Search results

I don't think it will ever attract the crowds and TV ratings of the Currie Cup, but to broadcasters one Australian viewer is worth a lot more than one South African viewer given the size of the economies. And I don't think it will ever have the per capita support of the ITM Cup/NPC. But...

While rugby's average ratings for local games is slightly higher, Australian soccer produces significantly more content. And the proposed new 18 team super rugby structure will actually provide slightly less content than the current structure. Add that to the very obvious decline in the...

That isn't ideal either. We need domestic pathways for both young players and existing professional players. When they're selected to play 7's for Australia we should know in advance whether they're any good at 7's. Not develop them at events that count towards olympic qualification. Hopefully...

Agree with Braveheart. There must be a few fringe Super Rugby squad members that would be putting their hand up as well. I reckon Ben Volavola would be a gun at 7's for example. It really is too bad that there is no super rugby sevens event. Even if it's just one event a year, we need to...

I guess the question is how much he would cost given the NRL and French Rugby are after him. Though I don't think the ARU would necessarily have to make the top offer, just a competitive one. He'd be a great option for the Olympics Sevens given his skill set and the added fitness base he'll...

Some highlights from Kenya's match against Western Province last weekend. WP won 32-28 in Kenya's final game before this year's African RWC qualifiying event in Madagascar (they will play a round robin against Namibia, Madagascar and Zimbabwe). Not a bad result against a professional...

By the way, have the Rams chosen the home ground(s) yet for the season?

So long term you guys think there might eventually be 5 teams in Sydney? Rams, Rays, Stars plus Randwick/Easts and a Southern Sydney/Illawarra team? It's interesting to think what the ideal number of teams would be if it's successful. 2nd Brisbane team, Adelaide, Newcastle, Central Coast...

Maybe, but Folau brings more to the ARU than he would to league or Toulon. He's the biggest name in the game by far, whereas in league he would be one of a few big names. The ARU has more to lose than the others have to gain. I think the ARU would be able to find a lot of money and...

I think the Pacific Cup competition between the US, Canada, Japan, Fiji, Samoa and Tonga has some promise. The teams are relatively even and all play a good style. But they need to stick to a structure and play it all in June. Chopping and changing it every year will only devalue it. In the US...

I reckon Folau might stay in Australian rugby in 2016 to have a crack at the Olympics. I could see him doing that then playing in Japan for the 2016/17 Top League season, going to France in 2017 for a season and returning to Australia in time to make the 2019 world cup squad. He's going to...

Seems weird he would get the job. At the very least they should try and hire a Graham Henry like 'coaching advisor' for the 12 months leading to the world cup. Their pool isn't too bad outside of South Africa. Big opportunity for both Japan and the US to cause a shock.

Depends how you interpret it. Was it France not taking the weight or were we pushing before the ball was in? Is there anything in the law that states a team must 'take the weight' (i.e. push) on the set call before the ball is fed?

USA needs to fork out for a decent coach. The Scotland game was dreadful. You have to think they're around the same level as Japan, but Japan are coached by Eddie Jones while the current coach of the American team is a local who as far as I'm aware has never coached at the professional level.

I don't think it's the scrums themselves. A good scrummaging battle is very gladiatorial and appealing, and they provide a great attacking platform. The boring and unintelligible aspects are the collapses, the time they take to set and the penalties that occur which no one watching understands...

Exactly. If teams are willing to spend their own money to bring in a marquee player (one not signed to an Australian super rugby side) then they should be able to. Imagine if both Wilkinson and Brian O'Driscoll played in the inaugural NRC. It would be a huge shot in the arm to the competition.

Is Alofa eligible for Tonga? Perhaps we'll see him at the world cup next year.

Actually I think the best case scenario would be a thrilling test series won 2-1 by the Wallabies with say To'omua and Folau combining for a last minute match winner in a 32-29 heart stopper in the Sydney decider.

Te'o has an English passport and has been tipped to follow Sam Burgess over to the English Premiership.

They could, but it'd still be less of an incentive to give away penalties than getting a kick off on the half way as you do now (for a successful kick). I think it would give far too much advantage to a team with a dominant scrum. Especially with the new scrum laws that essentially require...