Discussion
blearyeyedboy said:
phil_cardiff said:
So being debt free is good even though the domestic game withers and dies?
Don't most successful businesses carry some debt?
By all means carry some debt, but only to make sure even more money rolls in. Any big organisation has to secure lots of money to spend on its ambitions. Clever planning by WRU has meant it's in a better financial situation than it would be.Don't most successful businesses carry some debt?
Concerns about the domestic game are a separate argument. The domestic game sorely needs attention, no doubt. But WRU's business savvy has left more money to fix that problem, if only they get on and do it.
phil_cardiff said:
Actually, the 2 are interlinked. The WRU have paid off debt qucker than needed at a time when borrowing is as cheap as it ever will be. By paying off debt too quckly they have denied much needed cash to all levels below the international game. Hence poor grass roots participation levels and an exodus of professional players from Wales. Roger Lewis has presided over a mess and his legacy is extremely poor.
I take your point, Phil, and agree to a point. I'm not saying that Roger Lewis has been a shining star either.What I'm getting at is that the extra money from the Wembley arrangement has been a real cash cow for the WRU. How that extra revenue has been spent (and whether it has all been spent wisely) is certainly debatable, as you say.
I think WRU paying off a heap of debt before interest rates rise will put Welsh rugby in a better position in another decade. However, I'd have liked to have seen a little more diverted to grassroots, as you say. I'm hoping that by less money going on repayments over the next decade, more money will go into the levels below the international game too.
Catt to Cipriani - "I will end your England career"
Ohhhh dear.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/articl...
Ohhhh dear.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/articl...
hornetrider said:
Catt to Cipriani - "I will end your England career"
Ohhhh dear.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/articl...
Wow! The fact that (allegedly) several players took Cip's side tells its own tale (seeing as he's got the rep for being/having been an egotistical idiot). Be interesting to see what comments are made by both side now that this is out...Ohhhh dear.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/articl...
funkyrobot said:
When I saw it I screamed at the TV!It was clearly at least a yellow IMO. I rewound several times in slow mo and full speed it looked at least dangerous if not outright thuggery.....
Not sure the result would have been very different though!
irocfan said:
hornetrider said:
Catt to Cipriani - "I will end your England career"
Ohhhh dear.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/articl...
Wow! The fact that (allegedly) several players took Cip's side tells its own tale (seeing as he's got the rep for being/having been an egotistical idiot). Be interesting to see what comments are made by both side now that this is out...Ohhhh dear.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/articl...
He was noticeable quality even then, if I could see it you've got to be good, but he pee-ed off just about everyone, which included me.
I was with the father of another of the players and he went off about how rugby had changed, as in his day one of the other side, his own players or the ref would have lumped him one, and if he complained to his coach, he'd have done the same.
It was a pleasant thought.
We'd been told to look out for him but even so, he made an impression, in more ways than one.
Derek Smith said:
irocfan said:
hornetrider said:
Catt to Cipriani - "I will end your England career"
Ohhhh dear.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/articl...
Wow! The fact that (allegedly) several players took Cip's side tells its own tale (seeing as he's got the rep for being/having been an egotistical idiot). Be interesting to see what comments are made by both side now that this is out...Ohhhh dear.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/articl...
He was noticeable quality even then, if I could see it you've got to be good, but he pee-ed off just about everyone, which included me.
I was with the father of another of the players and he went off about how rugby had changed, as in his day one of the other side, his own players or the ref would have lumped him one, and if he complained to his coach, he'd have done the same.
It was a pleasant thought.
We'd been told to look out for him but even so, he made an impression, in more ways than one.
irocfan said:
Derek Smith said:
irocfan said:
hornetrider said:
Catt to Cipriani - "I will end your England career"
Ohhhh dear.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/articl...
Wow! The fact that (allegedly) several players took Cip's side tells its own tale (seeing as he's got the rep for being/having been an egotistical idiot). Be interesting to see what comments are made by both side now that this is out...Ohhhh dear.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/articl...
He was noticeable quality even then, if I could see it you've got to be good, but he pee-ed off just about everyone, which included me.
I was with the father of another of the players and he went off about how rugby had changed, as in his day one of the other side, his own players or the ref would have lumped him one, and if he complained to his coach, he'd have done the same.
It was a pleasant thought.
We'd been told to look out for him but even so, he made an impression, in more ways than one.
It's not as if he has anything to brag about in terms of performance.
DocJock said:
irocfan said:
Derek Smith said:
irocfan said:
hornetrider said:
Catt to Cipriani - "I will end your England career"
Ohhhh dear.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/articl...
Wow! The fact that (allegedly) several players took Cip's side tells its own tale (seeing as he's got the rep for being/having been an egotistical idiot). Be interesting to see what comments are made by both side now that this is out...Ohhhh dear.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/articl...
He was noticeable quality even then, if I could see it you've got to be good, but he pee-ed off just about everyone, which included me.
I was with the father of another of the players and he went off about how rugby had changed, as in his day one of the other side, his own players or the ref would have lumped him one, and if he complained to his coach, he'd have done the same. It was a pleasant thought.
We'd been told to look out for him but even so, he made an impression, in more ways than one.
It's not as if he has anything to brag about in terms of performance.
The trouble is - it doesn't ring true. At least not what is being reported at face value. Daddy Faz or Towntree saying it - yes. Mike "skills" Catt who has more attacking talent in his little finger than 90% of English backs have had put together over the last decade would be the guy nurturing someone like Cip. There is another story here yet to come out.
Meanwhile, on the field...
South Africa hammered USA today. They're finding their stride. We never thought USA would beat them but the Saffers are linking together much better and their morale has improved.
Would I expect Wales to beat them after being a bit worn out after they've met Australia? I wouldn't be confident.
South Africa hammered USA today. They're finding their stride. We never thought USA would beat them but the Saffers are linking together much better and their morale has improved.
Would I expect Wales to beat them after being a bit worn out after they've met Australia? I wouldn't be confident.
blearyeyedboy said:
phil_cardiff said:
Actually, the 2 are interlinked. The WRU have paid off debt qucker than needed at a time when borrowing is as cheap as it ever will be. By paying off debt too quckly they have denied much needed cash to all levels below the international game. Hence poor grass roots participation levels and an exodus of professional players from Wales. Roger Lewis has presided over a mess and his legacy is extremely poor.
I take your point, Phil, and agree to a point. I'm not saying that Roger Lewis has been a shining star either.What I'm getting at is that the extra money from the Wembley arrangement has been a real cash cow for the WRU. How that extra revenue has been spent (and whether it has all been spent wisely) is certainly debatable, as you say.
I think WRU paying off a heap of debt before interest rates rise will put Welsh rugby in a better position in another decade. However, I'd have liked to have seen a little more diverted to grassroots, as you say. I'm hoping that by less money going on repayments over the next decade, more money will go into the levels below the international game too.
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