Highlander35
Steve Williams (59)
It was moderately funny that all 3 seemed to be pushing themselves as "not part of the old boys" when, at least Benazzi and Robinson very much are, just representing different factions.
Australian Rugby / RA
- Thread starter Dave Beat
- Start date
Wilson
Phil Kearns (64)
He has been losing his shit all morning. Can't imagine how insufferable he would've been if Benazzi got up
LeCheese
Greg Davis (50)
Dear god, I just had a look through his recent tweets. It almost puts Trump to shame.
Dctarget
Tim Horan (67)
It's a glorious morning. Evidently an Aussie once stole his girlfriend because his chip on his shoulder about us is very impressive. I'm always curious to know what nation he's from originally. Something France-related me thinks.
Wilson
Phil Kearns (64)
Have you seen his O'Gara rants? Imagine all of his hatred for Australia focused onto one person. Almost have to respect that level of pettiness.
LeCheese
Greg Davis (50)
Judging by his reaction this morning, probably Franco-African
Wilson
Phil Kearns (64)
I understand why, as a tier 2 account, he was supporting Benazzi, but there was almost no policy there beyond "having a look at the voting system" and apparently that was enough for him to decide Benazzi was the saviour and Robinson the devil.
That's not to say the voting system is perfect (or even particularly good) - it could definitely use reform, but the last thing we want is FIFA level corruption and politic-ing there, and that's exactly what poorly planned reform would deliver.
LeCheese
Greg Davis (50)
I believe one of Benazzi's other core proposals was looking at an African Nations Cup, with France and South Africa being key supporting partners of the African nations' development.
Can't help but think that a) this was a far too narrow target for Tier-2 growth, and b) that SA and France would have been the real benefactors, (perhaps unsurprisingly) doing sweet fuck all for any actual growth of Tier-2
Adam84
Rod McCall (65)
Definitely has a chip on his shoulder over Australians, makes him a bit insufferable
Wilson
Phil Kearns (64)
Most of what I heard from him were thought bubbles like "we're going to grow rugby in India" (how?), and we'll use Japan as the model for rugby growth around Asia (hard to see how you could apply the Japanese model anywhere but maybe South Korea). There was some broader talk about tier 1 unions having responsibility for growing the game in their regions (like the African model you mentioned), which is broadly a good idea, but could also be an absolute shitshow and rife for exploitation - there was no detail on how it would work. Beyond that he was very status quo around things like Qatar hosting the nations cup.
Now I'm sure there was more details offered behind closed doors, but I really struggle to believe it was consistent policy or well thought out plan if he didn't have enough confidence in any of it to be putting it out in public.
He has been forever convinced that every law trial and amendment is at the behest of Rugby Australia.
According to him, we're simultaneously not very good and struggling financially but apparently the biggest powerbroker in the global game.
Adam84
Rod McCall (65)
Ha ha, exactly
he also praises the inclusion of tier 2 players within other leagues, but when pointed out that super rugby has both the Fijian Drua and Moana Pacifica it falls on deaf ears and he doesn’t include them in any of the statistical comparisons that he does
like I said, insufferable
drewprint
Dick Tooth (41)
Funnily enough I just restarted my account this morning to see this reaction (and to get back into the online rugby community). This Tier2 guy has always been such a knob, so I’m having a good chuckle at his expense today.
The thing I find most annoying about him is that he brands himself as "Tier 2 Rugby" as if he's coming from a position of authority speaking on behalf of or up for all those relevant unions.
The reality seems far more like he's just another opinionated punter on twitter who is just disingenuous about where his actual loyalties etc. lie.
Wilson
Phil Kearns (64)
It's an absolute shit show there, seems like the migration to bluesky (or just off of twitter is really picking up steam now though. Has been a big shift of rugby accounts this past week which is what I needed, it's a big part of what I go to twitter for.
Merrow
Arch Winning (36)
Come over to Bluesky. An increasing number of us over there
drewprint
Dick Tooth (41)
Oh really? Thanks Wilson. Ok I’ll jump on that too. I despise Twitter so semi reluctantly rejoined, but great if there’s a growing alternative.
Wilson
Phil Kearns (64)
It's got a real twitter classic vibe to it. No idea how long it will last but it's building up steam at the moment.
