Aussie Pro Rugby
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@Stargazer The Crusaders have been our strongest team throughout Super rugby - so I'm asking why they thought they needed to bring Volavola (I can understand the value of Nadolo as he almost singlehandedly won them a competition). I said at the start of that sentence I find it odd for any NZ team to bring in foreign players and I was replying to KiwiMurphs post where he mentions three Oz eligible players who contracted by the Crusaders.
I've got no problem with NZ franchises signing up tier 2 players (PI preferred) but I don't think we should sign up too many tier one players - especially in positions of depth in NZ. The NZRU pays the salaries of the franchises so I think we should reserve most spots of NZ eligible players.
@Nepia said in Aussie Rugby in general:
@Stargazer The Crusaders have been our strongest team throughout Super rugby - so I'm asking why they thought they needed to bring Volavola (I can understand the value of Nadolo as he almost singlehandedly won them a competition). I said at the start of that sentence I find it odd for any NZ team to bring in foreign players and I was replying to KiwiMurphs post where he mentions three Oz eligible players who contracted by the Crusaders.
I've got no problem with NZ franchises signing up tier 2 players (PI preferred) but I don't think we should sign up too many tier one players - especially in positions of depth in NZ. The NZRU pays the salaries of the franchises so I think we should reserve most spots of NZ eligible players.
We do reserve most spots.
On the Volavola signing, I think it was more a case of timing and who was available. Exodus of players plus other up and comers being captured by WTG's.
We were fortunate that Hunt came up this season. He was our third 10 option behind Richie and McKenzie. But he took his chance and is now our man to run the cutter.
Sometimes players just don't work out local or foreign.
With Samu though, he's played ITM for a couple of years now and looked good and probably doesn't want to leave now that he's in.
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Just heard on the news that kiwi teams have beaten Aussie teams 33 from the last 36 games , that's pretty abysmal if true.
They followed it up with fascist queen Alan Jones moaning about Australian schoolboy rugby being ignored.
@jegga said in Aussie Rugby in general:
Just heard on the news that kiwi teams have beaten Aussie teams 33 from the last 36 games , that's pretty abysmal if true.
They followed it up with fascist queen Alan Jones moaning about Australian schoolboy rugby being ignored.
Didn't the Blues have a draw against an Aussie team last year? The Reds?
Edit: Yep, Week 4. By my count it's 33 wins from 37 games (25 regular season and 1 QF last season + 11 this season).
Still shit news for the Aussies but shoddy reporting.
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@Nepia said in Aussie Rugby in general:
@Stargazer The Crusaders have been our strongest team throughout Super rugby - so I'm asking why they thought they needed to bring Volavola (I can understand the value of Nadolo as he almost singlehandedly won them a competition). I said at the start of that sentence I find it odd for any NZ team to bring in foreign players and I was replying to KiwiMurphs post where he mentions three Oz eligible players who contracted by the Crusaders.
I've got no problem with NZ franchises signing up tier 2 players (PI preferred) but I don't think we should sign up too many tier one players - especially in positions of depth in NZ. The NZRU pays the salaries of the franchises so I think we should reserve most spots of NZ eligible players.
We do reserve most spots.
On the Volavola signing, I think it was more a case of timing and who was available. Exodus of players plus other up and comers being captured by WTG's.
We were fortunate that Hunt came up this season. He was our third 10 option behind Richie and McKenzie. But he took his chance and is now our man to run the cutter.
Sometimes players just don't work out local or foreign.
With Samu though, he's played ITM for a couple of years now and looked good and probably doesn't want to leave now that he's in.
@ACT-Crusader Agree on Volavola - we had to cast the net wide since we'd lost three test-capped first fives and needed to dredge up at least one who was Super rugby standard. And Richie came through for us - Mitch Hunt is helping to replenish the stocks.
Digby Ioane is the one that makes me raise my eyebrows - how on earth was he not on an Aussie franchise's radar? I don't much mind that we've got him - he looks like a major asset, but I'm still mystified as to how the Aussie teams have let him slip through their fingers.
I'm less pleased about Alaalatoa and Jager, because I perceive we have a shortage of tighthead props. Even worse, last year the Highlanders had a couple who weren't AB eligible (Geldenhuys and Halanukonuka) and I think the Chiefs had a Japanese tighthead as well? That's too many foreigners in that position.
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Just heard on the news that kiwi teams have beaten Aussie teams 33 from the last 36 games , that's pretty abysmal if true.
They followed it up with fascist queen Alan Jones moaning about Australian schoolboy rugby being ignored.
@jegga Of course, allegedly* he's most concerned about school boy rugby.
*My lawyers said that is important.
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@Nepia said in Aussie Rugby in general:
@NTA The Bavarian?
Munich Brauhaus The Rocks - formerly Lowenbrau
@NTA said in Aussie Rugby in general:
@Nepia said in Aussie Rugby in general:
@NTA The Bavarian?
Munich Brauhaus The Rocks - formerly Lowenbrau
Are nice, I just assumed since you were at the game you were at one of the very few halfway decent places to eat near the park.
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@ACT-Crusader Agree on Volavola - we had to cast the net wide since we'd lost three test-capped first fives and needed to dredge up at least one who was Super rugby standard. And Richie came through for us - Mitch Hunt is helping to replenish the stocks.
Digby Ioane is the one that makes me raise my eyebrows - how on earth was he not on an Aussie franchise's radar? I don't much mind that we've got him - he looks like a major asset, but I'm still mystified as to how the Aussie teams have let him slip through their fingers.
I'm less pleased about Alaalatoa and Jager, because I perceive we have a shortage of tighthead props. Even worse, last year the Highlanders had a couple who weren't AB eligible (Geldenhuys and Halanukonuka) and I think the Chiefs had a Japanese tighthead as well? That's too many foreigners in that position.
@Chris-B. maybe Digby took one look at the Reds, thought "fuck that, i wouldn't mind winning a couple of games".
A lot of frustrated Wallaby fan friends are sharing that Jones interview and agreeing whole heartedly. I can't agree with much except the fact that what they are doing now isn't working. He's in the private schools-Sydney Clubs-NSW/Qld-Wallabies model that existed in the 80s. Typical of Jones, a lot of mouth and soundbite, very little in the way of thought.
And why do all these commentators assume that the NZRU want to play in the provincial trans-tasman comp?
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@Chris-B. maybe Digby took one look at the Reds, thought "fuck that, i wouldn't mind winning a couple of games".
A lot of frustrated Wallaby fan friends are sharing that Jones interview and agreeing whole heartedly. I can't agree with much except the fact that what they are doing now isn't working. He's in the private schools-Sydney Clubs-NSW/Qld-Wallabies model that existed in the 80s. Typical of Jones, a lot of mouth and soundbite, very little in the way of thought.
And why do all these commentators assume that the NZRU want to play in the provincial trans-tasman comp?
@mariner4life said in Aussie Rugby in general:
@Chris-B. maybe Digby took one look at the Reds, thought "fuck that, i wouldn't mind winning a couple of games".
A lot of frustrated Wallaby fan friends are sharing that Jones interview and agreeing whole heartedly. I can't agree with much except the fact that what they are doing now isn't working. He's in the private schools-Sydney Clubs-NSW/Qld-Wallabies model that existed in the 80s. Typical of Jones, a lot of mouth and soundbite, very little in the way of thought.
And why do all these commentators assume that the NZRU want to play in the provincial trans-tasman comp?
Maybe add one team to the provincial comp and call them the Australian Warriors ?!?
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@Chris-B. maybe Digby took one look at the Reds, thought "fuck that, i wouldn't mind winning a couple of games".
A lot of frustrated Wallaby fan friends are sharing that Jones interview and agreeing whole heartedly. I can't agree with much except the fact that what they are doing now isn't working. He's in the private schools-Sydney Clubs-NSW/Qld-Wallabies model that existed in the 80s. Typical of Jones, a lot of mouth and soundbite, very little in the way of thought.
And why do all these commentators assume that the NZRU want to play in the provincial trans-tasman comp?
@mariner4life said in Aussie Rugby in general:
And why do all these commentators assume that the NZRU want to play in the provincial trans-tasman comp?
Speaking generally.
I think at least part of the reason is that in general Australian rugby fans don't seem to have the same affinity with South Africa that we do. To us the Springboks are our greatest rivals, but from what I can tell, to many Aussies they're just a pain in the neck. They can't understand why we would value playing S.A. teams at least as high as we value playing Australian teams.
Over at GAGR the prevailing sentiment seems to be that either Super Rugby becomes a Trans- Ta$man comp (with post season games against the S.A. conference) or they should walk away entirely and go it alone. I doubt that is the view of the ARU, but it is a popular view amongst Aussie fans on that site.
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@mariner4life said in Aussie Rugby in general:
@Chris-B. maybe Digby took one look at the Reds, thought "fuck that, i wouldn't mind winning a couple of games".
A lot of frustrated Wallaby fan friends are sharing that Jones interview and agreeing whole heartedly. I can't agree with much except the fact that what they are doing now isn't working. He's in the private schools-Sydney Clubs-NSW/Qld-Wallabies model that existed in the 80s. Typical of Jones, a lot of mouth and soundbite, very little in the way of thought.
And why do all these commentators assume that the NZRU want to play in the provincial trans-tasman comp?
Maybe add one team to the provincial comp and call them the Australian Warriors ?!?
@dK said in Aussie Rugby in general:
@mariner4life said in Aussie Rugby in general:
@Chris-B. maybe Digby took one look at the Reds, thought "fuck that, i wouldn't mind winning a couple of games".
A lot of frustrated Wallaby fan friends are sharing that Jones interview and agreeing whole heartedly. I can't agree with much except the fact that what they are doing now isn't working. He's in the private schools-Sydney Clubs-NSW/Qld-Wallabies model that existed in the 80s. Typical of Jones, a lot of mouth and soundbite, very little in the way of thought.
And why do all these commentators assume that the NZRU want to play in the provincial trans-tasman comp?
Maybe add one team to the provincial comp and call them the Australian Warriors ?!?
And only NZ and SA refs who always seem to see one side's offences
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@mariner4life said in Aussie Rugby in general:
And why do all these commentators assume that the NZRU want to play in the provincial trans-tasman comp?
Speaking generally.
I think at least part of the reason is that in general Australian rugby fans don't seem to have the same affinity with South Africa that we do. To us the Springboks are our greatest rivals, but from what I can tell, to many Aussies they're just a pain in the neck. They can't understand why we would value playing S.A. teams at least as high as we value playing Australian teams.
Over at GAGR the prevailing sentiment seems to be that either Super Rugby becomes a Trans- Ta$man comp (with post season games against the S.A. conference) or they should walk away entirely and go it alone. I doubt that is the view of the ARU, but it is a popular view amongst Aussie fans on that site.
@Damo said in Aussie Rugby in general:
Over at GAGR the prevailing sentiment seems to be that either Super Rugby becomes a Trans- Ta$man comp (with post season games against the S.A. conference) or they should walk away entirely and go it alone. I doubt that is the view of the ARU, but it is a popular view amongst Aussie fans on that site.
Hahahaha What a collection of retards. If New Zealand stopped supporting Australian rugby, they'd immediately go to back to their highs of the 1970s
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@mariner4life said in Aussie Rugby in general:
And why do all these commentators assume that the NZRU want to play in the provincial trans-tasman comp?
Speaking generally.
I think at least part of the reason is that in general Australian rugby fans don't seem to have the same affinity with South Africa that we do. To us the Springboks are our greatest rivals, but from what I can tell, to many Aussies they're just a pain in the neck. They can't understand why we would value playing S.A. teams at least as high as we value playing Australian teams.
Over at GAGR the prevailing sentiment seems to be that either Super Rugby becomes a Trans- Ta$man comp (with post season games against the S.A. conference) or they should walk away entirely and go it alone. I doubt that is the view of the ARU, but it is a popular view amongst Aussie fans on that site.
@Damo said in Aussie Rugby in general:
They can't understand why we would value playing S.A. teams at least as high as we value playing Australian teams.
Which is what's so weird about how we ended up where we are; some saffer teams don't even play one of your lot this year
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@Damo said in Aussie Rugby in general:
They can't understand why we would value playing S.A. teams at least as high as we value playing Australian teams.
Which is what's so weird about how we ended up where we are; some saffer teams don't even play one of your lot this year
@NTA I'm warming to the concept of three conferences; moving the Sunwolves into Australia's and the Jaguares into New Zealand's. Then you could play a Champions Cup style format from the top three of each conference.
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@ACT-Crusader Agree on Volavola - we had to cast the net wide since we'd lost three test-capped first fives and needed to dredge up at least one who was Super rugby standard. And Richie came through for us - Mitch Hunt is helping to replenish the stocks.
Digby Ioane is the one that makes me raise my eyebrows - how on earth was he not on an Aussie franchise's radar? I don't much mind that we've got him - he looks like a major asset, but I'm still mystified as to how the Aussie teams have let him slip through their fingers.
I'm less pleased about Alaalatoa and Jager, because I perceive we have a shortage of tighthead props. Even worse, last year the Highlanders had a couple who weren't AB eligible (Geldenhuys and Halanukonuka) and I think the Chiefs had a Japanese tighthead as well? That's too many foreigners in that position.
@Chris-B. said in Aussie Rugby in general:
Digby Ioane is the one that makes me raise my eyebrows - how on earth was he not on an Aussie franchise's radar? I don't much mind that we've got him - he looks like a major asset, but I'm still mystified as to how the Aussie teams have let him slip through their fingers.
From memory Digby had a pretty significant falling out with the QRU, who were backed by the ARU on their stance, which probably explains why he's not keen to go anywhere near either again.
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The biggest problem with trying to rebuild rugby in Oz is that it doesn't have a good foundation.
Relying on private schools in Sydney and Brisbane won't cut it any more and any radical restructure of the game has to get past the traditionalists that refuse to see the game dying around them.
The ARU needs to implement an overhaul from junior rugby up. If certain traditional schools and clubs don't want to join in then cut their little paddling pools adrift.
A strong investment at a very young age in rippa rugby emphasising the key difference of rugby union being a game for everyone, acceptance and cameraderie will win over many parents. If schools want to be involved then they must be affiliated to a club and cater for more than just the elite players. The aim must be to keep players in the game and provide the right levels for them to enjoy playing.
Create clear pathways that don't rely on favouritism. Club selection and management cannot be controlled by one strong group. -
@antipodean said in Aussie Rugby in general:
@NTA I'm warming to the concept of three conferences; moving the Sunwolves into Australia's and the Jaguares into New Zealand's. Then you could play a Champions Cup style format from the top three of each conference.
I've got no issue with that either as it's an improvement on the bullshit we have now.
Won't help our quality of rugby but will at least make it a bit more sensible for this number of teams
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@antipodean said in Aussie Rugby in general:
@NTA I'm warming to the concept of three conferences; moving the Sunwolves into Australia's and the Jaguares into New Zealand's. Then you could play a Champions Cup style format from the top three of each conference.
I've got no issue with that either as it's an improvement on the bullshit we have now.
Won't help our quality of rugby but will at least make it a bit more sensible for this number of teams
@NTA said in Aussie Rugby in general:
Won't help our quality of rugby but will at least make it a bit more sensible for this number of teams
Depends on what the ARU's long term goal is. Having five SR franchises is good if you want to expose more players to that level of training and competition. Then when they play in the NRC that flows down into another level. Of course, that means you don't have as stacked SR franchises as you would with only three, but there's greater depth.
Having two tiers isn't a problem from a development pathway either. NSW has coped with Subbies rugby. The question is how to better align school and club competitions for that age group and retain the talent before the NRL gets their cotton-picking fingers into them.
