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Joined February 2012
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I am a freelance journalist who was born in NZ and raised in Northern Ireland but spent most of my working life in Australia. Former Sun-Herald sports editor, rugby tragic and current Roar and RugbyHeaven contributor. Lucky to be able to write about a subject I love.
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There are few better places to start looking for a side's prospects in 2013 than reviews of their play last year. Another look at…
In the first round of Super Rugby in 2001 – the most recent British and Irish Lions tour year – the three Australian provinces…
Blessed is the turn of the year. With it comes the promise of fresh starts and renewal: clean pages for all after a largely…
Throw out the question “what makes the world's best side” and a heap of answers might come back your way. Some might start with…
It might have slipped through the cracks but there was a telling remark about Israel Folau last week from a purely rugby perspective. Chiefs…
It is a slightly cheeky exercise but add together the two standout performances from the Spring tours and you end up with a total…
When the IRB player of the year award is announced next week, consider it an upset if All Blacks captain Richie McCaw does not…
The Australian Rugby Union must be running out of reasons to keep making allowances for Quade Cooper. Patience is finite. Especially when his last…
If the Wallabies lose to England at Twickenham, by any score, they could finish the weekend as the world's fifth-ranked side. The heavy defeat…
If this time of the year does not put a charge into your battery, even after the long Super Rugby and The Rugby Championship…
When the five New Zealand Super franchises announce their squads this morning, the crystal-ball gazing into next year's competition can begin in earnest. Mix…
Where to now for the Wallabies after Saturday's imperfect but committed and admirable effort? Their followers with good memories will be reflecting on an…
The conclusion on The Rugby Championship provided a welcome window for some contemplation. With the prizes handed out time could be given to assessing…
If, like comedy, the secret to a successful autobiography is about timing, then Richie McCaw’s effort has made a strong start. The All Blacks’…
In these times of looking for crumbs of comfort be glad the Wallabies managed to pull the Gold Coast Test against Argentina out of…
There was one quote this week that didn’t get the attention it deserved while others were over-analysed to exhaustion. Let’s concentrate on the encouraging…
There have been some interesting viewpoints emerging from the Australian Rugby Union this week in defence of the Wallabies. The pugnacious John O'Neill has…
Had they not been on opposite sides, it would be easy to imagine Robbie Deans and Lions coach Warren Gatland swapping some sympathetic texts…
Looking for performance guarantees from this Wallabies side has been an unprofitable pastime in recent years. Not only has there been a disconnection between…
While the dust is still settling on the Wallabies’ inadequate 22-0 loss to the All Blacks on Saturday, attempting to find a pathway out…
Thanks BL.
No guarantees for Australia in that system.
Follow the Sevens brick road, if you can find it
All football World Cups use the same principle. The teams that meet every 4 years are never the 32 best in the world, just the best from all regions of the world.
Follow the Sevens brick road, if you can find it
Jamaica could probably put 20 sprinters into the Olympics based on fastest times alone.
But the Olympics isn’t about that – it’s participation and all that nonsense.
My guess is Australia’s region will get 3 places, maybe 4 at a push. Europe will lobby hard for 3 spots, Africa likewise, and the USA and Canada will want in. Same with Argentina. Then there is China and Japan…you can quickly see how it’s going to be a squeeze.
Follow the Sevens brick road, if you can find it
Brett – Are Australia even guaranteed a place at the Olympics? I was at the Adelaide Sevens event last year and spoke to the IRB types and it was unclear.
At Rio there will be 12 teams. One will be Brazil. So 11 places are available.
But it Fiji, NZ, Samoa, Aus and Tonga are included, that leaves just six places for Africa, Europe, Asia and the Americas. Clearly that won’t happen, especially with the rise of Kenya, Spain, Canada, Argentina etc. So Aus might be fighting for one of 4 places from the Oceania region – or even three.
I haven’t followed the IOC’s policy on this since – has it been clarified?
Follow the Sevens brick road, if you can find it
Typo alert:
*I* do try and provide a balanced argument
What Hansen's first squad means for the Wallabies
Getting a smile or two following the guesses about my background/nationality. 😉
I could tell everyone but I think it’s more fun this way!
But I do find great comfort in that Australians, New Zealanders and the NH have all, at times, accused me of favouritism! Do try and provide a balanced argument. But if you really want a few more hints you can check out my Twitter bio @whiskeycully. 😉
What Hansen's first squad means for the Wallabies
…another question….wouuld the 1999 world champions beat the 2011 ones?
1 Tony Daly v Tony Woodock
2 Phil Kearns v Keven Mealamu
3 Ewen McKenzie v Owen Franks
4 Rod McCall v Brad Thorn
5 John Eales v Sam Whitelock
6 Simon Poidevin v Jerome Kaino
7 Willie Ofahengaue v Richie MCCaw
8 Troy Coker v Kieran Read
9 Nick Farr-Jones (c) v Piri Weepu
10 Michael Lynagh v Dan Carter (I cheated here)
11 Rob Egerton v Richard Kahui
12 Tim Horan v Ma’a Nonu
13 Jason Little v Conrad Smith
14 David Campese v Cory Jane
15 Marty Roebuck v Isarael Dagg
'Campo' too generous: Lord's dream XV contains just two current Wallabies
“Its history now the Reds won however in 16 years of competition never has there been such debate over the credentials of the winner.”
Great point – and that is the idea of the column. Personally, I rate the Reds. I think they could well make the finals again, although the past two weeks have shaken that confidence. They deserved their title.
But in a new conference system, in its first year, it is only natural that the equity of the competition should be discussed. Does it give every side an even chance of winning? Does it need to be tinkered with?
There were some very interesting comments by Nathan Sharpe on the G+G show this week. Sharpe, who should know about these things, said that there wasn’t enough talent for 5 Aus teams at present, and expansion had diluted the sides.
When you have a respected, experienced figure like that coming to those conclusions (it must be stressed, however, they weren’t made in the context of the Reds argument) they inevitably you will have people who believe that Australian sides that win the title still might have to work that little bit harder to quieten the doubters. And that’s what it comes down to – the Reds control their own destiny and what others think of them. And it starts again with the Brumbies at Suncorp. Cannot wait!
The Reds and their fight for legitimacy
In answer to your original question Brett, I think Warren Gatland would immediately be charged and face a lengthy spell in the Big House.
What would happen if Pocock was hit by a bus?
Great responses as usual. Particularly interested to hear opinions of Higginbotham. I think he is one of those players who can attract a bit of flak because the understanding of what he could be are so high. I’ve certainly seen him bring the requisite physicality in big games, such as against the Crusaders last year. But I guess it needs to shown more often. Consistency is a maturity thing though, and he’s still a young man. Plus, that position is bloody hard. It takes a hard, uncompromising unit to do it to the Kaino standard. And it takes time. Traditionally young fellas start out playing a little looser and then get into the tight, dirty stuff as they get older. Higginbotham still has time to crack on to the next level. For the Kiwis though – Brad Shields – big future. Heard Murray Mexted on radio this week and like a good Wellingtonian he had big wraps on him – not just for his sheer, natural size but his attitude and workrate too.
Couple of dents appearing in the All Blacks' armour
I usually avoid the referee debate, given that it is a complex game and coaches teach players how to push the limits of legality, but this was an excellent piece. The point about referees wielding their power unnecessarily is particularly troubling.
Progress is slow, but I do think that Lyndon Bray is being more openly critical of mistakes than in the past – this week alone he identified an error made by Walsh at the end of the Bulls-Blues game and had a query about the scrum penalty that cost the Cheetahs the game. I hope this continues.
I also hope we see more of Glen Jackson – in many ways he could blaze a trail for guys who have played top-level rugby picking up a whistle. If he brings in a more nuanced, savvy style of officiating everyone would applaud it.
MEXTED: Some referees care about rugby, some don't
Great debate. Safe to assume it’s also happening at the Reds/Wallabies level.
Perhaps timing has played a part in Gill’s elevation to the starting side against the Rebels. No disrespect to the Rebels, but this is a good game to give him some starting minutes before the Reds jump on a plane and face two weeks against the big beasts of the Sharks and the Bulls, when Robinson might get the nod.
Timing could also be in Gill’s favour for the Wallabies. The Reds and the Force are the sides with the bye ahead of the Scotland Test, so Gill would be a decent chance to be involved in that first squad of the year, especially if there are a few injuries.
The search for a shadow seven in the Pocock era
Thanks for all the comments. It’s good to be part of The Roar. Of course, it’s impossible to answer each one but I read and recognise the merit behind all of them, even (or should I say especially) the ones I could argue with.
There is no doubt expansion has many benefits, although I think they are – at present – trending towards the theoretical end of the scale. This may change with time but right now we have two teams – the Brumbies and Waratahs – losing fans and being booed by the ones that turn up. I think this is a result of an informed support base responding a deterioration of quality. Can it really be called expansion, which implies adding to – if the current teams are being weakened to support the others?
I am also concerned that in the first two rounds there is only one Test player wearing the crucial No.10 jersey across the five Aus provinces – and he’s an Englishman.
Australian talent pool stretched too thin for five teams
The problem with the Wallabies in 2012: their winning percentage against the world’s top 4 teams is 16.67%, from six games.
Wallabies still winning games they're not entitled to win