Ruminations from the Antipodes
The following was penned by our President during his time reporting on the recent RL Tri-nations tournament in Australia and New Zealand.
"It's a funny old world. "How often have we heard that saying when players, coaches, or administrators have been gathered at the bar after a match and they have been discussing an incident or two on and off the pitch? Many times I'm sure and, during my temporary stay here in Sydney Australia, I can honestly say that, when looking at what is happening or being aired in rugby union circles in both England and Australia at the moment then it really is a "funny old world".
In England the credibility of the raids on rugby league has been under intense debate and the ex league men who helped Clive Woodward steer England to success - Joe Lydon, Phil Larder,and Dave Alred - have all faced the axe. All the ills and mistakes of the past couple of seasons would appear to have been placed on their shoulders and their removal was supposed to herald a new era for victory. Some era, when it takes every ounce of England's efforts to beat a South African side containing only a handful of their leading players. Yes, league recruits like former Wigan loose forward Andy Farrell have really been placed under close scrutiny - often by coaches who haven't a clue as to how to use his talents in Union - and, by certain pundits, consigned to the scrap heap. Articles appear daily in the newspapers proclaiming how too much attention has been given to the 13 a side code and how too much money has been wasted on securing players from the rival code who have yet to prove their worth.
But what of Australia as the Wallabies slumped to their worst form ahead of the World Cup in France next year, and have been treated with scant regard by most of the European XVs they have met in recent weeks? Well, here in the Land of Oz, every rugby union scribe and coach is crying for yet more rugby league players to be signed at huge costs in an attempt to shore up the side ahead of the showdowns with New Zealand, England, and France in 2007.The hue and cry in Sydney and Brisbane is for the signature of another Lote Tuqiri or Mat Rogers from League in order to boost the strength and attacking capabilities in their back division.
Do not those critics or supporters of rugby league recruits in both hemispheres realize that only certain league or union players have the mental attitude, the skills, and the heart to make a success of any switch of codes? Do they not understand that there must be careful and close scrutiny of any league or union player before he can be considered for a transfer of allegiance? Do they not realize that, for all the research done on any potential recruits, many will still fail to make the grade and many, considered not to have the potential for a switch, will be among the greatest of successes in either code.
Yes, whether it be in rugby league or rugby union it really is "a funny old world."
Ray French
The following was penned by our President during his time reporting on the recent RL Tri-
"It's a funny old world. "How often have we heard that saying when players, coaches, or administrators have been gathered at the bar after a match and they have been discussing an incident or two on and off the pitch? Many times I'm sure and, during my temporary stay here in Sydney Australia, I can honestly say that, when looking at what is happening or being aired in rugby union circles in both England and Australia at the moment then it really is a "funny old world".
In England the credibility of the raids on rugby league has been under intense debate and the ex league men who helped Clive Woodward steer England to success -
But what of Australia as the Wallabies slumped to their worst form ahead of the World Cup in France next year, and have been treated with scant regard by most of the European XVs they have met in recent weeks? Well, here in the Land of Oz, every rugby union scribe and coach is crying for yet more rugby league players to be signed at huge costs in an attempt to shore up the side ahead of the showdowns with New Zealand, England, and France in 2007.The hue and cry in Sydney and Brisbane is for the signature of another Lote Tuqiri or Mat Rogers from League in order to boost the strength and attacking capabilities in their back division.
Do not those critics or supporters of rugby league recruits in both hemispheres realize that only certain league or union players have the mental attitude, the skills, and the heart to make a success of any switch of codes? Do they not understand that there must be careful and close scrutiny of any league or union player before he can be considered for a transfer of allegiance? Do they not realize that, for all the research done on any potential recruits, many will still fail to make the grade and many, considered not to have the potential for a switch, will be among the greatest of successes in either code.
Yes, whether it be in rugby league or rugby union it really is "a funny old world."
Ray French