RUPA Awards

[zeedok]

The game that the Wallabies (and similarly Reds allowing for their local variations) are playing now is not the "running game" of old. The defence is tighter and flatter and the tempo of the game has changed.

Sure the speed and intensity of the game has, but have the fundamentals? Ball in hand, support play, and (Bob's repetition has started to soak into my brain) realignment are all pretty important.

Anyway, I don't mean to rain on your parade, I loved watching the Reds play this year. I also think the Tah's played a style that was almost as attractive -- but just lacked some of the Reds precision. On the other hand, they had a stronger forward pack and . . . well . . . you know . . . look at the scoreboard!

Seriously though, I would love all of the Australian teams to play running rugby as often as they can!! It should be the defining feature of Australian Rugby IMHO.

I'd rather watch my team throw the ball around and have a go -- even if they lost -- than grind out scrum penalties.

 

[I like to watch]

It's rediculous for you to presume you know more about him meeting that criteria set out than his team mates. They are in a far better position to asses that one you would think.

Yep, normally I agree that the teamates are in the best position to judge a players worth both on & off the field.
but I'm sorry, I don't like him as a person or a player.He is unquestionably a flake.
It reflects poorly on the squad that he is rated this highly by his peers.
It's ok to agree to disagree, I just believe he comes with more negatives than positives.

 

[Bullrush]

It's rediculous for you to presume you know more about him meeting that criteria set out than his team mates. They are in a far better position to asses that one you would think.

Is this the Quade Cooper who was up on criminal charges at the beginning of the year? Who held the ARU to ranson during his contract re-negotiations despite them standing fully behind him during the criminal charges drama? Who has the worst completed tackle percentage of any of the Wallabies this year? Who gave an opponent a shove in the back of the head while he was on the ground after a try had been scored?

Yes - how ridiculous of us to doubt his teammates ability to judge his excellence on and off the field.

 

[I like to watch]

The Wallabies clearly do not have a "No dickhead policy"
At the very least they should stop these fucking tards tweeting their "thoughts"that confirm our suspicions that they are idiots

 

[kiap]

Sure the speed and intensity of the game has, but have the fundamentals? Ball in hand, support play, and (Bob's repetition has started to soak into my brain) realignment are all pretty important.

Anyway, I don't mean to rain on your parade, I loved watching the Reds play this year. I also think the Tah's played a style that was almost as attractive -- but just lacked some of the Reds precision. On the other hand, they had a stronger forward pack and . . . well . . . you know . . . look at the scoreboard!

Seriously though, I would love all of the Australian teams to play running rugby as often as they can!! It should be the defining feature of Australian Rugby IMHO.

I'd rather watch my team throw the ball around and have a go -- even if they lost -- than grind out scrum penalties.

You're fine mate. No worries there at all.

And I agree 100% about wanting teams having a go with the ball. Geez, even the Poms did it to us a few weeks back. As much as that hurt, it was actually a good game (and long term, I think Australia will do the better at that brand of Rugby).

Seeing from the other point of view, I suppose there is no such thing as totally reinventing the wheel. Bob's fundamentals still apply. It's not as free-flowing as the old days, though, in my view. Less latitude so you have to adjust to suit the circumstances. I think there are always incremental changes being made to gameplans in Rugby which, over time, add-up to noticeable differences.

Link refined and improved Mooney's (not so successful) approach at the Reds and, coinciding with the change in interpretation of the laws at the breakdown this year, it became a successful strategy. Other sides also cottoned on and made their own adaptions and it spread.

For the previous couple of years, the game seemed to be more like a war of attrition at times. But this season attacking with the ball came back in a big way. It'd be great to see all Aussie sides take advantage in attack next season. It's fantastic rugby to watch.

 

[Moses]

Over my head . . .

Does off-field Tweeting count? If so, he's a shoe-i'n.

Fixed

Sorry mate, was an obscure reference to Quade's apparent belief that the word "in" is spelt "i'n". Here are a few example from the last week:

Some of the athletes i'n Rexona AGA to follow
http://twitter.com/#!/QuadeCooper/status/12658865988435968

@The_Man_Mundine good bro .. Same same just good to be back i'n aus.. Carve up the fight bra
http://twitter.com/#!/QuadeCooper/status/12359104609652736

@Ewen_McKenzie I'll bring some i'n for you when I visit next week. I mean peanut butter light not that other stuff
http://twitter.com/#!/QuadeCooper/status/10987666623430656

@NeemiaTialata rolling i'n the queens finest hehe hook a brother up??? #please haha.. How's baabaas
http://twitter.com/#!/QuadeCooper/status/10420071876788224

@ireckon dang sorry lol I'll bring it i'n to you.. I think I forgot wen I saw you with that all blacks jersey on lol
http://twitter.com/#!/QuadeCooper/status/10160824542830593

Damn I smashed my screen on my iPhone in the last few days in Paris but the piece completely fell out just now ahh #superglue ? Lol
http://twitter.com/#!/QuadeCooper/status/10061167355494400

 

[Godfrey]

Is this the Quade Cooper who was up on criminal charges at the beginning of the year? Who held the ARU to ranson during his contract re-negotiations despite them standing fully behind him during the criminal charges drama? Who has the worst completed tackle percentage of any of the Wallabies this year? Who gave an opponent a shove in the back of the head while he was on the ground after a try had been scored?

Yes - how ridiculous of us to doubt his teammates ability to judge his excellence on and off the field.

1. Quade was never convicted of a crime. I guess "innocent until proven guilty" only applies if you like the person.

2. Yes, Quade tried to get the best deal for himself. Which included rejecting an offer made by the ARU that would have paid him less than Mark Gerrard. Next time your work offers to pay you less than the guy who works 2 days a week from home because he put his back out I assume you'll glady accept it.

3. Fair enough - however the pros he's brought to the side are undeniable. He has ignited the backline in a way we didn't see last year.

4. The guy who was kicked between the legs by the guy he shoved. I think this is one very small incident personally, without wanting to sound like an apologist. I'm fairly sure McCaw has recovered from the horrible injuries he received though.

Further, some of you may or may not be aware that it is not uncommon for Quade to donate his (frequent) man of the match awards to charity, including to Pocock's charity. Also, people who don't cherry pick might also note his Twitter account is regularly used for shout outs to charity.

From what I can judge Pocock should win this award, however I think there's a really irritating tendency for criticism of someone on this site to snowball - where a few negatives are used to write someone off overall prior to any further investigation. Again, as others have stated this is a player voted award, not the "I read he was a dickhead on a forum and in the paper and somehow know his activities better than his teammates" voted award.

 

[I like to watch]

1. Quade was never convicted of a crime. I guess "innocent until proven guilty" only applies if you like the person.

From what I can judge Pocock should win this award, however I think there's a really irritating tendency for criticism of someone on this site to snowball - where a few negatives are used to write someone off overall prior to any further investigation. Again, as others have stated this is a player voted award, not the "I read he was a dickhead on a forum and in the paper and somehow know his activities better than his teammates" voted award.

THIS IS BULLSHIT, HE ENTERED INTO JUSTICE MEDIATION, YOU HAVE TO ADMIT GUILT & RESPONSIBILTY FOR YOUR ACTIONS TO GO DOWN THIS PATH.
as to your last point isn't that the whole point of forums?

 

[Scarfman]

Look guys, however you spin it, the laptop incident was a low point. You could either exclude him because of that, or you could point to how far he's come.

I reckon we get off his back about that issue and concentrate on his punctuation.

 

[en_force_er]

Stealing laptops is pretty bad but I know a heap of really great people that have come from really bad places. That being said to presume Quade is better would too quick of a turn around but I'm happy to believe he is sorting his shit out until proven otherwise.

Let's remember Michael Vick got a "bravery award" the year he returned from his shenanigans and they were MUCH MUCH worse.

 

[Groucho]

It's rediculous for you to presume you know more about him meeting that criteria set out than his team mates. They are in a far better position to asses that one you would think.

I think you're right, Ruggo.

Quade has been defined by the laptop incident but we don't know what he does to provide leadership off the field, or what work he does with kids or charities. From this vote I would guess quite a lot, and quietly as well.

Maybe we need to revise our opinion of Quade as a result of this, instead of trying to set the players right.

 

[Groucho]

Stealing laptops is pretty bad but I know a heap of really great people that have come from really bad places. That being said to presume Quade is better would too quick of a turn around but I'm happy to believe he is sorting his shit out until proven otherwise.

Let's remember Michael Vick got a "bravery award" the year he returned from his shenanigans and they were MUCH MUCH worse.

Who says he stole a laptop? Do you really believe it?

 

[zeedok]

Sorry mate, was an obscure reference to Quade's apparent belief that the word "in" is spelt "i'n".

Oh . . . I guess I don't read his tweets that closely (is it any wonder?).

 

[I like to watch]

Who says he stole a laptop? Do you really believe it?

Well first the police said he is a thief, then he admitted it & went to mediation.
it is a matter of record, he is a thief.
I believe him when he says he stole it. Are you calling him a liar?

 

[RugbyReg]

stop the Quade thievery stuff now. Enough of the accusations and counter-accusations.

More on and discuss the award now.

 

[en_force_er]

Who says he stole a laptop? Do you really believe it?

Ok fair enough it is somewhat speculation but don't let it take away from what I was trying to say.

 

[Groucho]

Is this the Quade Cooper who was up on criminal charges at the beginning of the year? Who held the ARU to ranson during his contract re-negotiations despite them standing fully behind him during the criminal charges drama? Who has the worst completed tackle percentage of any of the Wallabies this year? Who gave an opponent a shove in the back of the head while he was on the ground after a try had been scored?

Yes - how ridiculous of us to doubt his teammates ability to judge his excellence on and off the field.

How do you know he is guilty? How do you know he held the ARU to ransom? These are both opinions.

 

[Groucho]

Well first the police said he is a thief, then he admitted it & went to mediation.
it is a matter of record, he is a thief.
I believe him when he says he stole it. Are you calling him a liar?

You're wrong on the facts, mate. Cooper never admitted to stealing anything. The police dropped the charges after mediation, offering no evidence.

 

[Richard D. James]

Seriously, Quade shoving McCaw was hilarious... Not that I condone it, and I don't want to see it happen again, but I did laugh.

 

[cyclopath]

You're wrong on the facts, mate. Cooper never admitted to stealing anything. The police dropped the charges after mediation, offering no evidence.

Fair point, but as Reg suggested let's keep it on topic (RUPA awards), and let the Quade / laptop / theft etc aspect be.