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Hugh_96

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Joined January 2017

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Long term 'glass half full' rugby fan - Wallabies, Wallaroos, Tahs, Marlins + 7s

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Excellent subject which I’m sure many rugby fans have wondered about. The reality is rugby isn’t in the same ballpark as NRL/AFL anymore & is unlikely to be able to get to those lofty heights in Australia again. It is what it is. Although it would be good for RUPA to come out occasionally & say something. From a player perspective they don’t seem to have much support. At least players have the option to head overseas.

Australian rugby stars becoming poor cousins to NRL as wage gap comes down to players' union clout

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Rugby
 
Today

Absolutely

Bottles and shoes as balls to the Principality: Young Fijian star's rapid rise from NRL hopeful to the Wallabies complete

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Rugby
 
Today

More than happy to criticise Rugby AU, so credit when it is due. The Australia A program has been huge with both Gleeson & Nawaqantitawase showing what they have.

Bottles and shoes as balls to the Principality: Young Fijian star's rapid rise from NRL hopeful to the Wallabies complete

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Today

Have to say Nawaqanitawase has been the highlight of the tour for me. We finally have a player who you get excited when he gets the ball. Thought he had something special back when he played in the Junior Wallabies. Sure there are a few rough edges, yes he will overplay his hand, yes he will make some poor defensive reads but there is way more upside. He just needs game time. I have never been sold on Petaia but that maybe because I have never really seen too much of him on the park with all his injuries. Thought he had a good game showing why RA invested in him. As for Wright I have been a longtime fan since he returned to rugby. Again he overplays his hand ie tries too hard & has defensive lapses. But with him at FB & Nawaqanitawase/ Petaia on the wings I dont think he has to try so hard, he can set the wingers up, show his footy smarts. Pity it is the last game of the tour.

ANALYSIS: Positives emerge on Wallabies' Spring Tour, including a successor to Israel Folau

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1d

Seriously we just need a win, in whatever form. Players need it, coaches need it, fans need it, RA needs it desperately to try & entice some sponsor $$ & & squeeze in an iota of media coverage between the FIFA World Cup games & finally a win is needed to let the casual rugby fan know that the Wallabies are still capable of a win.

'We need wins': Star's blunt message to injury-ravaged Wallabies ahead of season finale

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1d

I don’t know if KB is the answer & I am a long time fan. But the biggest take out you mention is the lack of variety in attack. Completely agree. At no point does it ever look like we are going to crack open the defence. Rennie’s focus always seems to be, get the physical dominance. Like the Irish I don’t think we have the size & depth of players to do that consistently. We need creative smart players like the Beale/ Cooper. We don’t seem to have any of those type of players coming through, maybe it is coached out of them these days. BTW would like to see Wright get some time at 10/12 at the Brumbies.

Bring back Beale: Tahs veteran the key to fixing Wallabies' astounding lack of attacking variety

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2d

It is interesting how we can watch the same game & take a different perspective. I thought with the amount of possession and territory the attack was a bit headless chook, just no direction or control. Whilst appreciating there were a lot of changes with injuries, a number of times we had multiple phases, at one stage it was over 20+ phases but it didn’t seem they had a plan. In the end they dropped the ball or conceded a penalty. There was no one to take control. But maybe that is the coach’s structure. But agree the back 3 played well, although it felt we were waiting for Nawaqanitawase or Petaia to do something special to score/ win the game.

Response in Dublin: Three Wallabies ‘betters’, still one lingering ‘but’

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2d

I know what you mean re Gordon – It is a conundrum – if Donaldson selected, I would want Gordon inside him & Hodge outside him at 12 – surround him with experience. Personally at this stage I would go all in, start Donaldson especially with Nawaqanitawase on the wing too. (Then again that maybe my Tahs bias)

Confirmed: Wallabies' worst fears realised over Tupou, White out of Wales clash amid injury crisis

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3d

Thanks for this, hadn’t got around to think who was available – it looks like they can put together a pretty reasonable team – would like to see a Gordon/ Donaldson combo.

Confirmed: Wallabies' worst fears realised over Tupou, White out of Wales clash amid injury crisis

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3d

Apart from the ongoing Wallabies ill-discipline saga my concern was knowing inevitably after 10+ phases we would drop the ball or give away a penalty. Again it looked like we had no idea what to do to break down the defence, which is disappointing because the back 3 looked good. A +ve take out – Wallabies scored a better looking try than Ireland

The Wrap: Wallabies’ inability to win the big moments a real pain in the neck

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3d

Wonder if RA will look to NRLW for players for the 2029 World Cup

Da Ali B Show: Brilliant Brigginshaw leads Jillaroos to third World Cup on the spin

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4d

Although it pains me, agree if Donaldson had won the game it would have briefly wallpapered over the cracks again. Also it would have been unfair on Italy, even though pro sport isn’t about fairness.

Why Donaldson’s miss was the best thing to happen under Dave Rennie

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5d

Terrific feeling a lot better now

WALLABIES TEAM: Rennie makes ten changes, including a surprise at 15, leaves kryptonite on the bench

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6d

Quite like the back 3, although don’t think Campbell had that poor a game against Italy. Really going to miss Foketi again.

WALLABIES TEAM: Rennie makes ten changes, including a surprise at 15, leaves kryptonite on the bench

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6d

It seems Manenti has an eye for players, sure Nawaqanitawase was at Eastwood but he has also brought in a range of players for the 7s program. Really hope Nawaqanitawase clicks have always felt he was a player with a point of difference.

'It's just crazy': Even Marky's blown away by his rise from sixth choice Tah, and a Fiji flirtation, to starting against Ireland

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Rugby
 
1w

Congrats on the article – especially as it focuses on a Tah I have been looking forward to getting a run. Really hope he is over his run of injuries. Have to agree I wasn’t that aware of Ikitau but he has become the first picked in the backline & still very young. Also agree I like players with footy smarts. It will be interesting to see how the combos roll out at both the Tahs & Wallabies.

Joey Walton's coming back to the Tahs in 2023 - this is why he'd make the perfect Wallabies centre partner for Len Ikitau

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Rugby
 
1w

RA should be very thankful to the 7s program which keeps Australian rugby on the World Rugby map with its performances. The women have been outstanding & are some of the cream of the crop of Australian women’s sport. As for the men, great recognition for just great effort. Not sure what the voting criteria is but would like to see Nick Malouf get it.

Rugby News: 'Special job' - Razor reacts to England links, Aussies dominate WR POTY category, Ireland big guns ruled out

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Rugby
 
1w

Yep it is the hope that kills us, the good thing now is there really isn’t much hope now, so disappointing but not fatal. So will watch the last 2 games with no expectations, less likely to be yelling at the TV now. Someone else said we really should be planning for 2027 World Cup.

I'm not giving up on the Wallabies, but I have no idea where they're going now

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1w

Again, against my better judgement, was thinking the same. The 2023 World Cup is done & dusted, no one knows what our best team is, a lot seems to be riding on Quade recovering. Just start planning for 2027.

'Everything's on the table': RA considers Rennie's future, radical selection oversight, after Italy debacle

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Rugby
 
1w

Must admit while I understand the resting of players, I did think it odd not to include some real experience on the bench. At least if things are going awry, you could have brought on Nic White, Hoops etc

'Everything's on the table': RA considers Rennie's future, radical selection oversight, after Italy debacle

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Rugby
 
1w

What was also astounding it was reported 2million got up at the crack of dawn in France to watch the bronze medal match against Canada. As for the Wallabies, have no idea where we go now. We seem to be in the same place 12 months out from the World Cup as we were in 2018. What is even worse, the Wallabies are falling a long way down the Australian sporting public’s interest list. If I was Rugy AU I would be seriously concerned about the rapidly declining casual supporter base & the impact will have on the next broadcasting deal.

The Wrap: We saw nine different ways to lose a game, and six of them from the Wallabies

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1w

Have been a long time Ruby Tui fan since reading about her years ago when she started in the NZ 7s program. Would like to know the background from her comment that she was ‘shafted’ by the 7s program. One of the take outs of the RWC is the array of personalities for a number of teams. Just hope Rugby AU tries to leverage the Lor Cramers etc

The beautiful Ruby Tui moment that echoes Sonny Bill

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Rugby
 
2w

There were 2.5 sevens players – Sharni Wiliams & former player Shannon Parry. Teria will get more 7s game time this season. We provide a lot opportunities for many NZers here in Australia, especially in sport.

INSTANT CLASSIC! Black Ferns stun England, end unbeaten run to claim World Cup glory with famous win

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Rugby
 
2w

Yep I imagine there was a couple of $$ for them – which is fine. My point is that it is not a model for most nations to follow or one that builds a sustainable structure for most nations.

INSTANT CLASSIC! Black Ferns stun England, end unbeaten run to claim World Cup glory with famous win

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Rugby
 
2w

Very true but usually in a measured & structured way. For example the English have been building over the long term, similarly the Oz women’s cricket team was developed over a number of years. I assume Smith & Henry are not staying on in the coaching roles.

INSTANT CLASSIC! Black Ferns stun England, end unbeaten run to claim World Cup glory with famous win

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2w
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