AngrySeahorse
Peter Sullivan (51)
1) That is fantastic from the Brumbies.
2) The benefits would be huge if we regularly played NZ in 15's tests, not only for internationals but those rep players getting that experience then coming back into club - would make the club competitions even stronger. One of the reasons my local club comp is so good IMO is the professional attitude of all players (despite it being amateur) which I believe comes from the fact that many players know they are competing - either against members of their own team for spots that are rep players or against their opposite number which also is a rep player.
3) Playing Samoa, & by extension other islander nations would be great for this region. I played with a Samoan 7's player for one season (once again, who prefers 15's) & she was amazing - & has been interested in coming back. It could only be a good thing to get regular games against the Islander teams. Or at the very least I'd like to see some kind of program where we can have a certain number of Islander players come over to stay in Oz to play in our various 15's comps.
4) I've had a look at their programs Amanda & honesty we are in deep shit for future WRWC's - if this is anything to go by. We've punched well above our weight in real Aussie style but I don't know how much longer we can go this way. Despite a good defensive effort against England in the WRWC we were clearly a step or two below them. I'm afraid the gap might go back out. NZ, well they are focusing more on 7's now too (I know that now thanks to the info you've given me)so it will be interesting to see how they go. England posters were commenting before last WRWC that NZ hadn't had an ideal preparation but NZ posters stated the NZ team had something like "high intensity 15's training camps" or something to that effect. Essentially internal 15's games. I don't know if our depth is enough to do the same. At any rate I'm giving the advantage to England so far for the next WRWC.
Could you imagine an Australian forward pack of 7's players lining up to a scrum against a fully pro forward pack from England? I'd say after the first scrum our girls would be emerging saying "Damn 15's scrum - you scary!".
Maybe total humiliation of our forward pack is the only way in the future to convince the relevant governing bodies that 15's requires attention. Maybe instead of 7's rep players we may be picking 15's players from club land directly without any Nationals comp experience to play 15's at the top level.
5) Yes, Great idea.
6) Yes, agree again.
7) Wow, thanks for informing me of that Amanda I had no idea there were fully professional players. I always thought, ideally, women's rugby should be at best semi-professional (financially, whilst fully professional in training & mental applications). Semi-professional I feel is best to keep the mix of traditional 'amateur' values of Rugby whilst helping rep players with costs of travel, serious injury, etc but leaving enough funds for grass roots. It says a lot about the countries that have full professionalism (good on them for being able to do it).
8) Big effort from the QLD team.
