Love that footy is back. For those that have time the Australian Club Championchip is on at Brothers this weekend with games between Brothers and Randwick for the main prize and Wests and Tuggeranong. Should be a great afternoon.
Photo is of the Alaskan Rugby Club. I’ll be putting up beautiful rugby ground images this week, feel free to email me yours. Here
As always this is a fan run site and any contribution is always welcome feel free to reach out to me at happyman@greenandgoldrugby.com.au be it with an article an idea or an opinion piece.
There’s also a ‘Submit a Story’ option. So feel free to have a crack as the more the merrier.
Are You Not Entertained
An article was passed around the Craparazzi WhatsApp group from the SMH HERE. The article maintains that the game is mired in pedantic officiating and rule book that allows for the game to become turgid and slow. I don’t accept that premise, the ambition and invention in a good game of Rugby far exceeds the best that the other local comps offer.
To quote from the article.
In Australia’s most lucrative football code, Australian rules, the ball’s in play for 75 per cent or more of clock time. In soccer it’s higher than that. The AFL continually tweaks the game’s rules to make it more attractive for fans, broadcasters and sponsors, often with the objective of outsmarting the coaches who want to slow it down for tactical advantage. No surprises which codes are winning the commercial contest.
My view is that two things can be true at the same time. The NRL and AFL have the advantage of being closed leagues. Both administration teams understand that if they lose the battle in Sydney and Melbourne respectively the codes cease to exist. So with that existential threat they cannot and will not give any ground.
I used to watch quite a bit of both codes at various stages in my life and can offer this: both are like a takeaway meal or refined sugar in comparison to the broad tapestry of ways to play rugby. I’d also point this out that the game with the lowest ball in time play of any code being the NFL is probably the most successful league in the world. So for mine this author’s main issue is we aren’t the best in the world at this game; it’s relatively easy to be the best country in the world at AFL or rugby league.
Time in play does not equal a better game with the AFL teams flooding players all over to take away space, and the NRL being five plays from dummy half followed by a kick.
Rugby is a game for all shapes and sizes which can be won in many ways and that is its advantage. I am sick of buying into the narrative put forward by people who follow other codes that our game needs to change dramatically. PS they also don’t have this.
Super Rugby Teams Week Two
All Games form part of the Super Round in Melbourne
Friday 1 March 6:00 pm AEDT – Highlanders v Blues
HIGHLANDERS (1-15): Ethan de Groot, Henry Bell, Jermaine Ainsley, Pari Pari Parkinson, Max Hicks, Sean Withy, Billy Harmon (c), Hugh Renton, Folau Fakatava, Rhys Patchell, Jona Nareki, Sam Gilbert, Tanielu Tele’a, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
RESERVES: Ricky Jackson, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Saula Ma’u, Fabian Holland, Nikora Broughton, Nathan Hastie, Ajay Faleafaga, Jonah Lowe
BLUES (1-15): Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Ricky Riccitelli, Marcel Renata, Laghlan McWhannell, Sam Darry, Akira Ioane, Dalton Papali’i (c), Hoskins Sotutu, Taufa Funaki, Stephen Perofeta, Caleb Clarke, Bryce Heem, AJ Lam, Mark Tele’a, Zarn Sullivan
RESERVES: Soane Vikena, Joshua Fusitu’a, Angus Ta’avao, Josh Beehre, Adrian Choat, Sam Nock, Harry Plummer, Cole Forbes
Referee: Angus Gardner
Assistant Referees: Damon Murphy, Reuben Keane
Blues by a Bit
Friday 1 March 8:10 pm AEDT – Melbourne Rebels v Western Force
REBELS (1-15): Matt Gibbon, Alex Mafi, Taniela Tupou, Josh Canham, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Josh Kemeny, Brad Wilkin, Rob Leota (c), James Tuttle, Carter Gordon, Filipo Daugunu, David Feliuai, Matt Proctor, Lachie Anderson, Andrew Kellaway
RESERVES: Jordan Uelese, Isaac Kailea, Sam Talakai, Tuaina Taii Tualima, Vaiolini Ekuasi, Ryan Louwrens, Jake Strachan, Nick Jooste
FORCE (1-15): Ryan Coxon, Tom Horton, Santiago Medrano, Jeremy Williams, Thomas Franklin, Michael Wells, Carlo Tizzano, Will Harris, Nic White, Ben Donaldson, Chase Tiatia, Hamish Stewart, Sam Spink, Harry Potter, Max Burey
RESERVES: Feleti Kaitu’u, Charlie Hancock, Tiaan Tauakipulu, Tim Anstee, Lopeti Faifua, Ollie Callan, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, George Poolman
Referee: Nic Berry
Assistant Referees: Brendon Pickerill, James Doleman
Rebels to bounce back I think they were a bit overcooked last week
Saturday 2 March 5:00 pm AEDT – Moana Pasifika v Fijian Drua
PASIFIKA (1-15): Abraham Pole, Sama Malolo, Sione Mafileo, Tom Savage, Allan Craig, Jacob Norris, Sione Havili Talitui, Lotu Inisi, Ereatara Enari, William Havili, Viliami Fine, Julian Savea, Henry Taefu, Nigel Ah Wong, Danny Toala
RESERVES: Samiuela Moli, Sateki Latu, Sekope Kepu, Ola Tauelangi, Irie Papuni, Aisea Halo, Christian Lealiifano, Kyren Taumoefolau
DRUA (1-15): Livai Natave, Tevita Ikanivere, Mesake Doge, Mesake Vocevoce, Isoa Nasilasila, Etonia Waqa, Ella Canakaivata, Meli Derenalagi (c), Frank Lomani, Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, Selestino Ravutaumada, Apisalome Vota, Iosefo Masi, Epeli Momo, Isikeli Rabitu
RESERVES: Mesulame Dolokoto, Haereiti Hetet, Jone Koroiduadua, Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, Vilive Miramira, Simione Kuruvoli, Kemu Valetini, Junior Ratuva
Referee: Paul Williams
Assistant Referees: Damon Murphy, Mike Winter
Drua to bounce back for an easy win
Saturday 2 March 7:35 pm AEDT – Crusaders v NSW Waratahs (free to air game)
CRUSADERS (1-15): George Bower, George Bell, Fletcher Newell, Scott Barrett (c), Quinten Strange, Dominic Gardiner, Tom Christie, Cullen Grace, Noah Hotham, Taha Kemara, Macca Springer, David Havili, Levi Aumua, Sevu Reece, Chay Fihaki
RESERVES: Quentin MacDonald, Joe Moody, Owen Franks, Jamie Hannah, Christian Lio-Willie, Mitchell Drummond, Ryan Crotty, Dallas McLeod
WARATAHS (1-15):Angus Bell, Mahe Vailanu, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Jed Holloway, Hugh Sinclair, Fergus Lee-Warner, Charlie Gamble, Langi Gleeson, Jake Gordon (c), Tane Edmed, Dylan Pietsch, Joey Walton, Harry Wilson, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Max Jorgensen
RESERVES: Julian Heaven, Hayden Thompson-Stringer, Dan Botha, Miles Amatosero, Ned Hanigan, Teddy Wilson, Mosese Tuipulotu, Triston Reilly
Referee: James Mabey
Assistant Referees: Brendon Pickerill, Dan Waenga
Sader are going to Sader, sorry Tahs fans
Sunday 3 March 2:00 pm AEDT – Chiefs v ACT Brumbies
CHIEFS (1-15): Ollie Norris, Bradley Slater, George Dyer, Manaaki Selby-Rickit, Tupou Vaa’i, Samipeni Finau, Kalyum Boshier, Luke Jacobson (c), Xavier Roe, Damian McKenzie, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Rameka Poihipi, Anton Lienert-Brown, Liam Coombes-Fabling, Shaun Stevenson
RESERVES: Samisoni Taukei’aho, Jared Proffit, Reuben O’Neill, Naitoa Ah Kuoi,, Simon Parker, Cortez Ratima, Josh Ioane, Daniel Rona
BRUMBIES (1-15): James Slipper, Lachlan Lonergan, Sosefo Kautai, Nick Frost, Tom Hooper, Rob Valetini, Luke Reimer, Charlie Cale, Ryan Lonergan (c), Noah Lolesio, Corey Toole, Ollie Sapsford, Len Ikitau, Andy Muirhead, Tom Wright
RESERVES: Billy Pollard, Blake Schoupp, Rhys Van Nek, Cadeyrn Neville, Jahrome Brown, Harrison Goddard, Declan Meredith, Tamati Tua
Referee: Jordan Way
Assistant Referees: Mike Winter, Dan Waenga
Game of the week. I would like to apologise to Brumbies fans when I tipped them to drop down this year, they were excellent last week. This game will be a cracker but give me the Brumbies.
Sunday 3 March 4:30 pm AEDT – Hurricanes v Queensland Reds
HURRICANES (1-15): Xavier Numea, Asafo Aumua (co-c), Tyrel Lomax, Caleb Delany, Isaia Walker-Leawere, TK Howden, Peter Lakai, Brayden Iose, Cam Roigard, Brett Cameron, Kini Naholo, Jordie Barrett (co-c), Billy Proctor, Josh Moorby, Ruben Love
RESERVES: James O’Reilly, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Pasilio Tosi, Justin Sangster, Veveni Lasaqa, Jordi Viljoen, Riley Higgins, Salesi Rayasi
REDS (1-15): Alex Hodgman, Matt Faessler, Zane Nonggorr, Seru Uru, Ryan Smith, Liam Wright (co-c), Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson, Tate McDermott (co-c), Tom Lyngah, Jock Campbell, Hunter Paisami, Josh Flook, Suli Vunivalu, Jordan Petaia
RESERVES: Josh Nasser, Peni Ravai, Sef Fa’agase, Cormac Daly, John Bryant, Kalani Thomas, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Mac Grealy
Referee: James Doleman
Assistant Referees: Nic Berry, Damon Murphy
Haven’t my Reds suffered enough, we had Doleman last week as well. Reds to overcome the handicap to scrape home.
Fantasy Rugby and Fantasy Teams
For those who are taking the Super Rugby fantasy and tipping comp seriously here is the link to the Super Rugby Stats Site.
We are only one game in so it’s hard to pick any stand out players or trends. Here are my highlights.
Clean line breaks 3 Toole (Brumbies) and Momo (Drua)
Offloads 4 Wilson (Reds)
Tackles 28 Christie (Saders)
Lineouts won 8 Frost (Brumbies)
One interesting team stat from the weekend was that the Rebels made 126 carries (2nd to the Saders) for the weekend so it would suggest execution, not effort, was the issue. Second lowest carries were the Highlanders at 86 and they won. The Rebels also had the most defenders beaten at 42. First in the comp to the Saders 16 at 10th.
Lies and damn statistics.
I will update leaders’ losers and picks next week feel free to join our league.
Listen to the G&GR Podcasts
The G&GR team have been busy with 4 pods coming out this week. I particularly recommend the Dropped Kick Off with Graham Cooper on the community tackle laws,
