STOP PRESS!!!!!!!!!!! Growden grounded...

[Burgs]

I generally like the work Jamie does, he has given pretty good service to the Sydney Club scene since I have been reading RH.
Still no Shalalalalalalala though

[The Man]

Why do you dopey buggers read his stuff?

[The Lone Hydrangea]

This news has capped off a good day......sweet.

[brokendown gunfighter]

Why do you dopey buggers read his stuff?

how do YOU know what he writes?

[Burgs]

how do YOU know what he writes?

Ca-ching!!!

[shasta]

Awwwwwww SHIT!!

He's back

Looks like he's been digging up old sauces in NZ.


Outsider who carries no baggage is the best man for the job

Greg Growden | December 15, 2007

THE Australian Rugby Union has made the right choice. Robbie Deans is the best man to get the Wallabies back on track.

Forget all that nationalistic babble about how Australia must always have a local national coach. That belongs to another era.

If Australia wants to again be No. 1 in the world of rugby, it must have the No. 1 available coach. And Deans is that. He has the credentials, knows how to generate success, and understands how imperative it is to have a positive, healthy team culture.

As crucially, Deans is an outsider, and, unlike recent Wallabies coaches, has no baggage. He doesn't owe anyone favours and is not aligned to any of the factions which have so often disrupted Australian rugby.

He can look at the problem with fresh eyes, treat all the players as equals, and end the situation where several Wallabies who were well past their due date were unfairly given preferential treatment because of past deeds.

A thriving, competitive Wallabies culture rather than an overriding sense of laziness that hindered the team during their recent flawed World Cup campaign is inevitable under the Deans' regime.

For months, ARU supremo John O'Neill has wanted Deans. And what O'Neill wants, he usually gets. This time though the ARU had to waltz the other candidates around for several weeks, until the New Zealand Rugby Union provided them with the opportunity by blundering in reappointing the vastly over-rated Graham Henry.

Those in the know in the Shaky Isles - read "Sauces" - are deeply concerned by the Deans appointment. They realise the All Blacks head into 2008 with the wrong coach and their best export will now be conspiring against them.

Deans has the intellectual property, but more importantly the reason to beat the All Blacks — to show the NZRU that they got it so wrong.

My most vivid memory of Deans is of a training session in Christchurch before the 2005 Super 14 final. The Canterbury Crusaders players had long packed up and headed to the change-sheds. The only one left out on the field was five-eighth Daniel Carter.

For almost half an hour, Carter practiced every type of midfield positional kick imaginable. Torpedo punts. Banana kicks. Grubbers. He attempted to kick to exact spots on the field, or targets along the sideline.

At the far end of the field, a Canterbury official ran all over the paddock retrieving the football, punting it back to Carter. The official offered the occasional word of advice.

It was only at the end of the session when the official ran towards the rooms one realised who it was. It was Carter's coach — Deans.

He wasn't wandering around trying to look important. He was actually doing what he was supposed to be doing — being a coach and supporting his players.

Deans has his priorities right.

[travelling_gerry]

yes.....but did you notice...the byline.....

NO>>>>>> Chief Rugby Correspondent

[GIGS20]

Shit, I used to be a supporter of Robbie Deans, but now that Growden likes him.....

Wonder what the problem is?

[zimeric]

maybe Growden was born in Christchurch?

[Seldom]

maybe Growden was born in Christchurch?

I hope Bloody not!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[GIGS20]

maybe Growden was born in Christchurch?

Zim, I'm a Christian, I'd appreciate if you didn't associate that man with either Christ OR Church!

[Darren]

You forgot to use the [growden] [/growden] tags Shasta..

Mwa ha ha ha ha! I'm Ba-ack!

 

[shasta]

You forgot to use the [growden] [/growden] tags Shasta..

Mwa ha ha ha ha! I'm Ba-ack!

 

Well Coach I gotta fess up. What does that nerdy stuff do to the post?

Yeah TG I noticed the missing tag-line. Maybe he's had his wings clipped? We can only hope.