Interviews
Global Rugby Scores speaks with Matt “Bubba” Ryan on the upcoming international games on 14 Nov.
Rugby Scores interviews Matt “Bubba” Ryan on what he thinks of the upcoming international games this Sunday, 14 Nov.
Global Rugby Scores speaks with Matt “Bubba” Ryan on the upcoming game between the Wallabies and Wales.
Who will win the Rugby World Cup 2011?
-
- Matt “Bubba” Ryan
Rugby Scores expert Matt “Bubba” Ryan the former Queensland Reds tight head prop and our analyst Paul “Quagz” Quaglia disect last Satuday’s last Tri-Nations Test of 2010.
Rugby Scores (Quagz): well Bubba our techo guys managed to lose the interview we did before the Test last Saturday so let me recap for our subscribers, you tipped the All Blacks by Six, I tipped the Wallabies by one point, we were both in the Parish, with the All Blacks victory this is the first time that either of the three teams the All Black’s, Spring Boks or Wallabies have won every game of a Tri Nations Series, is the current All Black team greater than all their predecessors or is it that the Wallabies and Boks of 2010 weren’t up to the glory days that their predecessors presented?
Bubba:
Rugby Scores (Quagz):There has been a lot of positives in 2010, free flowing rugby, try fests and even for the Wallabies on Saturday there were positives: some toughness emerged most notably with Mcalman, but even Lachy Turner added something in defence, Quade Cooper, Genia, O’Connor and Beale are live wires and back themselves, and even ongoing improvement on Saturday in the scrum and the line out, and with several players coming back including Digby Ioane, Hynes, Shepherd, Mortlock, Horwill, Vickerman, Palu, Higginbotham, Polota-Nau, Alexander and Kepu the squad will be better for the 2010 Tri Nations. Looking to the World Cup Bubba how do you rate the Wallabies chances when the rule interpretations are going to be less flowing and where forwards will need to do more scrummaging and mauling, especially that it will be in the cold wet marshland that some call New Zealand?
Bubba:
Rugby Scores (Quagz): on the negative side for the Wallabies there has been some disastrous goal kicking, some pitiful inconsistency where the skills let them down, dropped balls and misdirected passes at critical times, a focus on bad refereeing rather than on the innovation of Macaw to come up with plays on the basis that the the All Blacks back three are quicker than the eyes of the officials and a general lack of unity in scrums, mauls and line outs as you have pointed out but as a former fleet footed tight head prop, can the Wallabies Pack lay a platform to allow the brilliance of O’Connor, Quade Cooper, Genia and Beale pull off a string of wins in 12 months time?
Bubba:
Rugby Scores (Quagz):Dan Carter will return and as the World’s most valuable players in the most critical of positions can any other team control the All Black’s when Dan Carter is there?
Bubba
Have the All Black’s shown their hand too early, have they peaked too early? Are the Boks a spent force for the 1011 World Cup?
The truth about Australian Rugby today
-
- Richard “Tombsy” Tombs
If you want to know the truth about Australian rugby today and what the future holds, then read on. Once you have read this article you will truly know the highs and lows of Australian Rugby from someone who knows. We will look at the key issues related to players, the unions, and supporters, media the future. By the end you should have a better understanding of how to help your local clubs, favourite teams and prevent what seems to be a crisis in the making.
Rugby Scores spoke with Richard Tombs, former Australian Wallabies great, about the issues.
Rugby Scores: “Over the past 14 years that Rugby has been a professional sport it has enjoyed significant spoils. ‘Who has enjoyed the spoils: The Players, the administrating unions (i.e. ARU) or supporters? What are your thoughts?”
Richard Tombs: “First let’s consider the players. During my career playing at the elite level I was fortunate to have played 7 years as an amateur and 5 years as a professional, I can honestly say that the most enjoyable years were prior to 1996 (in terms of professionalism).”
“I had to hold down a job whilst striving to compete at the highest level, having to mix both playing and working was a challenge however put me in good stead for my future career after Rugby. I know modern rugby players are encouraged to participate in studies to prepare them for post pro sport I only hope they make the most of that opportunity.”
“What has occurred since ’96 is that players seem to care more of their own well being more so than for the game itself. This attitude is driving rugby at the grass roots level to the wall.”
“I applaud Robbie Deans’ initiative to send the Wallabies back to club football when not competing on the international level however it is the demands of the players, many who are earning in excess of $250K/annum, who are squeezing an extra $6 to $20K out of clubs. I believe this money should be used to prop up our next tier of players. Clubs are in a catch 22. Contracted Super and International players attract new recruits to clubs however it comes at a financial cost that could be used to progress the club as a whole.
“It will be a brave administrator who is willing to make the decision and put the emphasis on the club spirit prevailing over cameo performances of the international players appearing around finals time.”
Rugby Scores: “The players have not necessarily created this phenomena on their own. Surely administrators and representative bodies have played their role too.”
“What role do you think the unions have played in this?”
Richard Tombs: “The ARU blew a tremendous opportunity to build a middle tier level of rugby between club and Super rugby. Two seasons ago the ARU introduced a National competition which lasted one season, it was a concept which the code needs if we are to stave off the other winter codes all of which appear to be swelling their numbers at all levels, I would suggest at rugby peril.”
It was well publicised the funds were poorly administered and with the correct administration the competition has tremendous merit if we are going to continue to be a dominant code. “
Rugby Scores: “The game, and certainly revenue, depends on supporters. How do you think they have faired in all this? “
Richard Tombs: “Since the introduction of professional rugby in 1996 I believe it has been the supporters who have been dealt the worst hand, not only through inflated ticket prices at the gate but even more frustrating is the lack of exposure to the professional game. With the introduction of professionalism came the introduction of ‘user pays’.”
“I was a player in the formative years of professionalism and whilst I loved the fact that I was about to be payed for what I had been doing for the best part of 28 years for free, I was naive to the what it would actually mean to the average punter.”
“As a result of the introduction of money into our game, free to air coverage of non-test rugby has vanished from our TV with the exception of club rugby at 3pm on a Saturday thanks to the ABC. This has been on going for decades. I love it! However, due to time slot it has a limited market. The uptake of pay TV in Australia is something like 30% of households. As a result exposure to the top level of rugby is limited. This makes it very difficult to know the form and personalities of the team you follow let alone the opposition players and playing style. As a result of these factors it makes it difficult to bring new supporters to our game let alone keep the ones we have.”
“I believe the ARU needs to address this if it is to retain a place as a power sports in the Australian winter.”
Rugby Scores: “What does the future look like? How can it be turned around?”
Richard Tombs: “Rugby in Australia will get a tremendous boost again next year with the coming of the World Cup however it is the years between this event which we need to increase our exposure to the masses.”
“Otherwise we will find ourselves a second tier sport in the not too distant future and at that point the spoils will not be there to be enjoyed by anyone.”
Rugby Scores: Now you know. For many this comes as no surprise but few seem to be acting to restore the game to its former greatness and original intent. Commercial realities will always be a factor but somewhere the sprit has been lost and profits are actually driving away fans and interest. More concerning is the question about where will future stars and legends of the game come from if the fan base is continually eroded? Old and new fans alike will be affected but the solution begins with local support and interest. Rugby Scores is committed to raising the profile of the game and putting information and access into the hands of its greatest supporters.
Who will win this week’s Tri Nations clash? Matt Ryan 23 Jul 10
-
- Matt “Bubba” Ryan
Matt “Bubba” Ryan speaks with Rugby scores on who he thinks will win the upcoming match. He talks tactics, strategy and eggs!
