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Added TUESDAY 12/02/2008
Must be almost a month since I typed up any rubbish, so thought I better throw something together, as so many of you check in each day. I have been really busy, and coupled with a broken elbow, have not had a lot of time. On top of that though, not too much has grabbed me and made me actually want to type something up. Certainly some significant events in the past fortnight or three weeks, or maybe more, Adam Gilchrist's retirement, Wayne Bennett's retirement and the pulling of a 25 million dollar government grant from rugby. Gilchrist, well he was a special, doubt we will see another like him in our lifetimes, guy could change the course of a test match in a session, or a one dayer in 10 overs. A phenomenon to watch batting, an entertainment machine. Most importantly though Gilchrist maintained his humility and sense of decency, coupled it with a large slice of decency and sportsmanship, and consequently will be remembered as not only one of the best, but a good bloke. That will be his lasting legacy, while we, well I do anyway, wish Shane Warne would just crawl under a rock, we would be just as happy for Gilly to return. Even more momentous from the sporting world was the retirement or resignation of Wayne Bennett. Rugby could do far far worse than to hire this "leader of men", a true and real inspiration to men and boys everywhere, maybe girls and women too. Much more than a football coach, Bennett developed men, and again will be missed I am sure by many. My advice to rugby though is to try and hire the guy, again the code needs men like this. I actually enjoyed the way he dealt with the nosy media, his philosophies on life and football. Guy did it tough from a very young age, and went all the way to the top. The 25 mill grant, it would be foolish of me or anyone to comment, without knowing the full story, and I doubt we ever will, but it sure would be interesting to know. Can only think all the t's were not crossed somewhere. Pleased to see new Wallabies coach Robbie Deans has included a list of things other than talent in his requirements for Wallabies, one of those ingredients being toughness. He puts it very simply as an ability to cope with setbacks and an ability to offer to the team even when their own selfish needs are not being met. Hopefully he can find those characteristics within Aussie rugby's limited depth. Someone the other day said to me, "Israel Folau wouldn't make it in rugby". I have to disagree, this kid is a freak, is really big and really young and really fast and really skilful. Would be the best back in the country, maybe world inside a year, and Greg Inglis is better than that. If rugby in this country is going to be successful, then it has to figure out how to attract, and in the longer term, develop players of this calibre. To be the premier code, we will have to attract and develop the best players and athletes. This aint happening at the moment. Trials are just about over, and the friendly "it doesn't matter any more stuff" is over. Big Kiwis and even bigger South Africans will be looking to inflict physical and scoreboard pain in a week and a bit. Sure hope we are ready. Time will tell! |
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WE DON'T STOP PLAYING BECAUSE WE GROW OLD, WE GROW OLD BECAUSE WE STOP PLAYING. |
