Roar Guru
Joined June 2017
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Live in Brisbane, Australia, having previously lived in Buenos Aires, Argentina and London, United Kingdom for 5.5 years. Love Football, Cricket, Rugby and Rock'n'Roll.
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‘El Gráfico’ was a hugely influential Argentinian monthly sports journal with a naturally heavy emphasis on football. In 1928 its editor, Borocoto, published an…
The position of football in Brisbane’s hot, humid, sun-soaked and sepia-tinged sporting landscape is, much like peak Thomas Broich, hard to pin down. The…
Having moved to Buenos Aires six months ago, much of my experience here so far has naturally been framed by football, such is my…
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, when Guinness suppliers cancel all employees’ annual leave, when dreary Saturdays are spent inside warm pubs,…
The forthcoming Copa Libertadores final between River Plate and Boca Juniors is an unprecedented sporting, cultural and social event in Argentina, with one newspaper…
It is apt that the final, enduring image of Sam Warburton's brilliant career was that of himself and Kieran Read, smilingly as the lifted…
An Australian supporting England in most sporting endeavours is akin to high treason – an act so reprehensible, deplorable and unconscionable that the revoking…
Utter the name Ned Hanigan in the company of Australian rugby fans and instantly the mood shifts, with music screeching to a halt, birds…
Stop me if you think you've heard this one before, but French rugby is still ill with under-performing players, disciplinary issues off the field…
Scotland is a land of stunning natural beauty, indecipherable accents, some of the best sporting and live music crowds in the world, out of…
The historical enmity between Wales and England has been shaped by centuries of cultural, political, economic, and most importantly, rugby union-based mistrust and conflict,…
The commencement of the 2018 edition of the Six Nations heralds the return of international rugby, Eddie Jones, centuries-old gripes against the English, fantastic…
The annual Twickenham Test between England and Australia promises to be as tight as Kurtley Beale's budgie smugglers, and Eddie Jones-like blue language is…
This forthcoming Saturday, at 9:47am, six mates and I will board the Greater Western Railway service at London Paddington station with beers, coffees and…
Karmichael Hunt's professional rugby league debut for the Brisbane Broncos, in Round 1 of the 2004 NRL season, was a seminal moment for touch…
The news of Mario Ledesma's impending departure from the Wallabies coaching set-up has sent the Australian scrum enthusiast community (all ten of you) in…
With it being two years since England's early World Cup exit on home soil, and just under two years until Japan 2019 kicks off,…
After the Wallabies vomit-inducing display during the first Bledisloe Cup Test in Sydney, it looked like only one Tom Petty song would sum up…
Grand final week still manages to stir up the passions of the most casual of casual sporting fans – your mum, the bloke at…
Ireland, France and South Africa are currently duking it out to see who will be crowned host of Rugby World Cup 2023, and the…
Missed commenting 2 days ago but I’m expecting a monster year from Viney for the Dees – stepped up in every big game last year except for that bad handball at the end of the Carlton SF!
The Roar's AFL top 50 players, 20-11: Big Max or Bulldogs giant - who is the AFL's best ruckman?
I know economics etc probably play a part but I’ve been bewildered at how little we play NZ in test matches when they’re right next door! I know we’re going over for 2 in March, but it’s such a shame considering how great their team has been over past decade.
Is Pakistan-West Indies worst summer schedule of all time? How this season stacks up against the stinkers of the past
He’s been my first choice for the role since Eddie bailed. We are essentially where Wales were after the 2007 World Cup – they then brought Gatland in to strip it all back and rebuild and went from there.
White has stated several times he wants to coach the Wallabies, and we need a no-nonsense Saffa who lives and breathes Rugby.
'He's up for it': Why ex-Boks World Cup-winner Jake White should be on the Wallabies coaching hit list
Fair enough, not sure if they said anything publicly though, hence why I’ve never heard a bad word from them.
'Warning was there': Owen Farrell makes surprising decision after 'appalling' 'absurd' treatment
I feel he cops excessive abuse purely because he always seems a bit grumpy, isn’t a “banter merchant” and seems to take his job very seriously. Never heard a bad word about him from teammates, coaches or opposition, which says it all – just social media Wayne Kerr’s taking it out on the Northerner with a family league background.
'Warning was there': Owen Farrell makes surprising decision after 'appalling' 'absurd' treatment
Ireland under Schmidt were great from 2013-2018, with those famous wins against the AB’s and the series win down here, but they were ambushed by Argentina in the 2015 QF, and 2019 was a year too far – by all accounts the players were sick of him and there weren’t too many in Irish rugby who were sad to see him go. But there aren’t too many coaches in any sport who get to their 7th year and don’t go stale/don’t see the warning signs, so he could easily focus for 4 years here.
Jake White is an obvious candidate who I’d be happy with. He knows Australian rugby well, and has practically been begging for another crack at an International job these last few years.
How McLennan departure could help Wallabies land ex-Ireland, All Blacks coach as Eddie's replacement
I’ve actually retreated from all of this rubbish since the WC finished and have been getting my rugby fix from watching all the mini matches of the English Premiership each weekend – cosy grounds, singing fans, decent rugby and historic clubs.
They’re obviously not immune to off-field financial pressures at the moment, but it’s relative bliss not thinking about Hamish, Eddie and whatever other assorted wally’s and whoppers are grifting their way through Rugby in this country.
ANALYSIS: McLennan's fatal blind spot, and why his exit leaves Australian rugby in a better place and a worse one
100% – When I lived in the UK I was impressed that most sports view the concept of a proper uncompromised home and away season as sacrosanct. Combined with various cup comps and internationals etc it means there’s consistent professional rugby from about September through to April/May.
'Who cares?': Eddie has no regrets about Wallabies disaster but takes swipes at RA and media
What a wrap – brilliantly evocative. Already looking forward to next years internationals, starting with the 6 Nations.
Also random aside which might not have much crossover here, but Angus Gardner and Tom Mitchell (Collingwood midfielder) must be related.
The World Cup Wrap: France 2023 got a final befitting the host nation - imperfect, baffling and historic
I agree – really enjoy watching a Super League mini-match or replay on a Saturday or Sunday morning – as you said seems a bit more open, more gaps, and the atmosphere from the supporters is brilliant.
13 ex-NRL players you may be familiar with from the 2023 Super League GF
Rugby’s greatest rivalry exists for a reason. Two countries who inherently understand what rugby is about, who go about it differently, but who always challenge and draw the best out of each other.
Living in the UK during the 2015 WC, will never forget after the epic semi-final between NZ and SA it went back to the ITV studio and Sean Fitzpatrick and Francois Pienaar were arm in arm, getting quite emotional about what a brilliant contest it was – the respect and love for the fixture was palpable!
The Wrap: There's a reason Boks and All Blacks are at the big boys' table - the rest have to earn their way onto it
England in 2019 was the ultimate example of this. There was so much hype and build-up to the SF against NZ, and they subsequently played a perfect game to win and beat them for the first time in 7 years. Could sense early the following week that they were still a bit too “high” from beating the AB’s, with nowhere near as much attention on SA.
A possible letdown spot: Can the All Blacks overcome the dreaded complacency shadow against Argentina?
South Africa look ominous, and as people have said the multi-faceted way they’re playing now is a delight to watch – hard to believe that absolutely turgid Lions series was only 2 years ago!
The Wrap: Why that was the All Blacks' greatest ever RWC win - but the road to fourth title is still a rough one
Not much else to say – that was Test Match Rugby at its most epic. Every player utterly spent by the end, both physically and mentally.
37 phases and OUT! Whitelock the hero as All Blacks win epic RWC QF to break Ireland's hearts again
That last 20 min from Cleary was seriously one of the best, most big-time spells of brilliance by an individual I’ve ever seen – across all sports.
Cleary's immortal display inspires Panthers to pull off record comeback win for three-peat and break Broncos hearts
What a game – thought that last 50m penalty was stiff though. A shout out to Robertsons goal in the 3rd quarter that was a beautiful passage of play.
Pies claim thrilling 16th flag after CLASSIC grand final... but Lions rue 'ridiculous' late call that scuppered last chance
Last year was ridiculously boring, such a shame considering the finals series had been amazing up until then (Geelong vs Brisbane PF the exception).
Every grand final of the 2000s, ranked first to 24th: Which classic is 'the most underrated decider in footy history'?
I’ve despised Hamish McLennan from the moment he ascended to his role – he’s like every bad corporate Australia cliche rolled in to one, with severely misplaced arrogance that comes from never having to interact with or deal with people below his “social strata”.
'Bloody disappointed: Wallabies OUT of World Cup as nation to miss finals for first time, Eddie fights for survival
Proper test match Rugby that – not an inch given.
Biltong vs blarney: World Cup classic battle leaves both teams with a sense of final destiny - and a key area they must fix
De Goey has that Dusty-like feel for big games – he had a ripper of a game in 2018. Don’t underestimate how much Neale and Cameron want to make amends for 2013 and 2017 – 2 GF’s their teams arguably could have won (wonky goalkicking for Freo in 2013 and a disastrous second half from Adelaide in 2017).
It is a genuine toss-up for who’s going to win and I can’t bloody wait.
Finals Fix: One quarter from hell couldn't keep the Lions out of the big dance - but another might just cost them the flag
Classic finals footy – tight, tense and low-scoring. Mentioned on the live blog that Connor Idun was unreal in that 2nd half he seemed to mop up everything. Honestly hard to see Collingwood not winning next week no matter who they play.
Finals Fix: The Pies were down and out in the prelim. How they turned it around is the stuff of greatness
Melksham going down on the eve of the finals was huge – he’d had a great season and was peaking form-wise. Definitely could’ve imagined them getting over either Pies or Carlton if he was there.
Saw a suggestion of going all-in for Tom Lynch but was probably just pie in the sky stuff.
Can only see Van Rooyen improving and elevating his game next year so all is not lost.
The unfulfilled and wasted dynasty of Simon Goodwin and his Melbourne Demons
17 behinds is haunting – all those ones in the 4th quarter that hit the post, all I was thinking was “1 more goal and they’re home” – felt sick as that final Carlton play was unfolding!
Poor Viney ripped in as usual but if that kick of his goes 30cm higher then Smith had the entire forward 50 free ahead of him.
The big worry is the older boys show their age next year and the nature of this exit hangs over them.
Finals Fix: How Melbourne killed their season with the butcher job to end all butcher jobs
I’m disappointed at the lack of articles about the less-fancied nations at this WC across all outlets (not particularly a pop at The Roar, just in general). The likes of Chile, Uruguay, Namibia etc – it’s a World Cup, we should be celebrating and finding great stories from them, instead it’s just 100’s of articles about the refs, head clashes and the 6N/RC teams.
I very much enjoyed the first round of fixtures but all the talking points are the same as any other June/November international window ones.
SPIRO ZAVOS: Skelton a force of nature, All Blacks' strategic error that has put their World Cup in peril
If Perth gets a team would they consider resurrecting the Western Reds brand? It is after all a uniquely and original WA brand, which you’d think would get plenty of people on board, not to mention provides a modicum of tradition, even it was only 3 years.
Already in the name: Why sending the Tigers west makes the best sense for NRL expansion