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Rugby Union
The Rugby Championship 2023
[2013 TRC] South Africa vs. Australia in Cape Town (28/09/2013)
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<blockquote data-quote="UilamOsa" data-source="post: 595099" data-attributes="member: 52898"><p>IMO - A prop or scrummager is a long term investment, they're so many issues surrounding their development pathways through AUS schools & clubs that it's just easier to purchase someone decent and let them just play...Sekope Kepu being a more recent example. Look at Rodney Blake...my brother played against him in some 3rd rate Country Queensland comp this year, but he was touted as the biggest AUS prop in a long time...he's only 30...Owen Franks (NZ) is 25.</p><p></p><p>I don't think long term the AUS union considered development for the front row as a priority, if you go past the current first tier of front row forwards, who have they really got that would be considered world class? Or even at top 10 world rugby standard? The thing is, it is a much more specialised role than any others. Everything starts up front - but from what I've seen they're priority has always been the glitz and glamour roles...the no. 10, the wingers etc. It's a long term investment that I'm not too sure that the ARU was prepared to invest in when they were slinging their cash all round for league converts and the best and brightest next gen athletes like Beale, JOC & Cooper.</p><p></p><p>I think it's a problem they've had for years, but they've managed to gain enough leverage to allow their stars get them out of jail. It's just now, they don't have enough star players to do that and they're being found wanting.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="UilamOsa, post: 595099, member: 52898"] IMO - A prop or scrummager is a long term investment, they're so many issues surrounding their development pathways through AUS schools & clubs that it's just easier to purchase someone decent and let them just play...Sekope Kepu being a more recent example. Look at Rodney Blake...my brother played against him in some 3rd rate Country Queensland comp this year, but he was touted as the biggest AUS prop in a long time...he's only 30...Owen Franks (NZ) is 25. I don't think long term the AUS union considered development for the front row as a priority, if you go past the current first tier of front row forwards, who have they really got that would be considered world class? Or even at top 10 world rugby standard? The thing is, it is a much more specialised role than any others. Everything starts up front - but from what I've seen they're priority has always been the glitz and glamour roles...the no. 10, the wingers etc. It's a long term investment that I'm not too sure that the ARU was prepared to invest in when they were slinging their cash all round for league converts and the best and brightest next gen athletes like Beale, JOC & Cooper. I think it's a problem they've had for years, but they've managed to gain enough leverage to allow their stars get them out of jail. It's just now, they don't have enough star players to do that and they're being found wanting. [/QUOTE]
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[2013 TRC] South Africa vs. Australia in Cape Town (28/09/2013)
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