Springboks v England - Test #2
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It's the whole Press & RFU expecting instant results which creates a vicious circle. Too much looking for quick fixes, looking for the next "wonder-player" import* and patting themselves on the back when winning. And not enough looking at the deep seated problems.
It's a bloody, never-ending mess which has claimed the likes of Lancaster, Johnson & Best. No wonder decent coaches are loath to get involved with the England job.
You have to seriously feel for the decent Pom rugby supporter
*Rumours that the RFU pressured Lancaster into picking Sam Burgess still abound
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@majorrage said in Springboks v England - Test #2:
It's a shit time to be touring right now - injuries, end of season etc.
I take your point, but that hasn't stopped Ireland (regardless of next week's result) and Wales having successful tours.
The problems lie much deeper with almost open warfare between the clubs and Jones, a cash-strapped RFU and falling participation in the game.
Cant blame Jones for taking £750k when it's waved enthusiastically in his face
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@victor-meldrew yep, fair points. Although I would argue hoarsely that right now, SA is a tougher place to be touring than either Australia or Argentina. The opposition is better, and Ireland is borderline playing home tests.
Australia have looked good though, so nothing should be taken away from them.
Ireland are a better team than England at this point in time though, that is unarguable.
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@victor-meldrew said in Springboks v England - Test #2:
You have to seriously feel for the decent Pom rugby supporter
Yep - I know the guy, and I do feel sorry for him.
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@victor-meldrew said in Springboks v England - Test #2:
It's the whole Press & RFU expecting instant results which creates a vicious circle. Too much looking for quick fixes, looking for the next "wonder-player" import* and patting themselves on the back when winning. And not enough looking at the deep seated problems.
It's a bloody, never-ending mess which has claimed the likes of Lancaster, Johnson & Best. No wonder decent coaches are loath to get involved with the England job.
You have to seriously feel for the decent Pom rugby supporter
*Rumours that the RFU pressured Lancaster into picking Sam Burgess still abound
Burgess was an RFU sponsored pick, Bath were just the club that agreed to take him on. They played him mainly at 6 but England wanted him at 12 because SBW.
From what I understand it wasn't Wasps that went looking for Shields either...
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Or Manu Tuialgi: Ma'a Nonu without the skills, nous or attitude.
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@victor-meldrew said in Springboks v England - Test #2:
Or Manu Tuialgi: Ma'a Nonu without the skills, nous or attitude.
Yeah, a reasonable comparison, though I would say that when None came on the scene he was all thud and blunder, his skill set improved dramatically over time. Sadly Tuilagi has had neither time nor perhaps the guidance.
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@catogrande said in Springboks v England - Test #2:
@victor-meldrew said in Springboks v England - Test #2:
Or Manu Tuialgi: Ma'a Nonu without the skills, nous or attitude.
Yeah, a reasonable comparison, though I would say that when None came on the scene he was all thud and blunder, his skill set improved dramatically over time. Sadly Tuilagi has had neither time nor perhaps the guidance.
Nor teh basic skills I sense...
England need to stop the carbon-copying and have the confidence to develop their own style of players.
The number of times I've seen talented players buggered about by England rugby makes me shake my head in disbelief.
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@victor-meldrew said in Springboks v England - Test #2:
England need to stop the carbon-copying and have the confidence to develop their own style of players.
One of the articles I read yesterday alluded to England still trying to find an identity. IMO much of this comes from the domestic set up and the premiership 'style' being different to what coaches want at test level, but is does seem that England don't 'own' a way of playing that they have made their own.
Because of that, when they try and play a certain way they doubt themselves when something doesn't go to plan. -
I think the the issue is what I saw in UK business during my career - poor leadership, fixation on short-term gain, incestuous management, hiding problems and confusing confidence with bullshit and arrogance*
Ask any group of supporters and they know what needs to be done. No-one in the RFU or Premiership has the balls to call it for what it is. (I have some sympathy with Jones on the latter point). Personally, I think it's the amount of money swilling around the clubs that's stopping action being taken. Wales, Ireland and Scotland are moving forward with a far less money-driven structure.
Perhaps another RWC disaster might provoke something or someone to grab the bull by the horns. I hope so.
*That said, the best companies I've worked with have been British
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@rapido said in Springboks v England - Test #2:
Go build a bigger stadium, they say.
With the redevelopment of Twickenham's East Stand, it has landed itself in dire financial straits, a major cost-cutting operation is under way, with up to 100 jobs to be axed this month.
😂😂😂
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Is Eddie the best double-operative since Robbie Deans?
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I thought the RFU were flush with cash?
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guess it depends if this was before or after all the big bonuses were paid?
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@barbarian said in Springboks v England - Test #2:
How is the RFU that cash-strapped?
I thought their coffers were overflowing after the World Cup...
40m quid cost overruns refurbishing the East Stand.
The East Stand was only 25 years old at the time they decided to refurbish it (built for 1991 World Cup, and the first piece of the now completed 3 tiered bowl).
The RFU are a venue management company rather than a national rugby union.
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@antipodean said in Springboks v England - Test #2:
I thought the RFU were flush with cash?
But tbh, they probably are still very flush with cash. Probably just tighten the belts for a few years.
Cutting some of the grassroots and rugby development budgets. Voting to retain full perks for their venue management business. (I read somewhere in social media that the RFU members when deciding to cut these budgets and lay off staff in the same session voted to retain member Twickenham hospitality benefits for RFU members and spouses worth 30k each annually .
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@antipodean said in Springboks v England - Test #2:
I thought the RFU were flush with cash?
They spent it all last autumn with their generous donation to the touring Fijians.
