Fix the Wallabies
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="NTA" data-cid="610234" data-time="1472378682">
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<p>Link pretty much ran himself off. There was a lot of shit going on in the background, particularly with regards to the staffer he was "allegedly" involved with. His man-management skills were also talked about with little praise in dark corridors, and not just in NSW.</p>
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<p>I realise you don't rate Cheika, so now if we're talking overseas coaches - what's your plan?</p>
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<p>I haven't been following Oz rugby closely for a while but do you reckon this really is the best team you've got? Are the Super players so bad that Cheika has no choice but to get these mercs back using the Giteau rule? If the cupboard is bare then the ARU have to take a long look at themselves and fix things from the lower levels up. They could start by not spending shitloads on league converts and using the money to develop youth</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="nostrildamus" data-cid="610219" data-time="1472376733"><p>
Sadly moving cars are quite difficult to find in Sydney traffic.</p></blockquote>
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Another reason to stay away from the place. -
<p>Spoken like a true Queenslander. You and Mariner will be sharing a sister (in more ways than one) in no time ;)</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="canefan" data-cid="610242" data-time="1472381726">
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<p>I haven't been following Oz rugby closely for a while but do you reckon this really is the best team you've got? Are the Super players so bad that Cheika has no choice but to get these mercs back using the Giteau rule? If the cupboard is bare then the ARU have to take a long look at themselves and fix things from the lower levels up. They could start by not spending shitloads on league converts and using the money to develop youth</p>
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<p>These players are about where its at, short of throwing in a stack of rookies to get eaten alive. Cheika has already capped 7 newbies this year alone. Partly, that was forced by three injuries in one position. Partly bringing on a couple of new people. </p>
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<p>So the development pathway (as I've said elsewhere, at length) is too narrow. Recruiting and retention being difficult in a landscape where we don't rule the roost. And the debacle that was Richard Graham knocked the Reds for six, along with Foley's continuing fuckups at the Western Force.</p>
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<p>There are quite a few players overseas who never got to pull on gold, making shitloads of money and having great life experiences they couldn't get here. Some left out of frustration, in part because incumbents were in the way and waiting for an opportunity could finish their careers. </p>
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<p>New pathways are being built but they won't deliver for another 5 years at least, and are no guarantee of doing so anyway. Unless the NRC gets a bigger shot at being a true tier of our rugby, we'll just meander around at this level except for the odd talented group coming together. Even better if it coincides with an unlikely AB slump.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="NTA" data-cid="610250" data-time="1472383827"><p>
Spoken like a true Queenslander. You and Mariner will be sharing a sister (in more ways than one) in no time ;)<br>
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That's why you sick bastards are moving here in record numbers. You want some of that action. You must be bitterly disappointed when you realise it's all in your depraved cockroach minds. -
Look, let's just agree that we're bloody lucky we don't live in South Australia and leave it at that.
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<p>Its not BAD publicity because such a thing doesn't exist.</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Rancid Schnitzel" data-cid="610262" data-time="1472385703">
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<p>Look, let's just agree that we're bloody lucky we don't live in South Australia and leave it at that.</p>
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<p>No-one really "lives" in South Australia.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="NTA" data-cid="610267" data-time="1472386295"><p>Its not BAD publicity because such a thing doesn't exist.</p></blockquote>
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Nick Willis? Smiley thing<br><br>
That league guy that blew his dog or some such. another smiley thing -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="NTA" data-cid="610250" data-time="1472383827">
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<p>These players are about where its at, short of throwing in a stack of rookies to get eaten alive. Cheika has already capped 7 newbies this year alone. Partly, that was forced by three injuries in one position. Partly bringing on a couple of new people. </p>
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<p>this is not a dig, but I think we have capped 5 new players (Dixon, Squire, ALB, Tamanivalu, Ofa) this year, which in itself is a testament to the forward planning of the ABs given they lost 6 long term ABs last year. Plus there have been others involved in the periphery of the AB sides for the past few years just to see what they need to do to get up to the level/</p>
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<p>Granted Aus don't have that luxury, but this is what the likes of Giteau, AAC, Mitchell et al need to be in Aus for, to show the newbies the ropes, give them something to aspire to, shows them the levels they need to be at, but for now, they are taking their spot too, which is obviously a double edged sword in that they are blocking a spot of a youngster, but then there aren't really the youngsters to step in, or to get the opportunity.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="610299" data-time="1472416483">
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<p>this is not a dig, but I think we have capped 5 new players (Dixon, Squire, ALB, Tamanivalu, Ofa) this year, which in itself is a testament to the forward planning of the ABs given they lost 6 long term ABs last year. Plus there have been others involved in the periphery of the AB sides for the past few years just to see what they need to do to get up to the level/</p>
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<p>We've capped 7 too.</p>
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<p>Kane Hames and Ardie Savea also debuted this year.</p> -
<p>I knew I was forgetting someone, canes fans will have me hung for forgetting Ardie!</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="610299" data-time="1472416483"><p>
this is not a dig, but I think we have capped 5 new players (Dixon, Squire, ALB, Tamanivalu, Ofa) this year, which in itself is a testament to the forward planning of the ABs given they lost 6 long term ABs last year. Plus there have been others involved in the periphery of the AB sides for the past few years just to see what they need to do to get up to the level/<br><br>
Granted Aus don't have that luxury, but this is what the likes of Giteau, AAC, Mitchell et al need to be in Aus for, to show the newbies the ropes, give them something to aspire to, shows them the levels they need to be at, but for now, they are taking their spot too, which is obviously a double edged sword in that they are blocking a spot of a youngster, but then there aren't really the youngsters to step in, or to get the opportunity.</p></blockquote>None of the returnees look fit enough. Obviously now Giteau is broken. Mitchell hasn't even played. AAC is invisible. Kepu is pissing about off the ball, getting sucked into niggle from a fucking HALFBACK. Genia is OK but hadn't played a game all year. Cooper had bugger all game time. <br><br>
You could say Cheika shouldn't have selected any of them, that being the case. Maybe it was better to select rookies that have been playing here in Super Rugby and were up to speed.<br><br>
None of our rookies have been through a decent school system, or enough high quality domestic rugby. Clearly none of our players are as fit as their AB counterparts to start with. <br><br>
And you only need to look at the performances - forget the table positions - of our franchises to figure that out. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Don Frye" data-cid="610300" data-time="1472416872"><p>We've capped 7 too.<br><br>
Kane Hames and Ardie Savea also debuted this year.</p></blockquote>
Hames is a good example - despite being a latecomer at 27 (?) He had experience in a fairly tough provincial setup that taught him how to prop. Not just "hey fat kid! You're A prop now or you don't play!" -
Some strange shit may have happened on wobbles flight home? Player fainting in the plane ailes. Other people also fainting on flight.<br><br>
But my source knows nothing about sport or rugby. Could be Drummoyne 2nd xv on and end of season trip. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="NTA" data-cid="610315" data-time="1472420209">
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<p>Hames is a good example - despite being a latecomer at 27 (?) He had experience in a fairly tough provincial setup that taught him how to prop. <strong>Not just "hey fat kid! You're A prop now or you don't play!"</strong></p>
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<p>let it go man, let it go! ;)</p> -
There are some things outside of the Wallabies that are affecting them that our outside of their direct control, such as having too many teams in Super Rugby. Lets take a look at some things Cheika can control.<br><br>
- Hire fulltime coaches. Larkham is an assistant coach but is also the Brumbies coach. I think Cheika is let down by a lpt of his assistant. My option would be to hire a quality full time assistant coach and let Larkham learn at the Brumbies.<br><br>
- Play players in their proper positions. Start with playing Pocock at 7, 8 is a problem but you could at least try Houston there - given he is a proper 8 (until Holloway is back). Pick some proper wingers with some damn pace - Kellaway and Morahan come to mind. Try Hooper from the bench in the Ardie role and if he doesnt perform, play McMahon in that role.<br><br>
- Find a new defensive coach/system. Way too many missed tackles at present.
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As usual the headline on the stuff article is quite different to the content , <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/international/83689594/Former-Wallabies-back-Rod-Kafer-claims-referees-are-biased-against-Australia'>http://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/international/83689594/Former-Wallabies-back-Rod-Kafer-claims-referees-are-biased-against-Australia</a>
