To not nail gun 10 is actually impressive.
Whatever we were doing to identify and then develop further hopefully we’re doing the complete opposite!
Injury riddled Pasitoa in there too.
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- Thread starter Jimmy_Crouch
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Whatever we were doing to identify and then develop further hopefully we’re doing the complete opposite!
Injury riddled Pasitoa in there too.
The Ghost of Raelene
Rod McCall (65)
Watching Meredith the other night made me think about how professionalism has hurt the ability of natural development in Rugby in Aus.
He's 26 and looks very assured and I'd trust him with the keys to any pro side.
Because we have limited resources when you get paid, you play. Remember some of the bad Lote days where he was trying to find his speed again and all sorts of shit. Kept picking him though.
He's 26 and looks very assured and I'd trust him with the keys to any pro side.
Because we have limited resources when you get paid, you play. Remember some of the bad Lote days where he was trying to find his speed again and all sorts of shit. Kept picking him though.
PhilClinton
Mark Ella (57)
Sam Greene for me is one of the biggest What Ifs when it comes to 10s coming through our system. I've heard people say "he has been decent in Japan but not great" and I reckon that's not a great barometer because he hasn't been asked to play to the same level if he was still in Australia and trying to crack a starting SRP (Super Rugby Pacific) side or make the Wallabies.
The Ghost of Raelene
Rod McCall (65)
He's on the bench for Japan this weekend right? Good on him.
All these guys carry a what-if because they have the ability to dominate the level below Super Rugby. Deegan was huge for Ranwick winning the SS. McGregor at 15 for Gordon.
Japanese comp in my mind generally sits slightly below Super Rugby standard but WAY better than Club so when a guy can find the right team and get starts like Sam has 15/15 starts when fit this year in a side that went 14/4 he's been rewarded. He's earnt everything he's getting so good on him. Not sure if it would have turned out that way with the in game pressure and chaos of Aus or France. He could probably be a neat 10 for a bottom half English side.
All these guys carry a what-if because they have the ability to dominate the level below Super Rugby. Deegan was huge for Ranwick winning the SS. McGregor at 15 for Gordon.
Japanese comp in my mind generally sits slightly below Super Rugby standard but WAY better than Club so when a guy can find the right team and get starts like Sam has 15/15 starts when fit this year in a side that went 14/4 he's been rewarded. He's earnt everything he's getting so good on him. Not sure if it would have turned out that way with the in game pressure and chaos of Aus or France. He could probably be a neat 10 for a bottom half English side.
It's pretty clear that being the best 10 in a particular age group is not really a sign that you're going to go onto great things.
I would certainly err on the side of suggesting these players were never good enough to become test stars rather than their development being mismanaged.
It's telling that this year we have Joey Fowler who while quite skilled is too small and most people here don't really give him much prospect of making it as professional. He absolutely deserves to be in the under 20 squad but it's hard to see him making it at the next level.
The Ghost of Raelene
Rod McCall (65)
That's why I say decent but not elite. You can get a job and if you find the right place like Greene has, you can have a long career but there is a ceiling if you don't have at least outlier skill whether that be kicking, speed, size or power.
Wilson
Tim Horan (67)
The contrast year to year is so stark when you look at the 2019 side - Harrison, Donaldson, Lolesio and Lucas likely would've all started at 10 above the guys on that list in their years, and by and large have gone to more successful careers (Harrison a bit of an injury interrupted exception, but there's still plenty of time).
Had it not been for Covid then the 2020 year would've seen Carter Gordon, Tane Edmed and maybe a slightly younger Pasitoa competing for the spot, and that's probably another crop with plenty more potential than the guys in that list.
Had it not been for Covid then the 2020 year would've seen Carter Gordon, Tane Edmed and maybe a slightly younger Pasitoa competing for the spot, and that's probably another crop with plenty more potential than the guys in that list.
Wilson
Tim Horan (67)
While I doubt it'll be in Australian colours, it's beginning to look a lot more likely that Ponga will be playing rugby next year:
www.smh.com.au
Knights in crisis: Ponga prepares to walk away, club set to move on from O’Brien
The Newcastle star is concerned about wasting the prime years of his career at the struggling Knights and is open to departing at the end of the season.
Wilson
Tim Horan (67)
Really depends on the target he sets himself. If he's trying to make the world cup for the All Blacks I imagine it will go the way of Benji and be a failure and not much more than a footnote on his career. But if he's happy to take a cheque and carve out a nice pro career in Europe or Japan he could do quite well in time.
Staying in Australia and going for the Wallabies might still work for him - he'd be hoping to follow in the footsteps of Karmichael Hunt rather than Benji and could achieve something similar, but I don't know that he has the motivation to and I suspect his run of concussions will be in his thinking, driving him to take the money while he can get it.
NSWelshman in London
Frank Row (1)
From what I heard Katoa in 2022 was a key reason Barker were considered so highly as a schoolboy rugby team - followed what I could from the UK but this kid ended up representing Tonga at the RLWC whilst he was doing his HSC and i watched a few games and his defence against grown men was on point but it was his kicking and passing which blew me away considering his age.
Forgot Cleary, get this kid back playing Union.. he is only 21 (ish) and a genuine talent
Running_rugby_1954
Ron Walden (29)
w
It was quite the team. Barker brought in some of the best talent from all over NSW to go through the year unbeaten.
The Ghost of Raelene
Rod McCall (65)
Back in Union is hard as he was never a Rugby player but given a place at a Rugby School when the Panthers want their assets garaged. Like so many current NRL stars.
He was great. Along with the other wonderful 'musicians'. Different side in a couple of games where he didn't play. Guys like that will alwyas stand out. He has the same level of gift that guys like Kurtley and Quade had but probably more controlled at that age.
Also led Penrith in the SG Ball then NSW Cup whilst in year 12 which is a big effort.
He also shows little interest in representing Aus. Only hasn't come out yet because he wanted the SOO spot and if he announces he's going to play for NZ he can't play SOO.
The Ghost of Raelene
Rod McCall (65)
Storm star in sights of cashed-up Saudi backed rebel league — Transfer Whispers
Storm star in sights of rugby union’s cashed-up rebel league — Transfer Whispers
www.foxsports.com.au
Talking about the proposed R360 junket.
Trash but readable until the very last sentance.
“What it will do is further complicate what is already a well-functioning rugby ecosystem.”
LeCheese
Geoff Shaw (53)
Disappointing there were no synergies or symbiotic relationships mentioned
The Ghost of Raelene
Rod McCall (65)
Very well was. If you read enough Fox Sports articles I think those words may scare them off, and if heard as a spoken quote wouldn't know how to spell it.
LeCheese
Geoff Shaw (53)
I'm just waiting for someone to determine the carrying capacity of each football code in Australia
Highlander35
Steve Williams (59)
Saudi on tob