Welcome, as soon as once more, to the Weekend Version.
There’s nothing fairly as thrilling in rugby, for me at the least, because the week earlier than the primary take a look at match of the yr. The gradual construct up that begins with hypothesis of the primary squad of the yr, then the naming of that squad, adopted by the outrage and/or elation when your favorite participant misses out or makes the squad, the hypothesis over the primary take a look at workforce, the leaks of the primary take a look at workforce, the naming of the primary take a look at workforce, the outrage and/or elation when your favorite participant misses out or makes the workforce.
After the workforce is introduced, we’ve got about two and a half days when our Australian optimism takes over and our workforce could possibly be world beaters. Our climb again up the rankings could possibly be only a matter of time. We predict this could possibly be the yr the Bledisloe makes that journey again throughout the Tasman. For 2 and a half days the Wallabies are superb. Inevitably, the Wallabies can’t reside as much as our expectations (what workforce might) and we stroll away disillusioned.
This yr, I’m as excited as another, however my expectations are tempered. Now we have new coaches and a brand new philosophy. This primary take a look at workforce appears to be, principally, chosen on type and work ethic; this has not been one among our sturdy factors prior to now. Too typically, we’ve got seemed previous our gamers’ shortcomings due to the one factor that they excel in.
So, to begin with, I’m going to be proud of a very good effort and a by no means hand over perspective, whereas hoping for a win. All of the whereas hoping that the Wallabies construct because the yr goes on. Along with that, I’m going to do my greatest to cease stressing about our world rating.
It’s A Leaking Ship
As I’ve acknowledged above, I really like this week. What I don’t love is a lot of the take a look at aspect being leaked earlier than the announcement. I used to be in a position to piece collectively the vast majority of the 23 earlier than the announcement, and that took slightly little bit of the enjoyment out of it for me.
On this week’s Speaking Groups podcast, Happyman urged that RA might reduce the leaks out and switch the announcement into an occasion. I believe I’d be proud of one or two leaks and a workforce announcement adopted by a deeper evaluation by the media. Trickle feeding the workforce to the media takes away from the expertise for us followers. I do know you’re making an attempt to construct curiosity within the sport, however please don’t do it this fashion. Extra within the poddy beneath.
Effectively, that’s all from me this week. Have an incredible weekend, and I’ll speak to you within the feedback.
Sully out.
