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SUFTUM

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Joined March 2023

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Ballymena / Ulster Rugby / Edinburgh Uni Rugby / Freiburg Rugby (a real thing)

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Nice article by the way.

Willie John McBride - a great man and true rugby legend

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Rugby
 
Jun

The First XV pitch at Ballymena Academy is the Syd Millar/ Willie John McBride pitch. Was pretty intimidating when they came to watch….
Also the school of a fair few Irish internationals including David Humphreys, James Topping and Ian McIlrath (recent IRFU president).

Willie John McBride - a great man and true rugby legend

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Rugby
 
Jun

Haha. Templepatrick. Knew a few from there. Was a long bus journey to the Academy…
Sure was brought up in Ballymena until study took me away.
Back last year for a fleeting visit.

Golden generations: Should Australia look to Wales or Ireland for inspiration?

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Rugby
 
Jun

They have to some extent been lucky in that the provinces have always existed so using them as the 4 main professional bodies was a relatively straightforward decision. This hasn’t worked in Wales where teams were created by merger. Ireland have then had the benefit of this structure -school to club to province to international – which has then been optimized by Nucifora with the national team at the pinnacle, but crucially improving the teams at all levels. Like the structure in NZ many in Ulster are proud and happy just to represent Ulster, just as many of the NZers are proud to represent their Super Rugby team. It’s impressive and I think sustainable.

Golden generations: Should Australia look to Wales or Ireland for inspiration?

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Rugby
 
Jun

Great points on ‘posh schools’. This bedrock of rugby support via the schools has always been there even before the total reorganization throughout Irish rugby over the last generation. Having schools cup finals fill out Ravenhill stadium demonstrates the passion and interest that has been maintained through to today. It needed a consolidated (and long term) effort to bring it all together.

Must also say as a Ballymena Academy alum with our limited success in the schools cup (and not much poshness) we looked on with jealousy at the highly developed program/coaching system set up at schools like Bangor Grammar/Methody in the 80s. Although we had ex-Irish players coaching us it was all a little basic.

Golden generations: Should Australia look to Wales or Ireland for inspiration?

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Rugby
 
Jun

Was really looking forward to this game but that got really bad from the Brumbies. Maul not working but demonstrated little adaptability to think of alternate plan. Plan seemed to be pass to a big person and run straight at the Chiefs. Not sure I saw a single decoy runner until late in the second half. Are they hiding something until finals time…?

Brumbies' top two hopes blow up in smoke as Chiefs confirm status as Super Rugby favourites, Alaalatoa injured

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Rugby
 
May

Went to the game. First one in a while and really enjoyable. Small but vocal crowd and if the Rebels can do this next year there will be bigger crowds.

Was also good to pay for a GA ticket and sneak in elsewhere. Got to say though that Super rugby needs to get its house in order on pricing, promotion etc. Seems they have the same marketing pigeon as RA ( apologies to the betoota).

Rebels hit record score against Force to keep finals hopes alive as Gordon fires again

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Rugby
 
May
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