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Hi guys.I'm so sick of hearing people question a number of highly dubious topics related to SBW and how he will destroy our culture. There are common misconceptions which float around and they include:
1. The japanese rugby issue: I can see the area of concern over this topic and how people may find faults with his decision to play Japanese rugby. But what people need to understand is what playing rugby in Japan means in relation to him joining us. Will he be less fit?, no in fact he will be more fitter than ever. Playing rugby week in week out in Japan is by far better than Sitting on a couch for a month and then trying to burn off the fat in the following two months.Although Japanese rugby isn't the toughest of comp's, by his age he has been through many preseason trips and if he isn't developed and fit by this stage of his career, then he will probably never be.
2.Him Boxing: If in another life i was a footy coach, then the first thing that I would implement in training is boxing and cardio fitness for all players if possible. I have never understood the fascination that young men have with bulking up and these days they take all kinds of supplements and what not, and many studies have shown that some of these supplements lead to heart problems later onin life.I remember reading an article not long ago in the SMH about something like that. Anyway, my point is that him boxing has no negative impact for us, if anything it is better for us with and hopefully more of our players follow suit and become more fitter than what they are now. He has only ever played against amateurs and so far in his career has no injuries to speak of from his boxing career, and looks fitter than ever.
3. Mundine and Khoder : I have no issues with them being a part of his management as it evidently has not affected his performances in Playing Union.He himself has admitted that since he joined with Khoder and Mundine he has gained a new sense of professionalism and put to one side many of the off field issues he had in his earlier days with the dogs. He is this year the best centre hands down in Union, so his career has not been faltered in that respect.
4. Asking price and contract length : To put it plain and simple, we did not have to unwillingly get rid of players in order to fit him in. Ryles, Carney, Myles, Perrett, and Mitchell left for reasons of their own and Anasta is deadwood. With him playing in Japan, we can only pay him a fraction of what he may had demanded in union. With the reported one year deal with an option, only positives can come from that. If he doesn't cope in his first year than, he can leave us with no loss of our stars coming off contract in 2013.If he does cope and kills it then we can extend him a deal for an extra year. Although many view him as a mercenary, myself included, he has always put his best foot forward literally regardless of what team he has played in and given 100%. How many players have we signed long term only for them to play crap the very same year. FPN and SKD can fit into that category although SKD has been injured, even JWH has backed down a little in recent times.
5.His religion and Influence on other players: I don't want to open a new can of worms with this but all I am going to say is that I don't care what religion he follows as long as he respects other players and their beliefs and creates team harmony. Religion for me is a very personal and spiritual thing and even with myself, I sometimes take offense when people ask me which religion I practice. Anyway, with regards to his influence on other players, I think every young guy in the team at the moment has round one next year circle on their calender along with the Anasta farewell party.Only good things can come from playing along side of someone like sonny bill and learning his trade.
6. His disrespect for League:Deep down every one has their opinions on what he did in 2008, however he has always spoken of his love for league and wanting to come back. I think it is brave for him to return and of course the money was a big part of his decision, but he knows now the hostile reception he will get when he returns.I think it is a good thing for our game and for our club especially that he is returning.
I personally cannot wait for next year. I think we will have a solid structure with SBW, Maloney and RTS along with Pearce also.i still feel that we need a Dummy half, even a Kevin Kingston style of player will do.
That being said we will finish top four for sure hopefully if we have a good run with injuries.
1. The japanese rugby issue: I can see the area of concern over this topic and how people may find faults with his decision to play Japanese rugby. But what people need to understand is what playing rugby in Japan means in relation to him joining us. Will he be less fit?, no in fact he will be more fitter than ever. Playing rugby week in week out in Japan is by far better than Sitting on a couch for a month and then trying to burn off the fat in the following two months.Although Japanese rugby isn't the toughest of comp's, by his age he has been through many preseason trips and if he isn't developed and fit by this stage of his career, then he will probably never be.
2.Him Boxing: If in another life i was a footy coach, then the first thing that I would implement in training is boxing and cardio fitness for all players if possible. I have never understood the fascination that young men have with bulking up and these days they take all kinds of supplements and what not, and many studies have shown that some of these supplements lead to heart problems later onin life.I remember reading an article not long ago in the SMH about something like that. Anyway, my point is that him boxing has no negative impact for us, if anything it is better for us with and hopefully more of our players follow suit and become more fitter than what they are now. He has only ever played against amateurs and so far in his career has no injuries to speak of from his boxing career, and looks fitter than ever.
3. Mundine and Khoder : I have no issues with them being a part of his management as it evidently has not affected his performances in Playing Union.He himself has admitted that since he joined with Khoder and Mundine he has gained a new sense of professionalism and put to one side many of the off field issues he had in his earlier days with the dogs. He is this year the best centre hands down in Union, so his career has not been faltered in that respect.
4. Asking price and contract length : To put it plain and simple, we did not have to unwillingly get rid of players in order to fit him in. Ryles, Carney, Myles, Perrett, and Mitchell left for reasons of their own and Anasta is deadwood. With him playing in Japan, we can only pay him a fraction of what he may had demanded in union. With the reported one year deal with an option, only positives can come from that. If he doesn't cope in his first year than, he can leave us with no loss of our stars coming off contract in 2013.If he does cope and kills it then we can extend him a deal for an extra year. Although many view him as a mercenary, myself included, he has always put his best foot forward literally regardless of what team he has played in and given 100%. How many players have we signed long term only for them to play crap the very same year. FPN and SKD can fit into that category although SKD has been injured, even JWH has backed down a little in recent times.
5.His religion and Influence on other players: I don't want to open a new can of worms with this but all I am going to say is that I don't care what religion he follows as long as he respects other players and their beliefs and creates team harmony. Religion for me is a very personal and spiritual thing and even with myself, I sometimes take offense when people ask me which religion I practice. Anyway, with regards to his influence on other players, I think every young guy in the team at the moment has round one next year circle on their calender along with the Anasta farewell party.Only good things can come from playing along side of someone like sonny bill and learning his trade.
6. His disrespect for League:Deep down every one has their opinions on what he did in 2008, however he has always spoken of his love for league and wanting to come back. I think it is brave for him to return and of course the money was a big part of his decision, but he knows now the hostile reception he will get when he returns.I think it is a good thing for our game and for our club especially that he is returning.
I personally cannot wait for next year. I think we will have a solid structure with SBW, Maloney and RTS along with Pearce also.i still feel that we need a Dummy half, even a Kevin Kingston style of player will do.
That being said we will finish top four for sure hopefully if we have a good run with injuries.
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