March 10 - Rugbology
Greetings fellow Rugbologist.
It’s been a while but currently find myself with points to make and some questions.
Thoughts ...
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Foster was a mistake in process as much as selection; Eden Park still in wrong place; RWC 2023 draw is a screwup; Rieko is not a centre; The 6 Nations has never been more appealing; What does World Rugby actually do?; NZ Womens Rugby rules the World.
Ian Foster – a short story or a nightmare?
Back in 2019, the NZRU decided to do what they’d always done, select the next AB coach after the incumbent had resigned, the World cup had ended and Shag has shuffled off. So they went to the market in late 2019/early 2020 assuming all the worlds gun coaches would drop whatever they were doing and apply.
Wrong !!! The guns had been snapped up by others in the months leading up to RWC 2019 and the good ole boys on the NZRU committee was left with Fozzie or Razor. Razor turned out to be a step too far into creativity so they stuck with the breeding their own replacements program and appointed Fossie. The usual crap followed about Fozzie being their target all along etc, etc but plenty of reservations in rugbyland NZ given his poor CV as a head coach. But off we went.
Thanks to Covid, 2020 was very interrupted but not before the ABs had lost to the Argies for the very first time (strike 1 Fozzie) in a listless performance similar to the Poms in the 2019 semi.
2021 was back with a full card and for the most part Fuzzys boys went well but the end of year spin up North to fill their coffers was a decent fail. The ABs were comfortably beaten over consecutive Saturdays by the Paddys and the Frogs – yes the ABs fought back well in both games but failed to finish and got run over in the last quarter. Hmmm ……… not ideal although it has to be acknowledged both the Paddys and garlicmunchers have rarely been better.
2022 was a real mixed bag and probably the year of major concern as the ABs struggled for form and consistency. A first loss to Ireland in NZ (strike 2 Fozzie) followed by a second and a rare lost home test series sank 2 of Fuzzys hand-picked assistants. Plenty of talk of scapegoats, things under buses and leaders going down with sinking ships etc, etc but when the dust had cleared Fuzzy was still in charge but the NZRU had stepped in and added some other men.
The rugby drums in NZ were beating loudly and with 2 tests away to the Boks up next, the NZRU was clearly well aware they may have to make a bit of their own history and sack an incumbent AB coach ………. CEO Robertson ( a woke lightweight if there’s ever been one) even went to SA to do not sure what but not a positive sign for Fuzzy.
For the first time in my 55+ years of rugby life, I had absolutely no belief the ABs could beat the Boks and didn’t bother to watch the game even on replay and was slightly relieved we only lost 24-8 but the manner of the AB performance was not surprising. Everything now pointed to Fuzzy getting the boot and rightly so ………… but after the ABs miraculously tipped up the Boks in the 2nd test at Ellis Pork, suddenly Robbo and Fuzzy are mates again and the NZRU slip the knife back in its sheath.
Quite a number of AB followers put a lot of store in this great win but Fuzzys boys weren’t finished with the rollercoaster ride when next, a listless, weak first loss to the Argies in Christchurch (strike 3 – Fuzzy). For me, the loss to the Argies was the biggest red flag thus far as we were at home, had just played 3 tests against World #1 Ireland, beaten the Boks well last start and ranked about 10th globally, the Argies should’ve been a good but quick feed. But no, Fuzzys boys failed to fire, looked rudderless, clueless and eventually the Argies figured it out, couldn’t believe their luck and took a fine win.
The problem is that the ABs continued to splutter and look dithery. Great one week, then useless the next, then back to great. Basically just not turning up as we expect AB teams to do for the last 100+ years, getting stuck in and finding a way to win even on many days when they didn’t deserve to. First time I really noticed this malaise was in Perth in 2019, then again v the Poms in that semi – ABs in both these games failed to fire a shot and maybe not just a pointer of things to come but perhaps also that Shag stayed on a bit too long…..??!!
More examples followed against the Wallys in Melbourne and finally against the Poms at Twickers. In both matches, ABs had big leads, the game under control then …………..simply collapsed.
No idea what’s in store for the RWC later in the year, but based on the above, the ABs are almost guaranteed to collapse at some point. And through all of the above, the coach has survived ……. Next coach please.
At least the NZRU have decided on the process to appoint Fuzzys successor, they have also won few admirers for their performance over the last 12 months but really what choice did they have to go to the market early ? At least they haven’t sacked Fuzzy unlike the Welsh, Poms and Aussie unions have done even though they probably should have. Looks like a race between Razor and Jamie Joseph even though there’s a bit of noise Schmidt may throw his hat in.
Razor for me, let’s let him lose with his team and stand back- although the Joseph/Brown combo is tempting. Razor appeals for a number of reasons and I don’t consider him a Robbie Deans 2.0.
As for the coaching appointment drama being a distraction for the RWC squad, how many of the players have already confirmed they’re moving overseas post the RWC ? Plenty but no mention of any distraction so just add the coach to that list and off we go.
Still unresolved …….. an Excerpt from a 2010 Rugbology:
“Shared gates up North still an issue. As I've said many times over the years it's time the NZRU stood up and demanded a fair and reasonable commercial return for their asset. No other team packs out grounds like the Abs and in a fully professional age, the home union getting the gate is a pathetic, ill-fitting leftover from a bygone era. The argument from the North that we get the miserable gate when their pathetic sides tour is a nonsense. It's so one-sided its ludicrous. The NZRU continues to search for extra revenue, well fellas there it is. Stop shagging about with meaningless tests in HK and demand a big chunk of the gate whenever the Abs tour. The IRB can't afford to kick us out and the Northern Hordes cannot afford to not have the Abs tour - so Tewie, Jock or whomever is running the NZRU these days, just stand up and do it, I'm sure Steal O'neil will back you”
Test Roundup – 6 Nations:
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Never watched it much previously but enjoying the games this year.
The Paddys are continuing to look very hard to beat – incredibly accurate, almost robotic execution of everything. Problem is one day the computer will say “no”.
The leekeaters are useless (Gatland …really mate ?) and the
Pizzabrothers, who are going well under colt Crowley, will fancy tipping them up in Rome.
The Jocks have looked very good thus far, probably not strong enough to win the trophy but plenty good enough to worry anyone.
As for the Poms, new coach, same shit really. They look confused and dithery like the ABs but with less talent.
But for me, the best team up in the North remains the Frogs. Extremely balanced & talented squad, smart attack ability, superb defence but still with inbuilt flair. A bit of an off day in Dublin but so dangerous.
Super Rugby – early days.
Liking the Chiefs, Blues suffering from an average forward pack plus Reiko still playing with blinkers on. Crusaders slow starters but will be up and running shortly. Canes been good but bit lucky and the Highlanders in for another long season.
Best of the Aussies – clearly the Brumbies as usual. Force are proof that no amount of funding can make up for a lack of talent.
And as for the RWC itself – the draw is absurd – top 4 sides in the world all in same side of draw which has them all meeting in the quarterfinals which effectively means 2 of the best sides in the world will be going home at the quarters …………….. FFS World rugby, give yourself an uppercut and make the change for 2027.
…………………..Enough for now – pass it on - comments and opinions very welcome.