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Joined October 2012
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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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One notable absentee from this week’s Presidents Cup was the President himself, otherwise occupied at home rebutting political opponents who would prefer the trophy was presided over by a head of state more to their liking.
The highly anticipated Presidents Cup returned to Royal Melbourne Golf Club for the third time yesterday – the site of the only International Team victory in 12 attempts – with the honour of striking the first blow in anger bestowed upon USA player Justin Thomas.
If the flood of media reports and commentary that followed the mediated settlement of the Israel Folau versus Rugby Australia matter are to be believed, the outcome was a conclusive victory for Folau over his ex-employer, and a dagger blow for CEO Raelene Castle.
It’s been one heck of year. And with Super Rugby starting on the indecently early date of 31 January next year – smack bang in the middle of what used to be cricket season – it’s time to pull up stumps for a few weeks and refresh.
Anyone with a passing interest in Australian rugby is entitled to feel mightily confused right now.
Guy Fawkes night passes seems to pass with little fanfare these days, overshadowed by more intrinsically Australian celebrations like Halloween.
No-one likes a wise guy after the event.
And here is where it ended.
There is a groundswell of opinion that says that the real World Cup final was between England and New Zealand, and that the gulf in quality between that match and the South Africa versus Wales semi-final signals that England’s RFU can start clearing space in their trophy cabinet right now.
For a country as high-tech as South Korea is, the lantern light with a hanging drawstring above my hotel desk seemed quaintly old-fashioned.
Following their narrow 20-19 World Cup quarter-final win against France, Wales coach Warren Gatland admitted to spending time during the second half framing comments for what he believed was going to be a losing post-match interview.
Waking up and nervously opening the blinds in Tokyo last Sunday morning, it was a struggle to reconcile the brilliant sunlight and stillness to the passing of Typhoon Hagibis only hours before.
What typically marks the mid-point of a World Cup – the phase where most of the pools have been determined, the quarter-finals are still ten days away, and the frequency of meaningful matches drops – is that bored journalists and frustrated editors have to try to rustle up stories out of nothing, in order to […]
The population of greater metropolitan Tokyo is estimated at 13.5 million people, with the city containing approximately 4 million registered vehicles.
Wallowing in the glory of Richmond’s 89-point thrashing of Greater Western Sydney in the AFL grand final meant I was late to secure a spot at my Shinbashi local for Japan versus Ireland.
Anyone who tells you that they predicted where this World Cup has already been and knows where it is headed is not being straight with the truth.
It was at the gate lounge at Singapore’s Changi airport where it all started to hit home. After months of eager anticipation, the ninth Rugby World Cup was actually about to start tomorrow.
All Blacks’ captain Kieran Read didn’t say much at the press conference following his team’s 23-13 win over South Africa.
“Things are seldom as they seem, skim milk masquerades as cream,” are words written by lyricist WS Gilbert for the opera HMS Pinafore.
It was very disappointing Chook, but overall everyone was a winner. The course was outstanding, the crowds were awesome and it was great to have true world class golf being played again in Australia.
Might be a while for the next one though – Japan, SA and probably China all in the queue.
Tiger leads from the front to claim Presidents Cup for the USA
That was definitely the key match, Luke. The mood around the course and in the media centre definitely changed when Matsuyama faltered.
The US players and coaches were all glowing of Finau and his effort to come back. He’s a really unflappable guy.
Tiger leads from the front to claim Presidents Cup for the USA
Definitely feels like a missed opportunity hammertime.
Tiger leads from the front to claim Presidents Cup for the USA
Im was outstanding tomothy. Woodland said afterwards that he felt that he played really well himself, but Im just never gave him a chance to get into the contest.
Thomas is an outstanding player – what a great feather in Smith’s cap to beat him one on one.
Tiger leads from the front to claim Presidents Cup for the USA
Agree with that Arnab. He also made a 76 against South Africa at Centurion when Steyn was almost unplayable – as gutsy an innings as you’d ever see.
Way too harsh on Nicholls, Ronan, he’s a very solid player and it will be a big surprise if he doesn’t come off at some point in this series. But hard to argue with the rest of it. 😂
Starc runs riot against rattled New Zealand
Hi KP,
Thanks for the post, but no point in going over old ground, particularly with regard to Folau ignoring his manager’s advice to return to Sydney to meet with RA after he made his post, potentially to discuss a resolution acceptable to both sides.
Of course RA had alternatives, they just chose a path unpalatable to you and others. The rest of it contains a fair bit of supposition. Cheers.
Why everyone got it wrong about Rugby Australia and Israel Folau
“The right to preach things about trying to save people from the hell fires is enshrined in the Universal Declaration Of Human Rights. Australia is signed up to that.”
So when all hell broke loose in the media and with sponsors when Folau made his second post this year, Raelene Castle should have fronted the media and defended Folau’s right to post what he did, and quoted this ‘right’?
Righto then… The thing you conveniently ignore is that as soon as Folau did this he polarised people, with or against him, forcing RA into a position where they had to act, for or against him. (They had tried appeasement the first time).
As soon as RA was put into that position – by Folau’s post, not any action of theirs – they were always on a hiding to nothing, guaranteed to disappoint/anger one side or the other.
Your view is coloured by the fact that you were on the side that was disappointed.
Why everyone got it wrong about Rugby Australia and Israel Folau
Thanks for the thoughtful post Gilbert, even though we differ as to the extent to which RA achieved a positive outcome.
Agree about Qantas but surely, the fact that Folau is not reinstated as a player and they are now fully disassociated from him is a massive win, compared to where they were a week ago?
I’m also aware that the mindset of RA with respect to the settlement process and outcome was not at all one of concession or ‘caving’. There will be people looking from outside who don’t believe that but so be it.
Although in material terms, that aspect really means nothing now, either way.
Why everyone got it wrong about Rugby Australia and Israel Folau
C’mon Colonel… is the game better off with the Folau matter settled or not?
Why everyone got it wrong about Rugby Australia and Israel Folau
Hi Peter
Those assertions you’ve quoted I believe are uncontroversial, are a matter of record, and have been covered off at numerous stages during this affair.
And, just in case you’re thinking of asking, no I’m not about to go and locate and post the links.
Why everyone got it wrong about Rugby Australia and Israel Folau
Happy for you to challenge points raised in the article James.
But “it was… accept it” is that the best you can do?
Why everyone got it wrong about Rugby Australia and Israel Folau
Not sure if you’re interested or not someone, but a reporter at the centre of the Tele’s $8m settlement story has today written another story, this time quoting settlement at $3m.
Not a word of explanation as to the difference, or acknowledgment of the previous figure. Just $5m disappeared into the ether at the click of a mouse.
But the damage is already done, at the point an unsubstantiated figure is put out for people everywhere to form their opinions on, regardless of whether or not it is factual or not. Just like you have done, giving equal credence to this number and the real number and ‘disagreeing’ with this article as a result.
It’s not about whether I’m right or not. One of the points made in the article is that people who are ill-informed, still plough ahead and provide commentary, ignorant, wilfully or otherwise, of the true facts.
Why everyone got it wrong about Rugby Australia and Israel Folau
He’s a popular pick Bourkos, and imo he improved last year with experience and a bit more condition on him. It will be good to watch his progress again in 2020. But I think just at the moment, he’s a long way from being a Test player like many are talking him up as.
Malolua was dreadfully unlucky to miss the World Cup with that awful injury, he appeals to me as a more robust and dynamic halfback at this stage.
It’s a big Super Rugby season ahead for…
Cheers Brett, and great to see a rugby writer find something to write about other than you know who… 😊
I think halfback will be really interesting. Potentially the two best halfbacks in the Australian franchises are Malolua and Lomani, meaning that of contenders for the Wallabies only Powell and Gordon might be regular starters.
Obviously that would help give them inside running for the Wallabies, and is potentially a wee bit of an issue with respect to bringing on new contenders. To your article, it will be fascinating to see how Powell is regarded by the new set up compared to under Cheika.
It’s a big Super Rugby season ahead for…
It’s true that I wasn’t in the room someone, nor have I had anybody who was tell me the exact amount of the settlement – that would be breaching their agreement to keep the amount confidential.
But as Wayne Smith explains in the thread above, it is quite possible for writers who are invested in rugby and who have key contacts to discern with a reasonable amount of accuracy, what the final settlement was.
If you want to assign equal weight to the Daily Telegraph’s $8m you’re free to do so, but I’m backing my sources, and my motivation, over theirs.
Why everyone got it wrong about Rugby Australia and Israel Folau
I think that reflects the difference between a personal case Josh, and a business case.
When it’s personal it’s more emotional and personal pride is at stake, so yes it can be more difficult to achieve mediated settlements with apologies – think of matrimonial disputes for example.
In this case, it’s not Raelene Castle’s money or game that she’s playing with. There are many more stakeholders she’s representing. So it’s more likely that the business (board and executive) in conjunction with lawyers and insurance companies, are going to make a pragmatic decision.
Why everyone got it wrong about Rugby Australia and Israel Folau
No, that’s your inference Sheek, not mine.
My opinion on Folau is neither here nor there. I have one, and have expressed at times, but I have never been strident about it throughout this whole debate.
The article is about a large section of the media claiming ‘humiliation’ for Rugby Australia as a result of settling. I’ve offered an explanation for why I think this is wrong and that Rugby Australia in fact got a successful outcome from the mediation.
It’s got nothing at all to do with me thinking “I’m right”.
Why everyone got it wrong about Rugby Australia and Israel Folau
Cheers AJ, and a good shout for Wayne. It shouldn’t be underestimated how brave it was for him to take the position he did on Saturday when his own newspaper is so firmly of the opposite view.
Why everyone got it wrong about Rugby Australia and Israel Folau
Wayne S: I think you missed the joke. I wasn’t referring to Blondy’s comment.
Why everyone got it wrong about Rugby Australia and Israel Folau
It’s a good question pm because this matter hasn’t been run to a full conclusion vis a vis a court judgement. So there will be other sporting codes nervously hoping that they aren’t going to have their social media policy and employment agreements tested in a similar way.
You’d have to think it’s going to happen to somebody, at sometime.
Why everyone got it wrong about Rugby Australia and Israel Folau
“I can’t claim to have read exhaustively on this whole scandal”
You’ve done very well to avoid it, mate!
Thanks for taking the time to comment.
Why everyone got it wrong about Rugby Australia and Israel Folau
That would be a turn up robbo, JON back in the house.
Although I’m not sure how that appointment would help unify Australian rugby.
It would though ensure plenty more for us to write and talk about.
Why everyone got it wrong about Rugby Australia and Israel Folau
But none of those groups are “my opponents” Chris.
You’re doing exactly what my article supposes – framing the mediation outcome in terms of where you sit on the matter. Which is fine for you because your view is important to you – but it bears no relevance for Rugby Australia who, unlike everyone else dealing in hypotheticals, actually had something at stake.
Why everyone got it wrong about Rugby Australia and Israel Folau
And you happen to know this… how exactly, Wayne?
If you happen to be one of RA’s lawyers then I’ll pay that. But I reckon that’s unlikely.
Why everyone got it wrong about Rugby Australia and Israel Folau
Superb work, mate. Revelatory and captivating.
I’d like to say it closes the chapter on the year and the World Cup, but I suspect for you, that chapter will never be closed!
Winning in Tokyo: Finding the sun