Rugby in Australia is in a free fall: Where to now? | Quade Cooper

[@PretentiousBreadcrumbs]

They are spot on about the lack of technical analysis of Rugby. I'm a lifelong Rugby fan and I'll agree that it's a complex sport for new comers to get invested in. Putting more focus explaining the intricacies of set piece would only yield positive results.

[@kwat2849]

Probably the only 2 blokes I’d listen to talk about union for 2 hours 😂

[@mhh8072]

😂

[@Nick_Peter21]

I was literally about to comment this

[@VelvetRiot-hz5mp]

Didn't realise they could string a sentence together. Impressive.

[@enterpassword3313]

Check out kick offs kick ons, aka "koko"

[@georgieparn]

Quade & James O’Connor started vlogging Spring Tour Diaries and were made by ARU to take it down. That was 10-15 years ago before social media boomed!

[@JustNate365]

Yea those were so good back in the day, I was like 16-17 at the time, playing rugby and seeing them not much older killing it. Maori boy, born and bred All Black fans turnt to a Wallabies fan following Quade, James and Kurtley.

[@derricknanai62]

Yeah cause RA is to old fashioned lol

[@MLF-kq8ut]

Quade is like a super cool version of Squidge Rugby. Could listen to him talk detailed code for hours. Rugby needs this bloke.

[@AyBoogie]

With all due respect, don’t compare a HOF footy player to a KZbinr

[@powerbite92]

Quade knows his rugby, Squidge has never played rugby to any level and relies on nepotism for his channel and Wibble rugby for his analysis - but Wibble rugby himself is affirmative actioned as well, hence alot of Squidges stuff seems "variable at best" to ex and current players. But the media trance is maintained and most are happy to think Squidge is some sort of expert.

[@MLF-kq8ut]

@@powerbite92 @ayboogie Okay let's take a breather folks. All I'm saying is that I appreciate Quade talking tactics in detail here - something that is sorely missing from most rugby coverage and you don't hear that many players delve into publicly. Squidge is the most prominent/popular person that does tactic-centric content at the moment. I'm not making an equivalency between Squidge and Quade and I'm not even remotely saying he's a great tactical pundit. Also, how does Squidge rely on nepotism? He's not related to anyone at WR or RFU and WR are always copyright striking him for using filmed content. If anything they make his job much harder than it needs to be.

[@joshmackenzie3301]

Squidge is good analysis for someone whose never played rugby but it’s not comparable to actual professional players especially someone like Quade whose been at the top level for so long

[@MLF-kq8ut]

@@joshmackenzie3301 The point is that not many pundits (players, ex-players or otherwise) actually go into detail about tactics, shape, strategy. Of all the main rugby shows/podcasts world-wide, there is very little coverage of that - it's mainly limited review, preview stuff with a bit of banter sprinkled in. Squidge is the most prominent one doing it (i.e. he talks about it more than anyone else). I would love to hear pro players talk about it in detail more and get the whiteboard out. Obviously pros have a lot of strategic gold to share, they just aren't sharing it.

[@Some4101Derr]

Love the chat on Carter. I think (could be wrong) that’s why Katoa is showing maturity as a 10. His Union background allows him to manipulate space a lot better / maturer than younger halves.

[@Lkdigitalmedia940]

You’re correct he was carving at first five in union playing 1st xv rugby

[@Agentnz]

Awesome chat. QC is a scholar of the game. Aus rugby need people like him in the administration

[@HamueraPere]

Could listen to Quade talk all day aye. Seems so mature and thoughtful

[@gregdogg10]

Quades mic is cooked

[@G805t]

Fr😂

[@Hoihorakau]

Yoo

[@jameslocations]

As soon as I read this I could not unhear it

[@kaibrand]

He’s too far away from it 🥲

[@givesy123]

The ai enhance is terrible

[@goodboydaz]

The reason why League is so popular here is because its a simple and basic game. I dont mean that in a bad way. Very straightforward and easy to understand for a casual sport fan. Run for 5 plays and then kick. Rinse and repeat.

[@usarugbyleagueunionfan]

I’m learning to be a Rugby League referee. I shadowed the main ref yesterday for my 3rd game. Mind you I’m a MASSIVE fan of Union. I have a season seat to my local MLR club RFCLA. I follow Sale Sharks as well. There’s so much more complexity to Union. I agree with you. The biggest difference for me is the amount of time the whistle is being blown between both codes. Love both.

[@johnlocke4715]

It’s more popular because 1.) Ease of access. Integrated into public schools and the level of cost for participation is lower. It’s cheaper, has more junior clubs, and isn’t specific to high-cost private school culture. 2.) it’s competing with 4 other large sports with a smaller population of people. localised and cultured/tailored to suburbs. If you grow up in South Sydney you’re more inclined to support the culture that the club has maintained. 3.) Free to air games 3 nights a week. And if paying for Kayo have access to MMA, Golf, and many other sports. Compared to Stan Sport. 4.) International and representative are dominant. State of Origin etc. Long gone are the days of Gregan, Markham, Latham, Mortlock, Pocock etc. I could name another 10 reasons but the management of Rugby Australia is in the dumps. People, I believe, aren’t too fussed about the complexity. There’s much deeper and complex reasons as to why people can’t be bothered tuning in.

[@COVIDPLAYSOFTHEWEEK12345]

As an AFL fan I think union has a lot more similarities and the flow is sometimes reminiscent of an afl game. Surprising it’s struggled to capture the Melbourne, SA and WA audiences despite the obvious similarities. League is repetitive garbage.

[@usarugbyleagueunionfan]

@@COVIDPLAYSOFTHEWEEK12345 Maybe if they put 2 smaller extra posts and you got a consolation prize for a miss would it be like AFL. I’d rather watch massive human beings colliding at full speed than a speccy mark dude.

[@COVIDPLAYSOFTHEWEEK12345]

@@usarugbyleagueunionfan I’m guessing you haven’t watched much AFL. I would recommend it as there is a lot of similarities in the flow of the contest and the kick run game style. Also I think every injury statistic metric there is would suggest AFL has far more brute force collisions than both rugby codes. Given you can be hit from 360 degrees at any time, you can’t make an argument that it’s a softer sport if that’s what your suggesting.

[@saraphinafuimaono7354]

Quade is spot on with stripping it back and building the fan base again . Domestic comp is the way to go

[@jacobniu1283]

I've always liked Quade. Even when kiwis were booing him, I thought they were doing it because of how talented he was. I'm so happy he's playing again and have been watching him over in Japan along with the other Kiwi boys.

[@rugbybricks]

Great Pod - If NZ doesn't get moving fast we are going to slide.

[@lukethmpsn]

I think Quade is right that Australia needs to separate. I think we should do a champions league style thing like soccer at the end where he Japanese champions and Kiwi champions doing a knockout comp side by side with the local league. Build the local teams following and have the local league carry the international, rather than the other way around.

[@KewKew-do3kq]

SA rid themselves of the kiwis I don't think the Aussies have the balls

[@kainoizking]

Honestly something has to be going on with the S&C in Aus, because Rennie got screwed over hard by injuries and ultimately depth in the end. I remember that European tour, he had literally almost 2 team sheets worth of injuries. The Waratahs this year are a prime example, Taniela is a good individual example. For proffesional outfits, the amount of soft tissue injuries is way beyond suspicious. Eddie Jones mentioned it in his recent interview with Big Jim how ridiculously understaffed the Australian Super Rugby teams are. Those Wallabies players are playing a Super Season and a gruelling international season back to back, like Quade mentioned.

[@MLF-kq8ut]

Yeah the S&C issues are mental. The Tahs broke more than 10 front rowers this season. So many Achillies and calves busted. Similar stuff at the Brumbies but not at the same scale. Anything Eddie says is to help Eddie. Him talking about SR teams being understaffed is just to justify how he overstaffed his World Cup entourage. The man will say he takes full responsibility for something and manage to blame everyone else by the time he takes his next breath.

[@powerbite92]

Eddie played the race card Hard while in the UK, even picked players who shouldnt have been picked because.. they "represented Britain's diversity". THEN he turned up in Oz and laughed and joked about Dave Rennie's guitar and way of doing things, terming it "kumbya cr8p" - nice guy. All of Australia media and sport (whatever ethnicity the characters are) is run by secret clubs behind the scenes. I dont see much chance for Union until the influence of those types is weakened.

[@danielfaumuina7672]

Good listen! The example I think represents how to showcase the individual players, personality, building their brand is the TV series welcome to Wrexham. I wasn’t a soccer fan, but getting to know the players and seeing their journeys made me one. Same could be done with a solid budget for the Aus teams even if it be of a smaller scale

[@caintindal1671]

I might not agree with changing Super Rugby with the 11 or 12 teams but I do think Craig is right about our domestic teams with NSW and QLD sides do not play each other and need to be group together. And then add other teams from WA SA and VIC. This would create the Opportunity to play rugby before Super Rugby.

[@dabzvapelord]

really enjoyed this. only feedback would be the audio. it seems to cut to zero every time Quade stopped speaking.

[@honahwikeepa2115]

Public School Rugby needs to be grown. The Private School sector is too small and a tad soft.

[@DidsDelight]

Yeah sure! Are you serious?

[@powerbite92]

I agree. The real problem is though that the middle class in Australia used to produce great and tough athletes for a bunch of sports, now theyre a bunch of screen-time babies.

[@DodiiF1j1]

YKTR for union and LEVELS for league....a feast for fans ...great conversation, analysis and player insights... Keep it up boyzzss

[@jedalexander4059]

A quick step in the right direct is getting the game off Stan and on to Fox sports/kayo. So the casual sports fan can watch it.

[@Mrwhippy456]

I think why league is more Popular is the best are more relatable. More working class. As in if I’m a low income housing etc I can relate more to nrl players who have been there and get out. Where it’s hard to relate to Union players who grew up in private schooling etc. I feel like if you went to a Union game with missing teeth and bit Ferrell you’d get called out. I think nrl is more inclusive.

[@alightthatnevergoesout]

Union same as AFL in that regard. All private school boys. NRL really the only league where lower class blokes have made the big time. It's definitely much better for it

[@goodboydaz]

Add that its a basic and straight forward game. Anyone can play it really where theres hardly any complicated rules. Run 5 times then kick. Rinse and repeat until you score.

[@brudamo9203]

Funny thing is many of those kids are working class on scholarship.

[@RobertBinedell]

Have a union background,ex SAFFA ,much rather watch NRL ,very simple game,fast.Listening to Gordon Bray crap on about so and so from St Mary’s gives me the shits 🤬🤬🤬 I also understand the (system) The people with money are NOT going to let some low life from a public school get in ahead of their private school kid.Been into yachting for years now,same system 🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮

[@darcycullenward7568]

Probs 90% of blokes who are private school -> afl are on footy scholarships. Saying AFL is elitist is just flat out wrong

[@markbph2336]

some good points by quade..... 1. the national team needs to be competative... 2. "strip it back". axe super rugby. focus on CLUB rugby in sydney and brisbane. may have a couple of representative team games.... with nsw, qld. act and austral (rest of australia). something like that.... i suggest..... 3. prioritsing getting major FREE TO AIR TV time as opposed to cable-pay tv. get more exposure and take less money. 4. REVISE.... look at what rugby league has done to be successful. ... and copy what is relevant. i see there being 2 other MAJOR issues for rugby union in aus...... 1. BOTH afl and rugby league are easier (SIMPLER) for the GENERAL PUBLIC to understand, they are quicker paced games and there is more ball movement. thus they are more exciting to watch. the australian rugby union is stumped as they have little power in being able to fix this as world rugby controls the rules. 2. rugby league is winning the hearts of the pacific islander youth.... in the pacific, in western sydney and auckland. they aspire to play in the nrl. the nrl is well on the way to making sure the best talent plays in their game. the next 3-4 year will derermine if rugby union is REALLY relevant in the australia sporting landscape. much better MANAGEMENT is needed and as quade said... a successful aussie national team.

[@michaelobrien3614]

Fuck yeah lad I love the vibe between you fellas

[@KewKew-do3kq]

They ain't dating

[@leomika9411]

Hoiyahh

[@sushi8217]

Enjoyed this one boys, poddy justs keeps delivering 💯

[@DarwinNorth]

I in 2003 attended a Wales Australia international in Sydney and it attracted 67000 this year it only drew 34000 Rugby union is dying on the vine in Australia.

[@SennyMarshall]

Great players perspective. Keep it up Quade!

[@davebased5919]

Great interview sir

[@JustNate365]

Good to see Quade back again.

[@nickgotts7913]

Such an interesting chat, man I hope we never lose QC to the code.

[@christopherwinter7152]

Could listen to Quade all day, any mic issues? I listened on Spotify and was driving me wild

[@Boog13886]

2 of the 886's finest sportsmen and people to showcase their talents.

[@horokopa315]

Mean friend & guest Ice. Cool Korero. Quade should be the coach🤜🏽💯🤛🏽

[@BarneyPokolbin]

Completely agree. Time to scrap RS go back to local comps like NPC and Shute Shield with a Champions League at the end of the season. We need that local cut through like the NRL has. Wests, the worst performing team still has great numbers and interest because they represent the local community.

[@yippyyayas]

great chat!

[@Runboyrun89]

Quade has some good ideas but the system needs to be NZ and Australia the outset. Draft across both (you can do some “national” protected picks) and players across both (again you can put in rules around min number of Australians at an Australian Super Rugby side). Super Rugby needs to be a balanced comp, that’s been the issue since it started to expand (along with travel distances for SA).

[@goodboydaz]

The problem with Rugby Union in Australia is that it is seen as an elite school sport. Thats only true in Sydney and Brisbane. Everywhere else its pretty much working class. We have the talent for more than 5 teams, the money is where we lose out. There are currently 135 Australians playing in either Europe, Japan or America. Easily make 2 competitive teams from that group. Having the game behind a paywall has put the nail in the coffin too. Game would easily be fixed if 1. Game was free to air 2. Move away from Super Rugby and have a domestic competition 3. Get the game into all the schools through 7s competitions

[@CommissionerManu]

Problem is, the people running the game love the private school aspect and wanna maintain the elitism in the culture of the game. It’s not gonna change until that changes, and I dunno if there’s anyone left who cares enough to fix it that hasn’t been pushed away by the elitism already.

[@goodboydaz]

@@CommissionerManu thats because thats where all the money comes from.

[@goodboydaz]

@stevvvvveperry100% the problem would be logistics and again money. RA is broke, I doubt any network would wanna fork out some money for a Shute/Hospital cup.

[@goodboydaz]

@thomastimms88 come to Victoria. The game is pretty much popular and played in the low social economical areas. Western Suburbs and South East of Melbourne. Same goes for Adelaide the 4 years I lived there and in Perth where I currently work. Dont let the illusion of Sydney and Brisbane private school get in the way of facts.

[@ray9481]

​@goodboydaz0494 I'm from Adelaide, and you're right. The local Rugby community here is from varied backgrounds and has strong working class representation. Rugby is also far stronger than League here locally, it's always baffled me that Rugby Australia has never sought to really try and help South Australian Rugby given that situation.

[@longshot6566]

Couldn’t agree more with Quade, aus needs a domestic comp as it’s main league. From there maybe a champions league comp with the top 3 kiwi teams?

[@casperavenant9623]

Hey Quaid. Interesting talk. Sorry about the hard time you've had with the public and media during your career, bro. You were a bit of a knob at times, but you seem like a solid guy with a good heart.

[@pcd0001]

Quade, I can listen to you all day...get your own podcast, you will do well.

[@migyman321]

They need to make rugby union less complex. I also think clubs in Australia should only compete domestically. The organisations in charge need to do a better job of marketing the sport as well

[@mati-wh1dt]

What was wrong with Quades mic ??

[@VelvetRiot-hz5mp]

QC must be an intellectual who tells people he reads the NYT. Can you get a Dostoevsky cap anywhere?

[@BarneyPokolbin]

Completely agree. Time to scrap SR go back to local comps like NPC and Shute Shield with a Champions League at the end of the season. We need that local cut through like the NRL has. Wests, the worst performing team in the NRL still have great crowd numbers and engagement because they represent the local community

[@ashhansen7659]

Quade - so humble.

[@fariedmanuel]

Why would rugby Australia put a fossil like Joe Schmidt in charge of the national team - great chance to start fresh with someone like Larkham and build towards the RWC. Even NZ has finally seen the light with Robertson and we know how pedantic the NZ establishment is

[@IsaacClark23]

Larkham is a great shout

[@Hddy-k7x]

Schmidt will be great, we're lucky to have him

[@MLF-kq8ut]

Schmidt is methodical and systematic which is what Australian Rugby needs right now. The area where we need to de-fossilize is in the boardroom.

[@SBW_85]

Larkham has zero international coaching experience. Schmidt made Ireland a powerhouse and helped take the All Blacks to within a point of winning another rwc

[@enterpassword3313]

Haaaha fossil? what a terrible "opinion"

[@montyjewfishing1353]

Bro love union league enjoy listening to these vlogs cheers ice

[@jms5736]

Quade love you bro first time see you GPS v state high you were too good you won the game by yourself sorry only Rennie believe in you

[@Cssssssst]

Quade will always be the ultimate villain to the All Blacks 🔥🔥🔥

[@naidoo307]

Theys were always gonna miss the sefricans now they starting to eat humble pie ?😊

[@NavarreHaisila]

People forget pro sports is a business. We need new heads like Quade and others who understand the idea of “attention = money” to the game. It’s nice to be like ‘oh yeah it’s a gentlemen’s game we don’t need antics or character’ but that doesn’t pay the bills. Most fans and corporate are 1900s old heads who don’t understand the game needs to grow further than their lifetime. It’s almost selfish to let this same boys group continue to ruin the game and not adapt to the times. The ones who survive are those who adapt.

[@aaronmckechnie4467]

Winning games is your best marketing, winning games fixes pretty much everything. At the the end of the day it is the players who go out on the field that have to do it!. Can't be blaming the coach, the administration, the rules, the crowd numbers, cut the crap and win games, consistently.

[@Richard1H65S]

Perception has very little to do with Super rugby being in the toilet. Here is the Panthers Premiership story. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGjQdXuqlslmgpY NRL community engagements is on another level.

[@jms5736]

Quade come coach Souths and then reds I'll be there tipo support

[@Kiritopa_Hokena]

Always Loved ya mahi Quade, 🫡

[@Kiritopa_Hokena]

Like aus rugby 😅

[@SalemTotal]

I find it funny that Quade still gets booed in NZ. 😂

[@mattgray790]

Union need to move away from being the la-di-da private school sport and find a way to be more accessible for everyone. And only being on Stan Sport is annoying for the casual fan. Havent watched a game since they moved

[@BOGNIGGLES]

As a former union fan and recently graduated private school player i agree

[@aaronmckechnie4467]

QC was inexplicably overrated. Not good under pressure. More effort into how he looks than how he played.

[@CharismaticIslandBoy]

Great chat gents 👌

[@latenightprowleroner7930]

Bring back the Saffa teams into Super Rugby. Make it more exciting. So many penalties and stoppages making the game slow and a chess match. Not that aesthetically enjoyable the the eye

[@johngraham5948]

Rugby Australia in free fall?? WTF?

[@Randallllll-o2f]

Goat

[@galesly8787]

You are right because they got you to play for them 😂😂😂😂

[@elevan2760]

Does anyone else think the ARB needs to go bankrupt before there'll be any real change?

[@SavannaGish-g5y]

Dion Station

[@RenegadeRanga]

I detest the incompetence of RA. They collectively fumbled around with their heads up their arse. At the height of the walllabies' popularity. RA didn't chase enough sponsorships. Did poor broadcast deals. They didn't push into public schools and support local clubs. Instead, sent the game broke by poaching NRL talent.

[@davebased5919]

🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@davidfife-nm7uy]

Quade. Most overrated test player of all time. The kiwis got into his head. Having him giving advice is hysterical

[@KrisLoduca-h3d]

Herman Ports

[@FreddyJong-co6cb]

Melbourne rebels finish Melbourne storm next shit game Afl.No.1 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@H8M0ndays]

I agree that afl is shit game +1

[@davebased5919]

W

[@TracyHowar-z5d]

Eladio Ville

[@SBW_85]

Quade couldn’t make a NZ super and Npc team. He made wobblies cos aus rugby sux

[@knucklesaukuso5086]

Wrong he would of blossomed in any NZ Super Rugby and Npc teams due to the way we play rugby and the players he would been surrounded with don’t be a hater cuz 💯

[@letstalk3265]

The basic skill levels in Australian rugby are missing 4 eg passing. When you hear a legend in Tim Horan admit on screen that all top level teams in Australia can only pass efficiently ''to the left'' and not to the right because they are coached from a young age to only throw ''spin'' passes. Sorry. Just watch Darren Lockyer and JT throw long cut outs accurately. NO SPIN. League pass. Easier to throw and catch. Moved threw the hands where you look who you're passing to, they have their hands out as targets and you use your wrists to move the ball quickly. No positioning the hands to try and throw a spinning pass. It means our coaches at all levels are idiots and haven't got a clue about this basic skill. Don't see it with the Kiwi sides. ''Let the ball sing'' means moving the ball quickly and efficiently. My job when I played five-eighth was to pass the perfect pass to my inside centre and so forth out to the wingers and then stay in support which meant that you were most likely in position to go again. At school that was one of our constant training exercises, A & B backs vs backs, forwards vs forwards. In the backs we spent from Under 10's to Open's moving the ball from half back to wing as quickly as possible. Both left and right and would do that for at least an hour out of every training session. Left and right. The only spin pass was from the half back as it was rolled to him by the coach. The rest were no spin/league passes moved through the hands beautifully to a winger at full pace out in front so that he was literally slingshotted to take on his opposite one on one at full pace. All the great wingers want that. Which sort of pass is easier to throw and catch in all conditions, especially in the wet. It ain't the spin pass. NEVER THE SPIN PASS. My pet hate. Seeing kids taught incorrectly from a young age and perpetuated through club and school rugby. Disgraceful. My brother and I coached junior and schools rugby and we had a rule, NO SPIN. Our teams were way more successful than any others and that was at all levels. Why? Basic skills for all positions were high. Proofs in the pudding. Australian teams in the last two decades skill levels are crap.

[@CommissionerManu]

I know Quade is trying to stand up for him, but Eddie still sounds like an awful coach and man manager

[@williepoharama1206]

Mean maori, mean

[@Kiritopa_Hokena]

Promotion! Better fan engagement, bettwr fan experiences at game day's. They're boring as heck. Super rugby game days are meh... its not the players its the Promotion side. The players and rugby is good its the marketing

[@sliccric2266]

Improve the product for starters. Play takes too long to get going again after a stoppage. Rugby is always going to have the whistle blown more than in league as the game is a constant contest for the ball, thats fine but get play going again as soon as possible. Stop pissing around with players on the deck playing with their hammys or talking crap with the TMO. Timers for line outs, etc..id also drop place kicks for penaltys and replace them with drop goals. Much faster and more difficult so would encourage more attacks at the line for tries. Conversions can stay on the tee. Rugby is actually faster than league when the ball is in play, its just never in play lol..also, super rugby is horribly marketed snd promoted. The NRL is marketed perfectly with analysis shows, comedy shows with matty, vignettes to build rivalrys and build tribalism. Super rugby had that at the beginning. The Brumbies were a bigger show in town than the Raiders in there heyday. The comp had do many megastars like Lomu, umaga, Cullen, Gregan, Burke, zinny

[@ljawgtn1393]

Whats the hurry though!!?😟

[@BoatyMcBoatface-ui3ng]

this interview needs time stamps ....i cant sit through 2 hours of a rugby game let alone 2 hours of a interview about rugby lol

[@lucan76]

You need sports academy ,thats starts at school 1st XV,in nz rugby runs deep,any school 1st xv if you watch ....is like watching super 12,same for club rugby,need to promote rugby far better than league

[@BarneyPokolbin]

Completely agree. Time to scrap RS go back to local comps like NPC and Shute Shield with a Champions League at the end of the season. We need that local cut through like the NRL has. Wests, the worst performing team still has great numbers and interest because they represent the local community.

[@BarneyPokolbin]

Completely agree. Time to scrap RS go back to local comps like NPC and Shute Shield with a Champions League at the end of the season. We need that local cut through like the NRL has. Wests, the worst performing team still has great numbers and interest because they represent the local community.

[@BarneyPokolbin]

Completely agree. Time to scrap RS go back to local comps like NPC and Shute Shield with a Champions League at the end of the season. We need that local cut through like the NRL has. Wests, the worst performing team still has great numbers and interest because they represent the local community.