HOW GOOD IS IT TO SEE STIRLING MORTLOCK BACK IN THE SADDLE?
35 years young and probably just what the Rebels need. Not that Gareth Delve has not been doing a great job, but Stirlo is a natural leader.
Have a blinder on the weekend, mate!
30 April 2012
25 February 2012
OVERALL, NOT A BAD RESULT FROM THE BRUMBIES
A win is a win, even when it is "won ugly".
The Brumbies defensive line was magnificent. It was almost unbreachable all game.
In the last few minutes, the Force were playing in their Red Zone, and could have set up for a drop goal, but they didn't seem to see it. An ugly way to win, but still a win.
My take on it - the Brumbies are yet to gel, as a unit, but that is not surprising as this was their first outing. I think that they will gel reasonably quickly.
Their backs looked promising at times, but probably lacked that last little bit of confidence. Coleman ran wide in the first half, and there wasn't too much going on down the middle, but, that said, they were playing a tight game around the rucks.
The kickers were both on song, and honours were even, there.
The difference was most likely the Brumbies defensive line. You got the sense that the Force just did not know how to breach it.
That might be the case for a lot of other teams, if they don't think their way through the contests.
Overall, I would give the Brumbies a 6/10 score, but that effort, tonight will give the coaching staff a hell of a lot to work with.
The Brumbies defensive line was magnificent. It was almost unbreachable all game.
In the last few minutes, the Force were playing in their Red Zone, and could have set up for a drop goal, but they didn't seem to see it. An ugly way to win, but still a win.
My take on it - the Brumbies are yet to gel, as a unit, but that is not surprising as this was their first outing. I think that they will gel reasonably quickly.
Their backs looked promising at times, but probably lacked that last little bit of confidence. Coleman ran wide in the first half, and there wasn't too much going on down the middle, but, that said, they were playing a tight game around the rucks.
The kickers were both on song, and honours were even, there.
The difference was most likely the Brumbies defensive line. You got the sense that the Force just did not know how to breach it.
That might be the case for a lot of other teams, if they don't think their way through the contests.
Overall, I would give the Brumbies a 6/10 score, but that effort, tonight will give the coaching staff a hell of a lot to work with.
9 November 2011
THE FUTURE IS AN INTERESTING PLACE, BUT WHEN DO WE SEE THE RESULTS?
I'm seeing some interesting things in the tea leaves, lately.
Robbie Deans has all the hallmarks of a man who has been recruited by the ARU for a long term plan. Not just to establish ourselves now, for if that were the case, maybe we would have been more desperate to show improvement during the RWC.
Over the last, say, ten weeks or so, Robbie Deans has not looked like a man desperate to win the RWC at all costs.
Indeed, there were some pretty puzzling selections and decisions, made, weren't there?
No Giteau in the RWC squad - no back up no 7, which nearly came a cropper.
Nobody really took Quade Cooper by the coat tails and helped in his "hour of need".
Looking back on it, it's as if Robbie is a protected species, and maybe that't what has happened.
Is it too much to think that the powers that be took the view that we might or might not win the RWC, but that that was not the main game?
As Rugby has now got to find more ways to be profitable on the world stage, moves into Asia, moves into North America, NZRU teaming up with North American franchises, the prospect of Rugby in the Olympics where previously unknowns will start to throw serious money at the game ....well, maybe that frightens the likes of Australia and NZ. One of the opening salvos in that campaign was lobbed during RWC when NZ complained about the cost of mounting a campaign, and the ARU jumped right in behind them, with almost indecent haste. YOu would love to be a fly on the wall in John O'Neill.s office, at least when he is having closed door sessions with Robbie. Not much of this would be minuted, because the ARU would probably leak like a sieve.
So, if my theory is right, I take my hat off to the ARU for bravery. If you think about it, we have been living on borrowed time for years with a squad of brilliant players most years, but not a lot of depth behind them. This smacks of an attempt to build that depth, which is a move designed for the long term.
For instance ...... why has Robbie left it so long to bring James O'Connor into the midfield - his comments today suggest that James, despite his immense talent, still has a lot of development to go through...he suggests that Tapuai is a successor and cover, despite Horne and Faingaa only just beginning to settle into those spots.... a typically evolutionary process, not one driven by panic or pragmatism.
Why has he left it for so long to involve Berrick Barnes in his best position, which, patently, is no 10?
Why did we take three halves to the RWC and we are now talking about Lucas being the back up?
and importantly, when will the ARU start to put the same kind of serious effort into the forwards as they do with the backs?
It all points to another couple of years of development, and the only conclusion is that we are building for evolution and consistency, not winnign cups every four years by taking pot luck.
Just hope we can put down a few markers along the way and not always be evolving.
Robbie Deans has all the hallmarks of a man who has been recruited by the ARU for a long term plan. Not just to establish ourselves now, for if that were the case, maybe we would have been more desperate to show improvement during the RWC.
Over the last, say, ten weeks or so, Robbie Deans has not looked like a man desperate to win the RWC at all costs.
Indeed, there were some pretty puzzling selections and decisions, made, weren't there?
No Giteau in the RWC squad - no back up no 7, which nearly came a cropper.
Nobody really took Quade Cooper by the coat tails and helped in his "hour of need".
Looking back on it, it's as if Robbie is a protected species, and maybe that't what has happened.
Is it too much to think that the powers that be took the view that we might or might not win the RWC, but that that was not the main game?
As Rugby has now got to find more ways to be profitable on the world stage, moves into Asia, moves into North America, NZRU teaming up with North American franchises, the prospect of Rugby in the Olympics where previously unknowns will start to throw serious money at the game ....well, maybe that frightens the likes of Australia and NZ. One of the opening salvos in that campaign was lobbed during RWC when NZ complained about the cost of mounting a campaign, and the ARU jumped right in behind them, with almost indecent haste. YOu would love to be a fly on the wall in John O'Neill.s office, at least when he is having closed door sessions with Robbie. Not much of this would be minuted, because the ARU would probably leak like a sieve.
So, if my theory is right, I take my hat off to the ARU for bravery. If you think about it, we have been living on borrowed time for years with a squad of brilliant players most years, but not a lot of depth behind them. This smacks of an attempt to build that depth, which is a move designed for the long term.
For instance ...... why has Robbie left it so long to bring James O'Connor into the midfield - his comments today suggest that James, despite his immense talent, still has a lot of development to go through...he suggests that Tapuai is a successor and cover, despite Horne and Faingaa only just beginning to settle into those spots.... a typically evolutionary process, not one driven by panic or pragmatism.
Why has he left it for so long to involve Berrick Barnes in his best position, which, patently, is no 10?
Why did we take three halves to the RWC and we are now talking about Lucas being the back up?
and importantly, when will the ARU start to put the same kind of serious effort into the forwards as they do with the backs?
It all points to another couple of years of development, and the only conclusion is that we are building for evolution and consistency, not winnign cups every four years by taking pot luck.
Just hope we can put down a few markers along the way and not always be evolving.
28 September 2011
18 September 2011
MEMO TO WALLABIES
Get Pocock fixed up, fast!!
Tatafu was rusty, Saia wasn't..
Will Genia - lose the box kick! - all you do is kick it ten metres upfield and give it away - you could have run to that spot in one or two phases.
Why did we need to bring 3 half backs and only one openside flanker?
Please ask for no more Kiwi referees. No criticism of Bryce, but the ability to slot the Wallabies must be at least a little bit tempting.
Aussies are too one dimensional and don't ever seem to think that someone will come up with a creative game plan to nullify the attack. We effectively had 3 no 8's on paddock, last night, couldn't anyone protect Genia - did anyone tell McCalman that he was supposed to do what Pocock does?
Tatafu was rusty, Saia wasn't..
Will Genia - lose the box kick! - all you do is kick it ten metres upfield and give it away - you could have run to that spot in one or two phases.
Why did we need to bring 3 half backs and only one openside flanker?
Please ask for no more Kiwi referees. No criticism of Bryce, but the ability to slot the Wallabies must be at least a little bit tempting.
Aussies are too one dimensional and don't ever seem to think that someone will come up with a creative game plan to nullify the attack. We effectively had 3 no 8's on paddock, last night, couldn't anyone protect Genia - did anyone tell McCalman that he was supposed to do what Pocock does?
14 September 2011
CHECK OUT THE JEDI...!
I'm not usually one to plug anything Kiwi, but if you are bored with the usual suspects on Fox or Channel 9, I can suggest that you turn down the sound and tune into the Jedi (otherwise known as Jed Thian - bit fat Maori bastard, who never has a kind word for anything Aussie) and refers to us as the "West Island" or "the Criminal
Element"
...you should hear what he used to call Stirling Mortlock!! ...mind you he's not too complimentary about the Boks or the Poms, either!
But, his commentary is different, fresh and challenging (if you can ignore his love affair with Richie McCaw!!)
Now, if he just teamed up with Roy and H.G. you would never listen to anything else.
so check it out ...."Rugby, Racin' and Beer!!" at www.arcrugby.co.nz ... (I can't believe I'm doing this!...) ...and we always drink on a tight head, right??!!
....AND NOW FOR SOMETHING A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT!
.... they teach referees to be in the middle of the game, but this is too close to home ....
A game played in Mackay last year, and its fair to say that the ref remembers some of it, but not all of it.
Thanks to www.rugbydump.com
...and look how far the ball flew after the Falcon!!
A game played in Mackay last year, and its fair to say that the ref remembers some of it, but not all of it.
Thanks to www.rugbydump.com
...and look how far the ball flew after the Falcon!!
QUOTE OF THE DAY - 13TH SEPTEMBER
From "The Australian"..
The Irish manager talking about their chances against the Wallabies ..
Asked about Cooper, but really wanted to focus on Genia, who many think is the real brains behind the outfit ..after all Coops just goes out there and does what he does, and even he doesn't what that is until he does it! ..
'quote: .."We've got trouble right across the park!.." Couldn't have said it any better.. and nuff said
Memo to Wallabies - don't be complacent fellas, remember '91!!
The Irish manager talking about their chances against the Wallabies ..
Asked about Cooper, but really wanted to focus on Genia, who many think is the real brains behind the outfit ..after all Coops just goes out there and does what he does, and even he doesn't what that is until he does it! ..
'quote: .."We've got trouble right across the park!.." Couldn't have said it any better.. and nuff said
Memo to Wallabies - don't be complacent fellas, remember '91!!
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