Jim, the reason why he was overlooked for the first match of the Australia XV tour was because he was playing for the Reds on their Wild Knights two-match tour in Japan. They played that match on the 4th of November, then he would have had less than four days to get ready for the first Aus A game in Bristol. That’s not enough time, especially as he hadn’t been with the Aus XV squad training. It was not because of claims that the Brumbies Attack coach is ‘deliberately sabotaging’ his opportunities. Clearly, he wanted to play him, he was named the starting flyhalf for the England A game.
Jim, I’ve done this many times in many responses to your comments, but the claim that the Brumbies dominate selections simply doesn’t stack up. In previous articles, I have highlighted every single squad the Wallabies took to the World Cup since 1999, and none of them suggested an engrained bias towards the Brumbies. You can dislike Lolesio if you like, but the numbers and data I’ve raised previously suggest otherwise – he improved significantly in 2024.
To claim the Brumbies are blocking Reds players in the Aus XV program is misleading, there were 12 Reds in the 2024 tour squad – more than any other team, by the way. Nine played in the England A match, six played in the Bristol match. I’ve already highlighted that 38% number you keep coming back to in previous articles is misleading, and to blame the Brumbies for that doesn’t make sense – it comes down to the head coach’s strategy, rotation of players and execution, not what franchise they come from. The reason why Rennie failed in 2022 wasn’t because he was surrounded by Brumbies coaches, it was because he kept rotating players so much there was no cohesion built up, and also because the Wallabies had a horrific injury run during that year.

Mate, easy. I’m not Bruce Gilbert! 😂

This is the exact reason I wrote this.

Come on, be better than this. A self-promoter? Yeah, she does advertisements, like any other rugby player or person with an online profile. Ya gotta make money in this industry, I don’t begrudge her that.
But she is clearly doing more than that. The image she’s provided around body positivity has left a huge impact, not just on a demographic that rugby has struggled to reach, but it has also broken into the public discourse like with her appearances on Dancing with the Stars, and the Paris Olympics. People are actively on her socials, saying they want to learn more about rugby as a result of her influence.
As mentioned in the article, this is something to celebrate, and if you love rugby, she is only doing good. The fact the Bristol Women had to move her first game with them from Shaftesbury Park to Ashton Gate and it is set to be their most attended match ever in their history right off the bat highlights her influence.
I strongly recommend you watch Squidge Rugby’s best rugby moments of the year list on YouTube, she comes in at No. 1. He articulates brilliantly why she is good for rugby and what she stands for. An excellent summary.

Sorry, mate—this is where it hits home. However, according to recent news out of Rugby Victoria, there seems to be something afoot in the pathways for both the men’s and women’s sides. Here’s hoping it leads to some sort of representation down the road – though I don’t think we’re going to see anything while this court case continues.

You can just say nothing, ya know? 😂

Did you read the article? It’s not about social media profile – it’s what she is doing for rugby as a whole. Look beyond the superficial please.

Very glad you prefer watching Womens 7s to Mens, so do I. Very glad you are also a fan of her.

Regarding your last comment, I’d like to point out that I, alongside Hugh_96, have been writing articles, all year, covering the Wallaroos and the Sevens stars. We started with Super Rugby Women’s, we covered every Sevens tournament and the Olympics, we covered the Wallaroos teams and every result, and we even singled them out in podcasts and interviewed several players and the Head coach, Jo Yapp. We’ve talked about all the Aussie players regularly and frequently. I’ve also created an entire profile for the Wallaroos where you can see squads and upcoming fixtures.

While you are entitled to your opinion on whether they are better players or not (I think so too), the sheer influence Maher commands makes her stand out from any other player, male or female. She’s winning over a demographic that previously has not been touched by rugby, for many reasons. That makes her more than unique – rugby has been waiting for a star like her. I strongly recommend you go and check out some of her work this year.

It isn’t. As mentioned in the article, when she signed for the Bristol Bears ticket demand was so high they had to move venues. Everything she does she puts rugby front and centre. Squidge did a very nice summary in his end of year video where he highlights how many of her fans have said they want to check out rugby off the back of seeing her content.
If you’d been keeping an eye on the Sevens circuit, you were VERY aware of her. I first got wind of her during the Tokyo Olympics. Her running game and bumping off of players immediately made her stand out. This is the reason why I wrote this article – I think many Roar readers would benefit from learning more about her, and more specifically, why what she is doing stands out from all who came before her. She holds up.

Majority Brumbies? There are eight Brumbies in a side of 23. Is that a majority of the side, Jim? I’ve noticed on several occasions that the Brumbies have only been the most represented side on two occasions in the last two decades. I’m challenging the idea that the success of the Wallabies determines on the number of players in a franchise. It doesn’t. There are no numbers that support that. The majority of the 2015 World Cup side were from the Waratahs, and they made a grand final. The 2001 side that beat the Lions featured mostly Brumbies and Reds players, with eight Brumbies in the starting XV. They won that series. It doesn’t make a difference what franchise they are from, it depends on the coaching strategy, how he or she executes it, and the form of the players. As mentioned, the Brumbies and Reds were the two form teams of that period, which is why they made up the Wallabies side.
You make the argument that the 38% record is because of the Brumbies featured. I challenge that directly. I’m saying in 2022 there was a myriad of circumstances, injury issues being a major one, Rennie’s rotation strategy being another. There is no evidence, in Rennie’s time or beforehand, that the Brumbies have contributed to any sort of decline in the Australian side. You say Lolesio has had his chances? You need time in the seat to be a flyhalf. Do you want to know how many times before 2024 that Lolesio has consecutive Test matches starting at ten? Two. He’s been chopped and changed so much he’s barely had any chance to develop any cohesion in the role at Test level. 2024 has been, by far, the longest stint he’s had at ten. So no, that claim isn’t ridiculous.
Thinking McKellar is the crux of all issues with the Wallabies is ridiculous. He’s not even part of the Wallabies set-up in 2024, so how can he be responsible for the issues there? The reason for the Wallabies winning 6/13 Test matches is because, with a new coach, they are building a new strategy – which is working based on 3/4 of the Spring Tour matches. Because, as mentioned, cohesion and coaching strategy determine the style of play. Assuming McKellar should not be given a shot because of what happened after one year in Europe is the same approach we’ve been taking to Aussie rugby for the last twenty years. Get a new coach or player, and they perform well, but the moment they make a mistake, we cast them off. Players and coaches are allowed to grow – Les Kiss is the embodiment of this. We need to stop this sort of rhetoric and recognise that while interstate rivalries are fantastic when it comes time to put on the green and gold jersey, we’re all on the same team and want the same goals. McKellar was the assistant forwards coach in 2022 and that was one of the few things during the Wallabies year that worked well. I strongly recommended you check out Squidge Rugby’s videos on Australia at that time, he brings a nuanced and very detailed analysis as to why the Wallabies forward pack was one of it’s few successes.

Jimbo, in 2022 the Wallabies did not have 18 Brumbies. They had 13 Brumbies and 6 Reds for the Spring Tour, 16 Brumbies and 9 Reds for the Rugby Championship, and 14 Brumbies and 7 Reds for the England series. Yes, the Brumbies were the most represented, but the Reds had the second-largest contingent. But, as pointed out in previous discussions, that is a moot point. It doesn’t make sense to lay the blame based apparent bias around the franchise location. It comes down to the head coach’s strategy and the form of the players.
Blaming the 38% losing record for the year on McKellar and the Brumbies is not only incorrect, it ignores how complex that situation was. The Brumbies were the best-performing side that year in Australia by a long way. It also ignores how bad the injury issues were during that year, and also Rennie’s rotation strategy. It was well-documented that the side was savaged by injuries the whole year, to the point where they had to parachute multiple players in from overseas. McKellar’s entire job was to manage the forward pack – and that was one of the few areas the Aussies were competitive. On that Spring Tour, they beat Scotland, achieved a come-from-behind victory over Wales, and lost to France by 1 point and Ireland by 3 points – when both were considered contenders for the number one ranking at the time.
Yeah, the Italy loss indeed made Rennie a dead man walking, but it was because his rotation policy for the Wallabies was unmanageable – he made 12 changes for that match, some through injury, some not. How can you maintain cohesion with that many changes? For the record, there were 8 Brumbies, 6 Reds, 5 Tahs, 2 Force, 1 Rebel and 1 overseas player in that side. The Brumbies did not dominate the 23. Rotation issues were a longstanding problem of Rennie’s era; he built options sure – which Schmidt is capitalising on – but he wouldn’t give them extended time in the saddle. Lolesio is a prime example of this – dude played second fiddle to Cooper and Foley for most of the era.
I do not understand your claim that McKellar’s teams play in an ‘ultra-negative, ultra-cynical’ manner. What does that mean Jimbo? Discipline? Those issues extended back to Cheika’s era, it was a longstanding issue before Rennie or McKellar came along. McKellar’s 61% winning record at the Brumbies suggests a side going all right. If you want to claim that he failed at Leicester and he shouldn’t be picked as a result, you need to apply that consistently. That is like saying we shouldn’t hire Les Kiss for the Reds because he got flicked at Ulster. A coach can learn and develop, and Kiss bounced back brilliantly at London Irish. McKellar took Souths to a final in Queensland, won back-to-back titles with Tuggeranong, made finals in the NRC and won a SR AU title with the Brumbies. Clearly, he can coach.

Did want to mention that those achievements, unfortunately was left on the cutting room floor. There is a lot of good stuff to talk about with Ilona. She’s a boss.

Pretty much. I recall when they beat the Kings back in 2017 nearly the entire starting squad all played their rugby in WA. It set them back so far when they got cut, to be in that situation again within a decade would be a remarkable achievement. Really enjoy keeping an eye on the Force – they are on a mission.
Horne is a good rugby brain. I also think while Nucifora was in RA only under contract, his influence and suggestions will start to come through as well. I think everyone now looks at 2023 as the watershed moment, a collective realisation the status quo can’t be maintained. It’s about seeing what works and what doesn’t and re-designing the game. The next broadcast deal is critical – on a personal level, there had been talk of a Super Rugby AU comp coming back as a domestic comp in the back half of the year to raise dollars, which I hope is the case. It’s likely the best solution to bridge the clubland gap, up the number of games and lengthen out the season for non-Wallaby players. Hopefully, 2021 wasn’t a COVID flash in the pan, and there is strong commercial gain to be had in bringing something like that back.

I’m expecting to see some more fixtures announced, the matches I’ve seen have been quite encouraging. Trials are never accurate when it comes to season form – but hopefully, it’s a sign that cohesion is building rapidly in the teams.

Cheers mate, right back at ya.

I sincerely hope so. I think it would be wonderful to see the Reds continue to grow. Over the last few years, they’ve endured some hard slog on and off the pitch, and to hold on to such a talented group is no mean feat. I am really impressed with how they are operating as an organisation – with no competition in the back end of the year, their tour games are going to put them in such good stead, getting the number of games up to what is much more in line with other provincial teams internationally. All other Aussie sides should be following what they are doing – and the Force are to an extent with their Saffa tours.
You raise a good point – many Tahs and Reds fans have it out for the Brumbies grabbing talent from their competitions – but if they aren’t gonna have a crack for their state sides, where would they go? While the long-term goal should always be to have more local talent (another reason why I think Victoria might benefit from some agreement with the Brumbies), I don’t think it’s a bad thing for the Brumbies to be an overflow team for the Tahs and Reds. If the Tahs get going too, all three humming together will only benefit the Wallabies. It happened before.
That’s not to discount the Force either – after nearly 15 years of five professional teams – one positive of that is that is five teams exposed to high-intensity rugby, so to have a fourth side that can also keep pro talent in Australia and be another place to grow the game (the Force are throwing a lot into their academies) can fill a critical role within the Aussie ecosystem – particularly if Twiggy dollars can help bring lost talent back from overseas. If everyone works together and alignment is achieved, a lot can be done.
There is so much work to be done though and it’ll take years to see the results, but this is a long game we’re playing.

It’s a combination of both, from my experience. I’m based in Newcastle and I’ve seen the Brumbies up here more than the Waratahs in terms of looking for talent. There is a real goal to prioritise finding talent from the regions outside of Sydney, and even if it isn’t in their catchment region, there is a growing amount of prospects in the ACT&SNSW region, Corey Toole of course being the most famous at present. I think it’s even worth them incorporating or coming to some sort of agreement with Rugby Victoria if the Rebels are done for good – there is plenty of Dewar Shield talent who could follow Bobby V.
What they have done so well IMO is to come up with a clear identity in their pathways – they have a style to play and approach, tweak it based on the opposition. An opposition knows where the Brumbies’ strengths are and usually plan their strategies around that, not only do they have to be better than the bread and butter stuff the Brumbies are good at, they also have to contend with other changes to the game plan – which Toole and Wright have really helped expand. Having that identity immediately has players further ahead than at a club where they are struggling to find their style of play. Such an approach means they can see opportunities for particular players who naturally are more likely to benefit from that environment. It makes them very unique in Aussie rugby and a good template – though I must admit, the Reds look to be making strides in their on-field identity and connection.

Really good series Chips, enjoyed your insights into the next generation of players. As the ARC ad from years ago featuring many Wallabies stars in waiting said ‘you don’t me… yet.’
Lots of reasons to be excited for the future of the game, very keen to hear more over the coming months when the season gets back under way.

He’s been cruelled by injuries the last few years, it’s been an awful run. Really hope he can get some game time, dude is a fantastic ambassador for WA rugby.

I reckon HJH has come a long way from the days of the late 2010s when he would often get bullied up front. A Force move would work very well for him for consistent game time – if he stays injury-free. Really hope he does, on career-best form he is worthy of another Wallaby call up.

Right. Cron is a very passionate bloke from my experiences chatting with him, and he definitely seeks perfection – got a front-row seat watching him coach in the NRC and he was still finding issues to fix in a match where his side put 50 points on the opposition.
From previous clubs, when he can get a team going, they usually kick on and run deep into finals. While I give the benefit of the doubt in 2023, 2024 was a major disappointment and he knows it. He can’t afford to have another year like that, and with a squad like this it’s an opportunity he can’t afford to miss.

There is a lot to like. I think they have recruited very well. Tighthead remains a big concern, given Moli and HJH’s injury record. Didn’t mention it in the article but a subtext of the article for this squad is strength and conditioning will also likely need to be examined. Last year’s early injury issues completely derailed the season, plus the previous season’s progress. They can’t afford to have that again.

No. It doesn’t. It proves my point that the Wallabies are always selected on form, and it isn’t down to any sort fairness between one team or another. In 1999 the Reds were the best side in Australia at the end of the amateur era, and going into the professional era, so naturally they’d make up most of the Wallabies. When that amazing Canberra Kookaburras side transitioned into the Brumbies of the early 2000s, they naturally began to filter into the Wallabies more. As they should have.
Rivalries are good, but these sorts of claims are actively disputing the historical results of Super 12. You can believe them if you want… but it doesn’t make it true.

1998 was a shocker. We came 10th in Super 12 and only won three games.

While they came second in 1997, the Brumbies still weren’t quite there. They dropped off a cliff in 1998 and came 10th. They were okay in 1999, but still didn’t make finals.
By comparison, the Reds just missed out on finals in 98 and topped the ladder in 99. They were the more consistent side in Australia for several years running at that point – and Macqueen went with the side both on form and the fact there was good cohesion in that Queensland outfit built up over the many years leading up to it. There’s a great video by Roaring Boar Productions that covers this period really well, and highlights why Queensland were so dominant. A good watch.
The Brumbies only really came good in 2000. That year they topped the ladder and lost the final to the Crusaders, then went gangbusters for the next four seasons. Unsurprisingly, that is when they featured more in the Wallabies.