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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.
The Roar’s algorithms are very sensitive to a jock accent! 😂
Why everyone got it wrong about Rugby Australia and Israel Folau
Yes, Paul. A point missed by many of the non-rugby press.
Why everyone got it wrong about Rugby Australia and Israel Folau
You may have upset Blondie. After all, she’s got a heart of glass.
Why everyone got it wrong about Rugby Australia and Israel Folau
As others have already explained, it isn’t unusual or noteworthy in itself that RA settled. It would have been more unusual if this had gone to court.
Why everyone got it wrong about Rugby Australia and Israel Folau
The broadcast deal is the big one, Cole.
Still has a long way to play out, however.
Why everyone got it wrong about Rugby Australia and Israel Folau
Do you not think they can do both, Don?
Re Vunivalu, what does it matter if he comes from league? He has a rugby background. Rugby Australia competes for players in a global, professional marketplace.
Is he worth that much? Perhaps, perhaps not. Do we know what they would need to offer Morahan to come back? I suspect it wouldn’t be much different. A good player, but not an established Test player or star.
But given how Australian rugby has sought and obtained players from league right throughout the professional era, hardly grounds for asking this CEO to resign I wouldn’t have thought?
Why everyone got it wrong about Rugby Australia and Israel Folau
No worries Benn. You gave it a good lash yesterday, you were due for a breather!
Why everyone got it wrong about Rugby Australia and Israel Folau
Fiduciaries. Good word for a haiku, Harry.
Or maybe not, doesn’t leave many syllables for the rest of it.
Why everyone got it wrong about Rugby Australia and Israel Folau
Ok, let’s broaden group no 1. to capture all of the people you want included. No problem.
Now then, tell me what’s fundamentally changed about the article?
Why everyone got it wrong about Rugby Australia and Israel Folau
LBJ, mate, all I’m doing is offering a point of view which is different to the prevailing mass media view, and explaining why. That’s all. I’m not bashing anybody.
Why everyone got it wrong about Rugby Australia and Israel Folau
You won’t get much mate.
And I’ll be happy for you to clean out my shed when you’re going through my stuff.
Why everyone got it wrong about Rugby Australia and Israel Folau
Yes the Blues are definitely something we can all have an opinion on…
Good luck next year, all of you long-suffering chaps.
Why everyone got it wrong about Rugby Australia and Israel Folau
But what if I do have Public Liability insurance, Latin? Does that ruin your argument?
I particularly enjoyed the bit where you suggest that because you didn’t know about Folau’s instagram post it was ok for RA to do nothing.
What about when he linked the bushfires with SSM the other day? Could RA have kept that one hush hush too?
That instagram post which hastened his sacking was the second occurrence. At which point he said he’d keep doing it. Which he has. That’s a different context for RA to work in than the selective world you’re dealing in.
Why everyone got it wrong about Rugby Australia and Israel Folau
Not quite sure how you know what’s in my mind, Brian?
If you’ve got any ideas what I’m making for dinner let me know. Cheers.
Why everyone got it wrong about Rugby Australia and Israel Folau
Very funny, Sage. A collector’s item no doubt! 😂
Why everyone got it wrong about Rugby Australia and Israel Folau
Well said Max. Anyone who works in business, sales in particular, understands win/win, yet in this matter so many people have tried to brand this as a win, and thus automatically a loss for either side.
It’s quite possible, even likely, that both parties have come out of this settlement feeling far happier than they were a week or so ago.
Why everyone got it wrong about Rugby Australia and Israel Folau
“Folau’s legal team changed tack also and increased the amount sought in anticipation of the settlement.”
Blondy, do you really believe that Folau’s lawyers adding $4m to his claim because he was denied potential additional earnings capacity from being Wallabies captain, was taken seriously by Rugby Australia and their lawyers? And played a part in the final negotiated settlement?
I can assure you it wasn’t and it didn’t.
Why everyone got it wrong about Rugby Australia and Israel Folau
I’m not normally one to give front rowers a wrap, but you’re bang on, Tight-Head!
Why everyone got it wrong about Rugby Australia and Israel Folau
Hope your little bloke goes well, and enjoys his rugby, Kanggas.
Why everyone got it wrong about Rugby Australia and Israel Folau
Correct MJ, it’s about the settlement.
After which, if it makes elvis feel any better, I’m moving on too.
Why everyone got it wrong about Rugby Australia and Israel Folau
I wondered how long it would be before someone dropped the “w” word…
Why everyone got it wrong about Rugby Australia and Israel Folau
Whatever happens next year Paul, almost certainly it won’t be dull. It never is!
Why everyone got it wrong about Rugby Australia and Israel Folau
Hi cs, and best wishes to you and your family as well.
I’ve seen that parallel drawn with Netball previously. Ultimately it’s false equivalence. Maria Folau did not post similar statements of her own on her own social media. She stood by her husband. That is most definitely not the same thing.
Imagine if it was her making the posts, and the roles of RA and Netball NZ were reversed. It’s not unreasonable to imagine that RA would have treated Israel just the same as NZ Netball treated Maria.
Why everyone got it wrong about Rugby Australia and Israel Folau
Absolutely Ralph. Whoever paid what to who, rugby is definitely the winner here.
Why everyone got it wrong about Rugby Australia and Israel Folau