New boss of Rugby Australia

[Sheikh]

"With more communication about strength and conditioning across the franchises and the four remaining teams bolstered by former Western Force players, Castle was optimistic about Australian Super Rugby prospects this year.
"You would hope that with the depth of talent now being more centralised over four teams, we're going to start to see winning performances," she said"

Is the woman SERIOUSLY delusional?! The only team really benefiting is the Rebels - so that achieves.....what?

Not quite.
The Brumbies have got a stud #8, a pacy centre/wing to compliment Speight and depth at lock (plus in Erasmus and Two-dads a couple of young guns with a bit of experience).
The Reds have got a #10 which they desperately need (especially with Quade seemingly on the outer).
The Tahs have the power runner they need outside Beale, a young prop to back up their creaky front row, and a young winger with some guile.

All the teams have benefitted from the demise of the Force, it's just that some have been more selective (although I'm sure any of those three would have loved to have Coleman or DHP fall on their laps!)

[GIGS20]

Hansie....any reaction?

Is she really the oversized sock puppet that her media bites suggest?

Feel free to PM me if you can't say anything public.

[JPR]

So Raelene Castle's priority is the Bledisloe? Just remind me which nationality she is again ...

She is Australian. Her priority and goal should've been to win the next World Cup.

[valzc]

When is this meeting being held anyway?

[Alison]

The one I’m involved in is tomorrow afternoon, but I know she has meetings set up with a variety of groups over the two days that she is here.

[Hansie]

I look forward to the pleasure tomorrow morning.

[Bakkies]

She is Australian. Her priority and goal should've been to win the next World Cup.

Well depending on Australian Citizenship law at the time. Her father was working in Wagga as a League coach when she was born then moved back to NZ.

[JSJ]

I look forward to the pleasure tomorrow morning.

The West Australian
Thursday, 1 February 2018 5:00AM

IPRC is still involved in discussions with RA. The national body is standing firm over its Wallabies eligibility policy that means only players in Super Rugby sides or overseas-based Wallabies with a minimum of 60 Tests appearances can be selected for Australia.

If that is correct and the RA's official stance, then we might as well send Ms Castle home tomorrow and refuse to meet her. It is mind boggling that they can chuck WA out of Super rugby is such a corrupt fashion and then refuse to select players from WA for the Wallabies.
Alison, Hansie, Hodgo, John Edwards and others, please ask her to confirm or deny it. I hope Linda, Mark McGowan and other politicians ask the same question

[JSJ]

The one I’m involved in is tomorrow afternoon, but I know she has meetings set up with a variety of groups over the two days that she is here.

The West Australian
Thursday, 1 February 2018 5:00AM

IPRC is still involved in discussions with RA. The national body is standing firm over its Wallabies eligibility policy that means only players in Super Rugby sides or overseas-based Wallabies with a minimum of 60 Tests appearances can be selected for Australia.

If that is correct and the RA's official stance, then we might as well send Ms Castle home tomorrow and refuse to meet her. It is mind boggling that they can chuck WA out of Super rugby is such a corrupt fashion and then refuse to select players from WA for the Wallabies.
Alison, Hansie, Hodgo, John Edwards and others, please ask her to confirm or deny it. I hope Linda, Mark McGowan and other politicians ask the same question

[terrycobner]

How long can these negotiations go on for? RA are not going to give us any worthwhile concessions unless compelled to. Time is surely coming when we say enough and do the IPRC without them. Surely there is legal precedent that their monopoly on rugby in this country is anti competitive, so what is to stop us taking them on as a seperate entity and rival. They will not give wallabies eligibility. There is no way they will assist in any way players moving out of their beloved 4 eastern states teams.They will be forced to allow eligibility once IPRC is pulling in the players and top refs however.

[Bakkies]

The stupid thing is that Wallabies eligibility is not a big deal anymore. Players leaving Australia well over 150 with Super Rugby experience according to RUPA have given away eligibility off their own bat. Then you have EPS players like Andrew Deegan who have already left without a cap.

This on top of players who have left due to mixed messages (see Nick Bishop's article about Nic White on the Roar), poor record over player discipline (O'Connor, Beale, George Smith) and paying out contracts on players abroad than dumping them (Douglas, Leroy Houston).

The RA are just being f..kwits for the sake of being f..kwits.

[GIGS20]

The RA are just being f..kwits for the sake of being f..kwits.

Ummm, yeah.

They've turned that into a key business strategy

[Leo86]

Miss Castle can you please explain why a Western Australian player playing for the highest team possible in his state is not elegible to represent the national team? Unless you are admitting that RA is actually the ERA and doesnt recognise WA, SA, NT or Tas as a part of your constitution where you are meant to promote and foster the game

[valzc]

I look forward to the pleasure tomorrow morning.

Hope you politely give her hell!
She would also have had an excellent view going past the stadium just to reinforce how the RA shot themselves in the foot.

[Bakkies]

Ummm, yeah.

They've turned that into a key business strategy

Often it does it help in life to be yourself