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You missed my point. I agree, if you make rep sides as a schoolboy or state rep congratulations and god bless ya. My issue is with the tossers who believe that's where our future talent starts and ends from a super and international perspective. Pick the cream from the Premier comps to move to...

Absolutely spot on ILTW. The development structure in this country is seriously flawed. We tell prodigious 16 year olds they are superstars and put them in Gold programs and Academies where all they do is train and play each other and we end up with a result like the World Under 19's last year...

First up, I like Dave Dennis as a player and a bloke, having met him last year when he attended the Two Blues Luncheon with Taaf, Sekope and Cliffy Palu, however the press are trumpeting that he hails from Western Sydney as if that's some kind of nod to rugby in the region. Dave went to Richmond...

Parra will be fit, enthusiastic and disciplined (hear the collective cheer) but relatively young this year. Some very good former 17's and schoolboys, plus two 'walk ins' that played Samoa U19's and Auckland Blues Academy but as we know it's a massive step up to 1st Colts.

That's because it makes sense and is the obvious way to go.

We've seen what can be achieved in a short period of time when a national body decides to get behind something. Go to a T20 Big Bash and see the thousands supporting pretty much tier 2/3 cricketers in tribal teams. The Western Sydney Wanderers regularly pull 20,000 to home games and the Giants...

No, that defeats the purpose and was part of the reason for the ARC failure, no one identified with the teams so no one went to the games. My view is the ARU needs to fund the clubs so that they can deliver on a set of minimum standards in coaching, junior development and business model, perhaps...

Possibly, I just tossed up a suggestion, the critical thing is the ARU funding a tier 3 competition through the existing club base. It could be just a boosting of funding at club level, subject to audited criteria, and a genuine plan to market the local comps through an FTA or Pay TV deal.

Did anyone read the Brett Harris article in The Australian today? http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/rugby-union It quotes Simon Poidevin (Randwick) and Chris Roche (Brisbane Norths) promoting the concept of a Heineken Cup style Club Competition, featuring the existing Sydney and Brisbane...

Until you've had to pick a kid up for training from his abode in somewhere like Tregear, with his mother yelling abuse and his 4 uncles chasing you throwing bottles, you have not experienced rugby in western Sydney.

Totally agree. The biggest inhibitor to the maintenance and growth of the majority of clubs is lack of funding. You simply cannot recruit and retain the best coaching and administration talent, let alone players, or develop and maintain acceptable facilities without significant cash, a minimum...

Blacklock 20, Hoscher 21, Seteuni 21, Coleman 21, Olmstead 22 were Parra's tight 5 and they held their own in most games this year. They will be better again in 2013.

Coleman is training with the Western Force squad

He'll probably never play at club level or even train there. The point is, on the rare occasion he turns up to a Uni game in the club polo, it will barely raise an eyebrow. He turns up to a game in a Two Blues/Emus/Pirates/Rats shirt and kids will flock to see him. We see it with Taaf now. Folau...

Just heard from a reliable source that Israel Folau will be aligned with Sydney University. NSW and all will deny any influence but we all know that is bullshit. It is an unadulterated disgrace, a rort and another example of the shortsightedness of Rugby Administration. If he signed with...

Maybe you're both wrong

He played rugby on the Gold Coast after he first moved from the Broncos.

Knuckles, as one who has pounded the pavement in Parramatta for three years, the issue isn't not wanting a rugby team in the area, it's not knowing one exists. In the west of Sydney, Rugby is seen as either an elitist wank or a game played by players who can't make it in League. To tell locals...

Actually it was 7 wins or 33 points, however Easts had points deducted allowing Wests to sneak in. What win loss ratio do you deem acceptable for a semi final birth in an 18 round comp?

Well done Gordon. This was in yesterday's Herald. When Parramatta Rugby Club named Ryan Aniseko its most improved player this season, the prize could have been for his efforts off the field as much as on it. The star first grader had been working as a labourer to support his dream of making a...