Roar Guru
Joined September 2014
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A rugby game isn't a matter of life or death. It's much more important than that.
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As recently discussed in Spiro Zavos' recent article on The Roar, one of the pillars of Bill Pulver's strategic plan is not directly funding…
There's been hysteria regarding players signing overseas after the 2015 Rugby World Cup. There is the perception that Australia is losing more players than…
Frequent readers will know that I have generally been pushing a strong anti-club line recently in regards to Australian rugby. Many people's strong support…
With the cricket season well under way I have been primarily looking at our batsmen, their results and how the challengers are performing. When…
Katia id agree is a potent winger but the others aren’t really featuring in rep calculations. Talakai had one great season but that’s it. He plays mostly second row now and off the bench a lot. Mulitalo is a bit in the same boat. Was good in 2022 but hasn’t been in rep discussions much since. Ramien is a solid NRL player and Iro has only just cemented himself as a regular NRL player.
How many are almost certain rep players? Or dally m team of the season candidates?
Broncos have Staggs, Cobbo and Walsh. Storm have Papenhazen/Fa’alago, Warbrick and Coates. A few teams have multiple elite threats that are pushing regularly for rep jerseys in 1-5.
Do you see Will Kennedy ever being a potential NSW rep? Even on the wing? Iro may represent NZ and perhaps Mulitalo comes back to past form as he’s only 25 but that’s hoping things happen.
Round 1 Predicted Teams: Sharks - Star recruit puts Cronulla in title contention, rising star set to miss starting spot
Even if Bill is wrong, I don’t think Lodge on close to a minimum wage deal will be the difference between failure and success as the Dragons. Low risk signing here.
I’d be more concerned about signing Gutherson for 3 years at $850k at his age.
Lodge set to suit up for sixth NRL club after Dragons toss veteran prop a lifeline
People love to create this narrative that McKellar inherited a champion team also, which isn’t the case.
They won the comp 2 seasons prior. The season prior they won 11 games. He took them to 9 wins so hardly a huge step back, especially when you point out the RWC impact which does not impact each team equally.
Everybody has wanted to pump up Cheika after Leicester started the season 3-1. Those 3 wins were against the teams that currently sit 9th, 10th and 11th. Now the Tigers have played more top teams they don’t look nearly as good. Not to say Cheika is a dud coach. It’s quite a tight comp below the top 2 and above the bottom 3. They had a good win vs Sarries for example. But they’re clearly a mid pack team that may sneak into 4th.
'It hurt me': Cheika takes blame after Leicester leak 80 POINTS to high-flying Toulouse, Ramm scores in Saints' win
Season hasn’t finished year mate. They’ve won 1 of their last 4 or 5 games haven’t they?
Talked up early after beating the bottom teams but tougher run home.
I doubt they finish with more than 10 wins (McKellar had them 9-9 for reference).
'It hurt me': Cheika takes blame after Leicester leak 80 POINTS to high-flying Toulouse, Ramm scores in Saints' win
People love to criticise how he handles “pressure” but compare who is around him to other top teams.
You can’t just focus on Clearly or Hughes because if you do those teams have a strong 6, fullback and potentially lock that will unlock attack.
Sharks have mostly had Hynes only. Shut down Nicho and that’s the Sharks done. No 7 is going to overcome that.
Round 1 Predicted Teams: Sharks - Star recruit puts Cronulla in title contention, rising star set to miss starting spot
Why would Stan pay for it?
Who is going to subscribe for the League One, that isn’t already a subscriber?
Manu scores again but Deans' Wild Knights too strong for Hansen's Toyota, McMahon's long-range try
That’s wild since I’ve only heard how much Cheika has turned Leicester around.
'It hurt me': Cheika takes blame after Leicester leak 80 POINTS to high-flying Toulouse, Ramm scores in Saints' win
Or assessing other options but want him up to speed for a Top 30 spot if you don’t find a better other option.
'Every one of my mates rang': Smith clarifies link to Sydney club as rumours swirl
But the teams they are facing are different to the ones in ’16.
The Storm and Panthers today are better than the Storm, or Raiders or Cowboys in 2016.
The solution to Hynes’ “poor showing” in big games is perhaps him not being the only elite player in their spine. Trindall looks like he’s going to be elite, but outside that they don’t have a strong attacking 9 or 13 and Kennedy isn’t one of the top NRL fullbacks. He’s never going to be in Origin discussions.
Round 1 Predicted Teams: Sharks - Star recruit puts Cronulla in title contention, rising star set to miss starting spot
Personally I don’t see Dolly as a gain.
He’s a good addition but after BPA, but his arrival means Tom Horton likely moves to 3rd choice and he ends up overseas.
'I'm not going to waltz in': Capped by Eddie with England, meet the 'human mullet' who can make Wallabies history
Just not a modern hooker.
15 years ago he would be, doesn’t have the mobility of a hooker in the 2020s though. Compared to Moore or TPN he doesn’t lack mobility. Just around in the wrong era, slightly.
'I'm not going to waltz in': Capped by Eddie with England, meet the 'human mullet' who can make Wallabies history
All the players you claim are “poached” from the Pacific Islands are nowhere near test prospects when they leave either.
But you don’t count that.
'I'm not going to waltz in': Capped by Eddie with England, meet the 'human mullet' who can make Wallabies history
I think the Sharks consistently have their squad overrated.
They don’t have absolute elite cattle. Minimal rep quality in their spine outside Hynes, decent but not exceptional forwards (AFB changes that) but middle of the road backs.
Round 1 Predicted Teams: Sharks - Star recruit puts Cronulla in title contention, rising star set to miss starting spot
Yeah he’s one I don’t agree with at all. DCE is under zero pressure. Last time they made finals before this year was 2021. Manly is under pressure if DCE retires
NRL Pressure Gauge: Origin stars, fading veterans, desperate players on final chance - who needs to bounce back in 2025
I suspect he could be a good international player.
But he’d never be close to value for money for what they’d have to pay to get him.
Wallabies on Brown's radar as Eels star casts wide net in search for new mega deal
I reckon Woods is one of those players who was around at the right time during his peak.
He suited the game at that time.
When he dropped out of rep discussions I don’t think he went backwards as a player, just the game changed a little. The fact that he kept popping up at clubs and getting minutes showed he was adding still adding value.
Brilliant playmaker, fearless leader and Hank Scorpio: NRL players who retired with heads held high
Nic Dolly definitely came through the Australia junior ranks.
'I'm not going to waltz in': Capped by Eddie with England, meet the 'human mullet' who can make Wallabies history
There was a third person in the cubicle? Wow.
'Grateful' Beale signs fresh deal with Force as Wallabies veteran makes late bid to take on Lions
He’d be a great ball playing/creative lock.
He doesn’t have the service to be an elite hooker. Isn’t a game manager and doesn’t have a kicking game.
I don’t even think his price tag is the issue. Plenty of forwards are in the $800k to $1M range. But when you are expecting him to be a player he just isn’t and paid that money it becomes an issue.
Round 1 Predicted Teams: Roosters - Halves, centres, pack, bench on long list of problem areas for Robinson
Yeah and he’s going to be a good value signing.
I don’t think he should be in the NRL after his past but I don’t expect the dragons to be the ones to draw the line in that.
'Every one of my mates rang': Smith clarifies link to Sydney club as rumours swirl
So they are no worse off after a year of improvement?
'Too much respect for Joe': Kiss commits to Queensland as Wallabies coaching circus continues
Gotta say the move on Gutho is the type of thing that can be culture killing.
Like any workplace, when you see how others are treated to suspect you may be treated the same.
Ryles told Gutho he was now behind, as you say, an untested rookie.
If you treat loyal servants of the club like that, how can you expect to build loyalty?
Rival club emerges as Brown destination after manager tests open market for Eels star
But a highlight video isn’t going to do that either…
Rival club emerges as Brown destination after manager tests open market for Eels star
It would be “great. Get rid of him”.
The reality is it works both ways. Had he not been successful RA had 2 years for a replacement to work.
'Too much respect for Joe': Kiss commits to Queensland as Wallabies coaching circus continues
I feel like you do not understand at all what that phrase means…
Now or never? Wallabies star weighing up overseas move as Waratahs confirm Gordon as skipper