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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…
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
Nice try, Keggy…
The Wrap: 'Take them to a dark place' - A quiet round grabs eyeballs for all the wrong reasons
Shows the value of shoring up the front row. And having a bit of luck where the injuries occur.
Kellaway and Kemeny are due back this week. Plus Anderson, although because Daugunu will likely go back to the wing, and with Lancaster looking promising, he’ll potentially struggle to get his spot back. Maunder, a Test player, also not in the 23. Ditto Fa’amausili.
Nice to have some depth.
The Wrap: 'Take them to a dark place' - A quiet round grabs eyeballs for all the wrong reasons
“I am actually starting to genuinely feel sorry for the Tahs.”
Settle down mate…
Good question re the HIA’s. Gordon I think is straightforward; he copped a couple of heavy hits but no head contact.
Canham was attended to on the field by a doctor, and there was also monitoring off field of his mouthguard. Between their observations of those doctors they obviously made a decision that he didn’t require a check. But as far as the optics go, it does seem inconceivable that someone can take such a forceful blow to the head and the conservative option of bringing him off for a check, is not taken.
The Wrap: 'Take them to a dark place' - A quiet round grabs eyeballs for all the wrong reasons
That’s it, Piru.
One action doesn’t cancel the other.
Both can be abhorrent.
The Wrap: 'Take them to a dark place' - A quiet round grabs eyeballs for all the wrong reasons
Hang in there Rah Rah. I know that if I found Friday’s match a difficult watch, it must have been awful for fans.
But I’m sure we’ve all played for and/or supported teams that have been hosed, or gone through down times. That’s when it’s most important to stay staunch as a supporter.
The Wrap: 'Take them to a dark place' - A quiet round grabs eyeballs for all the wrong reasons
Hi Sheek
I actually think what you’re describing is pretty close to how the process works.
I suspect that what was said was more an exercise in blame shifting, should the Rebels be cut.
The Wrap: 'Take them to a dark place' - A quiet round grabs eyeballs for all the wrong reasons
The depth and breadth of the rugby coverage really is exceptional, Tony.
The Wrap: 'Take them to a dark place' - A quiet round grabs eyeballs for all the wrong reasons
Sport is emotional and I get that logic and reason often fly out the window when issues escalate, Nick.
But thankfully, in this case, Fijian rugby has some strong, capable people in leadership roles, and I’m certain the right messaging will be reinforced.
The Wrap: 'Take them to a dark place' - A quiet round grabs eyeballs for all the wrong reasons
Away you go James, the floor is yours. Tell us what you thought of the Force’s performance on the weekend.
I thought it was a very difficult game to sit through, which didn’t warrant any further commentary. But that’s the beauty of this forum, you get the opportunity to share all your insights on the match.
The Wrap: 'Take them to a dark place' - A quiet round grabs eyeballs for all the wrong reasons
Good advice, Ray. Even if my liver is saying no…
The Wrap: 'Take them to a dark place' - A quiet round grabs eyeballs for all the wrong reasons
😂
The Wrap: 'Take them to a dark place' - A quiet round grabs eyeballs for all the wrong reasons
Maybe it was the same person Adsa, who was all over X on Saturday, claiming a conspiracy and that the red seeping through Canhams head bandage was ‘fake blood’…?
The Wrap: 'Take them to a dark place' - A quiet round grabs eyeballs for all the wrong reasons
Sorry Side, but rugby isn’t a game where players “deserve” violent attacks on their head like that.
The Wrap: 'Take them to a dark place' - A quiet round grabs eyeballs for all the wrong reasons
I have no problem with them exploring that too, Don. My concern is more around using those types of explorations as a convenient excuse to Rebels staff as to why we can’t tell you what we’re doing.
The Wrap: 'Take them to a dark place' - A quiet round grabs eyeballs for all the wrong reasons
“And yet if any one of them had been called, Lomani would still be playing next week.”
Sorry, but I don’t buy any of this ‘sliding doors’, ‘they started it first’ stuff, Coker.
The reason Lomani won’t be playing next week is because he totally lost his discipline and did something that is even banned in the UFC. He has to own that.
The Wrap: 'Take them to a dark place' - A quiet round grabs eyeballs for all the wrong reasons
The great thing about that try Ray, was that players didn’t go in to contact and then offload the ball. It was simple catch, draw and pass, executed at high speed. The ball beating the man. Beautiful to watch.
The Wrap: 'Take them to a dark place' - A quiet round grabs eyeballs for all the wrong reasons
It makes some sense, TWAS. Unfortunately rugby here comes from a position of relative weakness and is a ‘price taker’. So RA needs to extract whatever broadcasting revenue it can.
But the bigger point is around strategy and vision for the game. It is the task of our leading administrators to determine the best path forward for the game and to engage with all stakeholders around that, sell that vision and lead the game. Not to be passive and shape strategy around what a particular broadcast partner might want.
The other point to be made, is that for all of the Rebels’ staff members, about to be laid off, looking for some direction forward, to be told words to the effect of ‘if we shut down the franchise it isn’t our fault, it’s the broadcasters’ just doesn’t wash.
The Wrap: 'Take them to a dark place' - A quiet round grabs eyeballs for all the wrong reasons
Good on you for getting organised to attend, Sarge. Very envious.
The Wrap: 'Take them to a dark place' - A quiet round grabs eyeballs for all the wrong reasons
I couldn’t believe that Curry wasn’t replaced. 7 v 7 against athletes of that quality, you can’t afford to be carrying any passengers. Then blow me down he powers in at the corner!
The defensive execution and discipline from both NZ teams was hugely impressive.
The Wrap: 'Take them to a dark place' - A quiet round grabs eyeballs for all the wrong reasons
Thanks BH, thoughtful read with many strong points, well articulated. Thanks for posting.
The Super Rugby reboot I need to hate the Reds again
Only if it was done in a committed, integrated way, properly connected to the community, not just plonking a professional team there for the sake of it, and expecting people to align themselves to it as of right.
PE backed consortium 'in final stages' to save Melbourne Rebels with $30m injection and link with A-League club
It’s much more than that, Don. If they liquidate the Rebels add in the penalty for breaking the participation agreement negotiated in 2017. It’s $multi-millions.
PE backed consortium 'in final stages' to save Melbourne Rebels with $30m injection and link with A-League club
😂
The Wrap: 'Take them to a dark place' - A quiet round grabs eyeballs for all the wrong reasons