NZ journo accuses Australia of poaching

[JJJ]

I keep reading the title of this thread as "NZ homo accuses Australia of poaching".

 

[Jury]

You didn't develop Braid and a lot of the others started their development here in the primary, intermediate and secondary schools (George Smith for one).

I wasn't aware of that. Where in NZ did George Smith go to school?

Northland. Whangarei I believe.

Edit: Oops sorry guys. Wrong Smith. It was his relation. He could claim through patriality? We could also claim Waugh through whakapapa ... :lmao:

Then again: nope. They wouldn't have got past Richie (in NZ) for selection.

 

[Jury]

A whingy sort of article.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby/news/article.cfm?c_id=80&objectid=10642145&pnum=2

Nice to know that the UnZid rugby system claims Ioane - of Samoan parentage, born in Wellington (UnZid) and moved to Melbourne at age five. Gee, those kiwis get in early - developing a playing product before he turns five years of age. Must be intensive training.

Yeah. It's the same with Joe Rock and Mils. Came over at 5 and 3 respectively (I think), but according to Stephen Jones they're a poach.

 

[Jury]

We wouldn't take Cooper (he's on a par with if not worse than Donald)

In what way is he worse than Donald? Cause I'm sure your not talking about footballing ability... :lmao:

Donald can at least command a game at S14 on a regular basis. He is just atrocious at senior international level. He was great in schools and under 21s etc. He just hasn't made the leap.

I'm yet to see Cooper do the same thing. The point remains though: Cooper would never make the ABs. He might be a junior AB, but then he'd have to get past someone like Donald (who will hopefully be demoted back there - soon) and I don't think he would.

 

[Spook]

We wouldn't take Cooper (he's on a par with if not worse than Donald)

In what way is he worse than Donald? Cause I'm sure your not talking about footballing ability... :lmao:

Donald can at least command a game at S14 on a regular basis. He is just atrocious at senior international level. He was great in schools and under 21s etc. He just hasn't made the leap.

I'm yet to see Cooper do the same thing. The point remains though: Cooper would never make the ABs. He might be a junior AB, but then he'd have to get past someone like Donald (who will hopefully be demoted back there - soon) and I don't think he would.

Jury, I think it's bit early to make a call on his career. He is all of 21.

 

[Nusadan]

Gregor Paul IS a cock. Free trade matey. Braid came across because he wasn't getting his due. Holah left because he wasn't getting his due.

They both headed offshore to get a decent go, and now McCaw is playing flat a few idiots are shitting their pants.

I agree. No-one has put their hand up to secure the back up place to McCaw or seriously challenge him and the NZRU in all their wisdom let the likes of Marty Holah go - thinking they could convert Rodney as the back up 7 or that the one minute wonder Chris Masoe would be able to play utility as a 6, 7 or 8. He wasn't the second best 6 (Reuben Thorne was second to Collins), 7 (Holah) or 8 (Rush/Thorn) in the country at the time. How Masoe was supposed to do this was anyone's guess, but I always thought he was just above average and not up to international standards in any of those positions. It was bitter sweet watching Masoe get a lesson from Smith about the role of a 7 in the S12 (then) and that he wasn't a big grunty Collins type player from Chabal.

I have no problem with players hooking their wares overseas - especially when they are not wanted at home. Holah, in particular, could have been kept on shore with better treatment.

Rush got MOTM in yesterday's Amlin Cup final for Cardiff Blues (they wore pink jerseys tho for some reason) against the favourites Wasps, now facing Toulon in three week's time in the final...

 

[Jury]

We wouldn't take Cooper (he's on a par with if not worse than Donald)

In what way is he worse than Donald? Cause I'm sure your not talking about footballing ability... :lmao:

Donald can at least command a game at S14 on a regular basis. He is just atrocious at senior international level. He was great in schools and under 21s etc. He just hasn't made the leap.

I'm yet to see Cooper do the same thing. The point remains though: Cooper would never make the ABs. He might be a junior AB, but then he'd have to get past someone like Donald (who will hopefully be demoted back there - soon) and I don't think he would.

Jury, I think it's bit early to make a call on his career. He is all of 21.

Who Cooper or Donald? I don't think so Spook. I think you can judge pretty early on. Cooper will get better but I don't think either Cooper or Donald are going to be greats.

 

[Jury]

Rush got MOTM in yesterday's Amlin Cup final for Cardiff Blues (they wore pink jerseys tho for some reason) against the favourites Wasps, now facing Toulon in three week's time in the final...

Did he now? That's awesome. Always liked Rush. I liked him more when he went on a bender after winning the S12 in 2003 and was photographed asleep outside a BP station. There's a bloke I thought who could kick it old school. :thumb

 

[fatprop]

Kiwis working in Aus shock :

 

[matty_k]

Its kind of like Australians working in the UK

 

[Spook]

Jury, I am going to have to disgree with you . I think Cooper is a more complete player than Donald already.

 

[Jury]

Jury, I am going to have to disgree with you . I think Cooper is a more complete player than Donald already.

Fair enough. Cooper reminded me of Carlos Spencer (except without the magic and talent) when he first arrived on the scene.

 

[Pfitzy]

(Actually that's not true, we would have pinched back George Smith a couple of years ago or anyone with sense would have).

Ah - now there's the flaw in your argument