Australian Rugby / RA

[Braveheart81]

I read someone (either here or elsewhere I can't remember now) say to shut the door on 2027 RWC for him now - to make a statement to other Wallabies thinking of jumping ship.

I don't understand why people think that would be a positive move with respect to the player base.

It makes players think that RA don't give a shit about them as people.

 

[Tomthumb]

He's signed for 2024. If he plays to the necessary standard then surely that shows he does want to be there while he's contracted.

There's a reasonable chance he'll be back for 2027 as well.

We should select our best team each time we run out.

It's a professional sport. Pick your best players who are under contract.

The arrogance of the guy to think he will just waltz back into the Wallabies in 2027

We need to start building a team for 2024 now, I see no point in playing him next year and then throwing someone like Toole into the fire in 2025 and then complaining if he struggles

If Mark wants to play League, that's fine. But I don't see why Rugby should hinder development of players that actually want to be here just to appease someone that doesn't

 

[Tomthumb]

I read someone (either here or elsewhere I can't remember now) say to shut the door on 2027 RWC for him now - to make a statement to other Wallabies thinking of jumping ship.

I don't think that's necessarily the right thing - same as not picking him this year.

So what, RA should throw him a going away party?

 

[Tomthumb]

I don't understand why people think that would be a positive move with respect to the player base.

It makes players think that RA don't give a shit about them as people.

What more could anyone in RA have done for Mark?

 

[PhilClinton]

Ironic that it might be the signing of JS and the bullshit chest beating about raiding more NRL players (which many Wallabies fans disagree with) that finally got Uncle Nicky P fired up enough to get the wheels in motion and have Abdo officially get this salary cap relief situation in place and ransack all of our good players.

 

[Slim 293]

The arrogance of the guy to think he will just waltz back into the Wallabies in 2027

You'll have to show me that quote...

 

[Braveheart81]

The arrogance of the guy to think he will just waltz back into the Wallabies in 2027

We need to start building a team for 2024 now, I see no point in playing him next year and then throwing someone like Toole into the fire in 2025 and then complaining if he struggles

If Mark wants to play League, that's fine. But I don't see why Rugby should hinder development of players that actually want to be here just to appease someone that doesn't

Who knows what will happen in 2027 but if he comes back to rugby and he's playing well enough he should be selected. It's not arrogance, it's professionalism.

I think Toole is a good chance to debut this year. If he's playing well enough he should be picked. Whether his defence is good enough at the next level is uncertain though.

I don't think Tom Wright gets better for 2025 if we pick him more times in 2024 though.

I still think you pick your best players at each point though. You could pick Toole in 2024 thinking you were planning for the future only to find out in 2025 that they two best options are clearly Lancaster and Sua'ali'i. Picking players you know aren't the best now on the basis that you think they'll be your best in the future is fraught with danger.

 

[PhilClinton]

I still think you pick your best players at each point though. You could pick Toole in 2024 thinking you were planning for the future only to find out in 2025 that they two best options are clearly Lancaster and Sua'ali'i. Picking players you know aren't the best now on the basis that you think they'll be your best in the future is fraught with danger.

Precisely. No point in stamping our feet and holding guys out of the team if it means the side on the field is going to lose games.

The fan base needs a team that can win, it's going to be hard enough as it is let alone if we have guys not playing because we don't think they've earned it.

 

[Tomthumb]

You'll have to show me that quote...

“A lot of good people, including the fans, have been involved in Mark’s journey, which has made this decision an emotional one. We hope the door will be open for Mark to return to the Wallabies fold in the future.”

 

[Tomthumb]

Precisely. No point in stamping our feet and holding guys out of the team if it means the side on the field is going to lose games.

The fan base needs a team that can win, it's going to be hard enough as it is let alone if we have guys not playing because we don't think they've earned it.

Yeah stuff it, lets make him Captain too

 

[Tomthumb]

Who knows what will happen in 2027 but if he comes back to rugby and he's playing well enough he should be selected. It's not arrogance, it's professionalism.

I think Toole is a good chance to debut this year. If he's playing well enough he should be picked. Whether his defence is good enough at the next level is uncertain though.

I don't think Tom Wright gets better for 2025 if we pick him more times in 2024 though.

I still think you pick your best players at each point though. You could pick Toole in 2024 thinking you were planning for the future only to find out in 2025 that they two best options are clearly Lancaster and Sua'ali'i. Picking players you know aren't the best now on the basis that you think they'll be your best in the future is fraught with danger.

I just think we need to be rewarding loyalty to players that turn down more money to stay and play Rugby in Australia

Weird that people don't have the same energy that they did for Eddie being a traitor. Maybe there are a lot of Roosters fans here

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

We need the best 15 out there to try and win games and put bums on seats and eyes on screens. Why shut the door on a guy who might come back? Keep relationships positive.

Same goes for the U18s that have signed with League teams. Don't block them from selection. We want them to be open to coming back when up for contract negotiations.

 

[Linerunner2023]

We are trying to build a team for a Lions series and a World Cup, why include a guy that wont be there and doesn't really want to be here anyway

And what message does it send to the players loyal to Australian Rugby?

Did he ever say he didn’t want to be here?
The coach this year tried to use that saying let’s build a team for the future and it didn’t end well

Next we will be building a team for the 2043 RWC

you pick the best team avaialable at the time and atm Mark N (Nawaqanitawase) would be there for sure

it’s just more laughable that he is a better player then Sua'ali'i alllready, stayed in rugby and only 1/3 of the pay

 

[dru]

What more could anyone in RA have done for Mark?

Offer him a competitive income?

 

[Tomthumb]

Did he ever say he didn’t want to be here?

Well, yes, yes he did

 

[Tomthumb]

Offer him a competitive income?

He's getting similar money to go to the Roosters though

 

[Linerunner2023]

Offer him a competitive income?

Exactly instead of offer $1.5m to some nrl prodigy who may or may not make it
Mark N (Nawaqanitawase) is allready proven but offered 1/3 or what Sua'ali'i was
Rugby league won this war this time round

 

[Tomthumb]

Exactly instead of offer $1.5m to some nrl prodigy who may or may not make it
Mark N (Nawaqanitawase) (Nawaqanitawase) is allready proven but offered 1/3 or what Sua'ali'i was
Rugby league won this war this time round

The Roosters are paying Mark $600,000
RA offered him $550,000 on a longer term deal

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Tells you something about the workplace then doesn't it

 

[eastman]

“A lot of good people, including the fans, have been involved in Mark’s journey, which has made this decision an emotional one. We hope the door will be open for Mark to return to the Wallabies fold in the future.”

I know you’re a troll but his quote shows a level of humility that Eddie Jones never had- hence the different reception.