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L' Etranger, a self-proclaimed rugby philosopher, this Wallabies tragic lives and breathes the game, with a fierce loyalty to the Queensland Reds. Blending the chaos of rugby with the wisdom of ancient thinkers, they find life’s truths in every scrum and linebreak. Expect passionate takes, philosophical musings, and a knack for spotting the game’s deeper patterns on The Roar.
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You can spend hours breaking down match footage, reading GPS outputs, or analysing kick-chase data. When breaking down performance, tactics, or results, we tend…
You could always join a Lawrence of Arabia tour – actually there are a few- across the desert on camel back smuggling a sixpack behind the camel’s hump refrigerated esky
A Rugby World Cup without beer... Gulf states aim to co-host in 2035 - great for the WR coffers, but what about fans?
It’s all about money and the Emirates will get the RWC, for sure.
The Atlantic published this pearl – by Tom McTague- on November 2022 :
“The Qatar World Cup Exposes Soccer’s Shame
The absurd spectacle of a tiny Gulf petrostate hosting the world’s premier tournament reveals the ugly side of “the beautiful game.” Qatar hosting the soccer World Cup is like Donald Trump becoming president of the United States. It should not have happened, but the very fact that it has only exposes how bad things have become. Once this famous old tournament kicks off in Doha tomorrow, the fact that it did can never be unwound: Qatar will forever have been the host of the 22nd FIFA World Cup, the greatest absurdity in the history of the sport.
A Rugby World Cup without beer... Gulf states aim to co-host in 2035 - great for the WR coffers, but what about fans?
Cheap and nasty, no other definitions fit the tackle, but hey, this is Secret Men’s Business
Jorgensen's SRP season, Lions tour in doubt as extent of ankle injury revealed
Skelton, Kerevi, Samu, why not McMahon? Schmidt’s “only locals” wallabies, Wilson and McReight will be crushed to rubble by the IBL loosies.
Predicted Lions and Wallabies lineups for first Test after surprising Six Nations shake-up
3. Kiwi crew moaning on The Roar
'Fired up': Larkham's timely Wallabies reminder as glassy-eyed coach admits 'rare' side of his shown during epic win
Here we go…
'Ridiculous, unacceptable': Legend's anger over Super fiasco - 'surprised at New Zealanders' lack of hospitality'
You can’t be serious!! Short memory about the one responsible for the wallabies downfall since 2015 WRC, welcome back to the “Australian Way”
Whether viewed through an Australian lens or not, Cheika never truly measured up as an international-level rugby coach. As the game evolved, he failed to adapt.
The criticisms against him are extensive. His poor selection decisions were so glaring that Rugby Australia had to intervene by appointing an independent selector. His track record in player development was almost nonexistent, as he continuously relied on aging veterans rather than integrating fresh talent into the squad—Stephen Moore and Dean Mumm being prime examples. His media outbursts and erratic behavior often turned the team into a spectacle, a circus -the kiwis painted him as a clown- undermining its professionalism.
Compounding these issues was his unwavering faith in underqualified assistant coaches, which left the team heavily reliant on individual player talent rather than a strong tactical foundation. In an era where professionalism is key, Cheika remained distinctly amateur in his approach—a reflection of Rugby Australia itself, an organization entrenched in nepotism and the influence of private donors.
Revealed: Cheika's secret meeting with RA boss as hunt for Schmidt's Wallabies successor ramps up
AR should get Ronan O’Gara and get over and done with the “Kiwi coach” and the “Australian Way” syndromes
'Yes. Keen': Irish great puts hand up for Wallabies job as RA boss reveals process to find Schmidt's successor
GC is the rat race capital of Australia, nobody cares about AFL, NRL despite having two teams, Titans and Suns, absolutely zero interest or else. And Rugby? what’s that? Credit to Bond Uni, Nerang and Currumbin rugby aficionados supporting the game. And for the ACT, populated by politicians and public servants, who cares? Only feel for the Brumbies crew, family and friend, the only attendance to the matches…
'A real slap in the face': Rugby greats slam 'disgraceful' decision to snub Canberra from World Cup
That’s what we can only aim for: HOPE. Low forwards depth, pint-sized defense, no fullback. Poor physical performance and toothless attack. Then “Mr. Irrelevant” Lolesio. Little or none rugby IQ. AR and The Roar oracles on a delusional high, following Schmidt on a messianic quest
After years of 'crazy selections', Schmidt has 'made up his mind' with Wallabies squad - it's a huge boost
Ah, the carousel spins again! Musical chairs, anyone? The weakest link? Still holding strong (or not so much) in defense 14 & 15. And the root cause? Oh, nothing new here—AR, instead of copying the winning formula from SA, decides to channel Back to the Future vibes. Square one it is, hiring a Kiwi coach who religiously follows NZR policies. Of course, that means sticking to the script: no calling up the best players available unless they’re conveniently playing where they’re supposed to. But wait, there’s more! The big bet is on an NRL player, the lone physical specimen who can handle more than just SR—a.k.a. the kindergarten rugby we’ve been treated to so far, courtesy of Schmidt’s “creative” touch when facing real opposition. Bravo for innovation.
'Galvanise the group': Why Schmidt isn’t sweating despite 66-year first with Wallabies
Paul Crawley from Fox Sports
'Humble pie for me': Wallabies bashers Campese and Youngs react to epic Twickenham triumph
But NRL and AFL fill stadiums, SR is only family and friends and wallabies tests, -last few years- the attending crowds are 75% made of expats and visitors.
'Humble pie for me': Wallabies bashers Campese and Youngs react to epic Twickenham triumph
Some pearls from today’s Fox Sports: QUOTE
“Joseph Suaalii has put to bed any dispute about NRL players being far superior footballers to their rugby union rivals”.
“But it only adds to the debate that if there was ever to be a cross-code showdown we now know who’d win by the length of the Randwick straight”.
In no way is this intended to be disrespectful of Suaalii’s stunning effort.
“But the fact is that while Suaalii was an outstanding young player on the rise at the Roosters, at this point of his career he didn’t rank anywhere near the NRL’s top players”.
“Yet Suaalii had the entire rugby world waxing lyrical”.
“While former Wallabies were blown away by Suaalii’s skills, power and athleticism, even the Poms were gushing with tributes including that the former Rooster “looks like a world star already”, along with suggestions it “rekindled memories of Jonah Lomu’s contribution at the 1995 World Cup”.
“Fair dinkum, it just goes to show how starved of star power the poor buggers have been for so long”. UNQUOTE
Me think that Suaalii added more beef and less potatoes, Wallabies shown what was missing before, my dream team: Thomas Cleary 10, Haas 8, along with Skelton, Kerevi and Suaalii, that would be something
'Humble pie for me': Wallabies bashers Campese and Youngs react to epic Twickenham triumph
Nine out of ten, Christy, great read. Schmidt appears to be deliberately sending Suaalii into a difficult situation, almost as if to make a point about players coming from the NRL or overseas-based teams. He seems disinclined to follow the AR recommendations on player selection, and has consistently undermined previous selectors’ squads. Instead, Schmidt appears to be aligning more closely with NZR’s guidelines, such as prioritising Super Rugby players. It’s hard to understand why AR’s national coaching role went to a Kiwi, especially when there’s been top-tier coaching talents like McKellar or Larkham available.
If Schmidt’s long-term vision continues on its current path, without course correction, it could lead the Wallabies into a deep hole. The team would likely be dismantled by the British and Irish Lions next year, and face a swift exit from the 2027 Rugby World Cup if this increasing reliance on NZR’s influence is not challenged. It’s a disgrace that we can’t watch most of Australia’s top players wearing the Wallabies jersey. And on a marginal note: all the world champions teams had a national coach at the wheel.
Suaalii call up is a huge gamble Joe Schmidt didn't have to take - and ignores RA's 'win now' edict
Great post, thanks. Yes, they will wake up and unfortunately, Wallabies will pay the consequences this weekend.
England's rugby team has long been a slumbering, bumbling giant - is it about to wake up?
Give us Foley anytime before Lolesio
How Crusaders landed 'world-class' O'Connor as Wallaby's move gives Schmidt left-field Lions option
Give us JOC anytime before Lolesio
How Crusaders landed 'world-class' O'Connor as Wallaby's move gives Schmidt left-field Lions option
Remember Wayne Smith ? Greg Growden? rugby writers on the “big papers” , mate.
The Wallabies' best performance of the past two years came under Eddie - and the departure that will haunt RA
Don’t shoot the messenger mate. The inconvenient truth is that Schmid has repudiated most of the foreign based players and SR players that were favored by Jones. so, wallabies are losing some very good players, Gordon, MarkyMark, etc and Schmidt sticking to the perennial losers left on the domestic scene. The Fairfax lobby -kiwi moles all of them- pushing through the appointment of Schmid and Lolesio as the chosen Ten. The wallabies are condemned to death by a thousand cuts.
The Wallabies' best performance of the past two years came under Eddie - and the departure that will haunt RA
Joe Schmidt has committed the team to following and we should expect the journey to look similar to that under Dave Rennie. God help us, another two decades of misery and pedestrian rugby? Joe Schmidt is not the coach wallabies needed, nor Lolesio is the number 10.
This is just a comment from the same lobbyists that demonised Jones and McLennan and put Schmidt on candidates list. Ditto
Wallabies Bledisloe ratings: Back-row stands up, Koroibete under pump to keep spot as bench delivers
Go to Wikipedia
Controversial call ends Wallabies' mind-blowing comeback as All Blacks 'hang on' to seal Bledisloe Cup again
Why WR put a full RFU officiating team -W Barnes and Co.- to Wales-Australia on that miserable day of RWC 2023? Check this out: Australia- Georgia, RFU’s Luke Pearce. Aus-Fiji, IRFU’s Andrew Brace. Smell the rat? WR put Jaco Peyper -the hitman- to the opening France-NZ. Peyper averaged 5 minutes stopping/ going killing the ABs momentum first 30 minutes of the game.
Controversial call ends Wallabies' mind-blowing comeback as All Blacks 'hang on' to seal Bledisloe Cup again
Facts and figures, mate
Controversial call ends Wallabies' mind-blowing comeback as All Blacks 'hang on' to seal Bledisloe Cup again
Foley is the man
'Put a lot of work into him': Wallabies star quits Australia, Schmidt faces big call on eve of Lions series