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At least quote the next part of the article, which actually concedes that his meetings, networking events, parties - whatever you want to call them - are paying dividends in some respects. As they did for the Sochi games in his former role. Business is business, and this is business.

9 new signings at the Force for next season (incl. a couple on assumedly bigger contracts) might've also played a part?

I thought I was the only one who had visions every time I heard Les Kiss. Not nightmarish though

I can genuinely understand the argument, but all we need to do is look at Super to see that a higher level of competition does not inherently increase a team's competitiveness. Although, I guess you could point to Fiji as a case study that says otherwise (albeit with a lot of other contributing...

Fair enough - but as a data guy, you'd also know that stats are meaningless without context. Competition-wide averages of scorelines don't capture the finer details of unexpected wins, close losses, demonstrable progress of some nations' performances, etc. I'm not suggesting that there isn't...

Yeah, poor takes from him. The growth in T2 sides, and the number of upsets (or close to it) we've seen over the previous 2 or 3 world cups, will likely continue. Counting his chickens before they hatch imo

All good mate - I enjoy the debate, just can see how it could, as has done in the past, blow up deluxe and lose all relevance to the thread

At the risk of blowing up this thread - the idea that you can't be in the middle-ground on ethical issues, or any subject for that matter, takes a very limited view to complex problems imo. All-or-nothing, black and white thinking gets us nowhere. Probs should save this discussion for another...

It truly was magical, as you said, particularly given the previous 12 months. We were seated row 8 behind the posts where O'Connor crossed - something I'll never forget. Likewise congratulating the players as they waltzed into the Caxton in their "Champions" tees. The memory seems to disappear...

One of the best crowds I've ever been a part of

Can't speak for the Tahs, but you're off the mark with the Reds comment. Crowds were strong (incl. a sold out GF and very-close-to-it Semi), media coverage was high, and general buzz around the city was very positive during 2011 and the couple of years following:

I care a hell of a lot more about QLD v NSW - or, broadly, AU v NZ - than I do about Wests v Norths

While we may have similar player bases to the English and French, we are very different geographically. I don't think it's an apt comparison.

I'd hardly call it hand-waving whataboutism to point out that the proposed club-based competition would: a) be a logistical shitstorm b) disillusion and dilute existing fan bases of clubs, Super teams, and regional areas without representation c) require a level of funding that is simply not...

So then you're not even capturing the whole of the SS and QPR fanbase - in fact, you're likely to disillusion supporters of clubs who either cease to exist or get 'relegated' to a lower-tier competition.

The 'add-ons' are the exact opposite of poor marketing - there is a reason that basically every team in the recent history of professional sporting competitions has had a name in the format of [Region] [Mascot / Descriptor]. It's all about identity and marketing. Referring to every team across...

Pulling everyone out of clubhouses and carting them off to Suncorp would get maybe an extra couple thousand bums on seats? Hardly the 10-20k that have gone missing over recent years. Of family and friends, I'd know maybe ~30 people who either still do or have previously regularly attended (more...

I personally have no affiliations or connections with any particular club - neither do the vast, vast majority of people I know who support and attend Super and Wallabies games. I would say it's a pretty safe bet that a random poll of people at Super and Wallabies matches would find the...