Oracle of Delphi
Craig HillThe Wallabies are NOT a League of Extra Ordinary Men.
August 7th 2007 21:30
...they're a Rugby Union of Extraordinary Gentlemen Warriors.
I haven't mentioned this at all because;
a) it's ridiculous
b) it's beyond ridiculous
c) I've been a major blog slacker lately and I'm not going to waste the precious moments when the post irony strikes, on...shudder...the ARU's/Wallabies staff insistence on procuring showpony league players.
Please note: I am not that disrespectful that I would call this league player a 'showpony'. I am referring to the drunken Sailors and the jelly Rogers of the league crossover world.
However, the iron-y struck on this and damn it hurt.
Last month, Andrew Johns, retired league player and legend of the game they play...in some parts of Australia...was invited by Wallabies coach Connolly to help with kicking Connolly's ass. And kicking in general because Johns is supposedly King of the Kick.
The other reason why I haven't mentioned this is because...Larkham and Gregan were all for this, saying that Johns has the knowledge and tactical awareness to provide the Wallabies with an edge.
No, you didn't just lose your eyesight. Yes, I wrote that in the smallest font possible. Yes I am an immature cretin but that's my prerogative. I leave the maturity to the professionals.
Johns has been providing kicking tuition at many Wallabies training sessions and there has been talk that he will be travelling to France as Kicking Coach.
Apparently...excuse me...I need some fortification..where's mybrandy coffee?..."schooling" from Johns in the week before the first Bledisloe match, was the "trigger" for Larkham to place the grubber kick that almost became a try for Mortlock.
Next thing...we're going to credit the Boomers for Rugby lineout throws and the Kookaburras for teaching Rugby Forwards how to hook the ball.
Okay, let me try to be grown-up about this for a few seconds.
I don't know anything about league. I know who Andrew Johns is and by all accounts he's not just an all round nice guy, he's a great league player.
League player.
I'm sure he is great at what he does/did but let me just point one thing out that I may or may not have done earlier.
League player.
Rugby and league are two very different games and not just because Rugby has 15 players with 8 real Forwards, a scrum, Stephen Larkham, a lineout and knowledge that 'you' is singular and plural.
It would make more sense to me if an ex AFL playing great was asked to help out with the kicking because from what I have seen, AFL kicking tactics is what Rugby kickers could really learn from.
I could be wrong so please feel free to enlighten me.
It would make greater sense to me if we asked a RUGBY GREAT like...oh I don't know...John Eales or Matthew Burke or Joe Roff or Mark Ella or Tim Horan or Jason Little to help out with kicking tuition and moral support.
Surprisingly, it's actually the ARU that has vetoed the idea of Johns travelling with the Wallabies....BUT...Connolly keeps pushing his considerable bulk, for it.
excerpts from Rugby Heaven
Sin-ical cow that I am (moo-ving along), I truly feel that this is a ploy on Connolly's part to draw in league fans....because there simply is no other reason for wanting Johns to be a part of the Rugby contingent heading to France.
As former Wallaby lock (& the ARC's East Coast Aces Assistant Coach), Garrick Morgan says;
Morgan also said some things to say in retaliation to Flat Rogers rant against Rugby and the ARC...but I'll leave that for another iron-y post.
Please believe me when I say that I'm not being typically "rah rah" elitist about this. This is not about code bigotry. I'm already bummed that the ARU is considering a foreigner to coach The Wallabies.
It just seems like...everyone wants to water the Wallabies down. Why aren't our Rugby coaches and ex players good enough? Why do we have to be so PC about code intergration? I don't see league asking Rugby Forwards to help them out in their scrum. Oh yeah right. They don't have one.
Sarcasm aside...you get the picture right?
Why Larkham and Gregan are supporting this is because they know that we have some problems with our kicking game, especially when playing against the great naff ponces like Carter and Wilkinson.
Although our midfield tactical kicking has improved, it is still hit and miss but for f**ks sake...Rugby is not a kicking game.
It's a running game.
That does not mean we should hire Cathy Freeman.
It means that Rugby should stick to what Rugby people know best. And stop hiring people way out of their league.
excerpts from Rugby Heaven and The Age (Garrick Morgan's quote)
image courtesy of The Daily telegraph
I haven't mentioned this at all because;
a) it's ridiculous
b) it's beyond ridiculous
c) I've been a major blog slacker lately and I'm not going to waste the precious moments when the post irony strikes, on...shudder...the ARU's/Wallabies staff insistence on procuring showpony league players.
Please note: I am not that disrespectful that I would call this league player a 'showpony'. I am referring to the drunken Sailors and the jelly Rogers of the league crossover world.
...oh those? They're Forwards. And that's a scrum...
However, the iron-y struck on this and damn it hurt.
Last month, Andrew Johns, retired league player and legend of the game they play...in some parts of Australia...was invited by Wallabies coach Connolly to help with kicking Connolly's ass. And kicking in general because Johns is supposedly King of the Kick.
The other reason why I haven't mentioned this is because...Larkham and Gregan were all for this, saying that Johns has the knowledge and tactical awareness to provide the Wallabies with an edge.
No, you didn't just lose your eyesight. Yes, I wrote that in the smallest font possible. Yes I am an immature cretin but that's my prerogative. I leave the maturity to the professionals.
Johns has been providing kicking tuition at many Wallabies training sessions and there has been talk that he will be travelling to France as Kicking Coach.
Apparently...excuse me...I need some fortification..where's my
Next thing...we're going to credit the Boomers for Rugby lineout throws and the Kookaburras for teaching Rugby Forwards how to hook the ball.
Okay, let me try to be grown-up about this for a few seconds.
I don't know anything about league. I know who Andrew Johns is and by all accounts he's not just an all round nice guy, he's a great league player.
League player.
I'm sure he is great at what he does/did but let me just point one thing out that I may or may not have done earlier.
League player.
Rugby and league are two very different games and not just because Rugby has 15 players with 8 real Forwards, a scrum, Stephen Larkham, a lineout and knowledge that 'you' is singular and plural.
It would make more sense to me if an ex AFL playing great was asked to help out with the kicking because from what I have seen, AFL kicking tactics is what Rugby kickers could really learn from.
I could be wrong so please feel free to enlighten me.
It would make greater sense to me if we asked a RUGBY GREAT like...oh I don't know...John Eales or Matthew Burke or Joe Roff or Mark Ella or Tim Horan or Jason Little to help out with kicking tuition and moral support.
Surprisingly, it's actually the ARU that has vetoed the idea of Johns travelling with the Wallabies....BUT...Connolly keeps pushing his considerable bulk, for it.
excerpts from Rugby Heaven
The Wallabies are again pushing hard for Andrew Johns to fill the role of kicking guru during this year's World Cup, despite Australian Rugby Union officials recently declaring it was unlikely the league great would be involved.
Johns would not be available to become part of the Wallabies World Cup off-field contingent until the quarter- and semi-finals stages of the tournament, because of his television commitments with the Nine Network.
When asked if appointing Johns the Wallabies kicking coach was back on the agenda, Connolly said:
"Well, it never has been off the agenda. It's just a matter of what we can work out. He's always been keen if it fits in.
Johns would not be available to become part of the Wallabies World Cup off-field contingent until the quarter- and semi-finals stages of the tournament, because of his television commitments with the Nine Network.
When asked if appointing Johns the Wallabies kicking coach was back on the agenda, Connolly said:
"Well, it never has been off the agenda. It's just a matter of what we can work out. He's always been keen if it fits in.
Sin-ical cow that I am (moo-ving along), I truly feel that this is a ploy on Connolly's part to draw in league fans....because there simply is no other reason for wanting Johns to be a part of the Rugby contingent heading to France.
As former Wallaby lock (& the ARC's East Coast Aces Assistant Coach), Garrick Morgan says;
"What can he (Johns) add?
He might have some good banter to keep the boys relaxed, most probably,"
"Joey is one of the greatest rugby league players ever [but] he never played rugby
"They should have been organised before this.
If he (Johns) can come along to one or two sessions and help out that's fine...But I am not sure if you have to take him.
I would rather take someone like Tim Horan or John Eales who have been there done that, who are part of the rugby fraternity."
He might have some good banter to keep the boys relaxed, most probably,"
"Joey is one of the greatest rugby league players ever [but] he never played rugby
"They should have been organised before this.
If he (Johns) can come along to one or two sessions and help out that's fine...But I am not sure if you have to take him.
I would rather take someone like Tim Horan or John Eales who have been there done that, who are part of the rugby fraternity."
Morgan also said some things to say in retaliation to Flat Rogers rant against Rugby and the ARC...but I'll leave that for another iron-y post.
Please believe me when I say that I'm not being typically "rah rah" elitist about this. This is not about code bigotry. I'm already bummed that the ARU is considering a foreigner to coach The Wallabies.
It just seems like...everyone wants to water the Wallabies down. Why aren't our Rugby coaches and ex players good enough? Why do we have to be so PC about code intergration? I don't see league asking Rugby Forwards to help them out in their scrum. Oh yeah right. They don't have one.
Sarcasm aside...you get the picture right?
Why Larkham and Gregan are supporting this is because they know that we have some problems with our kicking game, especially when playing against the great naff ponces like Carter and Wilkinson.
Although our midfield tactical kicking has improved, it is still hit and miss but for f**ks sake...Rugby is not a kicking game.
It's a running game.
That does not mean we should hire Cathy Freeman.
It means that Rugby should stick to what Rugby people know best. And stop hiring people way out of their league.
excerpts from Rugby Heaven and The Age (Garrick Morgan's quote)
image courtesy of The Daily telegraph
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Comment by David
Firstly, I'm really suprised that you haven't just taken Stephen and George's word for this being a good move.
Since you asked.
Up until a few years ago, AFL players were not noted for their tackling skills. It wasn't until a few lateral-thinking coaches invited Rugby (and League) players to their training sessions to teach AFL players how to tackle that the technique improved. Nowadays the tackling skills of players is one of the highlights of Aussie Rules.
I'm not the biggest follower of Leauge but I do know one thing. "Joey" Johns is the Larkham of League. He's head-and-shoulders above most of the boneheads who play the game.
I'd be all for it. While Rugby and League might be poles apart in parochial supporters' minds (and allegiances), to the objective observer, the sports/games have their similairites and commonalities, and the short kicking game is one of them. Johns is not the type of guy who is going to attend a training session like he's some saviour of Rugby. (One thing in his favour in all of this? He stuck with the code he knew best. He's no Loti).
The other consideration? Are John Eales, Matthew Burke, Joe Roff, Mark Ella, Tim Horan or Jason Little available or putting their hand up for the job? If they are, then it's a different matter altogether.
I don't see AFL players being of much value to Rugby other than teaching the players how to kick long or catch/mark the high ball. When I watch Rugby tests, I often think a few of the players need a few lessons on how to kick long, but as far as the short kicking game goes, get Johns in.
They're my thoughts on the matter.
David ...
Comment by Ash
Australian Traveller
Flashes of memories
And if you don`t get at least 1 person from each State, including Tasmania, to play and... well you`re covered with the foreigner as the coach, then seriously I don`t think you can possibly have a real team.
This is politics after all, not Rugby. Heck, why not get in an American Footballer while you`re at it, they have a pretty good throwing arm too.
What a load of crap, I wonder when it was that the lines became so blurred!
ash
Comment by Lily
Ars Poetica
just stopping by to wave hi and show the Devi some lerv ..
~Lily
Comment by Nina
It seems that they are doing some very strange things. It's hard to see what their motives are, and perhaps there is some sort of agenda (damn, now I sound like a conspiracy theorist...)
Anyway Dusk, I just wanted to pop by to say hi, as it's been a while. I hope that you are well and enjoying yourself
Nina
Comment by Norm
Consumption Malfunction
Equal and Opposite
Arses and Elbows
Footy Power
Dusk,
you make a strong
coffeeargument.The whole scenario is a bit like Kyle Sandilands judging a talent contest.
Not really.
Kicking in Rugby?
More tactical than totally neccesary?
Unlike footy(AFL).
What I remember of Johns is his ability to sum up when to kick and fequently too.
That's all I've got.
Coming up short.
Cheers,
Norm
Comment by DuskDevi
Rugby World Cup 2007
Oh come on now...I do not put subjects of
lustadmiration on a pedestal nor do I have to agree with everything said/done to stillsalivateadmire the subject oflustadmiration.Anyway.
It's funny and blasphemous that you say Johns
A few years ago the ARU had plans on recruiting Johns as a flyhalf. This was a ridiculous plan because other than as wingers, league players cannot make the transition to Rugby...and even as wingers they have problems.
Rugby and very different games and what is required of their players are very different skill sets.
Besides Johns was reaching his use by date to start in a new code.
I'm not being rude about that.
I do have much respect for Andrew Johns as a player in his chosen code but there is no way he could translate his talents to Rugby at a ripe age.
The ARU likes to 'threaten' Rugby players. It's a power play. To make the Wallabies/players stay on edge. Bottom line...they're hard pressed to find a substitute for Larkham within Rugby ranks. There's no hope in hell if finding one outside of Rugby.
Thankfully this code crossover did not eventutae because it would have been very embarassing and Johns is left with digbity, integrity and legend status intact.
Believe me...he would not have coped well in Rugby. Nothing against him as a person. It's about what the body and brain is capable of after a certain age. If he had started in Rugby when he was in his teens...then yes, maybe...who knows?...He could be a worldwide game great.
It's not the short kicking that's the problem. Larkham, Gerrard, Giteau, Latham are all masters of the grubber kick...
Larkham particularly is brilliant at the peripheral look and chip kick.
Almost always, this kick ends in a try because Larkham makes it so.
He draws in as many defenders as possible because good opposition players never underestimate Larkham when he's running with ball in hand.
As soon as he sees that he's drawing in about 3-4 opposition players, he chips the ball ahead...but he does this only when he knows that he has teammates in support.
He usually spies a gap and tries to widen it.
It's the midfield tactical kicking we need help with. Finding touch. Larkham can be brilliant and can be...not so brilliant.
Giteau, Latham, Gerrard and Huxley are good at this but it's the flyhalf who needs to excel at this.
...you've seen how sometimes Rugby can be like watching tennis...
This is why I feel an AFL player would be best. The precision of their long range kicking is what Rugby needs.
I see your points in why Johns would be helpful and I do understand why Larkham and Gregan feel that he can provide them with an edge...
Unfortunately Larkham and Gregan are all about good sportsmanship and camarederie and blah, blah, blah.
I know they respect Johns and they are all professional sportsmen...blah, blah, blah...and oh goodness...this is a post in itself now...
By the way...the Wallaby greats are always available.
Especially in a World Cup year.
mah warmth sugah...thank you for the sporting knowledge and perspective you provide.
Dusk
Comment by Andrea
V8 Supercar Pitstop
biaslustcommitment.There's that name again! You mention him almost as much as you mention the Lark, you know.
Very telling ... very telling indeed.
Big hugs
Cara.xxxx
Comment by DuskDevi
Rugby World Cup 2007
Although I laughed, something about what you say made me step back and think...
...I sound a bit...hmmm...sectarian(?)
As if I don't want the precious, pure blood of Wallabies Rugby to be 'sullied'.
I sound code-ist.
Okay. I am code-ist.
It's like this...although I believe each sport can teach an other how to think a certain way, I don't believe that this should be at the expense of the knowledge within the code.
Am I making sense?
As for a foreign coach?
If the players who play for a national team have to be citizens of the country they are playing for...why should the rules be different for the coach?
Each national team is made up of so many races and colours and sizes and shaps but they have their nationality in common.
The Wallabies are made up of Africans, S Africans, Pacific Islanders, NZ-ers, Welsh, Irish, Scottish, English, to the land born-ers...and they're all Australian.
Eddie Jones is half Japanese/hal Robot but... he's Australian.
Gosh...I've gone off on a tangent again.
I hope you get what I'm trying to say...I have nothing against Andrew Johns personally but... why ask him to help out when we have a treasure trove of knowledge within the code?
Why get a foreign national coach when we have the mans and opportunity to choose from local ranks?
I really have no idea what i've written so far so i'm just going to leave it at that.
It is as you say, all politics. And it's about audience poaching. The ARU/O'Neill poached league players before RWC 03 to get the league fan base across to Rugby.
This ploy failed in the long run, putting league fans off and the league crossover players couldn't cut it in Rugby so this time...they're getting a great league name to woo fans.
It's Rugby World Cup year. These bureacrats are not looking at the big picture. They're looking at the Big Bucks.
hugs hon...
Dusk
Comment by DuskDevi
Rugby World Cup 2007
I wrote the word politics and I got scared!
Well...actually I didn't...I was too scared to...Ash wrote that dirty word for me. She's right.
And you're right. More pictures!!
Am feeling the lerv Reine...sending bucketloads in a ricochet...hope you're well hon...
hugs
Dusk
Comment by DuskDevi
Rugby World Cup 2007
More often than not...conspiracy theorists are right!
It's wonderful to 'see' you hon. I am well and I hope you're as well as can be.
big hug
Dusk
Comment by DuskDevi
Rugby World Cup 2007
Why thank you.
Just call me a bar-ista....
...kicking in Rugby is about placement and not neccessity. It's actually lazy play to continuously kick.
That's the thing...we don't need frequency. We need accuracy.
Draw deep my friend....
Dusk
Comment by DuskDevi
Rugby World Cup 2007
I hardly ever mention Wilkinson.
As for that commitment...I support through sick and sin...
Big hugs hon...
Dusk
Comment by KylieW
Celebrity Obsession
Andrew Johns was good. Very good. But surely there are intricacies to union that a league player just doesn't konw. So therefore, surely a great union kicker would be the person to talk to?
Mind you, I think that having some input from different codes can be good. The AFL have used league and union players to teach them how to tackle, and possibly how to be manly (because AFL players are girly boys who used to cry if they broke a nail. So they needed rugby players to teach them how to toughen up). And that worked well.
But when you start bringing in other codes to try to sell tickets to the game, or because it seems the politically correct thing to do. Well that's just stupid!!!
Kylie
Comment by DuskDevi
Rugby World Cup 2007
Exactly!
..I really had no idea until you (and David in his comment) mentioned it, that Rugby and league taught AFellers to
be mentackle.hugs hon...
Dusk
Comment by Chic Critique
But that Andrew Johns wants to stick his sport fingers in every codes pie! Even bloody cricket!
He should stick to what he's good at. Being a dufus.
Cheers
CC