Author: Roscoe Tims

Why is it that the Wallabies always flatter to deceive?

I clearly remember the day in 1989 when we lost Scott Gourley to league. It was after the British Lions series. He signed up to the NSWRL and went to play for the St George Dragons, following in his father’s footsteps. This was devastating news for union because he was only 21, had played just five tests and was going to have a lengthy and distinguished career in the Wallabies ahead of him. But it wasn’t surprising. There was only one way to go in those days if you wanted to make a quid from your footy skills. A conga line…

They call it a ‘scotoma’ and it’s a Robbie Deans weakness that’s marred his judgement in his term as Wallabies coach. It’s why he never selected a backup No. 7 in the RWC11 squad. It’s why he kept on picking Pat McCabe at inside centre when other options were available, and probably still would have this time around if he’d had more rugby under his belt. It’s why he chose James O’Connor as his flyhalf for the Lions series. A scotoma is best described as a blind spot. In psychological terms, it’s a mental state in which you lock on…

Margaret Thatcher once famously said when talking about U-turns in politics: ‘You turn if you want to. The Lady’s not for turning.’ Will this be the new Robbie Deans mantra when it comes to not selecting Quade Cooper for the British and Irish Lions series, and subsequent internationals? The portents are ominous for QC. As reported previously in this august journal, he has not been selected for this weekend’s Wallaby ‘Logistics Camp’ to prepare for the upcoming Lions tour. Thirty players have been invited, reportedly including Izzy Folau, but not Cooper. That seems to suggest that QC is not currently…

Earmarked for big things from early in his career, Hugh ‘Madness’ McMeniman debuted for the Wallabies in 2005, his first season of Super 12 rugby. Four seasons (including an injury-ravaged 2006) and 21 Test caps later he pulled the pin on his international career and took the money option to play in Japan. It was probably understandable at the time that he decided to move to the Kubota Spears. Longevity at the top level looked elusive, with McMeniman already plagued by shoulder, neck and ankle injuries. He wasn’t Robinson Crusoe in deciding to take the option that extended his professional…

Latest News: All Black team named — Israel Dagg, Cory Jane, Conrad Smith, Ma’a Nonu, Hosea Gear, Daniel Carter, Aaron Smith, Kieran Read, Richie McCaw (c), Liam Messam, Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Charlie Faumuina, Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock reserves: Andrew Hore, Owen Franks, Luke Romano, Victor Vito, Piri Weepu, Aaron Cruden, Ben Smith. If you were reading New Zealand’s leading rag today you’d have seen the warning bells already ringing for the All Blacks in this week’s Bledisloe Cup encounter — yes, the All Blacks. The Suncorp Stadium clash this weekend is of course a foregone conclusion to the esteemed rugby writers of the NZ Herald. If you’re interested, here’s a few quotes about how they see the…

2013 Super Rugby Draw

In my view, this Argentinean side would beat most if not all of the Six Nations teams. They’re no mugs, as they’ve shown throughout The Rugby Championship. That’s why I think the Wallabies’ effort against them on Saturday was more positive than negative. We played well against them, especially in that last quarter, and looked the better side for 60 of the 80 minutes. I mean, we made a lot of the play in this match. An example of that is in the tackle stats — the Wallabies made 63 tackles, the Argies 160. So it’s no surprise that a…

‘Off with his head!’ cries the Duke of Gloucester in William Shakespeare’s Richard III, accusing Lord Hastings of ‘devilish plots’ and ‘damned witchcraft’. The feeling amongst the Australian rugby public appears to be hardening against Robbie Deans. ‘Off with his head!’, indeed. I think it’s only a matter of time, actually. I doubt he’ll last the year out…. The continual under-achievement against the All Blacks, poor selection policy, lack of anything like a competent game plan, too many players missing in action, minimal intensity and passion… the list goes on. This disorganised shambles is taking its toll even amongst loyal supporters of the…

Latest News: All Blacks team named: Israel Dagg, Cory Jane, Ma’a Nonu, Sonny Bill Williams, Hosea Gear, Dan Carter, Aaron Smith, Kieran Read, Richie McCaw (captain), Liam Messam, Sam Whitelock, Luke Romano, Owen Franks, Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock. Reserves: Andrew Hore, Ben Franks, Brodie Retallick, Victor Vito, Piri Weepu, Aaron Cruden, Ben Smith. The Wallabies team to play the All Blacks this weekend has been announced and some of you aren’t going to like it… To prosecute the Bledisloe with or without a QC? For mine, the scales of justice appear to be weighed against him. We’ve just telegraphed the game…

There were no real surprises in the naming of the Wallabies squad for this year’s Bledisloe Cup Tests and the inaugural Rugby Championship. You could perhaps quibble about the odd fringe selection but I don’t think there’s too much doubt that this squad is essentially the best that’s available. Ignoring TRC for the momen,t the question on everyone’s lips is — does this squad contain the necessary firepower and talent to overcome a very capable All Blacks team and finally recover the Bledisloe after a decade of failure? My heart says maybe; however, my head sadly says it might be…

About 20 minutes into the third All Blacks v. Ireland Test match an injury stoppage was punctuated by some muzak streaming over the sound system, as it does. This catchy little number was in fact a guitar instrumental played by New Zealand’s answer to Chet Atkins in the Sixties and Seventies (or Desiree Bassett to you young ‘uns in the new millennium) — Peter Posa. Called White Rabbit, it was indeed quite appropriate for the Irish — they were whitewashed after being caught like a rabbit in the headlights! Is it going to be played again when the Wallabies take on…

The Qantas Wallabies team to play Wales in the third Wales Tour Test for the James Bevan Trophy at Allianz Stadium in Sydney (kick-off: 3pm AEST) has been named. The changes to the squad include the return of Kurtley Beale to fullback and Sitaleki Timani at lock. AAC switches to wing, Rob Simmons drops back to the bench and Cooper Vuna and Mike Harris miss the cut. 15. Kurtley Beale                             (Melbourne Rebels) 14. Adam Ashley-Cooper               (NSW Waratahs) 13. Rob Horne                                  (NSW Waratahs) 12. Pat McCabe                               (Brumbies) 11. Digby Ioane                                (Queensland Reds) 10. Berrick Barnes                           (NSW Waratahs) 9. Will Genia                                     (Queensland Reds) 8. Wycliff…

The James Bevan Trophy is up for grabs this weekend with Robbie ‘Dingo’ Deans and the Wallabies poised to win the series — that’s if the inconsistency of recent times is overcome. If you aren’t aware of the history of the trophy, this little baby was created in 2007 and named after James Bevan, the Welsh Australian who was the first ever captain of Wales in 1881. He was from St Kilda actually…. The bane of Robbie Deans’s existence since he took over the coaching reins four years ago is that continuing lack of consistency in the Wobblies’ performances. We’re of course seeing it again this year but notwithstanding the scheduling…

Unsurprisingly, the Wallabies team announced to play Wales in Melbourne this Saturday is unchanged from last weekend: Kick-off is scheduled for 8.00pm (AEST) at Etihad Stadium: *Kepu is to prove his fitness later in the week. Beale was not considered for selection ‘due to injury’.

The Wallabies team to play the Welsh in the First Test at Brisbane has been announced and there are significant changes made to the squad from the Scottish Test. There are eight nine changes to the run-on team: 15. Adam Ashley-Cooper (NSW Waratahs) 14. Joe Tomane (ACT Brumbies) *Cooper Vuna (Melbourne Rebels) 13. Rob Horne (NSW Waratahs) 12. Pat McCabe (ACT Brumbies) 11. Digby Ioane (Queensland Reds) 10. Berrick Barnes (NSW Waratahs) 9. Will Genia (Queensland Reds) 8. Wycliff Palu (NSW Waratahs) 7. David Pocock (captain, Western Force) 6. Scott Higginbotham (Queensland Reds) 5. Nathan Sharpe (Western Force) 4. Rob…

This is the match where the Wallabies need to bury the demons of their disgraceful performance at Murrayfield in 2009 when they last played the Scots. On that day they had a welter of possession but just didn’t have the wherewithal to score points when they were needed, highlighted by the potential match-winning goal opportunity that went begging. Others on these pages have speculated possible outcomes. My view is that this first up Newcastle test has that ‘Samoan’ feel to it, just like last year when an under-strength Wallaby side got its comeuppance against a much lower rated opponent. The…

The locals at The Hen and Chickens in Abergavenny will have confidence that their boyos will perform good deeds Down Under when the Welsh arrive for the June Test Series. And why wouldn’t they? The last few times they’ve played the Wallabies, in the RWC quarter-final (21-18) and in the December 2011 Test (24-18), they’ve been a clear and present danger. This mixture of hardened test players and young Taff talent stepped-up to take the Six Nations title earlier this year. The WRU named the 38 man touring side this week and, apart from a few notable omissions due to unavailability and injury, this is a formidable unit. The trouble with a…

What’s happening to rugby these days? You get carded at the drop of a hat, or indeed, at the drop of a player…. Some of these suspensions for supposed dangerous tackles ‘beyond the perpendickular’ are pathetic. Now, don’t get me wrong — if you tip someone up and drive their head into the turf you get what you deserve. But lifting a fellow up and dropping him on a slight angle doesn’t constitute a spell in the sin bin, a red or even a white card in my book? Sure, if it’s a bit dodgy then ping the guy with…

Some of us north of the border have an inbuilt malevolence against anything rhyming with ‘kidney’, but this is the reality: if NSW rugby is strong, then Australian rugby is strong. Maybe I’m mellowing and a little serendipitous, but I want the Waratahs to have a big year — crikey, don’t tell anyone in Godzone that I said that! The Waratah’s 2012 squad is seemingly teeming with quality Super Rugby players, including loads of experienced internationals. Well, on paper that is… The Sydney media is still pumping out the usual guff — you know the pack drill — ho hum, they’ve won it already.…