Happy New Year Roarers after a 2013 that was a bit topsy turvy, and a little ragged. But if I get my wishes, 2014 will be a cracker:
Crack winger Ken Irvine to at last be named a rugby league Immortal. He should have been in the original intake with Clive Churchill, Reg Gasnier, Johnny Raper, and Bobby Fulton 32 years ago. Better late than never.
Norm Provan and Mal Meninga to join Irvine as Immortals 9, 10, 11.
NSW to whitewash Queensland in Origin 2014.
Parramatta to climb off the NRL bottom rung of the ladder to be a genuine contender. Jarryd Hayne, Will Hopoate, and new coach Brad Arthur the inspiration.
NRL boss Dave Smith to stop hiding behind his wall of assistants and become more visible, and personal.
Scrums to be competitive. If they are to remain the non-existent rabble of the last few years, abolish them, they are a blight on a great game.
Ange Postecoglou to pride and passion the Socceroos to see their way out of the ‘Group of Death’ to qualify for the big stuff in Rio.
Sepp Blatter to be deposed as FIFA boss, and replaced by anybody.
The return of David Pocock, Kurtley Beale, and Scott Higginbotham from injury, and a recalcitrant James O’Connor, to make Wallaby selections interesting.
The interest Henry Speight will generate when he at last becomes eligible to a Wallaby.
The Wallabies to beat the All Blacks at Eden Park on the way to regaining the Bledisloe Cup.
The Eden Park faithful to give Quade Cooper a standing ovation for his masterful man-of-the-match performance.
Buddy Franklin to shed his playboy image completely and knuckle down to do the job the Swans have paid a king’s ransom to do.
Control of international cricket is taken away from India and the BCCI.
The Australian cricket selectors to have a full compliment of fast bowlers fully-fit and in-form for South Africa – Mitchell Johnson, Ryan Harris, Peter Siddle, James Faulkner, Mitchell Starc, Jackson Bird, James Pattinson, Pat Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood.
The brittle Australian batting order to considerably stiffen to take control of the South African series.
Steve Smith to pay more attention to his leggies.
Adam Scott to topple Tiger Woods as world number one. Caddy Steve Williams changes thoughts of retirement and will lug the Australian’s bag for another three years – at least.
Scott has bombed the last two British Opens, third time proves it.
The ever-likeable Jason Day to win his first major.
Roger Federer to retire gracefully as a life-long ornament to tennis.
Sam Stosur to win the matches she is supposed to win.
Bernard Tomic to knuckle down and be professional, or rack off.
Snowboarder Torah Bright to win gold at the Sochi Olympics.
Usain Bolt to add the 400 world record to his astonishing CV.
Sally Pearson to break the 100 hurdles world record.
James Magnusson to break the 100 freestyle world record.
And the perfect way to finish my wish list, that Gai Waterhouse and John Singleton bury the hatchet.
In an industry as huge as thoroughbred racing, it’s not healthy to have two of the biggest advertisements, and biggest players, going for the jugular.
Besides, they are two damn good people.
Derek
Guest
Hi David (sigh!) how true the the veracity of your statement! How anyone could put A Johns ahead of Meninga is a league enigma. NSW over-influence perhaps?
jemainok
Guest
David don't they say this is the year every year. One year your be right.
duecer
Guest
Totally agree with your calls on Stouser and Tomic, but I would still like to see Federer playing for as long as he sees fit. Maybe he won't win another slam, but as long as he's competitive he's still a joy to watch. No one says that Jimmy Conners went on too long, especially when he made the semis of the US open when he was 40. Of course if he slides too far down the ranking he should consider it, but Conners was still in the top ten when he was 36.
cliffclavin
Guest
For Australia to play good football in Brazil & have 2-3 genuine young top flight players emerge out of it: perhaps Rogic, Juric(?), Tommy Oar or maybe Spiranovic [all down to selection of course) to build on for the following 2 world cups and Asian cups. For Hearts to finally move out of first gear here in Melbourne For the Matilda's to retain the Asian Cup For the Boomers to medal in Spain in Sept's BBK World Cup Tomic to finally come good
David Clarke
Guest
With the greatest respect, the Wallabies have as much chance of winning the Bledisloe this year as England have of winning the Fifth Test.
scrumpoacher
Guest
2014 highlights? Bledisloe then the new NRC. This comp will save us from having to watch ITM/Currie cup. Well done to Bill Pulver for setting it up. But only 1 game a week televised? That's mad. Bledisloe is ours this year too-I promise!!! -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
Bob Meadows
Guest
As David says, his piece is just a wish list, not what he thinks will happen. That's why he's got the Cockroaches (Daley's Raiders) whitewashing the Maroons ( Mal's Marvels). Of course it won't happen with two of the games at Lang Park (aka Suncorp Stadium). Daley, in my humble opinion, is a less than inspiring coach. He may pull off one win, but that will be about it. And Pearce will have a couple of shockers. We Queenslanders would love Daley to pick Mr Ego, J. Hayne.
Col Quinn
Guest
Glad to see Ken Irvine finally get the immortal tag he deserved. Ken was one of the five fastest wingers I have ever seen play in either code of Rugby. A real character as well and the ladies loved him.
Daws
Guest
...
In Brief
Guest
The original scrum was in fact a maul, there was not structured formation or set positions. The problem with the scrum is that it is structurally unsound. The scrum in 7s does work. If you used that formation as a starting point, and added a couple of players you might be able to find a workable scrum - could be a 4 man or 5 man scrum. Imagine having a fast, tough scrum that never collapsed. It would be pretty cool. The change would be akin to lifting in the lineouts. In fact, if you found the perfect scrum formation even rugby league could adopt it.
In Brief
Guest
Salada, you make some fair points, however there were many more scrum resets and penalties under the previous interpretations. The problems we see currently really stem from teams not adjusting to the new interpretations. When they do the resets will be even less. During the November tests I thought the scrum contests were pretty clean (England/ Aust game excepted). I saw a report by Mike Cron who told how the All Black props nearly passed out in a scrum against France, such was the pressure being exerted. That could never have occured under the previous 'win the hit' rules. So yes, thank you blazers for moving the scrum in the right direction, more improvement required.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Nice one Lordy, love it all. I'll add to the list the 49ers to win the Big Dance and Liverpool qualify for the Champions League. I can dream can't I !!
IndianCricketFan
Guest
Federer to retire!!!What kind of a wish is that?And cricket will unfortunately remain in BCCI's clutches (eevn i am disappointed)...don't know much about rugby,afl,a-league,etcANyways Happy new Year Roarers
hammertime
Guest
Wallabies beat france 3 /0 and SA and NZ will settle for 3/5. Would also love to see Daniel Riccardo put one over Vetel at Red Bull and im not even a GP fan. Just another sport to win! :)
SandBox
Roar Guru
Happy new year DL. I've enjoyed your writing. My wish list is that people like you don't retire. Oh and QLD keeps wining the SoO for the rest of my lifetime. I would also sacrifice a BC for a RWC anytime. 2013 ended well, I'm hoping Oz sport maintains the momentum this year
Stray Gator
Roar Rookie
Or just stop the clock. The thought of actually having to play for a full 80 minutes might smarten things up.
Romeo A Cat
Guest
I've never met Quade but have a mate who got to know him when he was rehabbing after his knee op & know a few people who have met him & everyone says he's a likeable guy who will do anything for the fans, esp the kids. Whatever the origins of the Quade-McCaw situation, the fact is that Quade lapped up the whole "public enemy #1" thing & kept running with it. He made that bed, he now needs to lie in it. I don't believe he needs to apologise but I'd like to see him go on re:Union or better yet Maori TV's Code & when the inevitable question is asked, say something like "that was 2011 & part of the RWC mind games, he's moved on, I've moved on, it's over". Follow that with a visit to Starship children's hospital & to see his Nan & people's perception of him will change big time. He'll never be NZer of the Year but 99.9% of those who still "hate" the guy will "forgive" him, and the last few nutters will continue to boo him while wearing their "Bring Back Buck" T-shirts.
The Sheriff
Guest
All good David. Who cares about Gai Waterhouse and Singo?
David Lord
Expert
Totally correct Stray Gator, it's in the rugby league wish list section.
Adam Smith
Guest
If the Wallabies can just win the Bledisloe Cup and The Rugby Championship I'd be so happy! Oh, and to see this new domestic Rugby comp start up successfully and with big crowds.