way’ only because I thought (from the headline) you were going to agree with the Connolly story and say we should have a one off State of Origin game where Force and Brumbies went to NSW which I think is a terrible and backward idea.
I think this idea you are proposing is a good one.
Do you think it would still be good if this Super expansion takes place and Aussie teams already play each other twice in the tournament? Interested in your thoughts on this one.
Take Connolly's Origin idea and run with it
It’s a great move, something to spice up the June internationals which won’t exactly attract much excitement, even if the touring teams bring their best squads.
Sonny Bill to play for Barbarians against Wallabies
Great article Dave, good to see your stuff on the Roar (don’t mind having a peek at your blog every now and then). Looking forward to this game, should be an interesting one.
An A-League XI to tackle Indonesia: will they step up?
MarkH, good plan I reckon!
I can’t understand why England should get it in 2015. If it goes to Europe again surely giving it to Italy would make more sense!
Japanese rugby: it's just different!
Crowe might not have come across that well on the news but all fellow Souths fans I’ve spoken to agree with what he’s saying. Souths have made an unbelievable effort to drive up their membership having head hunted a bloke who as the membership manager at the Swans.
Last year’s membership was 6,500 which was double the previous year. 2009 they’re aiming for 8,000 with nearly 6,000 signed up and its still before Christmas!
I think Crowe’s most important thing is adding a level of proffessionalism to the club, instead of players just making up the numbers they’re going to games in Armani suits. i know that might seem like a token thing, but i think it makes the players feel like are pro’s and on a level playing field to all the other teams.
Something, in my opinion, has been missing for souths for quite a while.
Gladiator gives value to South Sydney fans
Todd, be fantastic to see Japan host the World Cup, I think Japan, Italy, Argentina should (not necessarily in this order) all host WCs before it goes back to England, South Africa or Australia.
It’d be fantastic to see us tap into Japan more, ok like some people say ‘it’ll never work,’ truth is it may not, but rugby doesn’t have the luxury of say football to be able to say ‘we’ll never know.’ We need to find countries like Japan where rugby is played quite a bit and do everything we can to take it to a new level.
Japanese rugby: it's just different!
Awesome stuff, try and tell the blokes out there it wasn’t a Test match!
What a way to finish the season!
Spiro, Thought it was a great display by a young side. I came away really pumped and excited for the next three years of Aussie rugby.
I thought Mitchell’s coming into the space from full back (and burgess’s accurate pass) the in and away and then the ball to Turner wtih all his speed was just awesome.
Most impressive (although a lot less ‘sexy’) was just the committment in defence as the big men like Berger (is it just me or does he remind anyone of the Bond villian Jaws?) and Collins etc just ran at them all day
Bring on 2009!
Gold medal for Wallabies 2011 RWC team
Great win by Wales, as much as it would have felt better if NZ or SA had lost instead of us it’s good that the Six Nations champions got a win against a Tri-Nations side.
Burgess definitely stood up after a week of copping flak, well done to Dingo Deans for keeping him in the side after his shocker last week, a lot of coaches would have dropped him.
Wales down Wallabies in tight Test
Giving him the Carter style deal may be a good move. This rhetoric from O’Neill i dont think is helpful and could alienate him. It would be a huge loss for the Force to lose him for a season but a much bigger loss for Aussie rugby to lose him for four yeras
Giteau offered $10 million deal in France
Where are the Oceania qualifiers being played?
No smooth Olympic route for Australia's men's sevens side