Who will be the Argies first scalp?

[Novocastrian]

I like to think of those things that I referred to as an artifacts of a weak culture. I could keep going, but really, I am not the first person on this board to point out that culture is a problem at camp Wallaby at the moment.

I exempt most of the Reds players and one or two other players who are focused, hungry, determined and who know what pulling on a representative jersey is all about.

Unfortunately, it only a handful of players and a piss weak coach to destroy a culture and the value of a jersey that symbolizes it. So I am sure you can understand that having Beale and eight Waratahs in the team, all of whom, except for Dave Dennis, need a good fucking kick in the bum and to lift their act on and off the field, is diluting the value of the jersey.

So aside from referencing a couple of off-field incidents, which are actually confined to a very small number of players, your argument is.. personal dislike, opinion and speculation. Got it.

Looks like you left something out Richo - the fact that the Wallabies team isn't just the Reds wearing Green and Gold.

 

[AlexH]

Find a country that hasn't had any off field dramas. It's an unfortunate fact of life.

New Zealand has had just as many in recent years yet I'm sure you'd cite them as the gold standard for pride in a jersey and a strong culture.

Zac Guildford and his dramas of assaulting someone in a bar and running away naked and bloody.

Corey Jane caught smoking and drinking in an Auckland bar three days before their RWC quarter final.

Doug Howlett and his various escapades including the taxi or whatever it was.

Tana Umaga and Chris Masoe and the handbag incident.

If you applied your standards, every team has a weak culture and no pride in the jersey.

You are correct in saying that all countries have problems with players on and off the field. What separates a country that respects its colours and a country that does not is the way they manage these players.

Lets take the Guildford and Beale incidents as an example. The main difference between the Guildford and Beale incidents is the way their respective Unions dealt with the them. Guildford was suspended and he was forced to undertake rehabilitation or never pull on a black jersey again. The Beale incident has been swept under the rug and ignored by administrators and fans alike because nobody wants to risk losing him.

Both players bought the name of their code, unions and teams into disrepute. Both incidents would have been a distraction for their respective teams. It was made perfectly clear to one player that his behaviour would not be tolerated again because the jersey and the game is far bigger than any individual talent. Another was given a slap on the wrists which basically says to him that he did the wrong thing but he can get away with it because he is above the code, the team and the organization.

 

[AlexH]

When it is about the jersey like it is in New Zealand you have a strong culture.

When it is about the players like it generally is in Australia you have a weak culture.

 

[barbarian]

Alex I have deleted your initial post, as it is petty provincialism that will only provoke a messy debate.

I have also deleted a subsequent post where you personally attacked a fellow poster.

I have also deleted Daz's reply as I want to nip this argument in the bud before it gets out of hand.

By all means have a debate about team culture, but let's have one that is informed by facts and not petty tribal biases.
.

 

[AlexH]

Fair enough.

 

[Richo]

I guess you have your opinion. To me, it doesn't make much sense but you're entitled to it.

 

[daz]

Dammit. I lost a "like" when my post got deleted.

Barbs, you will be hearing from my internet lawyers based in Nigeria.

 

[daz]

Aww, shucks youse guys.

Group hug!

 

[Braveheart81]

I liked internet lawyers based in Nigeria comment.

It wasn't a sympathy like.

 

[daz]

It's ok, BH. I'm a charity whore. I'm not proud.

Anyway, back on topic, does anyone read anything into the Puma's series results against Stade Francais as a lead up to the RC?

It appears that Phelan was tinkering with his playing group, but is it also reasonable to suggest the Puma's would be a bit rusty with combinations?

 

[The Red Baron]

you will be hearing from my internet lawyers based in Nigeria.

Are they somehow connected to the Nigerian royal family?

 

[Richo]

Are they somehow connected to the Nigerian royal family?

You'll need to provide your bank account details, date of birth, and full name to obtain those details.

 

[GaffaCHinO]

i have this strange feeling that they will get up against the boks this weekend. The boks taking them to lightly maybe Argies by 5

 

[kickbackkid]

Does anyone know what the line-up for the pumas/Argies is this weekend?

Also I highly doubt Argentina will get up against south Africa as it hasn't happened before and south Africa is coming off a very successful super rugby season getting 3 teams into the finals. I think that Argentina would be most likely to knock off Australia first as the don't have Horwill, O'Connor and for some reason we are not using quade, I also think that Tomane and leileifano could play parts in the wallabies if healthy. Which means that the wallabies are missing a lot of firepower and I think they will struggle to score tries in this rugby championship

 

[Schadenfreude]

[quote="Braveheart81, post: 397802, member: 5694"
Tana Umaga and Chris Masoe and the handbag incident.[/quote]

Personally I think that one is hilarious.

 

[AngrySeahorse]

Well I said we'd win the Rugby Championship & Bledisloe, still trying to work out whether I was effected by texter fumes or maybe I had some of those hallucinogenic insanity peppers like the ones Homer Simpson ate.

As it stands right now I believe we are the most likely team the Argies could beat, especially on their turf. I hope it does not come to pass.

The more I hear about how good steak is in Argentina the more I want to go there just for just the purpose of sampling it.

 

[AlexH]

The Argentinian girls go alright too.

 

[Lindommer]

AS'd be right into them.










Not.

 

[Bardon]

I think Argentina will win at least one of their home games this year. On a good day they're good enough to beat either SA or Aus and have a good crack at the ABs. Although they are undoubtedly the weakest team in TRC I don't think the gulf is as large as say when the 6Ns was expanded to include Italy.

Will only take them to be really up for a home game and the opposition to be slightly off the pace for them to turn someone over.

 

[RoffsChoice]

Second test against Australia. The real strength of the Pumas is their brains.

NZ is just too good. Even playing "badly" against Aus they smashed us.
SA is too adaptive to be overcome by clever counters.

Aus is cursed by Robbie Deans and the never-ending game plan. Once the Pumas have played us, they will beat us.