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Joined September 2009
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Sheek
If only half of what you say about the mighty ‘Alan Jones’ is true, you have confirmed my worst suspicions. Jones handling of the greatest player of his time had the effect of demoralising him into a premature retirement from all forms of rugby.
If there were philosophical differences between the two of them, if Jones had not been (and still is) such an in sufferable egotist, he would have managed/nursed the relationship so that Ella did not get demoralised. If what you say is true, it was unforgiveable of Jones not to suppress his rampant egotism and to support Ella all the way.
In any case you cannot seriously believe that we should have someone in the hall of fame who has become a shock jock with a track record of unlawful conduct, politcal inteference, and goodness what else. He has even been referred to as a “low life”. We cannot have such a person in the hall of fame. If you do not agree, just check Jones with your own list of greats, and you will soon come to see my point of view
Slack a deserved choice for the Hall of Fame
Frank O’Keefe
I read your article about Slack and his colleagues, particularly Mark Ella, regarding the hall of fame with great joy, until I came to the name Alan Jones.
I don’t think that he should be considered for any hall of fame unless there is an enquiry into Mark Ella’s premature retirement at the end of the famous 1984 Grand Slam tour. Alan Jones, and Mark Ella, should be called upon to tell us the truth about the reasons for Mark’s sudden early retirement. How was it that the greatest rugby player ever produced by this country, and arguably the world, suddenly disappeared off the radar at such a tender age?
Until that happens, Alan Jones’ annoinment should not even be contemplated.
Slack a deserved choice for the Hall of Fame
Kovana
You are describing the potential growth of professional rugby. Chris Laidlaw is describing the growth in the separation of professionals (awash with floods of money) from amateurs (complete with begging bowls).
If the amateur ranks fulfil the role of nursery for future professionals, and they are left to wither on the vine, what will be the future source of talent? Certainly not buying Leagees
I think you and I owe it to Chris Laidlaw to read his book and then return to the subject
Rugby as a business has pushed it into crisis mode
Thank goodness for the ABC. They have been showing club rugby every Saturday afternoon since 1956/7 when TV was first born in Australia. No commercials, no semi naked cheer leaders, just rugger. And for lovers of the running game, week after week, it is unbeatable.
And it doesn’t cost the NSWRU (now SRU) a cent
Why isn't rugby shown live on Free To Air TV?
Sheek
Your enclopeadic knowledge of the history of the game is impressive. I have never heard of Vic Cavagnah, but he and jnr sound like significant pioneers of the running game. You say Randwick adopted it from its Otago origins. But my understanding is that Randwick adopted it from the style of the 1928 Waratahs of which Cyril Towers was a flying centre. Cyril aided and abetted the coaching of backs (not always to the liking of the appointed coaches) on Tuesdays and Thursdays, until his old legs could go no further.
The flat style back line is useless unless you use looping, for what are obvious reasons. If you have any doubts about this technique, check out some historical videos of the Ella brothers and you will see what I mean.
To “The Other Reds Fan”
For the above reasons I am pleased that Mortlock is out of it now. I agree he was good at smash and grab backline play, but that kind of rugby is ugly and soon drives the punters away. So please re-read Sheek’s comments and re-consider your suggestion to go back to the Slugger Mortlock days
Space is the Wallabies' final frontier
Spiro
I agree with most of what you say about Quade Cooper and Will Genia. However, when it comes to srum half/fly half combinations, ask any player or former player will tell you it all depends upon the forwards. Quck clean balll from, set peices and breakdowns is what makes or breaks the halves. If you put Cooper and Genia behind a losing pack who are constrantly going backwards and not delivering quick clean ball, then what??
Forget the money, Cooper should stick with the Reds
Soapit, See previous response yesterday from Wix
When is a first five-eighths actually a number 10?
Spiro Zavos has commented expertly on the possible reasons for more attractive rugby in these opening few games. He correctly cautions that the referees have to ‘up their game’, else the real benefits of new rulings will be lost.
So I hope commentators like Spiro will keep an eye on referees this season, and not be afraid to depart a little from the old fashioned politesse of not naming and shaming poor refereeing. If they can name and shame players and coaches, why not the guys in the middle who stuff up.
Incidentally, another possible cause of the change in the entertainment level of these early games is the realisation by players and coaches that last season they brought the code to its knees with their ugly play, which brought about record low attendances and a general loss of public interest.
Look out Aussies, it's a Super ambush!
Rugby Flaws or refereeing flaws? The laws of rugby are very complex, surely much more complex than any other code of football (and that may include American football). It is the complexities which defy interpretation in some areas. For example, as Bokkie says most, perhaps all refs have no idea what is going on in the front row of a set scrum. There are binding laws but they are too difficult to apply for most refs.
Then there are the breakdowns. Again there are complex laws for breakdowns, some of which have been changed recently, courtesy of Stellenbosch. The problem is that a breakdown is essentially a chaotic event, something that was recognised a few years back when the laws were changed to recognise a “pile up”, which is what most breakdowns are, particularly at the lower levels of the code. The refereeing proved to be too difficult, so it was dropped.
The truth is that, unlike other codes, the best referees are (or should be) ex-players. They not only understand this complex game, but they also understand tIhe players. However, as we all know, referees are ‘on the nose’ with most players. It’s almost treasonable for a player to switch. It’s the quickest way to lose friends.
So the outlook for the future of this aspect of the game is rather bleak.
Rugby's flaws in an otherwise perfect game