Thoughts on Folau to rugby

[Quick Hands]

I think the G&G public is generally quite intelligent when it comes to rugby. However, I think the rugby public in general are not.

At any rugby game there's sooo many people yelling out at the ref for correct calls, yelling at their own team for taking sensible kick options, and yelling at guys for "not trying". None of it is grounded in anything.

The same could be said for politics, cinema, or any other sport. People know their things (their job + hobby) but are generally ridiculously uninformed about everything else and are still looking to have options on it, so they turn to the mainstream mass media to get informed.

That's where opinions like, say, "the Reds play the most running style of rugby in Aus" come from. It's not 100% wrong but the Rebels run it far, far more often AND the Reds pick-and-drive more than any other Aussie side. Truth is in the eyes of the beholder and the media very much dictate that.



I think the media does create and change public opinion, but you're right it's not that simple. Often, they find a thread to tug and when it works, they tug at it hard.

If I decided to get every Fairfax journo together tomorrow and we were all going to write about the injustice of the rising price of cotton bath towels for the next month it wouldn't capture the public's imagination.

But, if I say decided to get every Fairfax journo to write about Japan's whaling practises for a month I'd get plenty of mainstream outrage, and that old chestnut has been out there for years.






I actually think a Gagger podcast/article surrounding the sporting media and the fallacies around it would be amazing. Maybe another night, it's getting late and I've got plenty of rugby to get through tomorrow.

Though, to further my point about media BS, at the game tonight Cooper Vuna got MotM. He scored two tries BUT he directly let in 2 from being a weak link in the slide defense and indirectly let in one from a horrendous kick return option (one of the worst I've seen at Super Rugby level).

Media perception V reality. I'm sure the highlights package will make it look like a game for the ages.

Like is insufficient. If you want even more ridiculous examples of rugby media coverage of the game - look no further than the endless articles about JOC (James O'Connor)'s latest hairstyle and compare that to the number of articles questioning the ARU's ludicrous participation figures.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

STOP THE PRESS

ABC Radio are reporting tonight that Folau has signed with the Tahs.

Can't see this confirmed anywhere else yet.

Surprises me that they would announce it on a Saturday Night.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

If this deal was actually done, I would have thought it would be across the Net like the news of an open bar at Schoolies Week. Google tells me nothing.

Mr Doug also heard the announcement on ABC Radio last night. For the ratings people, that makes the Saturday night ABC Grandstand radio audience at least 2.

It is not April 1. Is there any substance or was it wishful "hearing" from Mr Doug and myself?

 

[p.Tah]

I haven't heard/read anything HJ

Just cruel teasing by the Grandstand intern perhaps

 

[Mr Doug]

If this deal was actually done, I would have thought it would be across the Net like the news of an open bar at Schoolies Week. Google tells me nothing.

Mr Doug also heard the announcement on ABC Radio last night. For the ratings people, that makes the Saturday night ABC Grandstand radio audience at least 2.

It is not April 1. Is there any substance or was it wishful "hearing" from Mr Doug and myself?

Shame on you HJ, for forgetting Mrs Doug, (and all the other Aussies who can't fit Foxtel into their tight family budgets)!!

 

[Hardtackle]

If he ends up staying, I'd like to see how he goes playing outside centre. We've plenty of wingers and fullbacks with loads of talent - Mogg, Beale, Cummins, Morahan, Betham, Speight, etc etc. Sure AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) is good but he's not dominant and after him there's bugger all.

If he can crack the 13 shirt it will help turn a position where we lack depth into a massive strength.

 

[Viking]

Given how good he is under the high ball. The best in the world. I would say that skill is wasted at 13. He should stay on the wing, and continue dominating that position. He will be the wallabies winger for years to come. I'd say for versatility let him play at 13 for the Tahs or Fulback so he can cover those positions, but primarily I like him on the wing. I can see many tries scored from cross field kicks.

 

[wamberal]

I can see many tries scored from cross field kicks.

You might be right, if we can find an accurate kicker.

 

[Scoey]

STOP THE PRESS

ABC Radio are reporting tonight that Folau has signed with the Tahs.

Can't see this confirmed anywhere else yet.

Surprises me that they would announce it on a Saturday Night.

Its starting to sound a bit like the "Genia has signed with the Force!" exclusive. :-(

 

[Quick Hands]

Nothing on any of the news bulletins about it. You'd think that this week would be the time to make the announcement, after the Waratahs have finished their super season and a bit of good publicity after the dreary affair last night at Homebush.

I see that the knockers and sceptics are still out in force. Anyone unfamiliar with this thread should be aware that, first we were told that he would never sign, it was just a tactic to get a better RL deal, then we were told that it would be a waste of money because he wouldn't be able to understand the complexities of rugby and that he was a rugby league player, then we were told he would be lucky to play a super game in his first year, then we were told that he might just be a winger but he would never be able to play fullback, then we were told he would never be able to handle test match rugby and now there are people still beating the drum that he's going back to rugby league and there's no chance he'll play rugby beyond this year.

He may well sign with league, but the noises from Cheika seem to be quite positive. Give the guy some benefit of the doubt, he's proved all the knockers and doubters wrong so far and I hope he proves them wrong again.

 

[Pusser]

Nothing on any of the news bulletins about it. You'd think that this week would be the time to make the announcement, after the Waratahs have finished their super season and a bit of good publicity after the dreary affair last night at Homebush.

I see that the knockers and sceptics are still out in force. Anyone unfamiliar with this thread should be aware that, first we were told that he would never sign, it was just a tactic to get a better RL deal, then we were told that it would be a waste of money because he wouldn't be able to understand the complexities of rugby and that he was a rugby league player, then we were told he would be lucky to play a super game in his first year, then we were told that he might just be a winger but he would never be able to play fullback, then we were told he would never be able to handle test match rugby and now there are people still beating the drum that he's going back to rugby league and there's no chance he'll play rugby beyond this year.

He may well sign with league, but the noises from Cheika seem to be quite positive. Give the guy some benefit of the doubt, he's proved all the knockers and doubters wrong so far and I hope he proves them wrong again.

Given the accuracy of the predictions I would like to say he will never score the try that gives us the Bledisloe and that he will never score the winning try in a World Cup Final



Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[Hugh Jarse]

I haven't heard/read anything HJ

Just cruel teasing by the Grandstand intern perhaps

Something like the work of KTVU interns perhaps?

EDIT: I'd try to get it removed too if I was KTVU.

Try this joint effort from the interns at NSTSB and KTVU.

 

[p.Tah]

At the end of today's members email, Daryl Gibson says:

Next season we want to continue to develop that attacking identity but we will also need to improve the areas of our game that have cost us a play-off position. We turn the ball over too much so we’ll look at that. We’re also looking to develop a tactical kicking game to better utilise the fantastic aerial skillsets that we have out wide with the likes of Izzy and Cam.

I know he says "with the likes of Izzy", I want to read that as they are confident he is staying. Time will tell.

EDIT: seeing that everything in the media has gone a bit quiet on Izzy. I think a decision is imminent.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Apparently Folau has agreed to terms
http://m.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/folau-agrees-terms-to-stay-with-tahs-20130725-2qngv.html?rand=1374751232832

There was movement at the station for the word had passed around
That the boy from old Mungo had got away
and joined the Rugby Union code - he was worth a million pound
So all the punters had gathered to Moore Park
All the tried and noted players from the clubs near and far
had mustered at the Stadium overnight
For the punters love hard running which the Rugby Union players are
and the spectators watch game with delight.

 

[scaraby]

There was movement at the station for the word had passed around
That the boy from old Mungo had got away
and joined the Rugby Union code - he was worth a million pound
So all the punters had gathered to Moore Park
All the tried and noted players from the clubs near and far
had mustered at the Stadium overnight
For the punters love hard running which the Rugby Union players are
and the spectators watch game with delight.

"tantalisingly close?" is that 10mins 20 mins 1 hr???? bedtimes close and i won't sleep without knowing...sigh...

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Mr Doug and I have been tantalised for 12 days since the ABC Grandstand "broke" the story on the evening of 13 July.

What is another day or two?


PLEASE DISCUSS IZZY'S CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS ON THE WARATAHS 2014 THREAD FROM NOW ON - OTHERWISE IT WILL BE A PAIN TO DISCUSS IT ON TWO THREADS.

THANKS
LG

 

[Mr Doug]

There was movement at the station for the word had passed around
That the boy from old Mungo had got away
and joined the Rugby Union code - he was worth a million pound
So all the punters had gathered to Moore Park
All the tried and noted players from the clubs near and far
had mustered at the Stadium overnight
For the punters love hard running which the Rugby Union players are
and the spectators watch game with delight.

Geez HJ, nicely crafted my friend. Can we call on you to do an "inspirational" piece on the Wallabies to give them some extra motivation?
It may prove to be the "missing Link" that they need!

 

[Hawko]

Fox are reporting that Folau will announce he is signing with the ARU and the Waratahs tomorrow.

YOU BLOODY BEAUTY!!!

 

[fatprop]

Fox are reporting that Folau will announce he is signing with the ARU and the Waratahs tomorrow.

YOU BLOODY BEAUTY!!!

Apparently the Bulldogs CEO was asked if they were going after Folau and she said he is signing with the ARU

Sent from a tiny evil keyboard

 

[Quick Hands]

Finally