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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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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.
Over the weekend there was cause to reflect on the champion qualities of Aretha Franklin, Sam Whitelock and the remarkable racehorse, Winx. Also on display were the aspirations of Michael Cheika’s Wallabies.
On July 15 last year, Matt Hodgson kicked a final-minute penalty goal to stamp a 40-11 thumping of the Waratahs, and to mark the final act of the Western Force in Super Rugby.
With a tick over 70 per cent of the Super Rugby final being played in the Crusaders’ half, the Lions – a side renowned for their attacking prowess – may have been excused in thinking that they had found the key to an upset victory.
Earlier this year, Hamish Riach, CEO of the Crusaders, explained to me how, in the light of the Crusaders’ ongoing dominance of Super Rugby and interest in Scott Robertson’s coaching methods, he had fielded an “unprecedented number of requests
In 1965, The Four Tops had a number one hit on the USA Billboard and R and B Charts with their song, I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch).
The Hurricanes and the Chiefs will go head to head on Friday night to kick off a Super Rugby finals series with a match that is hard to pick.
The short, sharp volley of fireworks that shook Kings Park in Durban was supposed to celebrate the Sharks claiming the eighth and final Super Rugby playoff spot.
Last week, I interviewed a woman of Chinese heritage for a new position and was instantly drawn to the mobile phone number on her CV.
To mangle a quote attributed to Mark Twain, reports of rugby’s death have proven to be greatly exaggerated.
The Waratahs have all but sewn up top spot in the Australian conference, conjuring up a hard-fought 31-26 win over the Rebels in a thrilling match at AAMI Stadium.
Super Rugby returns with a widely anticipated and hugely important round 17 clash tonight in Melbourne, between the Rebels and Waratahs. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog, starting from 7:45pm AEST.
The thing about Tupou, Jez, is I reckon that that first half he got in South Africa, where he ran around chasing his tail, and the first half against the Pumas – that will help his career, long-term, way more than his cameo’s so far off the bench.
There’s nothing like thinking you’re getting something sussed, then finding out the brutal truth that you don’t know half of what you thought you did. He might well go back to the bench now, which would seem sensible, but hopefully he’s got someone working with him, talking about the little things he can do to help get into a game when it’s rushing by.
He hasn’t become a worse player in two matches, or been damaged at the scrum, it’s just that the type of match was probably something he hadn’t experienced before. Obviously the whole team performance was poor while he was on, but each individual needs to figure out how they could have made a difference.
Another world-class bench-press from the Wallabies' impact players will do wonders in Bledisloe 3
Dave Wessels told me 3-4 weeks back that his rehab was going well and he expects him to be back, pretty much good to go for the full SR season.
Don’t know if anyone else has mentioned it but these articles this week have really thrown me. First it was like I’d missed a day, and now it’s like someone has taken a day back off me, and I don’t know if it’s Thursday or Friday tomorrow.
Another world-class bench-press from the Wallabies' impact players will do wonders in Bledisloe 3
Very impressive report mate, lots to work through there!
Out of all teams in the comp, Canberra are the one who can best play the type of rugby to frustrate the Drua, but I still think they’ll have enough magic in Fiji. The other semi is a toss up.
Looking forward to two really good games.
The four we always suspected are through, but who makes the NRC final?
Nice bet Fin!! Even with our dollar battling v the USD, that still makes for a nice ski trip.
Next year go the whole hog mate and buy a slot!
The Wrap: Truth the first casualty in rugby’s propaganda wars
Jibe away JSJ 🙂
I’m sure you understand the difference between a properly planned and considered strategy, on a partnership basis, which takes into account rugby at all levels versus a new entity, whose motives aren’t yet understood, and whose expertise isn’t established, effectively ‘squatting’ on the back lawn.
The Wrap: Truth the first casualty in rugby’s propaganda wars
Very kind John. Winter Colours is a great read.
The Wrap: Truth the first casualty in rugby’s propaganda wars
“I tend to think he and Fred Allen would find common ground on how to be a successful coach.”
Agree. Throw in Jack Gibson and you’d have a pretty handy threesome.
Wallabies coaching still fundamentally a grey area
Cheers Baz.
Mate I report propaganda, I don’t write it. 🙂
The Wrap: Truth the first casualty in rugby’s propaganda wars
Hi Fin
Yes I watched, although Sheek will be pleased to hear that I enjoyed the Caulfield Guineas much more. 🙂
A few of us were talking yesterday about how it doesn’t seem right that Redzel (taking nothing away from him) is now, all of a sudden, Australia’s 2nd highest stakes winner. Just from winning the right two races. But you can’t argue that the race hasn’t captured the imagination of the Sydney public and has got a new, young crowd back into racing (or at least socialising at a racetrack!)
Did you happen to catch the report in today’s Fairfax papers, by Kate McClymont, delving behind Jones’ campaign to boost promotion for the Everest? The winner is by Snitzel, who Jones happens to own shares in, and who can now expect to bump up the stud fee as a result.
You couldn’t make this sort of stuff up – surely Jones might have thought to disclose that little fact before he laid into the Opera House CEO?
The Wrap: Truth the first casualty in rugby’s propaganda wars
Hi JSJ
Thanks for the background, and I agree, a Western Sydney presence represents a great opportunity for Twiggy and I understand why he is trying for it.
From the other side, the issue of rugby in the Western suburbs of Sydney is much more complex than what is being painted to Twiggy’s supporters. It’s not just a matter of planting a pro team in there and expecting club rugby to miraculously regenerate as a result – the rich dog eats poor dog nature of the Sydney club scene needs to be addressed whatever happens.
If WSR goes well, I believe there is an opportunity for Twiggy and NSW Rugby to work together in the future, Twiggy gets his team and NSW Rugby gets funding sufficient to pump into serious junior and club development. Something like that.
The Wrap: Truth the first casualty in rugby’s propaganda wars
Hi Andy, yes that may well be a potential benefit.
But probably not strong enough reason to jump in at the get go, without working out all the possible ramifications for their system and all of the logistics.
If WSR goes well, then sure, the conversations might get a bit more serious after that.
The Wrap: Truth the first casualty in rugby’s propaganda wars
Brilliant stuff mate – much appreciated!
The Wrap: Truth the first casualty in rugby’s propaganda wars
That’s an interesting one isn’t it? There’s a chance that Amanaki Mafi might be on ‘enforced vacation’ just outside Dunedin when the World Cup is on.
The Wrap: Truth the first casualty in rugby’s propaganda wars
Nice read thanks Nick.
Although Lombardi pre-dates me I’m a Packers man, having spent a fair bit of time in Milwaukee. Very excited too at the Brewers making the post-season playoffs.
It’s hard trying to make sense of what happened in Salta isn’t it? Too bad and too good to believe, all at once.
Wallabies coaching still fundamentally a grey area
Hi Nick
That’s a very interesting observation. Remember how I was concerned about the game becoming too homogenised? What was I thinking! 🙂 Perhaps to some degree within competitions but certainly not across competitions!
The shortcomings for France vis-a-vis the Top 14 have been apparent for a while now, but it’s interesting how England is potentially treading a similar path.
I think there’s a great topic lurking in there for an upcoming Wednesday column…
The Wrap: Truth the first casualty in rugby’s propaganda wars
Was never much chop on the dancefloor AJ. More of a keen observer.
🙂
The Wrap: Truth the first casualty in rugby’s propaganda wars
You never know mz, he might roll into Toowoomba one day soon with a big truck loaded up with $3.7m dollars! 🙂
The Wrap: Truth the first casualty in rugby’s propaganda wars
Hi NV
Interesting question about WSR and NZ. I don’t know anything from the inside but my guess is any one of, or a combination of the following;
– the reasons NSW/RA said no are the same for NZ. Too quick, too uncertain about how it would all play out relative to existing competitions. Happy to have a look at how WSR goes next year and potentially do something then, once there are some knowns and more time to plan.
– NZ Rugby would not go it alone and embrace WSR if it felt that would upset RA. They are SANZAAR partners, looking to support each other.
– maybe they’re just not so interested. What’s the potential benefit for NZ rugby? The dynamic between the Force/WA Rugby and RA is of intense interest in Australia, but of little interest in NZ.
That said, I’m sure that NZ Rugby is interested in the potential that Twiggy and his money has to boost rugby in the region, and would be open to any discussion with him.
The Wrap: Truth the first casualty in rugby’s propaganda wars
You’ve identified one of the key sticking points Oclee. There are many rugby people who can’t see past the Shute Shield because it has teams that have that tradition you’re talking about.
On the other hand, rugby is now a professional game and Australia is subject to pressure from global market forces. These can’t be ignored. It is also a truly national game, with professional beachheads in WA, VIC and ACT and juniors and clubs in every state. And it is now more of a game for women to play.
The trick is to blend both, for the good of all of the game, not to favour one part of the game over another or fight turf wars.
The Wrap: Truth the first casualty in rugby’s propaganda wars
The heart strategy worked in Wellington, why not again?
The Wrap: Truth the first casualty in rugby’s propaganda wars
Thanks mate, glad there’s someone around who knows what’s going on.
Yes, I was thinking more about the old points system, but things did start shifting last year too. As Fionn said, great to see an old-style attritional battle yesterday.
The Wrap: Truth the first casualty in rugby’s propaganda wars
Spot on Dennis. Society has moved on and we’re not wedded to the Queen’s English no more.
That said, it’s hard work reading job applications and resumes from ‘young people’ these days. Relaxation around US/English spelling is one thing, but spelling and grammar standards have really slipped.
The Wrap: Truth the first casualty in rugby’s propaganda wars
Australian sport really confuses me Elf.
Rugby Australia cuts out WA and everybody whines and complains about it, and here, Cricket Australia keeps WA in the tent and everybody complains about that too…
Lovely stuff Dan – even if with this Test match, there was plenty to work with!
The Liebke Ratings: Pakistan vs Australia, second Test