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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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Last week, Justice Michael Lee dismissed the defamation action lodged by ex-public servant Bruce Lehrmann against Network Ten; a case that, for anyone living…
Now feels like a good time to bemoan Moana Pasifika upsetting my weekend footy tipping. Their 17-14 win against the Reds in Whangarei fell…
Super Rugby closing in on the mid-season point and entering a three-week phase of bye rounds is a reminder of how tenuous the competition…
Anyone who has played rugby for a club big enough to have two teams in the same competition or division knows how high the…
Friday night’s two Super Rugby matches were remarkably similar; the two losers, the Melbourne Rebels and Moana Pasifika, doing good things on attack, but…
Three losses became four as the Crusaders cemented their place on the lowest rung of the Super Rugby ladder, losing 14-10 to the table-topping…
After three losses, the Crusaders are not the powerhouse of previous seasons, while Rugby Australia is set for a new Chief Operations Officer to overcome financial issues.
Increasingly, we find ourselves barraged by spin masquerading as news and information. Sorting the wholesome from the devious, the truth from the fiction, has…
It seems that the more things change – and we are in the midst of a period of profound change for rugby in this…
One of the arguments regularly raised against the retention of a professional rugby presence in Victoria is that Melbourne is not a rugby city.…
With rugby’s off-season dominated by Eddie Jones’ shift to Japan, and the confirmation that Rugby Australia really doesn’t have any money, the start of…
Will players of the future – and their parents – feel confident that rugby is safe enough for them to continue playing?
On Monday 20th November, in the wake of the removal of Hamish McLennan, newly minted Rugby Australia chairman, Daniel Herbert, told reporters; “We keep…
Is there any Australian sport that does a letter quite like rugby does? After months of disquiet about the actions of Rugby Australia chairman…
It’s only mid-November, but given what a wild ride it’s been, now feels like a good time to wrap up the 2023 rugby year.…
In the wake of Australia’s shambolic pool stage exit at the World Cup, Rugby Australia announced last Thursday, the appointment of a three-person panel…
The 10th Rugby World Cup is over. After seven weeks, at times drawn out, at others exhilarating, South Africa has become the first nation…
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…
With rugby’s two greatest rivals, New Zealand and South Africa, set to square off in the World Cup final, fans everywhere should be relishing…
PARIS - On what was roundly hailed as one of rugby’s best ever weekends, the World Cup quarter-finals were conspicuous by Australia’s absence. Everyone…
Hadn’t heard that about the Tarneit power failure, robbo. Yes, hopefully not an ominous metaphor…
RA has a million things to fix, and not much money with which to do it, but finding a way to make the womens’ competition longer has to be right at the top of the list.
The Wrap: Crusaders' shot clock fiasco and shhh, don’t put the moz on Darby
Sometimes I feel like I’m p15sing into the wind CW, but I’m continually banging on about how people assign too much credit to the head coach when a side wins, and too much blame when they lose.
The head coach is crucial, sure. But there are so many variables that feed into a teams’ success/failure.
More detail to follow down the track, but I’m currently working on a project, to be released later this year, that will hopefully illustrate this very point.
The Wrap: Crusaders' shot clock fiasco and shhh, don’t put the moz on Darby
Nice to see Doleman being so clear and confident around that TMO intervention, Danny.
The Wrap: Crusaders' shot clock fiasco and shhh, don’t put the moz on Darby
Every rugby match is full of those niggly, uncomfortable provocative moments, savant. Little jersey tugs, an ‘accidental’ tread on a foot, verbal sledging and so on. Yes, professional sport is definitely a test of mental fragility, and players push boundaries all the time.
I get that McDermott shouldn’t have had to deal with a forearm on his neck. But he’s an experienced professional player and he will know that he should have been better by not reacting. And I have no doubt that’s the same message he’ll be getting from his coach.
The Wrap: Crusaders' shot clock fiasco and shhh, don’t put the moz on Darby
There’s no doubt they reflect a lot of the frustrations and concerns that exist, but as many people noted, they haven’t really articulated a viable alternative path forward.
The Wrap: Crusaders' shot clock fiasco and shhh, don’t put the moz on Darby
So, how does it work then, JDK?
If we have a law which provides a kicker with 90 seconds before he must kick, how can it be time-wasting or unsportsmanlike if he uses up that time?
One ref rules to the ‘spirit of the game’ hurrying a player along (which I’m sure most people agree with), then another ref rules to the letter of the law, and the exactness of the clock. Which is it?
I think it has to be one or the other. Basketball and American Football have shot clocks and they are used to the nth degree. They are integral to the game. AFL doesn’t have a shot clock, but the umpire counts time in his head and uses his discretion to call ‘play on’ so that a kicker must do so, or risk being challenged.
I don’t see how we can have a shot clock AND let a ref hurry a kicker along when he is within the time allowed by the clock.
The Wrap: Crusaders' shot clock fiasco and shhh, don’t put the moz on Darby
I wonder how many times conversions actually took more than 90 seconds, anyway?
This feels like one of those solutions to not much of a problem, which has also delivered unforeseen consequences.
The Wrap: Crusaders' shot clock fiasco and shhh, don’t put the moz on Darby
We used to sit around as a family after dinner and watch the Benny Hill Show, TLN!
Probably not a bad thing Fred Scuttle has been put out to pasture…
The Wrap: Crusaders' shot clock fiasco and shhh, don’t put the moz on Darby
Was chatting after that super W game Hugh, and mentioned that I don’t think I have ever seen any team, in any rugby comp, improve as much from one year to the next, as this Rebels women’s team. Huge credit to everyone involved, particularly as they have had many difficulties around getting players to training etc…
It would be absolutely criminal if this was to be cut off now.
The Wrap: Crusaders' shot clock fiasco and shhh, don’t put the moz on Darby
savant, have a look at Mirt’s comment and give yourself an uppercut.
It’s the bodgy system mate, nothing to do with McDermott.
The Wrap: Crusaders' shot clock fiasco and shhh, don’t put the moz on Darby
James, I’ve tried gently to suggest to you over the past few weeks that there are some revelations coming that will make some of your commentary look misguided. You stubbornly keep insisting you know better.
When the administrator reports back, take note of his recommendation, and the reaction of the creditors to the DOCA. Then come back to us on what you think is the best path forward.
The Wrap: Crusaders' shot clock fiasco and shhh, don’t put the moz on Darby
Exactly, Peter. McDermott deserves whatever is coming his way, and McReight will have to cop his whack too, because there was clear head on head contact.
But to suggest that McReight’s case is in any way comparable to the two Drua instances is just nonsense.
The Wrap: Crusaders' shot clock fiasco and shhh, don’t put the moz on Darby
Good call Sam. Feluiai is going really well – handles the contact and has some nice soft skills with hand and feet.
There was also the tip on from Kellaway for Lancaster’s 2nd try. He doesn’t execute that, Lancaster doesn’t get the opportunity on the outside. Great to see those skills coming out.
One other little pick-up – Lancaster positioned himself perfectly both times. Not too flat, which is a mistake too many wingers make. In the Friday night game, in the first half, Pietsch cost himself a try when Perese got free for a draw and pass. Pietsch would have had a clear run in to the corner, but because he got ahead of the play, Perese had to hold the pass.
The Wrap: Crusaders' shot clock fiasco and shhh, don’t put the moz on Darby
At the risk of going out on a limb LRO, in general, I think we do very well with Stan.
The breadth of the rugby coverage is outstanding.
Their commitment to the competition is light years ahead of where Fox was. They now have big teams at Australian matches and cover all the bases post-match. And they’re there because they want to be there and want to see rugby succeed – which wasn’t always the case before.
We all have favourite and non-favourite commentators and comments people, so that’s more a personal preference thing around style. In my view, I think we’re very well served in the box, with a nice balance between focusing on the action and providing some quality analysis.
The Wrap: Crusaders' shot clock fiasco and shhh, don’t put the moz on Darby
Good call on Cale, mjs. Exactly the same situation.
For me, Cale is exactly where Brayden Iose was a couple of years ago. High end pace for a No.8, excellent ball skills, obvious potential for high honours, but not yet with the body for test football.
Iose now has filled out across the chest and shoulders, and offers more impact in tight, without having lost his speed. He’s also taken on more responsibility as a starter. He now looks ready for the step up.
I’m looking forward to seeing much more of Cale, but would love to see him go through that same development process.
The Wrap: Crusaders' shot clock fiasco and shhh, don’t put the moz on Darby
Yes, it’s ironic Don that the SOARR group, despite having a crack at Rugby Australia, is also no ally of the Rebels. That old saying about ‘the enemy of my enemy is my friend’ definitely doesn’t apply here!
The Wrap: Crusaders' shot clock fiasco and shhh, don’t put the moz on Darby
Biggest disappointment for me OM, was how they were unable to bring their back three (one of the best in the comp) into the match.
The Rebels were smart, there was almost zero loose kicking, so they didn’t invite trouble. But yes, the Landers, after quite a promising start, now struggling for depth. Need some power ball runners back – like Renton.
The Wrap: Crusaders' shot clock fiasco and shhh, don’t put the moz on Darby
You’ve got Twiggy though, mate. He doesn’t come last in much.
Lomani gets huge discount on ban for shocking elbow after guilty plea, teammate has penalty halved
Tried, yes.
But sentencing often takes into account precedent and relativity to other sentences.
There’s no issue here with the hearings, until you get to the sanctions.
Lomani gets huge discount on ban for shocking elbow after guilty plea, teammate has penalty halved
Yes. Pearce and Fa’agase have every right to feel dirty on the game.
It’s one thing for them to be collateral damage in a widespread effort (albeit crudely implemented) to change tackling behaviours, because protecting the head is sacrosanct, but then to have to watch blatant thuggery be treated so leniently by comparison… is it because this week the head isn’t as sacrosanct after all?
Lomani gets huge discount on ban for shocking elbow after guilty plea, teammate has penalty halved
If you didn’t see it, have a look at what Sef Fa’agase got suspended for 4 weeks for, line it up with these, and tell me that the world hasn’t gone crazy…
Lomani gets huge discount on ban for shocking elbow after guilty plea, teammate has penalty halved
😂
The Wrap: 'Take them to a dark place' - A quiet round grabs eyeballs for all the wrong reasons
The Rebels Super W improvement has been profound. Really acquitted themselves well in the 2nd half against the Tahs, too. It’s always tough to blame a goal kicker, but that was such a disappointing last shot at goal… 😢
The Wrap: 'Take them to a dark place' - A quiet round grabs eyeballs for all the wrong reasons
Fair call, Dusty. Once the Brumbies got over those first half execution issues, they put out a very solid 2nd half show with some really good passages of play. The Cale try was the icing on top.
The Wrap: 'Take them to a dark place' - A quiet round grabs eyeballs for all the wrong reasons
I noticed that timing too, acjj. But, having been burned by this previously… the clock we see on the TV is not the official game clock.
So in this case, the comms ref Berry was having with the TMO about the timing was referring to a different clock. Which may or may not have been faster, slower or the same.
Fully agree with your point though. If there is going to be a shot clock, then it needs to be visible to all, so that players, coaches officials and fans at the ground and at home, know exactly what we’re dealing with.
Or else, leave it alone and leave it up to the ref’s discretion, like in AFL.
The Wrap: Crusaders' shot clock fiasco and shhh, don’t put the moz on Darby