Went to fundraiser for local rugby club yesterday - granted I was at least 20years younger than majority in the room - most were recalling their glory days in the 70s & 80s.
Keynote speaker - who incidentally does these things Free of Charge was none other than ex-wallaby coach and highly opinionated Alan Jones.
He had a lot to say as you'd expect but many of the sentiments were things I'd agree with entirely:
*Rugby financially in Australia is in a bad way - but his comment was has been this way since the 70s and its still around... so the game although without the resources thrown at it like NZ or Saffas wll continue to survive...
*Wallabies lack of leadership - very outspoken on this topic and have to agree - he referenced the decision not to take 3 vs the ABs in Sydney and the lack of shot of field goal in the closing 10. Or how the ABs slowed play down when McCaw was off the field - 3mins of play in that 10 - showed good on field leadership.
*He talked about the 'pattern' the ABs play and once they get in their pattern they really are invincible. Basically don't let them get into their 'pattern'
*ABs run at gaps and forwards offload well - he blamed eddie jones for current pick and drive / run at player style of rugby in Australia - basically he said pass the ball to the space not to the man
*He didn't hold back on Ewen re his selection of players - although Paul McLean (ARU board member) was a little more even in his commentary.
*Basically a team cant be put together in a week or two following S15 comp and emphasised the importance of using existing combinations... eg Tahs 9,10,12 would have been a better choice than the format selected...
*18yo winger playing for NRC NSW Country team 6 tries in 3matches - Get him into the team he called... use players that are in form and playing in their rightful positions.
Based on much of what he said - Cheika will be next aussie coach and ABs will remain very hard to beat - sadly I agree with latter statement...
GO WALLABIES tonight and GO ARGENTINA!!!!
