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Geoff is a Melbourne based sports fanatic and writer, who started contributing to The Roar in 2012, originally under the pen name Allanthus. His first book, A World in Conflict; the Global Battle For Rugby Supremacy was released in Dec 2017 to critical acclaim. For details on the book visit www.geoffparkes.com Meanwhile, his twin goals of achieving a single figure golf handicap and owning a fast racehorse remain tantalisingly out of reach.
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The 2022 AFLW season launched this weekend to a blaze of positive publicity. With club membership up by more than fifteen percent, four new teams slated to make their competition debut in December, and community leagues itching to make up time lost to COVID, there is a lot for fans to be excited about.
It’s that time of year again; sorting through highlights and lowlights, talking points and head-scratchers, in what was a typically busy rugby year.
Arriving at a suburban hotel last week, taking a seat at a quiet table opposite Mr Orange, I wondered if the meeting was a reprise of the Tarantino classic, Reservoir Dogs? Was I supposed to have my own code name? Would Steve Buscemi let me borrow Mr Pink, perhaps? Thankfully, he was happy to call […]
World Rugby’s recently launched global campaign called ‘The Brain Health Initiative’, is aimed at educating people within rugby on the importance of brain health.
Leading into the week, there was a sense that this autumn international series hadn’t quite hit its straps. Unless you happened to be Irish, mismatches and inconsistent, muddling rugby, had fans struggling to determine exactly where their teams lay.
Finally, the festering boil attached to the backside of World Rugby has been lanced and salved.
Nobody can claim that England’s 32-15 win over Australia and Ireland’s rousing 29-20 triumph over New Zealand, this weekend, came out of the blue.
It’s been a feature of Dave Rennie’s time in charge of the Wallabies so far; a desire for players to express their physicality, to be nobody’s easy-beat, particularly in and around the breakdown.
The 2020 book The Triumph of Doubt, written by ex-Barack Obama and Bill Clinton Assistant Secretary, David Michaels, is an eye-opening account of how corporate cynicism and greed repeatedly triumphs over the safety of workers and consumers.
Events in Australian rugby last week reminded me of that old chestnut where a horse walks into a bar and, looking for a pick-me-up, orders a beer. “Sure,” says the barman, “but why the long face?”
That wonderful but fading institution – Saturday afternoon rugby – made a much welcome return over the weekend, with the Wallabies taking on Japan, in the southern city of Oita.
Depending on your viewpoint, the transition of Rugby Australia CEO Andy Marinos to the hot seat was incredibly poorly timed or is the mother of all career opportunities.
On Saturday, All Black captain Sam Cane made his debut appearance for King Country, in the lower depths of New Zealand Rugby’s Heartland Championship, playing 57 minutes in their 13-48 loss to Whanganui.
It was a near run thing, but we got there in the end. Defying delta, trans-Tasman spats, a captain’s photoshoot missing 25 per cent of the captains, a team tagged as the most boring in the history of rugby, pommy referees and an ill-advised sojourn to a Byron Bay day spa, the 2021 Rugby Championship […]
Last year’s international season had a huge, South African-sized asterisk attached to it. This year, despite another bunch of Covid generated asterisks, the four SANZAAR nations, against overwhelming odds, somehow managed to cobble together a meaningful tournament, with a great conclusion.
Saturday’s long awaited centenary Test between rugby’s two world heavyweights may have been full of imperfections, but such is the joy of rugby. It was also a match full of gripping tension, borne of character and a classic contrast of styles.
It all began on the 13th August 1921. New Zealand versus South Africa may not be rugby’s oldest rivalry, but incorporating the two nations who take rugby more seriously than anyone else, it is indisputably the game’s greatest.
Older readers will recall the 1960s science fiction series Lost in Space, in which the Robinson family, at the hand of the evil Dr Zachary Smith, found themselves careering off course into the depths of space.
In the way that television broadcasters like to construct a narrative, anyone watching the lead-up to Stan Sport’s coverage of last night’s Rugby Championship Test between the Wallabies and Springboks would have been excused for thinking that this match was all about Quade Cooper.
For all of the All Blacks’ nineteen-year long dominance over Australia, it is worth pointing out that a clean sweep of matches has only been achieved three times in the last decade.
There’s a lot of clinical research around AP, which says that there is no evidence that the use of helmets prevent concussion or brain injuries. This is because the injury occurs as a result of the brain moving inside of, and making contact with, the skull – often in a whiplash type of motion.
Headgear is more effective for preventing cuts and lacerations.
Sorry if that’s not what you were hoping to hear – good luck to your daughter, I hope she’s enjoying her football.
Is the AFLW reckless to hit the accelerator while concussion concerns hang over players' heads?
Hi Fin
All the best for 2022. I don’t think it’s a workable solution for cricket over and above what is permissible now regarding substitutes. It happens too infrequently to warrant having a replacement sitting around specifically in case of a concussion event.
The sports where a specific concussion substitute is required are, I think, attacking things the wrong way. It’s not a solution to say, ‘we’re losing too many players due to concussion, we need to provide more players’. IMO, what they should be focusing on is their actual problem – which is uncovering the reason why so many players are suffering head injuries, and doing more to prevent that.
You’re right, I got plenty of short stuff sent my way, and I’m not overly tall either. Mostly it was in the pre-helmet days. There was no real secret to it, you just learn to pick the length and make a decision early to get out of the way, or occasionally, if your confidence was up, have a hook at it. But mostly I just ducked – seemed to work out ok!
But yes, will be interesting to keep an eye on cricket and see if there is any increase in concussion events.
Is the AFLW reckless to hit the accelerator while concussion concerns hang over players' heads?
Even if the people in power don’t care RB, there’s a case to be made here for the participants to negotiate better health outcomes for themselves.
Because the professional element of the sport is in its infancy, and none of the players are full-time, they don’t really have a lot to lose by seizing the initiative and confronting this issue up-front.
If they don’t, and it’s left in the hands of the AFL to do things like commission more studies and research, and to tinker around the edges, things will follow the same path of the mens game – but with relatively higher numbers of female players having suffered impactful head injuries. If the Player’s Association won’t advocate for this, then it will need one or two high profile players to lead it.
If not, then nothing will change. But I don’t believe that even today, there aren’t players and their parents genuinely concerned about the issue.
Is the AFLW reckless to hit the accelerator while concussion concerns hang over players' heads?
Yes, Paul. The ‘common interest’ shared by the betting corporates and the AFL is all powerful.
Just to clarify, if we look at racing, what Jess is proposing isn’t even that the AFL forgo some of their existing gambling revenue, but muscle up to their gambling partners and make the case for them, because they make so much money out of the sport, accepting a levy, which could then be specifically used for a welfare fund.
Is the AFLW reckless to hit the accelerator while concussion concerns hang over players' heads?
There’s a distinction to be made Paul between what revenue the clubs receive from gaming via pokies venues, and what the AFL receives via the betting agencies.
Clubs are gradually weaning themselves off the former, and I don’t think there are many people who would disagree that this is the right path to take.
But the AFL receives tens of millions of dollars annually as a result of betting on football. This isn’t going to go away, and as long as it exists, the AFL isn’t going to turn their back on this revenue. It’s as if all they need to do is preface every comment on the issue with “bet responsibly”, and everything is validated.
If the Player’s Association wants to challenge the AFL on this, as a social issue, then good luck to them. But whatever revenue might be forgone would almost certainly come straight off their own salaries – and not all players are of the same mind as Easton Wood.
Practically, the players are better off to accept that the AFL is unlikely to turn their back on this money, and instead, try to put some of it to good use.
Is the AFLW reckless to hit the accelerator while concussion concerns hang over players' heads?
“I’ll be here each week promulgating 6N chatter.”
Excellent initiative, Harry! And a fine start too, lots of unanswered questions, around the rugby and non-rugby aspects. Hopefully we do get a ‘clean’, fair tournament.
What I’m most looking for, 18 months out from a World Cup, is to see which emerging players come through and establish themselves as players who will make an impact in France next year.
Six big storylines to watch as Six Nations set for return with COVID rampant and Eddie under pressure
Serves you right mate, for having the temerity to attempt to fly into WA! 😂 😂
UPDATE: Serbian president vows to 'fight for Novak' as ScoMo weighs in on Djokovic deportation
That WA is doing well, as is VIC, is interesting.
What they have is strong alignment and cohesion between the community game and the professional game. Essentially it is the same people group of people working in, and invested in, the success of the community, clubs and the Rebels/Force.
But it’s easier for them because the scale is far smaller than in Qld and NSW, and they also don’t have the same entrenched historic positions to work around. So the solution isn’t as simple as saying transplant what works in WA and VIC to NSW, for example.
That said, it should be as simple as saying let’s transplant the attitude that we know works – a desire to be invested in the success of ALL rugby in the state – and then work around the obstacles. And in doing so, align that to a cohesive national objective. But I’m not sure the structure of rugby in NSW and QLD sufficiently provides for this.
The Roar Rugby Project Part 5: Supporting community rugby
Well done Allan, plenty of depth of thought once again.
My personal view with respect to the focus on RA is that you’re letting the state unions off too lightly. That said, it ultimately falls back on RA regardless, and really, the key to all of this rests with RA solving the governance issue, which would deliver a workable framework, and suitably motivate the states to all work cohesively and consistently in the national interest.
The Roar Rugby Project Part 5: Supporting community rugby
Gutsy stuff Harry, look forward to extracting this from the time capsule in a couple of years!
Just don’t say I didn’t warn you about Samisoni Taukei’aho…
A crystal-ball look at the 2023 Rugby World Cup team of the tournament
Thanks for those learnings, Son of.
Travis Head tests positive for COVID-19, ruled out of SCG Test
😂 On the money, Tony!
Oh, and one little tip I learned from making Tempura batter, which translates well – if you use really cold beer, and/or add some ice, you get a really nice crispiness to it.
Travis Head tests positive for COVID-19, ruled out of SCG Test
Call me old fashioned, and I know the horse has bolted, but what stands out most for me in this piece is the term ‘Australian batter’.
Travis Head tests positive for COVID-19, ruled out of SCG Test
“To date all I have heard is that a 2027 RWC or a pile of PE money will be the solution.”
And that’s absolutely a valid concern, Allan. (Throw in the Lions tour as well)
These things are no solution at all. They are important for a variety of reasons, but mostly, they provide a cash injection which stops the sport from going broke. But of course the sights need to be aimed far higher than that.
The Roar Rugby Project Part 3: Debt, windfalls, lessons learnt, and other myths
I guess what we’re really talking about is whether the RA board and executive are capable of learning from the mistakes of the past, or not.
On one hand, I understand the skepticism, but on the other there are new people involved and – importantly – an understanding of the need to bring the community and professional games closer together.
The Roar Rugby Project Part 3: Debt, windfalls, lessons learnt, and other myths
The soccer deal is for 33% for $140m. It went through with barely a ripple. In fact most of the coverage I’ve seen from football commentators has been positive, along the lines of this being a ‘windfall’ for Australian soccer.
RA is looking at a deal for 12.5%. Imagine the bedwetting if they offered anything near 33%! 😂 😂
Thanks Alan, very thoughtful and thought-provoking series.
The Roar Rugby Project Part 3: Debt, windfalls, lessons learnt, and other myths
I suspect there’ll be a lot of blooding of new guys and new combinations, both sides will say it was a valuable hit-out and that the score didn’t matter, and rugby will be declared the winner…
What Australian rugby needs in 2022 with a Super return and progress in the Rennie revolution
India should be barred from Test cricket for two years for not preparing seaming green tops for the NZ series. Totally against the spirit of cricket.
What Australian rugby needs in 2022 with a Super return and progress in the Rennie revolution
Behave yourself, RT… 😂
Unfortunately the phrase ‘word count’ doesn’t feature in any dictionary I have…
What Australian rugby needs in 2022 with a Super return and progress in the Rennie revolution
Sterling effort, mate!
Absolutely agree on the Tahs. It’s been very difficult for them to get traction because of the situation around a suitable permanent home ground, but Australian rugby definitely needs the Tahs to be winning more than not, and playing good rugby.
What Australian rugby needs in 2022 with a Super return and progress in the Rennie revolution
Yeah, I think there’s a lot to that, Harry. The empty stadiums made the whole thing quite surreal, and illuminated some of the less savoury things.
A Lions tour really isn’t a Lions tour without the travelling fans.
The Wrap: Life in the times of Quade and Covid - rugby’s sublime and ridiculous moments of 2021
When a spoke with Andy Marinos a few weeks back, he seemed very relaxed about the PE situation. It’s definitely coming, but because they have a short-term debt facility in place, they’re under no immediate pressure. I believe the timing is more built around on allowing NZ to get their deal over the line first.
The one concern was that he did flag that some of the PE money will have to go to retiring that debt – every dollar of which is a dollar lost to forward investment in rugby here.
The Wrap: Life in the times of Quade and Covid - rugby’s sublime and ridiculous moments of 2021
You’d have to think it’s a judicious appointment, WEST.
He’s a hard head, with a close understanding of the NH game, and many of the players.
Obviously he’s not in a prominent coaching role, but certainly is in the sanctum and will have an influence.
The Wrap: Life in the times of Quade and Covid - rugby’s sublime and ridiculous moments of 2021
Keohane a kiwi??
Gee, that would be the shock of the century, if true, Philou.
The Wrap: Life in the times of Quade and Covid - rugby’s sublime and ridiculous moments of 2021
The knee injuries are a concern too, ABRP.
But I don’t hear anyone extrapolating any of this into preventing women from playing contact sports. There are a whole lot of variables to consider – including the time of year the competition is being played, as it relates to strength and conditioning preparedness, and the grounds they are playing on.
And despite all of these concerns, if they can specifically be addressed, there are huge benefits to be obtained from young girls and women participating in football, whatever the code.
Is the AFLW reckless to hit the accelerator while concussion concerns hang over players' heads?