Wallabies 2023

[Marce]

I don't know what arrangement has been made for Melbourne to host this, but I would support the idea of it moving each year and going between Aus & NZ in each year.

They pay the Kiwis for losing their local incomes and Aussie sides receive nothing

 

[LeCheese]

yes, I think I've been one of the younger (maybe youngest) kicking around here for a while now.

 

[Doritos Day]

Question for people on here as it will reach people across various Super team threads but is anyone travelling to Melbourne for Super Round?

I don't know what arrangement has been made for Melbourne to host this, but I would support the idea of it moving each year and going between Aus & NZ in each year.

NRL Magic round brings in a lot of interstate fans and I'm sure the AFL version will bring in some as well. I like the concept, but Rugby may have to play it differently.

Yes and went last year as well. They need to be a lot better in terms of the set up but will give them some slack as 2022 was a bit cooked with NZ and the COVID element.

But things to do at the stadium, MCs that spent 5 mins learning the players names, REF MIC IN THE STADIUM are all needed to make it a slick event - felt a bit thrown together last time.

The timing for them is the biggest thing, I see why they want to get it in before AFL season but at the same time I think they need a few weeks of Super to get more visibility on it.

 

[Rebel man]

They pay the Kiwis for losing their local incomes and Aussie sides receive nothing

Yeah it’s a bit of a joke, the Vic government paid the kiwi sides to move a home game here. So last year they were all home games for them. Now this year they are they away teams. So they pocket the cash and don’t lose a home game.

Where as this counts as one of the rebels home games and they get nothing for it

 

[rodha]

There’s a list of good coaches who have missed finals with the West Tigers. The other was wanted by Eddie. Michael Maguire who is a premiership winning coach.

Hull are a bit the same in the Super league. St Helen’s have won 3 in a row and other than them Wigan are the only other good side.

He’s basically coached the Rebels in League. Rod Macqueen couldn’t even get them over the line.

mate - Macqueen was into his 60's by then and had Nathan Grey as his assistant coach.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

mate - Macqueen was into his 60's by then and had Nathan Grey as his assistant coach.

Fuck, his 60s... Eddie's 63

That's it. Don't even bother with the RWC

 

[Brumby Runner]

Are u a Queenslander living in Melbourne? You are the first U30s user I know here lol

This is what Im talking about:


What happened after that? Did you move to Canberra and become a diehard rugby supporter?

Yeah, but in a roundabout way. The crucial time was the Super League split here. It coincided with my move to Canberra, and the Brumbies just stood out as an unmissable occasion during those first couple of years. Have been a Brumbies member for most of the time since 1997. League no longer holds any interest at all for me, either domestically or internationally.

 

[rodha]

Fuck, his 60s... Eddie's 63

That's it. Don't even bother with the RWC

Bang on mate & with Bell/Tupou injured Eddie's 'smash n' grab' operation has been severely compromised and is now in dire straights. I reckon we just write off this world cup cycle entirely & start targeting 2027 with a young fresh-off-the-block head coach like Crono.

I'm a big believer coaches have a shelf-life (look at Gatland since 2020: Chiefs 0-8, Lions 1-2, Wales 0-3) and fast Eddie has expired...

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Just don't mention that Graham Henry was in his 60s.

 

[rodha]

Just don't mention that Graham Henry was in his 60s.

I would mention he had young Smithy & Shag as co-head coaches, essentially equally contributing legs of a 3 legged stall.

 

[Slim 293]

It's always the assistant coaches... always...

 

[John S]

Bang on

 

[Mr Pilfer]

This is a legitimate question, because I would like to know from those who do. Is rugby growing at grass roots level in Perth and Melbourne? I only ask because I have a few friends in Melbourne who say no one gives a toss about rugby or NRL as it is still AFL central…. and the Super round in Melbourne next week.. would many locals go or is it more a boozy weekend away for Brisbane, Sydney and Canberra people? Again, I would like to know if we are growing the game locally in Rebel and Force country because I heard Eddie say Australian rugby was best when we had only 3 Franchises?

WA is the only place in the country that increased player numbers in 2022. Since the Force were allowed back in things have picked up again and with the huge amount of ex-pat kiwis, saffas, and British more attention needs to be paid to WA. The Force now have a decent amount of homegrown players coming through the ranks. Having said that the crowd on Saturday was dissapointing.

 

[rodha]

It's always the assistant coaches..

The old adage, you're only as good as your assistant coaches - Eddie's results are certainly testament to that, 78% record with Borthwick vs 41% without.

It also pays to note that Eddie acheved his best results with Australia during the period where Link was his right-hand man, after Link left Eddie's tenure unravelled rather quickly..

 

[RugbyReg]

The old adage, you're only as good as your assistant coaches - Eddie's results are certainly testament to that, 78% record with Borthwick vs 41% without.

It also pays to note that Eddie acheved his best results with Australia during the period where Link was his right-hand man, after Link left Eddie's tenure unravelled rather quickly..

is that an old adage? I'm not sure I've heard it before.

 

[D-Box]

WA is the only place in the country that increased player numbers in 2022. Since the Force were allowed back in things have picked up again and with the huge amount of ex-pat kiwis, saffas, and British more attention needs to be paid to WA. The Force now have a decent amount of homegrown players coming through the ranks. Having said that the crowd on Saturday was dissapointing.

That's been Perth all over and reflects the fact we are full of expat kiwis and saffas.

We have never had great crowds for the local derbies as most of the Aussies shifted their loyalties while the saffas and kiwis (in particular) have held onto loyalty. Always a bump in attendance versus SA and big crowds for the kiwis. Think many people choosing one game a year and that's when their team comes. It's why you cant really compare NRL games in Perth to Super as its 2 games a year versus seven

 

[Tomikin]

is that an old adage? I'm not sure I've heard it before.

Tired adage from a tired poster ...

 

[The Red Baron]

The old adage, you're only as good as your assistant coaches - Eddie's results are certainly testament to that, 78% record with Borthwick vs 41% without.

It also pays to note that Eddie acheved his best results with Australia during the period where Link was his right-hand man, after Link left Eddie's tenure unravelled rather quickly..

 

[John S]

NRL coaches asked about Eddie's grab looks like Rugby is still getting mentions in NRL circles even if it's a poll put out by the paper.

Apparently none of the coaches or clubs are "worried" about Rugby targeting players with a union background.

Not sure if we could match salaries anyway

Edit: feel free to move to a different thread if more pertinent

 

[Marce]

is that an old adage? I'm not sure I've heard it before.

It is in the rugby bible. 2 Corinthians
Chapter 7, verse 15. Obviously @rodha is a great preacher