Aussie Player Exodus
- Thread starter swingpass
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Jamie
Billy Sheehan (19)
I have made an effort to watch some Euro games this summer, bit of a mixed bag for me. What are your thoughts on Skelton? I watched one Saracens game before Xmas and I basically saw the same player that was a the Tahs, nothing that made go "we really need this guy back ASAP"
Much rather have Fardy in the Wallabies as apparently he is killing it over there, unfortunately I have not watched any Pro 14 game.
Much rather have Fardy in the Wallabies as apparently he is killing it over there, unfortunately I have not watched any Pro 14 game.
Joe Blow
John Hipwell (52)
Fardy is playing very well but at lock almost exclusively for Leinster. As we already know, he would most likely not be selected for the Wallabies as a lock. There are others ahead of him. He may be a good option on the bench as a 5/6.
The euro standard is pretty good in important games, Heineken cup etc.
There are others who would also be in contention for a wallaby squad spot. I agree about Skelton. Same player 30kgs lighter but still doing the stupid shit. Would not make the Wallabies IMHO.
I'm not sure if its the quality of the play that is higher but more the quality of the coaching and the structure at the clubs in general. Thats the difference that sees most of our players improve considerably when they play there.
The euro standard is pretty good in important games, Heineken cup etc.
There are others who would also be in contention for a wallaby squad spot. I agree about Skelton. Same player 30kgs lighter but still doing the stupid shit. Would not make the Wallabies IMHO.
I'm not sure if its the quality of the play that is higher but more the quality of the coaching and the structure at the clubs in general. Thats the difference that sees most of our players improve considerably when they play there.
Strewthcobber
Simon Poidevin (60)
Am I right in thinking Fardy would be behind Toner and James Ryan for the big Leinster games these days
Strewthcobber
Simon Poidevin (60)
To'omua captained Leicester against Scarlets and played 10 on the weekend. Went Ok by reports, despite getting flogged
Derpus
Nathan Sharpe (72)
Given how absolutely fucking diabolical our line-out was last year, i dont think anyone would be ahead of him (or should be).
Rugrat
Darby Loudon (17)
The game you saw was average that’s for sure played by two teams that were struggling. Happens plenty of times in Super Rugby. But a club game in front of about 70 thousand explains the difference in comps pretty clearly from a finacial point of view.
Strewthcobber
Simon Poidevin (60)
Club owners subsiding the English premiership at $50m a year (ie losing $50m a year) doesn't hurt either.....
Derpus
Nathan Sharpe (72)
All their clubs bleed as much if not more than the Super Rugby franchises.
Sure they probably bring in more, but they spend all of it and then some on those stupidly massive player wages.
And they have to, to stay competitive. Race to the bottom.
Slim 293
Stirling Mortlock (74)
He would (or rather, should if in Australia) be starting for the Wallabies at 6, easily............
He's not a test lock, but he's head and shoulders (almost literally) above any other option we have at 6.
Jimmy_Crouch
Peter Johnson (47)
Two years of consecutive rugby ruined Rocky Elsom's career. His body didn't cope and it is a fear I have of more players as they try and squeeze a season in Japan between Super Rugby.
Do you know about Fardy (interested to know not a crack)? I've had this arguments before and there has always been a lot of assumptions about why he left (myself included). Other things to note are that majority of the time in NH he has played lock and not 6. Would you pick him as a lock in Australia over Coleman and Rodda or the overrated Arnold that plenty of people suggest should be picked)? Do you think that Cheika wouldn't pick him if he was dominate here because he didn't like him? I think Cheika made a call at the back of 2016 that Fardy wasn't going to improve by RWC19 (as a 35yr old) and they decided to give some younger guys a crack. Part and parcel of managing teams and $$$.
Agree on the chat that we need to move past talking about him too. Unfortunately even on this great site there is hyperbolic effect on the chatter of players in the NH. I love rugby and watch bulk super (member of the reds but diehard tahs fan), all the tests, all NRC and club rugby but I watch f*ck all European stuff just as I'd imagine most of the other on here do.
The Giteau Law shows that Chekia wants to get the best players back no matter what. I dont think you can say he has vendettas against certain players but what RA and World Rugby have done is decreased the importance of test matches but increased the importance of the RWC. That should be addressed.
dru
David Wilson (68)
Look, if you don't like the topic, stay clear of the thread. Talking Fardy is completely consistent with this thread. More than that, if you think the WB locks had a good 2018 I don't know what you've been watching.
Yes I agree that Cheika made a call. It turns out (this is not unusual) to be poor.
Joe Blow
John Hipwell (52)
I think that was it. He was not given a RA top up for 2018 and decided to leave. Fair enough.
He didn't really have the grunt to compliment the Pooper but would be a great option at 6 in a traditional back row. He sure would be good to have leading into a RWC when we don't have anyone really putting up their hand for 6 and 8.
Joe Blow
John Hipwell (52)
Agreed, but interesting that Leinster do not play him there when they have other more beefed up lock options.
The Honey Badger
Jim Lenehan (48)
Light mobile packs. Play 8 X Back rowers in the Forwards wherever they fit.
B
Bobby Sands
Guest
Lets all keep eyes on Butler, he sounds like the one to bring home.
Rugrat
Darby Loudon (17)
Those club owners also own the competition in partnership which is valued at about 1 billion having got a huge input of capital for a share from private equity. Don’t think they are complaining. I have a funny feeling billionaires know more about business than our local Super Rugby ceos.
Derpus
Nathan Sharpe (72)
Just because a business is worth a lot doesn't mean it's viable. I hate the specious argument that because a person has money they automatically know more than others. Fucking nonsense Donald J Trump reasoning. Its common knowledge the clubs lose a shitload and the owners cover the costs because they like rugby.
Its just a really expensive hobby.