Aussie Player Exodus
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Upthemaroon!
Sydney Middleton (9)
If there is one thing I hope RA is doing with all that Lions money besides paying debt, is drawing up the plans for a 5th super team somewhere. I don't care where; Western Sydney, Melbourne (still my pick). RA has had the sugar hit to not die, now it's time to start building (sustainably).
Wilson
Tim Horan (67)
If there was enough money coming in from the Lions to sustain a 5th team they would've just paid to keep the rebels going for the extra year before it started arriving. It'll be much more expensive to start one up from scratch again.
Sir Arthur Higgins
Bob Davidson (42)
Four teams seems the right number at the moment
If super rugby can be successful over next decade, bring in a 5th.
It would be great if it was 12 teams of course but maybe that needs to come from Japan.
If super rugby can be successful over next decade, bring in a 5th.
It would be great if it was 12 teams of course but maybe that needs to come from Japan.
Before we look at more teams, my "dream" is a tad simpler
Can we have a full home and a away comp?
Crashy
Desmond Connor (43)
I think the $20 million tax bill the Rebels racked up is the issue. If they kept it going they'd need to pay the ATO bill I would imagine.
Strewthcobber
Nick Farr-Jones (63)
The Rebels were short about $6m a year each year after COVID on top of the RA funding.
Adds up pretty quick
Adds up pretty quick
Adam84
Tim Horan (67)
That is precisely the issue and also the reason there is a legal case now. Because the ATO is holding the former Rebels Directors personally liable for the tax liability Rebels owed to the ATO. Those individuals don’t want to pay this as it’s $millions so they’re taking RA to court.
this court case isn’t about getting the Rebels back, it’s about the directors getting out of paying the ATO the amount owing.
Wilson
Tim Horan (67)
Not technically a player anymore, but Michael Hooper is headed to Toyota Verblitz as a breakdown coach
The Ghost of Raelene
John Eales (66)
So he's starting the Centres after playing in the Halves in his return in Q Cup. I know it's the easiest place to hide and cover in RL but still being shafted around is hard. Good test for CG as Makasini is not on the small side for a teen.
Gordon, Makasini and Walsh all debuting this week.
Gordon, Makasini and Walsh all debuting this week.
The Ghost of Raelene
John Eales (66)
He's been surprisingly good in his dissecting of games and plans in his recent media work. Shouldn't be surprising he has the knowledge, but his way of articulating it has been great and that's the surprising part when he always seemed a quieter type as a player. I guess so did McCaw.
If he can take his communication skills and knowledge into specific coaching work it could be great. I reckon he would be excellent working with the U19s through to U20s backrowers. He's also still in an age bracket where they remember his play and he can probably relate better than the Fisher types now.
Major Tom
Nicholas Shehadie (39)
Might actually watch some league this weekend.
The Ghost of Raelene
John Eales (66)
I think there's some salt and pepper in the reporting. He's definitely a talent and maybe more suited to RL but I've watched him for a few years in the School Boy Rugby and yes he's good but he's also been handled relatively well by other good Wingers.
His speed for his size is the most attractive asset and he must be handling the physicality of training and defence which is what the coaches need to see. I remember Sam Burgess saying how JAS shocked everyone at Souths training when he'd jam someone in pre-season and he was only 17. That's when they knew they're ready.
His speed for his size is the most attractive asset and he must be handling the physicality of training and defence which is what the coaches need to see. I remember Sam Burgess saying how JAS shocked everyone at Souths training when he'd jam someone in pre-season and he was only 17. That's when they knew they're ready.
dru
Jason Little (69)
And so he should.
Look he is a proven international coach and an Aussie. If clubs/franchises were not watching him then what the hell are they doing? OTOH I don't imagine it would be likely to go far for the Reds.
The Ghost of Raelene
John Eales (66)
Neither do I. The comment grew legs as if I'm saying he's the guy, but it was just the fact he will be mentioned/linked by journos especially who know Chieka is the guy who grabs our attention.
I know he's polarising but I don't mind the guy. I think he does act in what he believes is the best interest of who he's coaching at all times and not afraid to cop the hate for his sides. Bit different to some others like EJ (Eddie Jones) who I believe think they are the main event. Having said that I understand he's a tornado that a well set up Club should avoid the sugar hit he brings because of the chaos that may occur at the back end.
I know he's polarising but I don't mind the guy. I think he does act in what he believes is the best interest of who he's coaching at all times and not afraid to cop the hate for his sides. Bit different to some others like EJ (Eddie Jones) who I believe think they are the main event. Having said that I understand he's a tornado that a well set up Club should avoid the sugar hit he brings because of the chaos that may occur at the back end.
The irony of Makasini is he is from a rugby family and only started playing league when he was 13 or 14.
He played rugby exclusively up to that point.
He goes to my son's school. He enjoys playing both codes. Tigers just threw ridiculous cash at him which for a young Polynesian lad who is big on providing for the family, was impossible to say no to. He will have a crack at rugby at some point I believe.
Tbf, this season for Newington he was solid without being spectacular - last 2 seasons he was ridiculous. He had a calf injury early in the season and he was not as impactful as previous seasons. To his credit, Tigers asked him to stop school this year and play full time but he wanted to finish school and play one last season with New to try and win a GPS title.
Crashy
Desmond Connor (43)
yeah he'll be back in rugby - that was clear from the Telegraph article this week. The fact he said the Tigers were pressuring him to quit school and start with them full time speaks a lot about that game and how lacking in integrity it is.
Thats a shocking thing to be pressuring a kid to do. fucking morons - plus the fact they threw an unfeasible amount of money at him speak volumes for what a basket-case that club is.
Enjoy the money and we'll see you back in rugby in a couple of years.
Thats a shocking thing to be pressuring a kid to do. fucking morons - plus the fact they threw an unfeasible amount of money at him speak volumes for what a basket-case that club is.
Enjoy the money and we'll see you back in rugby in a couple of years.