Wombat, as a kiwi I'm allowed to say how good an Aussie rugby player
was now that he has retired, but if he was still playing, now that would be a different story
......
I dont know what it is about rugby union in these professional times, it just doesnt have the true passion of the sport(well for me it doesnt) like it used too. The players of today just dont seem to have the same passion as the players of yesteryear. I remember seeing Phillipe Sella catching a high kick under his own posts with the all black forward pack arriving at the same time. He took the ball and never let it go which would've given away certain try straight in front, but did give the penalty away. When he finnally got up from the rucking his rugby jersey was in threads. That took balls, passion and for the love of "the game", or what ever you want to call it, but it didnt take money??
It seems that all national teams seem to be struggling in the half-back position, and yet it doesnt seem that long ago when we had players like Sid Going, Mark Loveridge, Mark Donaldson and Andrew Donald.
I was luckly enough to get taught (as a half-back and first five) by Mark Donaldson and Bob Burgress. Today I look at how 'they'(todays' players) pass a ball and just shake my head.
I remember well the day the Irish had Aussie on the back foot in the world cup(I sat up late) and I just thought to myself ..... what ever you do, dont let Champese get the ball. What happens.......Try in the corner.
Players and Captains,
For NZ to be a world force in rugby again we need a leader. A leader like Nick Farr-Jones, Buck Shelford, Martyn Johnston...... Leaders by example.
Now I well need that place to hide Wombat......
