Australia v Italy, Suncorp Stadium, 24th June 2017 @ 3:00pm
- Thread starter The torpedo
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Joe Blow
John Hipwell (52)
There must be players running around in Shute Shield, the Brisbane comp and even in Perth who can transition up to Super rugby? The NRC has showcased some excellent talent of late.
The foreign player policy needs to be revisited and the numbers of them permitted reduced, particularly if we do drop a franchise.
Geoff Parling is not a good signing when we have someone like Simmons without a contract and likely to go offshore. He could easily fill the same role at the Rebs. In fact we have a lot of second row talent coming through that would make it pretty easy to fill the lock spots with local lads in all Super rugby squads.
The foreign player policy needs to be revisited and the numbers of them permitted reduced, particularly if we do drop a franchise.
Geoff Parling is not a good signing when we have someone like Simmons without a contract and likely to go offshore. He could easily fill the same role at the Rebs. In fact we have a lot of second row talent coming through that would make it pretty easy to fill the lock spots with local lads in all Super rugby squads.
You don't know what Volavola's part in that was though. When he was no longer wanted at the Waratahs and there's a RWC at the end of the year, that surely plays into his thinking and decision making.
Was playing for Fiji at the RWC and taking a contract at the Crusaders where an exodus of fly halves created opportunity in 2016 his last choice option?
I'm betting it wasn't.
Quick Hands
David Wilson (68)
Exactly my point.
KOB1987
John Eales (66)
That's just Sam Ryan's opinion though QH, it's no more or less valid than yours, mine or BH's.
I think that of all the possible scenarios, the one you are inferring is the least likely. Ben would have thought through all his options and done what he thought was best for him, I highly doubt that it was a last gasp for air as far as his rugby career was concerned.
I think that of all the possible scenarios, the one you are inferring is the least likely. Ben would have thought through all his options and done what he thought was best for him, I highly doubt that it was a last gasp for air as far as his rugby career was concerned.
From that article, it seems that if he had been desperate to stay in Australia he could have taken a contract at the Reds.
He's in his fifth year as a Super Rugby player across three teams and has never been able to nail down a starting spot.
There's no denying he's got talent but there's also no denying he has big weaknesses to his game.
He's had plenty of opportunity within professional ranks and never shone.
He's in his fifth year as a Super Rugby player across three teams and has never been able to nail down a starting spot.
There's no denying he's got talent but there's also no denying he has big weaknesses to his game.
He's had plenty of opportunity within professional ranks and never shone.
No, it is a false equivalency, neither is the only acceptable answer.
One he chose to play in a RWC for Fiji and should have lost all chances of getting a contract in Aus after that and the other wasn't worthy of getting a premium international contract in Aus.
Quick Hands
David Wilson (68)
He shouldn't have a contract now, I totally agree. He and those like him coming through should be signed ahead of foreign journeymen like Ebersohn.
(As long as they are eligible to play for the Wallabies)
Quick Hands
David Wilson (68)
From his point of view, he certainly made the right choice to take the Fiji option. But, one of the stated reason for starting up the Force and then the Rebels was to keep fringe players playing in Australia and thus increase the depth of the talent pool. Who knows with some decent coaching he might have improved.
chasmac
Alex Ross (28)
It depends, units that provide actual value would be nice, there have been a few Daniel Braid and Jacques Potgieter come to mind, less units with "issues" no matter how much promise like Danny Cipriani and Zac Guildford
Froggy
Nicholas Shehadie (39)
I think the problem here is not the signing of marquee players per se, but the fact that of those we have, four of them play at 10. As a result of that (and Lance's injury) we only have two eligible no 10s playing regular super rugby in Aus.
Having said that, I'm not sure what the solution is!
It is disappointing that one of the consistently strongest franchises has a foreign first choice 9 and 10. Let's face it, if it hadn't been for Cubelli's injury, we wouldn't have the terrific potential that is Joe Powell hovering around the Wallabies.
Having said that, I'm not sure what the solution is!
It is disappointing that one of the consistently strongest franchises has a foreign first choice 9 and 10. Let's face it, if it hadn't been for Cubelli's injury, we wouldn't have the terrific potential that is Joe Powell hovering around the Wallabies.
not knowingthe full back story but, still struggling to see how micheal Ala'alatoa was lost from aussie rugby, the crusaders liked what they saw. cause as much as everynes looking at 10, the front row against italy was a bigger issue, its going to be raining 3 points all game come rugby championship
Viking
Mark Ella (57)
I recall Zack Holmes filling in at 10 when the Brumbies had an injury crisis in that position. Both Lilo and To'omua injured.
It was in the back end of the season too, he handled the pressure well under the coaching guidance of White and Larkham. I thought to myself we have a future solid flyhalf.
Then he disappeared. Went to the Force I think in search of more game-time (I wise choice given he was behind Lilo and To'omua). But instead the force opted to buy some 3rd string amateur NZ flyhalf who didn't do much at all.
Now where on earth is Holmes? Just imagine if he was playing consistent rugby at 10 for the last 3 years!
Same story happening at the Brumbies now, all this hype around Jooste and Hope-Jackson, yet Larkham goes off and gets a NZ flyhalf no-one heard of. Should of just chucked the young Aussie guys in. Although at least he's performing well-enough.
It was in the back end of the season too, he handled the pressure well under the coaching guidance of White and Larkham. I thought to myself we have a future solid flyhalf.
Then he disappeared. Went to the Force I think in search of more game-time (I wise choice given he was behind Lilo and To'omua). But instead the force opted to buy some 3rd string amateur NZ flyhalf who didn't do much at all.
Now where on earth is Holmes? Just imagine if he was playing consistent rugby at 10 for the last 3 years!
Same story happening at the Brumbies now, all this hype around Jooste and Hope-Jackson, yet Larkham goes off and gets a NZ flyhalf no-one heard of. Should of just chucked the young Aussie guys in. Although at least he's performing well-enough.
Slim 293
Stirling Mortlock (74)
It's not really a good reflection on our local talent when Hawera, who is hardly setting the world alight and was a last minute signing, is performing better than most of the contracted flyhalves in the country (obvious notable exceptions)...........
As for Holmes unfortunately another talented backline player ruined at the Force under Foley.
Jeeper
Jimmy Flynn (14)
To be honest I think the 'talent' per se is here in Australia but there is such a significant jump from premier rugby to super rugby. The fitness levels required are immensely larger in super rugby. It seems like the easy option to take a developed player from overseas/another club, rather than taking a chance by developing a player.
formerflanker
Ken Catchpole (46)
With one blue eye and one red, I'd like to see Sam Lane given an extended chance at 10 in Super Rugby. I see his abilities at the same level as David Horwitz.
Brumby Runner
Jason Little (69)
Don't know the contract status re Horwitz, but begs the question why one of the other franchises hasn't offered him a deal to pay at No 10. After all, I'm sure that was where he played for Randwick when he first broke into Super.
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