p.Tah
John Thornett (49)
Shhhh, that's where I sit. Best vantage point, lots of noise and cheering. Don't get it too crowded I like to spread out
Where to for Super Rugby?
- Thread starter Quick Hands
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wamberal
Phil Kearns (64)
It's a bit of both, Dave. Chicken and egg.
Some players go offshore just for more money, like Timani, even though he was an established Wallaby with a pretty good contract, presumably.
Some like Brock James just did not look like cutting it here, even though he was an established first grader with the Golden Club.
There are hundreds of players offshore, and hundreds of different reasons, I would guess.
What counts is that there is a lot more money there than here, and in a free market, the weight of money always wins.
Watching Eastwood yesterday, it struck me that the game is becoming more and more suited to people other than white boys like me. We are not tough enough, frankly!
Some players go offshore just for more money, like Timani, even though he was an established Wallaby with a pretty good contract, presumably.
Some like Brock James just did not look like cutting it here, even though he was an established first grader with the Golden Club.
There are hundreds of players offshore, and hundreds of different reasons, I would guess.
What counts is that there is a lot more money there than here, and in a free market, the weight of money always wins.
Watching Eastwood yesterday, it struck me that the game is becoming more and more suited to people other than white boys like me. We are not tough enough, frankly!
Rugbynutter39
Michael Lynagh (62)
What became obvious to me watching all of oz super rugby games this weekend is just complete lack of cohesion and skill execution as a team displayed by Oz teams.
On paper the players for most sides - bar the rebels - are good enough but just woeful execution. What it shows is we have a coaching crisis and not coincidental that sides like Tahs and Reds struggled as both not had decent high quality coach for some time.
And yes showing probably more fundamental issues as well in terms of our pathways, and perhaps relying too much on identifying talent from schools and u20s then other pathways like clubs themselves. Seems to be total disconnect.
On paper the players for most sides - bar the rebels - are good enough but just woeful execution. What it shows is we have a coaching crisis and not coincidental that sides like Tahs and Reds struggled as both not had decent high quality coach for some time.
And yes showing probably more fundamental issues as well in terms of our pathways, and perhaps relying too much on identifying talent from schools and u20s then other pathways like clubs themselves. Seems to be total disconnect.
Dismal Pillock
Michael Lynagh (62)
Wft
$160?
Plus food drink parking etc make it $200?
That’s US$150, that being, basically my next wholesale record order:
Let’s review: big box of LP’s that will last a lifetime vs one evening of dull misery watching pointless mid-season match-up featuring yet another Aus side who are unable to beat NZ’s shittiest rugby team.
Highlander35
Steve Williams (59)
I'm done.
Cut the Rebels so I can just enjoy the last ever Pro Rugby team in Melbourne's final few games and the players I'm attached too.
Or confirm they're not cut and let me have some hope for the future.
It's ludicrous, it becomes more ludicrous by the week, and any potential advantages in terms of player redistribution will be going down by the day, what with the NH season coming closer and closer to the end (Teams not left in Playoffs are done, Pro12 and Prem done in 3 weeks, Top14 in 4).
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Cut the Rebels so I can just enjoy the last ever Pro Rugby team in Melbourne's final few games and the players I'm attached too.
Or confirm they're not cut and let me have some hope for the future.
It's ludicrous, it becomes more ludicrous by the week, and any potential advantages in terms of player redistribution will be going down by the day, what with the NH season coming closer and closer to the end (Teams not left in Playoffs are done, Pro12 and Prem done in 3 weeks, Top14 in 4).
Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk
Rebels3
Jim Lenehan (48)
Agreed. Make a decision and live with the consequences. I am sick to death, wishing the worst for the fellow Aussie teams and their fortunes. Only 10weeks ago I was loving watching all Australian teams and wishing each and everyone of them the best. I am sure most force fans probably think the same in that they are tired of wishing the rebels the worst. I just want to go back to watching Australian rugby and collectively rejoicing in their success as well.
The_Brown_Hornet
John Eales (66)
This weekend is rock bottom or at least I hope it is. This is the worst shape that rugby in Australia has been in that I can remember in the 35 or so years I've been following the game. Sure we've had our years when things haven't been great (e.g. 1996-1997) but this feels bad across the board. I don't think the situation is hopeless, because as my old man pointed out recently, there are still enough people who love the game to keep it alive here, but I've just got this bad feeling constantly about the where we're at and it's starting to show on the field. Something needs to change at the top because the fish rots from the head -- many years in the corporate world tells me that.
I've got a lot more to say but I can't actually raise the energy to do it right now.
I've got a lot more to say but I can't actually raise the energy to do it right now.
todd4
Dave Cowper (27)
From what I understand SARU have not made an official announcement either. Why would it only be the ARU that gets a bollocking from SANZAAR?
Maybe the Aussies & Saffas will get a scolding from NZ & Argentina?(OK, maybe simplifying it too much) but why is the pressure on the ARU to make a decision and not South Africa?
No4918
John Hipwell (52)
Nod vigorously, agree to everything. Laugh at the NZRU's jokes.
Get home and worry about what we agreed to later.
T
TOCC
Guest
Sure... I guess your solution is to maintain status quo and let the game die a slow painful death..
Starting by sacking the leadership in the ARU would be a good start, they've demonstrated that they are completely inapt at governing the code.
wamberal
Phil Kearns (64)
Sacking the leadership would be a good start, would it? Who do you imagine would be interested in taking on their roles? To say that anybody who is silly enough to take the job (s) on would be on a hiding to nothing would be the biggest understatement of the age.
And, by the way, exactly who would do the sacking, and who would do the attempted recruitment of the next bunch of lemmings?
tragic
John Solomon (38)
L
Enter one team in the competition - let's call them the wallabies.
They should be competitive against most sides except the top couple.
Hell, they might even make the finals.
Cull all 5 franchises.
Enter one team in the competition - let's call them the wallabies.
They should be competitive against most sides except the top couple.
Hell, they might even make the finals.
wamberal
Phil Kearns (64)
Your life in the corporate world will also have taught you that there are factors that are within your control, and factors that are not within your control.
Everybody is thrashing the ARU across the board, for things that they could have done better, but also because we have been seriously impacted by factors that are either not within our control at all, or which have been going bad for 30 years.
There are two huge problems. One is the money that is available in the NH, and the fact that, unlike soccer for one good example, there is no system of transfer fees, and very few other controls. So we just keep losing good players, hand over fist.
The other is the rule book. I know that this is not a popular opinion, but to me we need to face the fact that the rules of our game are complicated at best, incomprehensible at worst.
Another factor outside our control is that Tom Wills invented a game which, had it not been invented, would not have taken over prime territory for our game.
Rugby league and its success over the years is another factor totally outside our control.
As the years pass, fewer and fewer kids play our game at state schools, partly because there is less organised contact sport in state schools these days. So there are fewer and fewer people who grow up with any interest in or knowledge of our game at all.
There is plenty of rot to go around, it is flattering to the potential scope of our game to say that somehow if only the ARU did a better job, everything would come up roses.
Slim 293
Stirling Mortlock (74)
Wft
$160?
Plus food drink parking etc make it $200?
That’s US$150, that being, basically my next wholesale record order:
Let’s review: big box of LP’s that will last a lifetime vs one evening of dull misery watching pointless mid-season match-up featuring yet another Aus side who are unable to beat NZ’s shittiest rugby team.
Well, this seems like a not so subtle brag about your record haul........
Where'd you shop for that loot?
Locally, a few Jesus Lizard reissues would probably cost the same as a Tahs match ticket.
Highlander35
Steve Williams (59)
Transfer fees are something that the ARU, as a "Seller" should be pushing for, and advertising that their players are available to buy out contracts rather than expecting it to come out of thin air and/or altruism.
In the last couple of years alone, the SRU have "sold" 4 contracted players to French and English Clubs.
And Leinster very reasonably asked for a transfer fee from the ARU/Reds for the release of Douglas, that was publicly rejected out of hand (there definitely was a payment made behind closed doors).
World Rugby and the European Clubs have no incentive, or obligation to push for it, it's 100% the responsibility of the Unions who would want it.
EDIT: Also, stop releasing players before their contracts are up without fees. Dave Dennis, Matt To'omua and Greg Holmes were all released from contracts in mid August, when they technically run to the end of October. New Zealand players more or less always play to the end of the NPC before linking up with NH sides, and you could easily enforce that too.
In the last couple of years alone, the SRU have "sold" 4 contracted players to French and English Clubs.
And Leinster very reasonably asked for a transfer fee from the ARU/Reds for the release of Douglas, that was publicly rejected out of hand (there definitely was a payment made behind closed doors).
World Rugby and the European Clubs have no incentive, or obligation to push for it, it's 100% the responsibility of the Unions who would want it.
EDIT: Also, stop releasing players before their contracts are up without fees. Dave Dennis, Matt To'omua and Greg Holmes were all released from contracts in mid August, when they technically run to the end of October. New Zealand players more or less always play to the end of the NPC before linking up with NH sides, and you could easily enforce that too.
lou75
Ron Walden (29)
Some whispers that the ARU are trying to buy back the Rebels $5-7 m now the selling price range.
I would suggest that even if the ARU could buy back the Rebels licence, they still need a unanimous member vote to cut them and the VRU would never agree to it.
The members control the ARU in this instance, not the other way around, (and this is something that Pulver doesn't comprehend and why he is in this shithole)
On anther thought, the ARU only have $3.6 m profit this financial year. (I think that was the figure) and to blow it on this exercise is unbelievable
Further, it would be interesting if forensic accountants could add up the total amount of money that the ARU ended up paying the Rebels over and above the team costs and regular funding that Tahs / Reds got.
I would suggest that even if the ARU could buy back the Rebels licence, they still need a unanimous member vote to cut them and the VRU would never agree to it.
The members control the ARU in this instance, not the other way around, (and this is something that Pulver doesn't comprehend and why he is in this shithole)
On anther thought, the ARU only have $3.6 m profit this financial year. (I think that was the figure) and to blow it on this exercise is unbelievable
Further, it would be interesting if forensic accountants could add up the total amount of money that the ARU ended up paying the Rebels over and above the team costs and regular funding that Tahs / Reds got.
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