Close Menu
  • Home
  • Forum
  • Shop
    • Jerseys
    • Training
    • Men
    • Women
    • Kids
    • Headwear
    • Gifts & Accessories
      • Babywear
      • Balls
      • Collectibles & Memorabilia
      • Home & Office
      • Keyrings
      • Pet Accessories
      • Scarves
      • Souvenirs
      • Toys & Games
    • Super Rugby
    • Clearance
  • Wallabies
  • Super Rugby
    • ACT Brumbies
    • Blues
    • Chiefs
    • Crusaders
    • Fijian Drua
    • Highlanders
    • Hurricanes
    • Moana Pasifika
    • NSW Waratahs
    • Queensland Reds
    • Western Force
  • Six Nations
  • Women’s
  • Sevens
  • Podcast

Subscribe to Updates

Get the latest creative news from FooBar about art, design and business.

What's Hot

Thursday’s Rugby News – The Last Round

May 29, 2025

Talking Teams Pod Week 16

May 28, 2025

Yowie on the Loose: Rugby News wrapped-up like a beef wellington

May 28, 2025
Facebook Instagram YouTube X (Twitter)
Latest News
  • Thursday’s Rugby News – The Last Round
  • Talking Teams Pod Week 16
  • Yowie on the Loose: Rugby News wrapped-up like a beef wellington
  • Tuesday’s Rugby News
  • Mad Monday with Brisneyland Local #71: who saw that coming?
  • The Dropped Kick-Off 154 – Finals Perms
  • Friday’s Rugby News.
  • Thursday’s Rugby News – the pointy end
  • Hump Day News – in from the side
  • Tuesday’s Rugby News
  • Mad Monday with Brisneyland Local #70: Can Super Rugby get any better?
  • Friday’s Rugby News.
  • Talking Teams Pod Round 14
  • Thursday’s Rugby News – the pointy end
  • Collab Special – Talking Teams x The Dropped Kick-Off – discussing the Lions with The Eggchasers Rugby Podcast
  • Hump Day News – in from the side
  • Tuesday’s Rugby News
  • Mad Monday with Brisneyland Local #69: great rugby, big injuries, spectacular results.
  • Friday’s Rugby News.
  • Lions squad named tonight.
Green & Gold Rugby
0 Shopping Cart
Facebook Instagram YouTube X (Twitter)
  • Home
  • Forum
  • Shop
    • Jerseys
    • Training
    • Men
    • Women
    • Kids
    • Headwear
    • Gifts & Accessories
      • Babywear
      • Balls
      • Collectibles & Memorabilia
      • Home & Office
      • Keyrings
      • Pet Accessories
      • Scarves
      • Souvenirs
      • Toys & Games
    • Super Rugby
    • Clearance
  • Wallabies

    Tuesday’s Rugby News

    February 25, 2025

    G&GR readers hate Australians?

    February 23, 2025

    Schmidt extends Wallabies tenure through TRC as search for head coach successor begins

    February 6, 2025

    Tickets on sale for blockbuster Wallaroos and Wallabies home Tests

    February 5, 2025

    Tuesday’s Rugby News, 4 February 2025

    February 4, 2025
  • Super Rugby
    1. ACT Brumbies
    2. Blues
    3. Chiefs
    4. Crusaders
    5. Fijian Drua
    6. Highlanders
    7. Hurricanes
    8. Moana Pasifika
    9. NSW Waratahs
    10. Queensland Reds
    11. Western Force
    12. View All

    Brumbies lob first grenade.

    March 19, 2025

    Hoodoo Gurus: Brumbies beat Blues.

    March 8, 2025

    Super Rugby Women’s Team List: Trial Match v Queensland Reds

    February 5, 2025

    Brumbies and Raiders combine for ANZAC weekend fixtures

    February 4, 2025

    Sotutu Returns to Boost Blues for Highlanders Clash

    February 19, 2025

    MG Motor Joins Blues as Official Vehicle Partner

    February 13, 2025

    Tu’ungafasi Celebrates 150th Cap as Blues Unleash Star-Studded Line-Up at Eden Park Opener

    February 12, 2025

    Blues Team Up with Gerard Roofs for a Strong 2025 Season Partnership

    February 11, 2025

    Chiefs Prepare for Crusaders Clash: Brown’s Debut and Tupaea’s Milestone

    February 19, 2025

    Chiefs’ All Blacks Set for Pre-Season Action Against Moana Pasifika

    February 6, 2025

    Chiefs Unveil New Talent Ahead of Taranaki Pre-Season Clash

    January 30, 2025

    Chiefs’ Rising Star Wallace Sititi Sidelined After Knee Surgery

    January 25, 2025

    Crusaders Ready to Kick Off Pre-Season with Blues Battle in Kirwee

    January 30, 2025

    Crusaders Partner with Moa Brewing Company to Elevate Fan Experience

    January 23, 2025

    Jamie Hannah Commits to Crusaders Until 2028

    January 23, 2025

    Crusaders 2025 Tickets Now Available!

    January 23, 2025

    Fijian Drua to Host Rugby FCLA in Historic Fiji Showdown

    January 20, 2025

    Highlanders Set for Home Opener Against Blues

    February 19, 2025

    Waratahs edge Highlanders in thrilling season opener

    February 16, 2025

    Highlanders Announce Squad for Season Opener Against Waratahs

    February 12, 2025

    Highlanders Gear Up for Waitangi Day Showdown Against Crusaders

    February 4, 2025

    Xavier Numia Commits to Hurricanes Through 2027

    January 29, 2025

    Hurricanes Brew Up Partnership with Flight Coffee for 2025 Season

    January 28, 2025

    Hurricanes Poua Swap Rugby Boots for Riding Boots at Hutt Valley RDA

    January 16, 2025

    Match Review: Qld Reds v Moana Pacifika — Rd2 2025

    February 21, 2025

    Ardie Savea Named Moana Pasifika Captain for 2025 Super Rugby Season

    February 3, 2025

    Ardie Savea Named Moana Pasifika Captain for 2025 Super Rugby Season

    February 2, 2025

    Moana Pasifika Set to Face Highlanders in Pre-Season Opener

    January 29, 2025

    More Tahs misery.

    March 29, 2025

    Tahs best Brumbies.

    March 22, 2025

    Isaac Kailea re-signs with RA.

    March 21, 2025

    U18s & U20s Tahs sides named.

    March 14, 2025

    Reds top of the pops.

    March 29, 2025

    Reds break drought.

    March 22, 2025

    Tom ‘The Laser’ Lynagh: Its the vibe.

    March 22, 2025

    Caslick to start in Reds #100th.

    March 19, 2025

    Force out-Brumby the Brumbies 45-42.

    February 22, 2025

    Jeremy Williams Re-Signs with Western Force for Two More Years

    February 6, 2025

    Club captain Jeremy Williams re-commits to Western Force with new deal

    February 6, 2025

    Western Force Unveils Star-Studded Squad for Brumbies Pre-Season Clash

    February 5, 2025

    Reds top of the pops.

    March 29, 2025

    More Tahs misery.

    March 29, 2025

    Super Rugby Round #7: Bye-bye-bye

    March 24, 2025

    Live: SRP ladder

    March 22, 2025
  • Six Nations

    Six Nations round 4

    March 8, 2025

    Tree Irish legends call time

    February 28, 2025

    Frogs flog Italy.

    February 24, 2025

    Welsh rugby: heartbeat found!

    February 23, 2025

    Poms pinch it.

    February 23, 2025
  • Women’s

    More in store for Qld women’s comp.

    March 21, 2025

    Happy’s Thursday’s Rugby News

    November 28, 2024

    Happy’s Thursday’s Rugby News – progress mixed in with some injustice

    November 21, 2024

    Yowie on the Loose: How long until test rugby restarts?

    October 15, 2024

    Mad Monday with Brisneyland Local #50: limited rugby, but plenty of news

    October 14, 2024
  • Sevens

    G&GR team’s podcast, Ireland and done

    December 2, 2024

    Happy’s Thursday’s Rugby News

    November 28, 2024

    Happy’s Thursday’s Rugby News – US edition marketing the game, Perry Baker, Super Rugby my new dawn.

    October 17, 2024

    Sevens Olympic Heaven!

    July 18, 2024

    Thursday’s Rugby News

    July 4, 2024
  • Podcast

    Talking Teams Pod Week 16

    May 28, 2025

    The Dropped Kick-Off 154 – Finals Perms

    May 23, 2025

    Collab Special – Talking Teams x The Dropped Kick-Off – discussing the Lions with The Eggchasers Rugby Podcast

    May 14, 2025

    The Dropped Kick-Off 153 – Schmeal – Les Kiss from a Rose

    April 30, 2025

    The Dropped Kick-Off 151 – did we mention we like the Tahs?

    April 18, 2025
Green & Gold Rugby
Home»Rugby»The Tuesday Top 5
Rugby

The Tuesday Top 5

MstBy MstAugust 22, 201750 Comments
Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr WhatsApp VKontakte Email
Williams, Barrett and Rona chase down a kick.
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

Yes, we had a week off. So sue us! But we’re back this week to look at the weekend that was in rugby, slightly hungover because after what we saw on Saturday night we decided the best course of action was to try and drink it from memory. It didn’t work. So we’ll take a look at the good, bad and ugly from the All Blacks come from behind win, check the bank accounts (sort of), do a double take at what was being said before, during and after the game, talk domestic rugby and check in on our old friend the Bean. 

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

Good –I’m drawing a very long bow here, but we showed that we can score tries. Yes, the All Blacks had switched off, but at least the ball stayed in our hands long enough to get to the try line a few times (even if one was dead lucky through a terrible pass that happened to bounce off a leg into someone’s hands who just happened to be in a good position to get to the line)

Bad – No matter which tackle stats you look at (the numbers are vastly different on different sites) they look bad. Very bad. And that isn’t even taking into account the players that didn’t even get close enough to attempt a tackle, only the ones that actually made the effort. I love that if a player side steps and lets the attacker through or falls for the dummy, it doesn’t count in the stats against him, but the player that throws himself at the guy with the ball, only to fall off the tackle gets the poor stats.

Ugly –The state of Australian Rugby at the moment. The ARU is in strife, the Wallabies … well, we all saw that display. Local clubs might be doing ok, but they aren’t the ones being reported about in the international media.

160414 Pulver Clyne

Show me the money!

So with the dollars dominating Rugby conversations of late, a comment from Nutta (thank you!) in the match report comment section really resonated with me and is really worth some consideration. Each one of the 23 Wallabies players was paid $30K. That’s $690,000 on top of their contract salaries. Un-deserved, overpaid? It does beg the question about the approach of the ARU in an alleged tight fiscal environment, as there could be a reasonable argument made for a “moneyball” approach. Let’s face it, there are plenty of young fringe players like Powell, Paia’aua, Banks, Ruru, Gordon, Parese, Hardwick just to name a few that would be stoked to be pulling on the jersey, willing to play for a third of the current match fee and arguably would have put up no worse a performance than we saw on Saturday night.

If the ARU are serious about cutting costs, looking at the ARU-Wallabies set up at the moment you can’t help but question the management approach which seem to be out of step with the current business practice in this fiscal environment. While businesses and Governments are cutting costs where possible like travel and even cutting back on staff, the Wallabies are spending up on camps with 50+ players for weeks at a time racking up travel and accommodation costs. This in addition to recently adding Larkham and Grey on to the full-time payroll. This is adding to Mick Byrne and Ledesma. Rod Kafer has also recently been appointed in to the ARU set up.

So, when you switch on next Saturday to watch the Bledisloe we will be at $1.38mil; without factoring in the cost of flights, accommodation etc.

All of the above is in addition to the ARU top up deals like with Genia who is reported to be on a $800k deal with the ARU paying for at least half of that. Is he worth it? Before you answer that you need to consider Sam Carter who is sitting in chilly ole’ Canberra on an ARU top up deal to sit at home and watch the games.

Will Genia shapes to pass.
Will Genia shapes to pass.

I won’t go on about the costs once when get to the end of year tour.

One thing I will say is for all the $$$ that are being pumped in to a select group, all this supporter wants is see some decent rugby played by some decent players and right now I would rather see a team of absolute rookies get carved up by the All Blacks but show passion, bleed and learn from it and give us hope.

I for one am sadly over this expensive pantomime with its cast of thousands and predictable storyline.

Lip Service

I get that commentators and those in the media have to try and be positive. It’s not in their best interest, or in the interest of trying to promote Australian rugby for them to be as honest as us plebs who fill up blogs and comments sections.

But c’mon … a little bit of reality, please!

I think sometimes they go a little too far in trying to build up our chances.

I’m fairly sure I heard Tim Horan say before the match “This is the strongest team since the WC”

I’m sorry Tim, but no  – no, it isn’t. You are just plain wrong. In that one statement, you imply that Hannigan is better than Fardy (LOL!!), and without Pocock in there, well do I really need to say it? Is McMahon, with hardly any Super Rugby behind him this year, better than Pocock in any form?

Phil Kearnes said during the match something along the lines of “not many teams can score 34 points against the All Blacks”.

That may be true, but no Australian team has let in so many points before half time against the All Blacks. It’s all well and good to shut the gate after the horse has bolted, and in this case the horse was nothing more than dust on the horizon. Yes, we scored points, but it was too late.

Embed from Getty Images

Greg Clarke said after the match “No one saw that coming”

This is one of the most ridiculous statements I have heard. Sure, we all had a tiny glimmer of hope that the Wallabies could win (actually I was surprised at just how many people were saying they would get up). But did you watch Super Rugby this year? It was very rare that any Aussie team got within Cooee of any Kiwi team. All season we were saying we were doomed come Bledisloe, and guess what?! We were right!

Way back before the June Test matches, Michael Hooper said Australia’s poor Super Rugby season would mean nothing, that Super Rugby doesn’t reflect the Wallabies hopes.

In retrospect, he was dead wrong. Saturday night certainly proved that. The biggest carry over from Super to Test Rugby? Well … does this sound familiar? Let the opposition score a plethora of points in the first half and try and run over the top of them in the second. It may not have been the game plan, but it sounds like so many Waratahs matches we saw. The big difference? This wasn’t a 25-point lead to the Rebels at half time, this was a 40-point lead to the All Blacks. Defence in the first half was just as optional for the Wallabies as it was for the Waratahs this year. I wonder why that could be …….

And just as a counter, there was this from Michael Lynagh “I can’t over-estimate how angry I am at seeing an Australian team who have skills that are non-existent,”

“Passing and catching and making tackles and trusting the bloke beside you are pretty basic even at schoolboy level.

“Australia had a month together to try and create stuff … and they come up with that in the first half. Very, very disappointing.”

Truth. How refreshing.

Domestic Rugby? Sorry, but we only have South African of Kiwi on tap!

Seriously, it can’t be right? Well it is sadly. Turning on the telly over the weekend I was excited at the buffet of domestic Rugby on offer to me. Round one of Kiwi domestic competition, the Mitre 10 Cup, and the round 5 games of the Currie Cup.

On Sunday afternoon, the MST’s settled on the couch to half watch a Mitre 10 game while we neglected the children and discussed ideas for the Top 5. The conversation many times dropped off as we watched players like Julian Savea, Milner-Skudder (now called in to the All blacks squad) and Brad Shields, just to name a few running around the park. All Black standard players not on form or not needed at the time playing in the domestic competition.

But then there are the other young players trying to forge their palace in the game. Otere Black who from the Mitre 10 performances a few years ago was at the Hurricanes behind the Barrett’s in 2017 and is touted as the new starting 10 for the Blues come 2018. One player that showed he does have some skills at 10 was another young bloke called Garden-Bachop. He had a really good game and looked really good prompting Mrs MST to ask what the Rebels did to him to make him look and play so badly.

Embed from Getty Images

But all that aside, it did make us ask one question and had us scrabbling on the internet googling information. When does the NRC start?

Now don’t get us wrong, we really enjoy the NRC but it’s done so quickly like a flash in the pan and it’s not really a national domestic competition now anyway with a Fijian team in it. But where is it?

Now I know some will bang on about Shute Shield on TV and on occasions in the past I have watched a few good games. But in reality, it’s a NSW product and niche at best. Shute Shield history and tradition and all that; yeah, no. If I want to watch local rugby I would be either at or streaming the JiD. I would guess it would be the same for those in QLD with Premiership Rugby.

So where is the NRC? Why is it not on?

It not hard to see when you are watching the Mitre 10 or Currie Cup games while waiting for the NRC to start in 2 weeks time to realise that most likely the reason that Kiwi and South African Rugby is better could simply boil down to that fact that they have more players playing more often in a proper fully fledged national domestic competition building depth, skill and experience while we are on holiday at the National level and most of our players are playing at state level.

But this is not about the fact the most of our Rugby players are playing a level below the competition, this is about me, the viewer wanting some decent rugby on TV that’s home grown and at a national level!

The Mitre 10 game has ended, so flicking over to the AFL……….

ARU and the Beanstalk

Well to be honest I just about put this one to bed when the ARU made their announcement regarding the Force, sadly I came very close to taking out my emotions about the decision on my poor innocent bean plants and neglected to water them for a few days. But then I realised it wasn’t their fault, they are just caught up in this as innocent victims, like so many Australian Rugby fans, so I have made sure to keep looking after them, and will do so until all the court cases, injunctions, appeals, resignations and restructures are complete.

Well we finally heard from the ARU, and like most I wasn’t happy with what I heard. I won’t go into it, other than to say I believe quite strongly that they have got it wrong.

The Force are still fighting, taking it to the courts again, and with the financial backing of Forrest this could prove very, very costly for the ARU. Add to that the WA Government stepping in and threatening to bankrupt the ARU, well just hold on while I get the popcorn. This looks to be something that will drag on for a while yet.

Meanwhile, small incident of neglect aside, the beans are thriving and ready to be potted.

Beans week 7

 

Yep, they are still healthier than the state of Rugby in Australia, while the goings on at the ARU remind me a little of this …

We are a fan run website, we appreciate your support.

💬 Have you got a news article suggestion? Submit a story and have your say
👀 Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and X.com
🎵 Listen to our Podcasts on Spotify and iTunes
🎥 Watch our Podcasts on YouTube


News Rugby Tuesday top 5 Wallabies
Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr WhatsApp Email
Previous ArticleBrian Smith’s Analysis: Red Zone Attack
Next Article Bledisloe One Analysis – Wallabies Defensive System Failures
Mst

Brumbies first, then for the love of the game. "It infuriates me to be wrong when I know I'm right." —Moliere

Related Posts

Thursday’s Rugby News – The Last Round

May 29, 2025

Talking Teams Pod Week 16

May 28, 2025

Yowie on the Loose: Rugby News wrapped-up like a beef wellington

May 28, 2025

Mad Monday with Brisneyland Local #71: who saw that coming?

May 26, 2025

We are a fan run website, we appreciate your support.

We are determined to keep G&GR a free site for all rugby fans. A place for all to engage with rugby stories, opinions, articles, podcasts, discussions and more.

Show your support to G&GR


Latest

Thursday’s Rugby News – The Last Round

May 29, 2025

Talking Teams Pod Week 16

May 28, 2025

Yowie on the Loose: Rugby News wrapped-up like a beef wellington

May 28, 2025

Tuesday’s Rugby News

May 27, 2025
1 2 3 … 2,599 Next
Latest Super Rugby

Reds top of the pops.

March 29, 2025

More Tahs misery.

March 29, 2025

Super Rugby Round #7: Bye-bye-bye

March 24, 2025

Live: SRP ladder

March 22, 2025
1 2 3 … 790 Next
Latest Six Nations

Six Nations round 4

March 8, 2025

Tree Irish legends call time

February 28, 2025

Frogs flog Italy.

February 24, 2025

Welsh rugby: heartbeat found!

February 23, 2025
1 2 3 … 25 Next
GAGR Podcast
Follow Us
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
About Us
About Us

greenandgoldrugby.com is your one stop shop for all things Rugby Union - news, podcasts, opinions, fixtures, events & everything in between.

greenandgoldrugby.com - created by fans of rugby, for fans of rugby.

About
Submit a Story
Authors
Contact
Privacy

Our Picks

Rising rally to overrun Queensland Country

September 4, 2016

Waratahs young leaders to shine

January 18, 2017

Eight ANGRY Observations from tonight’s game

June 18, 2016
New Comments
  • Yowie on Thursday’s Rugby News – The Last Round
  • Nutta on Thursday’s Rugby News – The Last Round
  • Hoss on Thursday’s Rugby News – The Last Round
  • Hoss on Thursday’s Rugby News – The Last Round
  • Yowie on Thursday’s Rugby News – The Last Round
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest
  • Home
  • Forum
  • Super Rugby
  • Wallabies
  • Podcast
  • Privacy Policy (2023)
© 2025 Ponderosa Publishing Pty Ltd | ABN 76 668 430 386.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.