the monumentally appalling wallabies

[Smokin_Safari]

Feedback from some from the last entry was that I could have been a bit clearer, so now following the continued shameful display of tediously inept mediocrity that is the current Wallaby / Rugby Australia brand, here goes;

Hooper may well be a solid #7 but never great, even on a good day. Compared against his foe (Kane/Savea, Leavy/van der Flier, Mostert/Tu Toit, the fat kid in the -10s) he must be ranked last! Those good day are however behind us when some senior brains could help him. He couldn’t even get his head in a safe position on that last tackle against Italy. The 6/7/8 Pooper combination (given what mood the head clown is in) most definitely has most of the poop on this guy. As a captain, he is as useless as a knitted condom.

The same knitted condoms that RA must be handing out at selection committee meetings as the rotten genes keep on spreading. The old dears at the Coodgee Beach RSL are at least making a killing, with the goth in charge of RA throwing them out like red-herring candy to divert the groundswell of toxic comments coming even now from within.

As for new 7s in action, I can’t wait to see England’s Wilson rip Hooper apart later this week. As for the others, where to begin?

The Clown – my mole inside tells me that this sanctimonious devil-fart is one of the biggest narcissists he has ever met (even at Stade). No-one is allowed an opinion or self-thought, even when asked why (earlier in 2018) that ABs are running ~50 plays any given minute, Ireland play ~40, England ~20 set pieces + 20 back/reverse plays and France / SA / Japan keep it simple at 30. Wallabies play 12. Yep, only 12 rehearsed plays are documented in the play book. The Clown’s answer? “So the staff can remember them.”

Beale – just, just go away. When at last he runs towards the goal line, he carries the ball like a handbag (if I said coconut, some may get the wrong idea), then drops it when tackled (read : creamed usually).

Phipps – please. Are his contact lenses mixed up? Can’t he see more than 10m or is that just his passing range?

Foley – WTF is this no-look passing crap? Again against Italy, a wayward ‘pass’ went for a try.

And this is just the core of the rot – I could go on but must stop as we are about to land.

 

Come on Raelene – smell the coffee!

 

[bayala]

This is a complex issue that I would love to a deep dive on but I will summarize since you guys have touched on a lot already. 

1. Decreasing market share in a very competitive sporting environment. Soccer, Rugby League and AFL at junior/club level are run a lot better (more $$$) with the benefit of free-to-air viewing. The % of players at a Super Rugby/National level who have risen the ranks through club rugby only (outside of the private school system) would be almost non-existent. In this country that is a death sentence. We are no longer getting our share of the best junior athletes. 

2. Overseas player drain. We have potential starters, Wallaby B and C team players playing all over the world. The best team you could throw together would give the current team a run for their money. This is a recent phenomenon that happened very suddenly and we haven't recovered. Hence the poor depth and blooding of youngsters ahead of their time. We should follow Soccer (futbol) and allow players to play anywhere in the world and be able to be selected. Playing in different countries gives players vital experience outside of the RA system. How many guys are playing the best quality Rugby of their life overseas. Skelton looks great, Beale looked great. There's a trend here. 

3. Dissolve our commitment to Super Rugby. The model is dead and as Ken pointed out, so is tribalism. Put the money into club rugby and have players who choose not to play overseas (not all of them can/will) go back home and play where it all began. Setup a national club competition with "real" clubs, not this NRC bullshit. Have multiple divisions and relegation/promotion. It provides accountability for failure and rewards sustained success. The average punter has an affinity to their club team. Look as the crowds the Shute shield is drawing. By all means then select a QLD or NSW side for exhibition games or wallabies trials etc. but 4 professional teams in this country isn't enough.