T
Train Without a Station
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Everybody is too sensitive. That includes the people complaining about nsw and qld having too many ARU top ups.
Melbourne Rising 2014
- Thread starter KevinO
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If the Rising do run away with it this year, you maybe just tweak things and cut down their Super Rugby players by a couple next year. It also needs to be remembered that they offered at least one Super Rugby player (Meehan) out to other teams and he wasn't snapped up.
It's certainly not something to get up in arms about. It's probably more a call out to the other teams that they need to improve their preparations and start earlier, particularly with the players that are available.
It's certainly not something to get up in arms about. It's probably more a call out to the other teams that they need to improve their preparations and start earlier, particularly with the players that are available.
T
Train Without a Station
Guest
If I was the rising that's what I'd be pointing to. I'd be saying hey the other teams didn't even want one of ours so why are you cutting us back further.
The thing is if they make a call based on this year, what happens if next year Colby Fainga'a, Jordy Reid, Scott Fugilstaller, Bryce Hegarty, Ed Quirk, Dave Dennis, Curtis Browning, Ben Tapuai, Mike Harris, Ben Lucas, etc. are fit and playing for the other teams and the competition are a lot stronger.
Remember that the Reds for example suffered significant injuries and finished the year with something like 5 players outside the 35 playing.
What we've seen is that the teams that are missing a large chunk of their best players struggle to match up. When the replacements are club players, that's always going to be the case isn't it?
The thing is if they make a call based on this year, what happens if next year Colby Fainga'a, Jordy Reid, Scott Fugilstaller, Bryce Hegarty, Ed Quirk, Dave Dennis, Curtis Browning, Ben Tapuai, Mike Harris, Ben Lucas, etc. are fit and playing for the other teams and the competition are a lot stronger.
Remember that the Reds for example suffered significant injuries and finished the year with something like 5 players outside the 35 playing.
What we've seen is that the teams that are missing a large chunk of their best players struggle to match up. When the replacements are club players, that's always going to be the case isn't it?
Tex
Greg Davis (50)
That account is just some dude north of the Murray, nothing official about it all. Bio: "Officially dedicated to the new National Rugby Championship in Australia. Unofficial Account #growthegame"
I reckon we will see more Rebels/Rising in the Wallaby squad next year anyway (and remember its RWC year, so squads will be impacted by that).
The likes of Jones, PAO, Smith, Sexton, McMahon, Neville, possibly English and who the hell knows - possibly even Stirzaker? All strong contenders I reckon.
The likes of Jones, PAO, Smith, Sexton, McMahon, Neville, possibly English and who the hell knows - possibly even Stirzaker? All strong contenders I reckon.
pablo
Darby Loudon (17)
This is great, and shows that the Vic rugby comp is improving. You do have to take it with a grain of salt as not all of these players are home grown Victorians....e.g. Sefa, OJ, Davis...but have just played Premier rugby here.
One thing it does highlight is that too much talent is let go at an early stage!
The big change for Victorian rugby will come when the talented rugby players stop leaving Melbourne when they're 18 or thereabouts to go and look for opportunities to find a professional contract by playing in Sydney or Brisbane.
I think we're already seeing that in Perth where more young talent are coming directly into the Force/Spirit from Perth club rugby compared to Perth players going interstate and then progressing to the professional ranks.
Things should improve significantly in Victoria in the next five years given that is how far behind they are the Force in terms of existence.
The trickle down effect of those players hanging around and improving the standard of the competition is significant in my opinion.
I think we're already seeing that in Perth where more young talent are coming directly into the Force/Spirit from Perth club rugby compared to Perth players going interstate and then progressing to the professional ranks.
Things should improve significantly in Victoria in the next five years given that is how far behind they are the Force in terms of existence.
The trickle down effect of those players hanging around and improving the standard of the competition is significant in my opinion.
FiveStarStu
Bill McLean (32)
Absolutely terrific news out of the Rebel/Rising camp today.
Tex
Greg Davis (50)
Great atmosphere tonight at AAMI. The crowd is really behind the team, lots of good banter and plenty of passion. My theory is that many of the 2,000-odd who have turned up so far are usually spread out across the ground, but the NRC has allowed all the bolshies from behind the goals to get together.
If you're yet to get down and see a match live I reckon you should do yourself a favour and get into it. Some excellent entertainment on show.
If you're yet to get down and see a match live I reckon you should do yourself a favour and get into it. Some excellent entertainment on show.
Highlander35
Andrew Slack (58)
I'm 90% sure I'll get there for the Vikings game. Frustrated at not being able to get to the first two.
I'll get to the Country game, and both finals too.
I'll get to the Country game, and both finals too.
FiveStarStu
Bill McLean (32)
KevinO
John Hipwell (52)
They should do a clubs round, get every club to try fill one bay with their supporters wearing club colors for a round and really get the banter going.
Dumbledore
Dick Tooth (41)
I love being good at rugby. All Melbourne fans should get along to see a winning team - I figure we just about deserve it at this point.
Did you two hear those two Fijians blokes?
'Melbourneeee!'
'Risinggggggg'
Outstanding stuff.
Did you two hear those two Fijians blokes?
'Melbourneeee!'
'Risinggggggg'
Outstanding stuff.
Dave Beat
Paul McLean (56)
The WA & VIC teams can basically start there teams in Oct / Nov as that is when there Super starts, they then have a whole season playing with each other against Super teams. How do the other teams adjust to that?
Highlander35
Andrew Slack (58)
Tex
Greg Davis (50)
No offence Dave Beat but it's starting to come across as sour grapes. How about basking in the glow of the Tahs being champs of the real competition, and letting us cellar-dwellers enjoy actually winning a f*cking game or two.
Anyway - the smaller crowd lets the clever buggers in the stand exercise their wit on a grand scale. The two Fijian fellas were classic, as was the comment about the ref wasting our $7.50 with all of the reset scrums.
Great vibe.
Anyway - the smaller crowd lets the clever buggers in the stand exercise their wit on a grand scale. The two Fijian fellas were classic, as was the comment about the ref wasting our $7.50 with all of the reset scrums.
Great vibe.
But they don't. They have Super Rugby teams to run which are really very different teams. There is a different head coach and generally a reasonably different side that is essentially the first team.
Most players across the NRC will be training as part of Super Rugby sides from Oct/Nov because many uncontracted NRC players will be vying for professional contracts by training for free across the Summer trying to win contracts. It isn't really just Melbourne and Perth which have an advantage over everyone else.
All the teams have the same issues where players are involved in club rugby after the Super Rugby season finishes, particularly those players who aren't normally in the matchday 23 during Super Rugby season.
Clearly the Sydney and Brisbane teams assembled later than they otherwise could have. That said, all the Sydney teams didn't start at the same time. Teams need to get their squads together for training whilst club rugby is still going on otherwise they will continue to struggle.
Teams and players need to juggle their involvement in club rugby finals with their NRC preparation. Only beginning to focus on NRC once club rugby is over will surely leave teams struggling regardless of how good their rosters are.
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