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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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Today, Wallabies coach Michael Cheika will meet with Rugby Australia executives for what is a well-publicised and highly anticipated review.
Three weeks ago in Yokohama, Canterbury fly-half Brett Cameron became All Black number 1,181.
There was a moment on the back nine of yesterday’s final round where Belgians Thomas Pieters and Thomas Detry, five shot leaders at the start of play, might have been about to call in countryman Hercule Poirot to investigate how Australia were about to steal the World Cup of Golf from under their very noses.
On Saturday night I had the privilege to watch a team at the peak of its powers deliver a performance for the ages.
After an opening day where most of the 28 competing teams were dropping birdies for fun, a combination of a format switch to foursomes, and Melbourne’s inhospitable weather, turned the Metropolitan golf course on its head yesterday.
When is a World Cup not a World Cup? When it is the ISPS Handa Melbourne World Cup of Golf, that’s when.
In the 2002 film About Schmidt, Jack Nicholson kept a rein on his overworked, latter-career mannerisms, in what was a controlled, subtle performance that contributed to a greatly satisfying commentary on the simultaneous blandness and complexity of small-town, big-country America.
Eddie Jones is as good as any coach on the world stage at spinning a narrative his way.
During last week, respected Roar contributor, ‘Highlander’, prompted a discussion about seminal late-1970s ‘new wave’ act, Ian Dury and The Blockheads.
If you haven’t seen Saturday’s third Bledisloe Cup match in Yokohama and know only of the 37-20 scoreline, you’d deduce that the match followed a similar pattern to so many of those during the now 16-year reign of the All Blacks.
On July 13th this year Sunwolves player Ed Quirk found himself on top of Reds fly-half Hamish Stuart at the bottom of a ruck, and couldn’t resist the opportunity to punch him in the face.
A week is a long time in rugby. For New Zealand and Australian fans the exhilaration of last week’s stunning comeback Test victories gave way to the more unobtrusive, subtle delights of the Mitre 10 Cup and NRC.
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had […]
Unlike Australia’s earnest but bumbling rugby side, golf’s Ryder Cup never fails to deliver.
The Wallabies are now ensconced in Port Elizabeth, pondering how to improve on their 2019, 2-5 win-loss record against a resurgent South Africa and Argentina.
There is a truism in rugby that what happens in the first minute of a match is worth exactly the same as what happens in the final minute.
In the wake of Australia’s meritorious, hard-fought, 23-18 win over South Africa, coach Michael Cheika seemingly only wanted to talk about one thing – resilience.
With the Bledisloe Cup returned to the Barrett family games room for yet another year, it’s been a few bad weeks for Australian rugby.
It’s common to reflect back on momentous events and recall exactly where you were and what you were doing when it happened.
With World Series Rugby (WSR) now having completed its first season – in truth, a series of exhibition games for the Western Force – rugby fans in the west are waiting with bated breath for confirmation of the detail around next years’ mooted eight-team competition.
Spot on Kangas, forget that there was some ill disciplined batting on both sides, it was really an excellent contest, which wasn’t far from going the other way on the final afternoon.
Throw in the excellent 2-1 series between NZ and Pakistan and there’s plenty to keep us traditional 5-day lovers happy at the moment.
Australian batting woes, Mitchell Starc's form, India's potent attack and more: Five talking points from the first Test
Yes Cole, not a lot of laughs to be had from that ‘media update’ was there?
If you are going to say nothing – and to extend the benefit of the doubt, let’s assume that there’s a valid reason for that – far better not to call the press in and tell them nothing. They should have just issued a simple statement via email and left it at that.
The Wrap: Is this D-day for Michael Cheika or same old, same old?
Seems like you hoped in vain TWAS….
The Wrap: Is this D-day for Michael Cheika or same old, same old?
No, please… one parrot is more than enough!!
The Wrap: Is this D-day for Michael Cheika or same old, same old?
Cheers Fionn. All good.
The Wrap: Is this D-day for Michael Cheika or same old, same old?
Fair point Chook. If bringing good luck means ‘we’ve still got our jobs despite poor results’ then that cat is working a treat.
If bringing good luck means ‘winning a few more Test matches’ then… that cat’s more like a dog.
The Wrap: Is this D-day for Michael Cheika or same old, same old?
RA, has just announced that Chairman Cameron Clyne will provide an update to media at 4.30pm this afternoon.
The Wrap: Is this D-day for Michael Cheika or same old, same old?
However it works out Akari, I’m sure there’ll be many more battles ahead.
The caravan moves on but as much as things change they remain the same. That’s just the way it works unfortunately.
The Wrap: Is this D-day for Michael Cheika or same old, same old?
Yes, but as we covered in the Grant Fox article last week cookie, the idea of ‘imposing’ independent selectors on a coach is quite different to the coach bringing in his own independent selector, like Steve Hansen did.
The Wrap: Is this D-day for Michael Cheika or same old, same old?
How’s the hunt for Baldy going, Rob? Managed to track him down yet?
The Wrap: Is this D-day for Michael Cheika or same old, same old?
Hi Max
I’m not sure fearful is the right description. But I do agree that Cheika has been allowed free reign and that his personality and other factors combining with that, have given rise to a situation where it looks like he’s calling the shots.
Re the finances, despite not being flush, RA can afford to pay him out. They’re not insolvent. They’d just prefer not to and use scarce money for other things.
Do individual fans have a voice? Not really, but collectively, I’ve got no doubt that via this and other forums, the discontent of fans is being heard loud and clearly at RA headquarters.
The Wrap: Is this D-day for Michael Cheika or same old, same old?
Yes, I’ve got no idea why people find it confusing AC.
The Wrap: Is this D-day for Michael Cheika or same old, same old?
No worries Gloria. Some people think Mrs Brown’s Boys is hilarious – I’d rather have my toenails ripped out than watch that.
Cheap? Sure. Nasty? Not at all, there’s no malice behind any of it.
The Wrap: Is this D-day for Michael Cheika or same old, same old?
I enjoy the sevens Muzzo, but usually only when things align with my schedule – not like you, you’re one of the true believers! And yes, congrats to Fiji – the series table is certainly very tight at the top, isn’t it?
The Wrap: Is this D-day for Michael Cheika or same old, same old?
“It’s getting hard to maintain the rage”
That’s it Jez. I thought we were due a ‘rage free’ or ‘analysis free’ day today.
The Wrap: Is this D-day for Michael Cheika or same old, same old?
There’s been a bit of disquiet around for a while now RT. Not just about poaching, but the emphasis on high performance at such a young age and the potential effects it has on those boys whose identity becomes disproportionately built around rugby.
There are potential harmful effects on them when they don’t make it, and are lost to the game in all respects at too young an age, without going on to participate in lower grade schools rugby, club rugby etc… The risk is that NZ rugby is heads down the path of US Football, where there are thriving college and pro set-ups for the elite, but very little in the way of amateur participation.
The other side of the coin is the production line of players who do come through elite schools rugby, better prepared as athletes and rugby players than their equivalents in other countries.
It’s a tough issue and perhaps this current episode is timely and will force a close look at what is working and not working?
The Wrap: Is this D-day for Michael Cheika or same old, same old?
I hear what you’re saying Fionn, and it’s only natural for the exec and board members to have that financial consideration as a major factor.
But even so, it only goes so far. What say the Wallabies had lost all of their matches this year? At some point, the financial defence would have to give way to action, regardless of the cost.
So the question becomes, not so much about the actual cost, but about whether the situation warrants change, even taking the cost into account.
I guess my point still stands. My understanding is that if Cheika stays, it won’t be because RA can’t afford to sack him.
The Wrap: Is this D-day for Michael Cheika or same old, same old?
🙂 Yes, that makes a bit more sense! Sorry, bit slow to get into gear on a Monday morning. 🙂
The Wrap: Is this D-day for Michael Cheika or same old, same old?
Yes, I agree that Connolly would be a pretty fair bet as an interim solution.
As for Wayne Smith, I don’t see that happening, I’m not sure that he has a burning desire to be a head coach, nor to coach directly against the current AB’s.
The Wrap: Is this D-day for Michael Cheika or same old, same old?
You might be on to something there RT.
Other schools are refusing to play St Kentigern College.
Australia should refuse to play the All Blacks.
(And Ireland, England, Wales, Scotland, South Africa, Argentina…)
(Perhaps we’d better throw Fiji in there too)
The Wrap: Is this D-day for Michael Cheika or same old, same old?
Good point Puff about the vibe around the game. Fans (and I’m sure everyone involved in the game) are feeling a bit punched out – for all sorts of reasons – and the game here really needs a circuit breaker to spark renewed hope and interest.
Easier said than done, but in that respect, today’s meetings represent an opportunity.
The Wrap: Is this D-day for Michael Cheika or same old, same old?
White is an interesting one Tooly. I can understand why he is a popular option and he’d certainly be capable of putting a more competitive side together in time for the World Cup.
But if the recent publicity/leaking of the communication between him and RA originated from him, then that might be the end of his chances, before he even gets started.
The Wrap: Is this D-day for Michael Cheika or same old, same old?
Hi mz, it’s just a bit of fun and nonsense mate, we really are in trouble if it’s close to what really happens!
The Wrap: Is this D-day for Michael Cheika or same old, same old?
Yeah… let’s hope it’s not too believable…
The Wrap: Is this D-day for Michael Cheika or same old, same old?
“However, there will always be an asterisk against the win.”
Um…. sorry to disappoint you IAP but no there won’t.
Well maybe at your house, but not in the actual record books.
Australian batting woes, Mitchell Starc's form, India's potent attack and more: Five talking points from the first Test