So the claim starts with team morale is better without Will and Genia, noting we are at a morale nadir. Then it morphs to well they got up the Reds when they stuffed up. Then, well Quade wasnt as bad as Will.
Asking for input results with a 3s altercation from Quade, not at the Reds, in the Wallabies.
I'm just mot buying it. Rugby is a game that plays on passion, its going to get hairy on occassion. If Cheika can laugh off training fisticuffs, I feel quite comfortable that the lads would survive some harsh language.
Like some others, I dont think we need Will. Its nothing to do with this beat up, just that we already have "Will II" in the pipeline. Frisbey is playing himself back into his best form. That'll do me. Will as an understudy doesnt compute.
I understand that there is Cooper hate. Even among Reds fans, which is disappointing. But I'd definitely like him back. Leroy is an interesting suggestion too.
Intruder, as always, I'm enjoying your mail!
I'm not the only one to have noticed, clearly.
http://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2013/sep/25/will-genia-wallabies-south-africa-argentina
That's an article I specifically remembered which summarised nicely what I had been noticing (and it doesn't matter about reds or wallabies, it was done for both teams and the effect was the same on those players who wore the brunt of disdain - underperformance).
I actually can't be bothered to find specific examples just to satisfy a minor difference of opinion on the internet, but if you feel particularly inclined to see if I'm right or not feel free to watch the reds matches of the last two years on youtube and fast forward to any incident where someone other than those two missed a tackle, dropped a pass or overran the ball.
Then for comparison watch the brumbies and tahs matches of the last seasons and how they respond in similar situations. They don't do it (Beale used to, but has stopped it last year).
(if you wish to put in as much effort as I have in finding the specific cases (I.e. None), then feel free to do that also of course - I wouldn't think anything less of anyone for that).
I really enjoy intruder's posts as well. They are succinct and often very accurate so is obviously better placed than I am as the mood of the players, and if he reckons they don't feel bad about it, then I am happy to listen to that as it carries greater weight them what I think.
Doesn't mean I won't continue to disagree though - I hate seeing that shit and whatever the players may think, I believe it negatively affects their performance.
The mood of the team (even with RG at the helm) was still quite good towards each other this year and I could see a sense of unity in the team I hadn't seen for a while.
I have repeatedly said I want both of them, just without that shit. There is no QC (Quade Cooper) hate from me. I think he is one of the greatest football brains I have ever seen. Genia is really good too.