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“Everyone knows whether it’s rugby, politics or whatever, front-rowers should rule the world, so to have a hooker at the helm makes sense,” Nathan Charles Western Force & Wallabies Hooker.
We met his family at the game on Saturday - they are absolutely gorgeous :-) We will miss him hugely, but I wish him and them all the very best :-)
Now, where is David Smith's number.....?!
Proudly Western Australian; Proudly supporting Western Australian rugby
Just want to say hello to Ray who I chatted to at the baggage carousel at Perth airport this arvo! He is a regular reader of the forum but hasn't yet registered! I said he should come on board and join the discussions :-))
Spookily, he had actually been standing with Hertryk, Muddly, Mrs Muddly, Sheikh and I when we were chatting to Alfie and to Sam Wykes' mum & dad after the game at the SFS!! Small world!
Proudly Western Australian; Proudly supporting Western Australian rugby
http://www.greenandgoldrugby.com/exc...ayer-payments/
very relevant to this discussion
“Everyone knows whether it’s rugby, politics or whatever, front-rowers should rule the world, so to have a hooker at the helm makes sense,” Nathan Charles Western Force & Wallabies Hooker.
Japan and the Pacific Islands for Aussie Super 9's!
Let's have one of these in WA! Click this link: Saitama Super Arena - New Perth Stadium?
So now just when we're starting to get the backline together with the newfound talent!!! Jeeesssh! Here we go again!
Being a pro rugby player, especially in your younger years, is no bed of roses. You train 5 - 6 days a week for a average wage ($50k on an EPS) on top of playing once a week against guys who want to rip your head off and take your spot. One injury and you are effectively out with not so much as a by your leave. You can’t be a young lad and party with your mates without someone taking a pot shot at you and if you are seen "out" the press vilify you. Then there are those that work their arses off for a crack and spend four years on the bench either behind the incumbent or because they are not quite what the current coach is looking for. In addition, your every move at training or on the field is scrutinised by every man/woman (NB: Not on TWF of course) and their dog and you get dumped on if you have an off game or get beaten by a better player.
When they do make it to a certain level, a la Mafi, the next step is ultimately political (should not be but .....) and you have a finite time to make your money prior to vanishing into the wilderness.
If you have managed to juggle training and a degree, you may get a job, though by the time you do, you are in your 30s and the oldest starter at whatever you do.
However, I would have given my children's eye teeth to have a crack and be paid to play. With good comes the bad in everything though I think we sometimes expect too much from our rugby lads. Not many of them profess to be saintly or role models and those that do are usually the unique ones (Sharpie comes to mind).
Let the guys earn their cash in the limited time they have. It’s a job now but it should also be a passion. Loyalty should be rewarded but in the past it has not been with the old management assuming that local players will stay regardless of crappy pay.
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'Rugby and sex are the only things you can enjoy without being good at them.' -anonymous
Nicely said DD
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