I’m back baby! Embrace the sunshine and feel that inner glow. Friday’s Rugby News, the real FRN is here again. Thanks to Shrek and Donkey for stepping up to the plate during my absence. Their efforts once again prove just how good I am.
Today we kick off with a problem that affects one in four rugby fans, ‘Premature Jubilation’. Skip up north for ‘Rocky Road’. Look into northern obstacles with ‘Reds Dead Baby?’ Then have a look at what lays ahead for our Wallaroos in ‘Finals Countdown’ before wrapping up with ‘Friday’s Goss with Hoss’, the royal tour edition, celebrating the visit of King Chuck and his mum.
Premature Jubilation.
A common problem for rugby fans, huh! So badly do Oz fans crave some kind, hell any kind, of success on the rugby field that all too fast we pin unrealistic expectations on the next big thing.
Enter stage right new/returning rugby convert Joseph ‘Caitlyn Jenner’ Sua’ali’i. Now I absolutely understand that he’ll be a pivotal part of Tahcelona’s 2025 title win, but for now, can we please let this young man just ease his way back into Jehovah’s chosen game. RA’s only reporter (and that’s a rather loose generalisation) said as much this week while slandering fellow journos by reporting, ‘a dense media pack had made the journey south, just to see his (Caitlyn) first training run’.
Together with RA and all Oz rugby fans, I desperately want good news stories around rugby. With another poor SRP season for Oz sides, ho-hum Wallaby results and yet another reason to hate Melbourne (do we really need any more?) together with news of a pending legal brouhaha, we all crave something to hang our coats on. But let’s temper expectations and create an environment for the young man to learn and evolve. And when form and performance warrant it, then let’s see him in gold.
Until that time how bout we holster the pistols of expectation, lest they again go off early and, like Mrs Hoss, everyone ends up disappointed. Again.
Rocky Road.
As a Tahs and Wallabies fan, I have often pondered, ‘whatever happened to Rocky Elsom?’
From genuine game breaker and world class #6 at all levels of rugby, revered in Ireland, respected by opponents, to rugby outcast, never to be heard of again. I vaguely recall hearing about him taking the reins at Narbonne in the south of France. I also recall (I thought) he was part of an Aussie consortium who had purchased the club. And then, well, nothing.
Until now. News this week of an international arrest warrant being issued over allegations of alleged financial infidelity on his part during his time as president and part owner of Narbonne. Claims vehemently disputed by the Rock in the SMH (repeated here on The Roar).
I don’t proffer to have any more insight into the allegations and details than the average bear. But, to try a former international player in absentia (whom I assume, would be easy enough to track down) does appear a very French thing to do. So much for liberty, equality, fraternity. More like, stuff it, too hard to find him, just jail him and let the press know first.
The notoriously reclusive Elsom is in Ireland, coaching at a schools level. And with Ireland having an extradition treaty with les Frogs, the next move will be interesting.
Rocky road indeed.
Reds Dead Baby?
While on les Frogs, news this week that in a rare moment of French unity all levels of French rugby have united to try and stop World Rugby introducing the 20 minute red card as a permanent edition to rugby’s laws from 2025. Most of their arguments are similar to concerns first shared during the trial in the southern hemisphere. You know, potential for deliberate foul play, targeting opposition players to take them out of the game yet ‘only’ being punished 20 minutes. All legitimate concerns, but all completely refuted by actual results during the trial.
Let’s face it, if a team was going to exploit this rule for advantage it’d be the world’s biggest cheats, The Minstrels. The fact they didn’t, well not yet anyway, to me proves the law provides the right balance between player welfare and protecting the entertainment spectacle for fans and stakeholders alike.
Maybe the French should hold a hearing without anyone present and issue decree via media. They’re on a roll after all. rugby.com.au has more.
Reds dead? Not so much.
Finals Countdown.
The much improved Wallaroos will learn their 2025 RWC draw in the early hours of this morning (and I will update when known).
I must give credit where it’s due. The early season form of our team and the two games prior to WXV2 was less than inspiring to say the least. However, the improvement, cohesion, skill execution and overall performances were outstanding in WXV2.
While a lot of the ink was spent on Maya Stewart (rightly so), I want to talk about three players that absolutely stood out for me:
- Caitlyn Halse: still only a teenager, but her physicality in defence, reading of the game and all round skills are exceptional. During the test against the Saffas Halse executed the best L2R pass, on the fly, that I have ever seen in rugby. Not bad for an 18 yo in her first year of rugby. At 177cm and near 80kg Halse has a brilliant future in the game, and I love watching her play.
- Fataia Moleka: How can you not be impressed by this 19 yo? Moleka has the silky skills of a 30 yo veteran at #10. She is a deadly accurate goal kicker, as well as a great out of hand kicker, and creates time and space for those around her, all in a very much Mark Waugh ‘time stands still’ type of way. Her ability to unlock defences, relieve pressure and steer the side around were exceptional. And again still a teen. Some of her post match interviews also show what a terrific, gracious and humble young lady she is.
- Tabua Tuinauvadra: What a revelation at #8 she was. Physical, ground gaining, great engine and great skills. Tuinauvadra reminded me of some of the terrific Wallaby #8s of years past. Think Cliff Palu for example. Each run has purpose, each tackle has sting and her ability to both link as a loose forward and distribute with real skill was outstanding
The difference in the Wallaroos from the start to the end of the tour was seismic, and in no small part due to coach Jo Yapp and her team. The results showcased the benefits of touring and playing five games across as many weeks. Well done, Wallaroos.
I’ll post the RWC draw here when known.
Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 pools
- Pool A: England, Australia, USA, Samoa
- Pool B: Canada, Scotland, Wales, Fiji
- Pool C: New Zealand, Ireland, Japan, Spain
- Pool D: France, Italy, South Africa, Brazil
Teams will play each of their pool opponents over three weekends with the two best teams on competition points in each pool qualifying for the quarter-finals and the knockout phase.
Friday’s Goss with Hoss.
Spell Pablo.
Pablo Matera has been belatedly issued a two game suspension. Matera came on as a sub in the 48-7 drubbing from the Boks. He was yellow carded for an illegal cleanout, which was upgraded to red and only this week received a two week suspension from SANZAR. Better late than never I guess.
Red Record.
A lot of fanfare all round Red rookie prop sensation Maximus Decimus Meridius Massimo De Lutiis breaking the Reds bench press record by lifting (once) over 200kg. Granted, that’s more than Nella Tupou ever did and he’s a fair sized unit, but I lift 145kg getting outta bed every day, so ‘meh’. If the All Blacks and Saffas ever pick a team of dumb bells to play against we might do ok.
Let’s hope what Massimo does in the gym can echo an eternity.
Poms Pick Pensioners.
English Eddie Jones (staff leave every five minutes) Steve Borthwick has named his squad for the upcoming internationals against the south. There’re the usual 84 yo players picked and little else in way of young talent. Having said that, they did nearly roll the Kiwis in NZ, so perhaps these old farts aren’t too bad after all. planetrugby.com has more.
Ambulance Chaser.
In what (if true) is a sickening example of a parasite lawyer chasing money at the expense of people’s wellbeing, stiff.cuzzybro.nz.co reports allegations of Pom solicitor Richard Boardman harassing a potential client, overcharging him and encouraging him to lie. Classy.
Canonised.
St Jonny of Oirland has ensured a rowdy reception for The Minstrels (and Karl’s favourite) #13, Reiko Ioane, when they tour in November. St Jonny had a bit to say in his book about the AB #13 and some sledging when those in emerald green choked again at a RWC, this time in France last year.
I’m a firm believer in what happens (and is said) on the field should remain on the field. And also, if you’re a practitioner of the gobby stuff, then you should expect the same back in return. Either way, I look forward to them appearing in a reality show like ‘get me off this island’ in years to come.
Northern Invasion
With the south to teach the north rugby lessons from November, just a reminder that the G&GR writing team will cover all Wallabies Grand Slam Tests as well as the blockbuster clashes involving both NZ and SA. G&GR has you covered.
And thank you.
The G&GR ownership team caught up mid-week at Albo’s new $4m Airbnb to discuss all things rugby. On behalf of Bris, Chris and I, a big thank you. Firstly to our brilliant writing and podcasts team who give their time freely and are usually, sometimes always informative and engaging. But also to you little people who engage with our various platforms and do so in record numbers. YTD our results are up 79% against last year, and that was in a world cup year no less. To the end of September we’ve had nearly 7,000,000 views on the website alone, an average 15k downloads of our podcasts a month, have over 30k Facebook followers and a further 30,000 individual visitors to our site monthly.
With a new look and faster response times coming to the G&GR site in 2025 we remain one of Australia’s premier fan sport sites, if not the premier one. Thank you all.
Until next week. Go Tahcelona.
Hoss – out.
