2 year contract is short, but I guess they feel burned by prior appointments.
Thought this was interesting
"(With Ireland) we didn't select anyone who wasn't contracted in Ireland," Schmidt said.
"There was nothing really stopping overseas selections in Ireland, but I know because they're so close to Europe, that would have been really detrimental to the Irish domestic competition
"So it's another one of those questions where I just want to find out a little bit more of what it looks like.
"It would be great if we can select almost entirely from Australia, rather than chase guys from overseas."
He has been officially confirmed now, head coach on two year contract.
Its an impossible task though, fair play to him to take it on but it will really be an uphill struggle from where they are starting.
https://www.rugby.com.au/news/schmidt-calls-for-patience-with-wallabies-rebuild-2024119
possibly a result of RA recognising they were burnt with Jones. Id imagine if there is any consolidation of results, or progress with pathways, they will extend Joes tenure.
It may also be possible that Joe could be looking to return to teh ABs for the run in for RWC 27
Only surprise about his appointment is that its only a 2 year contract.
This time last year they stupidly sacked Rennie and gave Jones a 4 year contract.
Real change cant be implemented in 2 years.
Absolutely - Goal-Kicker/Punter is probably the only genuine pathway for someone coming to the NFL late from Rugby/AFL/GAA etc.
Directly transferable skills and limited requirement to master all the other elements of the sport.
Similar height but he was a bloody tank. Could easily have been a flanker or even a lock if he had been moved up the pitch at a younger age. Was playing the wrong code, probably.
I feel hurt
Best of luck to Joe in the role
Darragh Leader as well, along with 3 other Irish players (2 GAA goalies from Ulster)
Yeah, his son. Was the star player on the England team that blew away the Irish U20 dream team 2016 team in the RWC Final. Hasn't really happened at senior level.
Has an oddly similar physique to Sam Prendergast, very tall 6ft 4 or 6ft 5 and rangy.
Related to Jim Mallinder?
Anyway, kicker/punter is by far the best shot of actually getting into the NFL. Can still make millions a year doing it too.
Harry Mallinder is leaving rugby to take a crack at the NFL.
Not as big a move as Rees-Zammit, but he was considered a top young prospect not too long ago.
He's signed up for a one-year advisory role, but i'd assume he's going into a longer term role as long as the blazers don't stifle him. My guess is RA want him long term, but having been burnt by them back in the late 2000s, I think(?) he's probably reticent to sign up for something long term without proof they won't act like their usual selves.
Unless he has power to mess with Fox or the NRL he's on a hiding to nothing.
Was chatting with my mates and apparently Nucifora is lined up for a role with Aussie rugby. If those 2 can't fix it, they might as well burn the place down.
And wouldn't be too surprised to see Nucifora landing a longer term deal with RA if this goes through as well.
Definitely gets me more interested in the Lions tour now.
If previous reports are correct, they've given him power to totally rejig Oz Rugby. I can imagine him doing quite well there long term in that case.
This one of those scenarios where success or failure, Schmidt's reputation will endure? Cos Australia is in such a mess nobody(?) will criticise him for not turning it around - yet if he does his stock will only improve?
Well, if anyone can, he can.
But he's starting with a complete clusterfcuk
Can he make a silk purse from a sow's ear
You know, I kinda assumed he was when he moved to ospreys, but after looking it up I can't find anything to suggest he has a Welsh connection.
But hey anyway, Welsh rugby is shite:)
Was he eligible for Wales when he was at the Ospreys? I believe he qualifies for England through one of his parents.
Ethan roots has taken a long route to test rugby.
White he's undoubtedly talented, you'd wonder if his inclusion is another indication of how shite Welsh rugby is right now. He must have snubbed wales a few times in order to fight for an England spot
George is an interesting choice for Captain - He's been starting from the bench for Saracens in recent times behind Theo Dan who is also in the squad..
Alldritt was the most logical choice. An ever-present, fluent English speaker and one of their best players.
Alldritt named as French captain. Was unexpected.
A good few changes in the French squad.
No Flament, Hastoy, Willemse, Macalou, Dupont, Vincent or Villiere from the RWC squad. Some injured, a few just dropped and some involved with the 7s team.
england 6n squad:
England’s 36-player training squad.
FORWARDS:
Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers, 18 caps)
Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 107 caps)
Alex Coles (Northampton Saints, 3 caps)
Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks, 41 caps)
Chandler Cunningham-South (Harlequins, uncapped)
Ben Curry (Sale Sharks, 5 caps)
Theo Dan (Saracens, 7 caps)
Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins, 15 caps)
Ben Earl (Saracens, 25 caps)
Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears, 58 caps)
Jamie George (Saracens, 85 caps) – captain
Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers, 7 caps)
Nick Isiekwe (Saracens, 11 caps)
Maro Itoje (Saracens, 76 caps)
Joe Marler (Harlequins, 88 caps)
Beno Obano (Bath Rugby, 3 caps)
Tom Pearson (Northampton Saints, 1 cap)
Ethan Roots (Exeter Chiefs, uncapped)
Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, 33 caps)
Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby, 30 caps)
BACKS:
Oscar Beard (Harlequins, uncapped)
Danny Care (Harlequins, 96 caps)
Elliot Daly (Saracens, 64 caps)
Fraser Dingwall (Northampton Saints, uncapped)
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (Exeter Chiefs, uncapped)
George Ford (Sale Sharks, 91 caps)
Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints, 3 caps)
George Furbank (Northampton Saints, 6 caps)
Ollie Lawrence (Bath Rugby, 21 caps)
Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints, 11 caps)
Tom Roebuck (Sale Sharks, uncapped)
Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 57 caps)
Fin Smith (Northampton Saints, uncapped)
Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 30 caps)
Ben Spencer (Bath Rugby, 4 caps)
Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers, 31 caps)
Great to see actual footage of Sexton's debut.
That footage is bizarre to watch. It looks like Rugby, I know it is IS rugby, but it's just so chaotic, the men so small in stature.
I wonder is there a major international sport whose rules and structure has changed as much in the modern era as Rugby Union? Soccer has barely changed since 1980 - the back-pass rule maybe the only significant change that looks weird now - and really only stamina and conditioning is the major difference IMO? While other high-contact sports like Ice Hockey or American Football I think have only changed WRT the sophistication of protective equipment ... but what sport has seen so much change with its rules?
Some cracking play there. The difference in the game from the early 70s is startling.
Some fantastic handling here (1980)
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