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Australia Vs. England, Twickenham, 2nd November 2013

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Ruggo

Ruggo

Mark Ella (57)
Braveheart81 said:
The Wallabies were struggling, George Smith's form was average, he got dropped from the Wallabies starting side in favour of Pocock and then he signed a contract to play overseas.

During most if not all of his time overseas he has been Australia's highest salaried rugby player. His $3.3 million contract with Suntory was a record for an Australian rugby player I believe.

People act like he was forced out but that is absolutely rewriting history.

Of course it would have been great if he'd stayed in Australia for his entire career, but that is one of the realities of professional sport.
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George had pretty much done it all in a Wallaby jumper (bar a RWC victory). He had a young family and he made the decision he thought was best for his family to play abroad before it was too late. The next big thing in Pocock was ready, so he stepped aside knowing the Wallabies will be ok without him.

The transition on that EOYT was one of the most gracious things and a credit to all involved.
 
Bowside

Bowside

Peter Johnson (47)
Ruggo said:
George had pretty much done it all in a Wallaby jumper (bar a RWC victory). He had a young family and he made the decision he thought was best for his family to play abroad before it was too late. The next big thing in Pocock was ready, so he stepped aside knowing the Wallabies will be ok without him.

The transition on that EOYT was one of the most gracious things and a credit to all involved.
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Whilst all this is true I still think there was a management failure there.

Two things were pretty much undeniable:
A) The wallabies needed Smith for the world cup.
B) The ARU couldn't come close to matching the money on offer in japan.

I think the best option would have been for the ARU to allow smith to play in Toulon? over the 2010/2011 season, then eased him back into super rugby mid way through 2011 and pick him for the world cup squad.

There is no doubt in my mind that the situation could have been managed better by the ARU.
 
en_force_er

en_force_er

Geoff Shaw (53)
Bowside said:
Whilst all this is true I still think there was a management failure there.

Two things were pretty much undeniable:
A) The wallabies needed Smith for the world cup.
B) The ARU couldn't come close to matching the money on offer in japan.

I think the best option would have been for the ARU to allow smith to play in Toulon? over the 2010/2011 season, then eased him back into super rugby mid way through 2011 and pick him for the world cup squad.

There is no doubt in my mind that the situation could have been managed better by the ARU.
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It would have set a bad precedent, but I suppose you could rationalise it by saying GS was an excellent servant to the game and deserved the exemption.

The only time they've made an exception to the rule was for Rocky I believe, and on club form he was the best 6 in the world at that stage.
 
Bowside

Bowside

Peter Johnson (47)
en_force_er said:
It would have set a bad precedent, but I suppose you could rationalise it by saying GS was an excellent servant to the game and deserved the exemption.

The only time they've made an exception to the rule was for Rocky I believe, and on club form he was the best 6 in the world at that stage.
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They ended up breaking the precedent again this year anyway with both GS and Burgess. Furthermore at the time they were operating in a rapidly changing player market, and failed to manage the situation well.

The NZRU found ways to adapt and get the best team together. Our blokes shrugged their shoulders and gave themselves another bonus.

Incompetentance.
 
Richo

Richo

John Thornett (49)
badabing59 said:
Ok includes 2013 EYOT

Aus:
2011 13 tests
2012 15 tests
2013 15 tests

NZ:
2011 12 tests
2012 14 tests
2013 14 tests

No wonder players are knackered when you factor in S15 commitments.
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To put this in contrast with a similarly gruelling sport, NFL players play 16 regular season games plus the playoffs (maximum of 4 games). Most key starters barely play in the pre-season. Granted, NFL players hit a lot harder and with helmets, but in terms of frequency of contact and where and tear. But top rugby players play almost double the games and have a much shorter pre-season. No wonder we see so many injuries.
 
BarneySF

BarneySF

Bob Loudon (25)
Anyone based in the US have the good oil on whether this game will be watchable? Had yet another inspiring conversation with someone at DirecTV explaining to them exactly what rugby was before I was directed to their website which only has Super Rugby and TRC pics.
 
Zander

Zander

Ron Walden (29)
England have named the 23 for the Test but not the actual team list. My guess:

1. Mako Vunipola
2. Tom Youngs
3. Dan Cole
4. Joe Launchbury
5. Courtney Lawes
6. Tom Wood
7. Chris Robshaw
8. Billy Vunipula
9. Ben Youngs
10. Owen Farrell
11. Marland Yarde
12. Billy Twelvetrees
13. Joel Tomkins
14. Chris Ashton
15. Mike Brown

16. Dylan Hartley
17. Joe Marler
18. David Wilson
19. David Attwood
20. Ben Morgan
21. Lee Dickson
22. Toby Flood
23. Ben Foden
 
USARugger

USARugger

John Thornett (49)
We should absolutely demolish that line out if the English are going to be playing Lawes in place of Parling.
 
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