Aussie Pro Rugby
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@antipodean TBH I think 4 Grades of seniors is really too much for a competition to bear at this point. Turnover is the issue: not regular. Happens in fits and starts.
e.g. a lower grade team wins a title after playing together a few years, they're all 30+ and decide they've had enough. Wife hassling them about Saturdays for family events etc. I've been there.
Happened to other teams here - one private school has an Old Boys club that used to be quite competitive, but has slowly drifted. Their 4th Grade played together for years, made the finals, just lost. Finally wont it and retired en masse. Club could only put up 2 out of 4 Grades the next year! Now they're in 6th Division with only 1 Grade, and trying to rebuild with no 5th Div (2 grades) at the moment.
And without 5th Division, 6th Division is palliative care for some clubs, and a simple joy for others. Go play some of the clubs for whom rugby is the off-season for Surf Boats. They're big, fit, and hard. But they don't want two Grades.
I'd be no hope of putting up 4th Grade without a base of white collar workers to run it off. I've got so many blokes who work a Saturday morning that I could barely consider more than what I have now.
Its a funny thing. For years I've been thinking how the club is in the biggest growth corridor in Sydney, yet can't seem to consistently hit numbers.
But I realise that the people buying in this corridor are usually older to start with, can't afford to get injured, and don't want to throw away their Saturdays getting smashed by big Islander blokes in any case.
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Rebels have come out swinging:
https://melbournerebels.com/2017/04/14/melbourne-rebels-statement-2/
Summary: Nah, fuck you, ARU!
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I played most of First Grade at LHP on Saturday. 26 blokes for two grades. Some of them didn't show up until part way through First Grade. Most of them aren't First Grade quality anyway - or Second Grade for that matter.
One guy now in hospital with a twin fracture to his scapula. Another with an MCL.
And in two weeks we get to play against a team featuring a Subbies rep player and Stanley Afeaki
Fucking yay rugby
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@Bones said in Aussie Rugby in general:
@NTA On ya! Stan's a softy bro, just give him a tickle.
Yeah but I'm old and unfit and white as fuck.
Oatley travelled to Sydney Harlequins (who I'd consider 2nd or 3rd best after them) on the weekend and comfortably beat them 44-3.
Two Harlequins players are also in hospital.
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@Rancid-Schnitzel giving me fucking nightmares as President. Raffle this week to help the broken shoulder blade's family cover the bills until his income protection kicks in.
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Rugby's a young man's game. I lost the eye of the tiger, i.e. reckless disregard for my own safety, many moons ago. You'd have to pay me get out there now. Ironically I'm much fitter now than during my rugby days. But I don't dwell on that....much.
But massive respect to anyone over 35 still willing to put their body on the line. You're incredibly tough for a dirty filthy hippy Nick.
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@Crucial said in Aussie Rugby in general:
How the fuck do you break a shoulder blade? Sneaky knee to the back? Find the fucker that did it and make him pay up (or at least buy a book of raffle tickets)
Surgeon was both horrified and impressed. Just a tackle where he was hit from behind and the side at the same time. Nothing dirty, just a freak accident
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@Rancid-Schnitzel said in Aussie Rugby in general:
But massive respect to anyone over 35 still willing to put their body on the line. You're incredibly tough for a dirty filthy hippy Nick.
Thanks. I'm also incredibly ineffective at much.
I had a few highlights:
- won a lineout by jumping my fat arse unsupported at 4 a couple of times, and once the throw dropped short and I batted it away
- made three tackles including picking their #8 off at the base of the scrum when I was at flanker for a few minutes. I missed easily that many
- ran the ball a couple of times WITHOUT dropping it (and knocked on once trying to school up a loose pill)
- charged down a conversion.
I realise the last one sounds inconceivable for a fellow of my corpulent stature, but hear me out!
After he set up, it fell off the tee. So I ran out and stood in front of him, pulled my mouthguard out and informed the ref I was quite within my rights to do so.
As the kicker tried to pick the ball up for a droppie in what turned into a mild panic, he knocked it on.
