Robbie Deans
- Thread starter Scarfman
- Start date
- Status
Antony
Alex Ross (28)
Really?
Perhaps I'm an outsider to the issue (although I do live in Sydney) but I think the greatest traditional quality of Australian rugby is the premium that it places on intelligence. I'm not saying that private school students are any more intelligent than their public school counterparts, but I think the sourcing of players from quality schools leads to a rugby community that appreciates education and diversity of interests, and a national team that values creativity and problem-solving.
I don't think there is a national sports side in the world than can boast a more impressive array of alumni than Nick Farr-Jones, Phil Kearns and Simon Poidevin (who went to a private school and has a university degree), nor a national sports ethos that has so consistently overcome weaknesses through laterally-conceived solutions (e.g. Brumbies-style phase-play to compensate for a lack of bruising runners).
Shit, eight Dr. John Roe's wouldn't be a bad start for a forward pack..
Aussie D
Desmond Connor (43)
Again with the private school bashing fellas? This is so old and tiresome. What about the other sides that get their players from private schools? Paarl will hopefully correct me if I'm wrong but don't most of SA's players come from their private school system? The Wallabies lack of physicality and mental softness doesn't come from the school system they went to it comes from how they have been developed as juniors, through the club system (though too many Wallabies have played insufficient club rugby) and the Super rugby sides. We need to be thankful for the private school system in Australia as otherwise our rugby would be at the level of the Russians, Canadians and US.
0
08umema
Guest
I'll agree with you on that. The interesting thing is that some union players, whilst competing and training, are still studying towards uni degrees. I've never heard of that happening in league (I may be wrong?).
This is actually something that the NRL is changing. I found this article on the issue. http://www.rleague.com/db/player/f/farah_robbie/index.php
I'm a Tigers fan and I knew that Robbie Farah recently completed a Bachelor of Commerce after doing it on a part time basis for quite a few years.
The simple fact is that without the private schools, far more kids would be playing league.
I'm a Tigers fan and I knew that Robbie Farah recently completed a Bachelor of Commerce after doing it on a part time basis for quite a few years.
The simple fact is that without the private schools, far more kids would be playing league.
Nusadan
Chilla Wilson (44)
In my time at one of 'these private schools' we were not encouraged to play club rugby on the weekends and were lucky to play more than 12 or 14 games a year, that contrasted with NZ's 25 to 30 games approx...
Now I hear about these private school kids playing both schools and club rugby on the weekends, thereby training up to four times a week, so it appears to be a recent trend, that is, only applied to under age players, not those making the 1sts etc...can anyone advise me how long this has been going on? (Been out of touch for too long).
Am asking because if there is a wave of kids coming thru school/club system coming up to Wallaby level, it should then be reflected on performances of the national team...should that be happening now, or be some time away? Or has made no bloody difference at all?
Slim 293
Stirling Mortlock (74)
Not familiar with the modern day Wallabies?
0
08umema
Guest
Well about time they started something! But in all seriousness it's good to see both codes helping their players set themselves up for a life after footy.
Antony
Alex Ross (28)
I specifically said that's not what I meant. Private schools have more co-curricular activities, so on average the students produced have a more rounded education, and probably are more inclined to go on and pursue tertiary studies (simply because most of their mates are) - which I think makes for a good rugby player.
Antony
Alex Ross (28)
I'll cop that. These guys might the exception to the tradition...
It's a very different world now that it is a professional sport.
And to be fair, many of the well educated Wallabies in the past probably had the advantage that their families could help support them whilst they pursued their rugby and a tertiary education.
Slim 293
Stirling Mortlock (74)
I don't think group masturbatory sessions are part of the official curriculum...
You seem to really have it in for the private schools Slim.
You know Pat McCabe went to a private school right?
You know Pat McCabe went to a private school right?
0
08umema
Guest
And those are the type of compliments which create a rift between private and public schools...
0
08umema
Guest
He'll claim blasphemy!
FANATIC
Fred Wood (13)
Dingo is a derogatory term used in mostly nth Australia to describe the sort of person who would avail themselves of your hospitality, drink all of your beer while bringing nothing and then when you turn your back, jump into the sack with your Misses.
Now would someone like to tell Deans that it is NOT a term of endearment for the first kiwi coach of the Wallabies to be called a dingo, worse than a dog. He and the team use it freely and it causes me to laugh a lot.
Deans is not a good coach, and our win loss rate under him is proof positive of this. If we win the world cup I will still say the same.
If we sent an aussie to coach the All Blacks and he caused them to run about the pitch and lose, I wonder how the kiwis would react.
^ that has nothing to do with why Deans is called Dingo.
He was dubbed Dingo Deans and Aussie Robbie when he was appointed Wallabies coach to play up that he was now an Aussie. It wasn't derogatory in the slightest.
He was dubbed Dingo Deans and Aussie Robbie when he was appointed Wallabies coach to play up that he was now an Aussie. It wasn't derogatory in the slightest.
Antony
Alex Ross (28)
I'm sure he meant that as a joke; but, regardless, I want to stress that I'm no private-school fanboy. Loads of them are knobs, and some of them probably do wank in groups, but I also love the fact that a career in Australian rugby union isn't mutually exclusive with going to uni, and I think that's related to the kind of schools involved.
Ugh, I feel like I'm sticking up for Joeys. This feels wrong.
Ugh, I feel like I'm sticking up for Joeys. This feels wrong.
Slim 293
Stirling Mortlock (74)
Personally not a fan of private schools.
A female free environment featuring the spoilt sons of the wealthy combined with jocks on scholarship in an overrated, overfunded education system.
- Status