Gnostic
Mark Ella (57)
Today Elsom is quoted as saying (paraphrased) the team is settled and happy with where they are at. He further states that he doubts there will be any move to 8 for him.
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/u...rm-bells-on-cup-prospects-20100814-1240g.html
The we have the piece from Adam Frier (whose writing I usually like). This basically says that Matt Giteau is getting too much pressure from critics and fans.
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/u...ho-can-save-the-wallabies-20100814-1240f.html
I think regulars here know my position on these things.
It appears however that from the tone of the recent writing that the Goal posts for judging the success of Deans' and players are being subtly moved again, from winning the RWC to having a "competitive" campaign. Thus in less than 12 months we have moved from winning the 3N & Bled, to acceptance of their loss and the hope to be competitive in the RWC which is over 12 months away.
IMO if the Wallabies were to win the RWC playing as they are and continue to lose to the Bok and ABs in the manner we have seen over the past two years the supporter base will continue to be eroded back to bedrock that existed prior to the 1991 RWC.
Playing well NOW is more important than looking at something 12 months down the track, remember what happened to the ABs the last 4 RWCs and especially the last one where they focussed solely on that event to the detriment of all else. The stark contrast is that the ABs went into every tournament playing well and with some confidence. The only people with confidence in this lot looks like those who shouldn't have it.
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/u...rm-bells-on-cup-prospects-20100814-1240g.html
The we have the piece from Adam Frier (whose writing I usually like). This basically says that Matt Giteau is getting too much pressure from critics and fans.
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/u...ho-can-save-the-wallabies-20100814-1240f.html
I think regulars here know my position on these things.
It appears however that from the tone of the recent writing that the Goal posts for judging the success of Deans' and players are being subtly moved again, from winning the RWC to having a "competitive" campaign. Thus in less than 12 months we have moved from winning the 3N & Bled, to acceptance of their loss and the hope to be competitive in the RWC which is over 12 months away.
IMO if the Wallabies were to win the RWC playing as they are and continue to lose to the Bok and ABs in the manner we have seen over the past two years the supporter base will continue to be eroded back to bedrock that existed prior to the 1991 RWC.
Playing well NOW is more important than looking at something 12 months down the track, remember what happened to the ABs the last 4 RWCs and especially the last one where they focussed solely on that event to the detriment of all else. The stark contrast is that the ABs went into every tournament playing well and with some confidence. The only people with confidence in this lot looks like those who shouldn't have it.
