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Australia coach Cheika hails retiring Wallaby Mumm

By Alex Fisher
Australia forward Dean Mumm

Australia coach Michael Cheika has paid tribute to Dean Mumm after the second row announced he will retire from professional rugby at the end of the year.

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Waratahs forward Mumm intends to spend his time away from the game raising money for charity and has a hike to the North Pole on the agenda for 2018.

The 33-year-old made his international debut against Ireland in 2008 but fell out of favour in the years that followed so he headed to the Premiership with Exeter Chiefs.

On returning to Waratahs in 2015 he forced his way back into Wallabies reckoning and was part of Cheika’s World Cup squad that was beaten in the final by New Zealand – Mumm captaining them in their pool match with Uruguay.

His career will come to an end later this year, but he remains available to add to his 57 Test caps and the international coach expects him to do so.

“Dean’s not only a great footballer but a great person and one that I have really enjoyed coaching,” Cheika said.

“He made a big decision to return to Australia in 2015 and stepped up his game to a new level, while also taking on more responsibility in developing others around him.

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“Dean’s got a real plan for his life post-rugby and we will support with that in any way we can, but he has still got plenty of opportunity to leave a legacy in the gold jersey and I expect he will do everything he can to do that before he hangs up the boots.”

Mumm explained that while the decision was a surprise to some, he had known since the start of 2017 that it would be his last campaign.

“It’s something I’ve been thinking about for a while,” the lock said.

“When you get to be the oldest in the team and at the back of the bus there’s probably only one way out and retirement’s something I’ve been working towards for a couple of years now.

“I was pretty clear with Daryl [Gibson, Waratahs coach] and the boys, they’ve known that this was going to be my last year.

“That makes it easy because a lot of the teams will be the last time you play them. I really appreciate all the boys being behind me to try and help me celebrate what’s been a pretty fun career.”

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Trevor 1 hours ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

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Bull Shark 5 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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