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Even when he is closer to right than wrong Campo is still a retard!!!
Cup ranks fatally thin
By David Campese, Wallabies legend
March 30, 2007
AUSTRALIA is always a chance at Rugby World Cup time. But this current mob of Wallabies is starting to challenge the faith.
There is every chance they will be no better than also-rans in France later this season.
Usually the Wallabies can boast a point of difference over other leading teams.
Down through the years it has been via the backline, or the lineout, or the ability to maintain possession and break down an opponent.
Australia teams have also developed a reputation for brick wall defence.
Just at the moment, however, I am struggling to see where Australia will be able to dominate the likes of New Zealand, South Africa, France or Ireland during the knockout stages of the Rugby World Cup.
The backline play of Australia teams in the Super 14 is unbearably poor.
The catch-and-pass skills of sides like New South Wales Waratahs is appalling.
Not one of the four franchises has a scrum to send shivers of fear through an opposition and the lineouts of the respective sides have also been, at best, inconsistent.
There are also key positions that the Wallabies selectors must be sweating over. Stephen Larkham is obviously their first choice at five-eighth.
But he has a tendency to get injured every second game. So who is the fallback option?
I can't see an obvious alternative.
What about the No.9 jumper?
Matt Giteau has to be there. But if he was injured, who else can fill the void and provide an attacking threat?
George Gregan is not the answer but none of the next generation have put up their hands either.
On and on it goes. The options in the front row are as thin as I can ever remember.
A standout full back to replace Chris Latham, at least through the early part of the domestic international series, has yet to surface.
At least the Brumbies provided some solace last week with their win over the previously unbeaten Sharks.
The Brumbies defended superbly and the Sharks played into their hands by refusing to alter their tactics.
But that is just one game in more than half a season.
It is time for the Australian sides to take it up a notch, especially with the New Zealand teams back to full strength with the return of their All Blacks.
It is simply unacceptable that our two primary states, NSW and Queensland, are last and next to last on the ladder.
I know both franchises have been hit hard by injury.
There is also the flow-on effect to consider after Western Force was granted entry when the tournament expanded to 14 teams.
It was always going to leave the talent pool shallow in each of the provinces.
But the style of play, along with the performances, has been far from encouraging.
We are entitled to expect better, and a broader range of skills, from full-time professional footballers.
"Bloody oath we did!"
Nathan Sharpe, Legend.
Can't argue with that Burgs! What a plug!
Just happy to be here
he makes a good point!!
We are entitled to expect better, and a broader range of skills, from full-time professional footballers
Chuck Norris has the greatest Poker-Face of all time. He won the 1983 World Series of Poker, despite holding only a Joker, a Get out of Jail Free Monopoly card, a 2 of clubs, 7 of spades and a green #4 card from the game Uno.
Obviously hasn't watched any force games then, stand out fullback in Sheps, even if he isn't currently playing at 15, he is still proving his worth..I put campo on the same page as eddie, both tossers and no good for Aussie rugby anymore...
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Want me to make you a new smilie mate![]()
"Bloody oath we did!"
Nathan Sharpe, Legend.
Maybe for future reference, could be handy...See what you can do mate...
Proudly bought to you by a brewery somewhere....
Well whether you like him or hate him, he got your attention and read his article.
I read burgs article really, as he posted it on TWF...It is good to have varieties of articles to peruse so we can all have our say regarding them, that is why i love this site, variety...
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Bacon asked in the "Next Wallaby Coach" thread yesterday. "no Campse Option?"
When I read that I thought " Hmmmmm are the Sharks in town yet? Campo's the backs coach isn't he? How come he hasn't been in the press shooting from the hip?
Didn't disappoint me for long![]()
I read that article the other day, and it's mystifying. Although I agree with him about the scrum, I'd also have to conclude that Campese watches games with blinkers on, or believes that "Here be Dragons" west of the Blue Mountains. Which comp has he been watching?
Success is not final, failure is not fatal:
it is the courage to continue that counts.
- Winston Churchill
Exactly Tragic!
When I posted I didn't have time insert my normal snide remarks however his comments about the Fullback show that he is just commenting about what he assumes is going on.
I wish my memories of Campo where just of an excellent and exciting Winger but unfortunatley that is changing to being of a crap and out of touch whinger![]()
"Bloody oath we did!"
Nathan Sharpe, Legend.
Well, we managed to rub his nose in it even more after beating his prized little posse of sharks...
Proudly bought to you by a brewery somewhere....