Aussie Pro Rugby
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@booboo He has made himself available for the Rugby Championship following Jake Gordons injury. Would be saving the Wallabies from having to bring in a second uncapped halfback alongside Ryan Lonergan. The only other capped halfback is Issak Fines-Leleiwasa but he seems to have switched his focus to Fiji having signed with the Drua. Expecting to see Lonergan get a decent shot this Rugby Championship
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Breakdown - * = uncapped
Hookers
Josh Nasser, BPA, Billy PollardProps
Angus Bell, Zane Nonggorr, Tom Robertson, Aidan Ross*, James Slipper, Taniela TupouLocks
Nick Frost, Tom Hooper, LSL, Will Skelton, Jeremy WilliamsLoose Forwards
Nick CdC, Langi Gleeson, Fraser McReight, Carlo Tizzano, Rob Valetini, Harry WilsonScrumhalves
Ryan Lonergan*, Tate McDermott, Nic WhiteFlyhalves
Ben Donaldson, Tane Edmed, James O'ConnorCentres
Josh Flook, Len Ikitau, Hunter Paisami, JASWings
Max Jorgensen, Dylan Pietsch, Corey Toole*Fullbacks
Andrew Kellaway, Tom Wright -
Been thinking about the general positioning and talk of rugby in Australia.
For all the talk of rugby dying, or being 'back', I actually think we've found our level over the last 5-10 years and it's where we will stay.
We're a second tier rugby nation, on and off the field. There's enough support to sustain a viable Super competition, 6-8 Wallabies games a year and the odd Lions tour or World Cup. We will field competitive rugby sides that may have the odd good spell but will never be dominant.
Within the sporting landscape here, our place is to sit below AFL, NRL and cricket but above basketball, soccer and netball.
It's not super interesting to discuss, but I think that's how it is. And I'm largely OK with it, but it does mean accepting that a World Cup win in my lifetime may be a bit of a long shot.
@barbarian said in Aussie Pro Rugby:
I am 37. Maybe slightly pessimistic. But I'd peg it at maybe 20% chance? We weren't that far away in 2015, if you get a good draw and the bounce of the ball you never know.
Your at home in the next one, and have an way above average 1st XV right at the moment, so a short term approach and build to 2027 gives the Wallbies a real shot, IMHO. I'm not saying they are favourites, but there is a lot of draw luck that goes into it (especially to get to the final) & then that basically just gives you a one off game against the best team in the tournament. At home.
The future will be what it is, but the next 2 years are firmly within control to have a real shot at taking out the big one.
@MiketheSnow said in Aussie Pro Rugby:
I’m 59 this year and still think Wales can do it in my lifetime
Seismic changes required in Welsh rugby for this.
I think even if you and and Barb's swapped ages, I'd still put the money on him.
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@KiwiMurph lol just wait. They'll blow it all
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@KiwiMurph said in Aussie Pro Rugby:
@NTA said in Aussie Pro Rugby:
@KiwiMurph lol just wait. They'll blow it all
Ever the optimist
Realist; I've seen this people operate up close
The NRL have goals for a $300M asset base, and they'll get there by investing in property across the land and various other enterprises.
Rugby Australia - despite all these white-collar graduates of the finest educational institutions money can (and does) buy - are just now debt free after years of boom and bust, driven by bad negotiation and a lack of nous; it's like they can't operate outside an old boys network.
Here's a micro-example of who I'm talking about:
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As I've asked in various forums, surely there are some hedge fund managers who can put together a couple of billion dollars to fund the sport off interest generated? Add the tiny TV deal we have into that, and we can sustain and grow the sport.
The concept of the Future Fund is great - but I remain to be convinced they know where to send the funding when the landscape is such a mish-mash of self-interest. Meanwhile schools are using government funding to run their ever-shrinking rugby programs as AFL floods the market with cash.
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Marky Mark has told the Roosters he wont extend beyond 2026 to play for the Wallabies.. well latest rumour anyway
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Marky Mark has told the Roosters he wont extend beyond 2026 to play for the Wallabies.. well latest rumour anyway
@bayimports said in Aussie Pro Rugby:
Marky Mark has told the Roosters he wont extend beyond 2026 to play for the Wallabies.. well latest rumour anyway
https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1717PMexFJ/?mibextid=wwXIfr
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Congrats to James Slipper - 151 Tests is amazing, even more so when you consider he's done it from the front row!
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Congrats to James Slipper - 151 Tests is amazing, even more so when you consider he's done it from the front row!
@antipodean said in Aussie Pro Rugby:
Congrats to James Slipper - 151 Tests is amazing, even more so when you consider he's done it from the front row!
And most of the time on back foot
