Aussie Pro Rugby
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Working from the left of the Crusaders ear
Red Beard, NTA then DK -
@KiwiMurph I was basing my comment on this recent article about Leitch.
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@Nepia said in Aussie Rugby in general:
@Stargazer The Crusaders have been our strongest team throughout Super rugby - so I'm asking why they thought they needed to bring Volavola (I can understand the value of Nadolo as he almost singlehandedly won them a competition). I said at the start of that sentence I find it odd for any NZ team to bring in foreign players and I was replying to KiwiMurphs post where he mentions three Oz eligible players who contracted by the Crusaders.
I've got no problem with NZ franchises signing up tier 2 players (PI preferred) but I don't think we should sign up too many tier one players - especially in positions of depth in NZ. The NZRU pays the salaries of the franchises so I think we should reserve most spots of NZ eligible players.
We do reserve most spots.
On the Volavola signing, I think it was more a case of timing and who was available. Exodus of players plus other up and comers being captured by WTG's.
We were fortunate that Hunt came up this season. He was our third 10 option behind Richie and McKenzie. But he took his chance and is now our man to run the cutter.
Sometimes players just don't work out local or foreign.
With Samu though, he's played ITM for a couple of years now and looked good and probably doesn't want to leave now that he's in.
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@jegga said in Aussie Rugby in general:
Just heard on the news that kiwi teams have beaten Aussie teams 33 from the last 36 games , that's pretty abysmal if true.
They followed it up with fascist queen Alan Jones moaning about Australian schoolboy rugby being ignored.
Didn't the Blues have a draw against an Aussie team last year? The Reds?
Edit: Yep, Week 4. By my count it's 33 wins from 37 games (25 regular season and 1 QF last season + 11 this season).
Still shit news for the Aussies but shoddy reporting.
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@ACT-Crusader Agree on Volavola - we had to cast the net wide since we'd lost three test-capped first fives and needed to dredge up at least one who was Super rugby standard. And Richie came through for us - Mitch Hunt is helping to replenish the stocks.
Digby Ioane is the one that makes me raise my eyebrows - how on earth was he not on an Aussie franchise's radar? I don't much mind that we've got him - he looks like a major asset, but I'm still mystified as to how the Aussie teams have let him slip through their fingers.
I'm less pleased about Alaalatoa and Jager, because I perceive we have a shortage of tighthead props. Even worse, last year the Highlanders had a couple who weren't AB eligible (Geldenhuys and Halanukonuka) and I think the Chiefs had a Japanese tighthead as well? That's too many foreigners in that position.
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@NTA said in Aussie Rugby in general:
@Nepia said in Aussie Rugby in general:
@NTA The Bavarian?
Munich Brauhaus The Rocks - formerly Lowenbrau
Are nice, I just assumed since you were at the game you were at one of the very few halfway decent places to eat near the park.
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@Chris-B. maybe Digby took one look at the Reds, thought "fuck that, i wouldn't mind winning a couple of games".
A lot of frustrated Wallaby fan friends are sharing that Jones interview and agreeing whole heartedly. I can't agree with much except the fact that what they are doing now isn't working. He's in the private schools-Sydney Clubs-NSW/Qld-Wallabies model that existed in the 80s. Typical of Jones, a lot of mouth and soundbite, very little in the way of thought.
And why do all these commentators assume that the NZRU want to play in the provincial trans-tasman comp?
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@mariner4life said in Aussie Rugby in general:
@Chris-B. maybe Digby took one look at the Reds, thought "fuck that, i wouldn't mind winning a couple of games".
A lot of frustrated Wallaby fan friends are sharing that Jones interview and agreeing whole heartedly. I can't agree with much except the fact that what they are doing now isn't working. He's in the private schools-Sydney Clubs-NSW/Qld-Wallabies model that existed in the 80s. Typical of Jones, a lot of mouth and soundbite, very little in the way of thought.
And why do all these commentators assume that the NZRU want to play in the provincial trans-tasman comp?
Maybe add one team to the provincial comp and call them the Australian Warriors ?!?
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@mariner4life said in Aussie Rugby in general:
And why do all these commentators assume that the NZRU want to play in the provincial trans-tasman comp?
Speaking generally.
I think at least part of the reason is that in general Australian rugby fans don't seem to have the same affinity with South Africa that we do. To us the Springboks are our greatest rivals, but from what I can tell, to many Aussies they're just a pain in the neck. They can't understand why we would value playing S.A. teams at least as high as we value playing Australian teams.
Over at GAGR the prevailing sentiment seems to be that either Super Rugby becomes a Trans- Ta$man comp (with post season games against the S.A. conference) or they should walk away entirely and go it alone. I doubt that is the view of the ARU, but it is a popular view amongst Aussie fans on that site.
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@dK said in Aussie Rugby in general:
@mariner4life said in Aussie Rugby in general:
@Chris-B. maybe Digby took one look at the Reds, thought "fuck that, i wouldn't mind winning a couple of games".
A lot of frustrated Wallaby fan friends are sharing that Jones interview and agreeing whole heartedly. I can't agree with much except the fact that what they are doing now isn't working. He's in the private schools-Sydney Clubs-NSW/Qld-Wallabies model that existed in the 80s. Typical of Jones, a lot of mouth and soundbite, very little in the way of thought.
And why do all these commentators assume that the NZRU want to play in the provincial trans-tasman comp?
Maybe add one team to the provincial comp and call them the Australian Warriors ?!?
And only NZ and SA refs who always seem to see one side's offences
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@Damo said in Aussie Rugby in general:
Over at GAGR the prevailing sentiment seems to be that either Super Rugby becomes a Trans- Ta$man comp (with post season games against the S.A. conference) or they should walk away entirely and go it alone. I doubt that is the view of the ARU, but it is a popular view amongst Aussie fans on that site.
Hahahaha What a collection of retards. If New Zealand stopped supporting Australian rugby, they'd immediately go to back to their highs of the 1970s
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@Damo said in Aussie Rugby in general:
They can't understand why we would value playing S.A. teams at least as high as we value playing Australian teams.
Which is what's so weird about how we ended up where we are; some saffer teams don't even play one of your lot this year
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@Chris-B. said in Aussie Rugby in general:
Digby Ioane is the one that makes me raise my eyebrows - how on earth was he not on an Aussie franchise's radar? I don't much mind that we've got him - he looks like a major asset, but I'm still mystified as to how the Aussie teams have let him slip through their fingers.
From memory Digby had a pretty significant falling out with the QRU, who were backed by the ARU on their stance, which probably explains why he's not keen to go anywhere near either again.
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The biggest problem with trying to rebuild rugby in Oz is that it doesn't have a good foundation.
Relying on private schools in Sydney and Brisbane won't cut it any more and any radical restructure of the game has to get past the traditionalists that refuse to see the game dying around them.
The ARU needs to implement an overhaul from junior rugby up. If certain traditional schools and clubs don't want to join in then cut their little paddling pools adrift.
A strong investment at a very young age in rippa rugby emphasising the key difference of rugby union being a game for everyone, acceptance and cameraderie will win over many parents. If schools want to be involved then they must be affiliated to a club and cater for more than just the elite players. The aim must be to keep players in the game and provide the right levels for them to enjoy playing.
Create clear pathways that don't rely on favouritism. Club selection and management cannot be controlled by one strong group.
