Roar Rookie
Joined September 2021
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Thanks Ken for highlighting the differences between 11 and 14. Enlightening nuance I hadn’t fully appreciated before.
My position had always been that of Patrick McGoohan’s Prisoner so perhaps I should have had greater insight of playing either left or right.
'Bullet train Koroibete' and a 'true conundrum': How Eddie must find the 'angel' in heaven for World Cup glory
Thanks Harry – I so enjoy reading your pieces. They are so much more than sports journalism – your whimsical parallels place the game of rugby into broader perspective of this unfathomable world whilst also highlighting rugby’s unique vitality.
'Bullet train Koroibete' and a 'true conundrum': How Eddie must find the 'angel' in heaven for World Cup glory
If the English think Test cricket needs saving then the first step is to get out from behind the paywall thereby the joys of Test cricket can be accessed and enjoyed by more.
'It might not survive': Bazball is a cult and Poms should be embarrassed about claiming they're Test cricket's saviours
. . . Yep, that is the tactical decision I was referring to – albeit obliquely- 1 minute just to keep him eligible
Rugby News: Hamish froths at 'mind blowing' Cleary link, Quade comeback not all it seems, Wallabies in white at WC
The missed knock-on on the rebels tryline led to 7 points from the scrum rather than a clearance. A definite shift in fortune that the defending Rebels could not control. I stand by the saders having the rub of the green. Maybe it evens out over the season.
Disclaimer: The rebels aren’t my team.
Mo'unga masterclass seals epic comeback win as Rebels let another slip despite Gordon show
“ Cooper is understood to be short of the required fitness to make a proper return this week, with his club team hopeful he can play a meaningful role in the playoffs.”
He’s recovered from the injury. Unsurprisingly he’s short on fitness as anyone is after an injury layoff. The decision is tactical.
Rugby News: Hamish froths at 'mind blowing' Cleary link, Quade comeback not all it seems, Wallabies in white at WC
Usually Ref’s calls even themselves out across the course of a game. I thought the Crusaders had the rub of the green on some momentum-shifting calls. Rebels can consider themselves unlucky. Good game overall though.
Reasons to be cheerful . . .
Rebels continue to improve and entertain.
Looking forward to see how Carter Gordon goes in Gold, especially if the Wallaby pack can achieve parity or even dominance.
Hodge’s boot! I’d have him in the Wallabies 23 – in the role of a ‘Morne Steyne’ – as a late in the game from-the- bench long range penalty kicker . . . also he can backfill a number of positions if required.
Mo'unga masterclass seals epic comeback win as Rebels let another slip despite Gordon show
. . . surely you mean ‘spelt’? ????
Five things we learned: Why Swinton could still be a Wallaby despite looming ban, time to ditch finals format
Drua have won 3 to Tahs 2. Wins take precedence over points difference on determining ranking perhaps? Would make sense.
'Gorilla running up Oxford St': Tahs smash Force to get season started as Perese finally comes to life
Thanks Harry, very enjoyable writing. There is no way generative AI could be this creative and tangential. This piece gives journalism a good name.
'Water breaks are fine, but they have to eat': As rugby tries to speed up, props just get bigger
Thanks Brett.
Is it only the number of tries scored / conceded that has gone up in the final stages of the game? But what PROPORTION of the total score has been scored in the final stages – has this gone up compared to previous years? And by how much?
My observation over time is that in rugby scoring is generally higher in the latter stages of the game – fatigue being one cause but also risk taking to get win or bonus points and small percentage of time added after the hooter.
'Maybe games aren't long enough for them': The surprising effect of fatigue factor in Super Rugby Pacific
I confess I’m not a regular reader of RL columns. Surprises me that league refereeing might be as contentious as union given that the laws of the game, on the face of it, appear more straightforward.
What role officiating culture in all this?
Hit and miss: Those who impressed or failed the test from the first EOYT games
“ win the refs over and you are halfway to winning the game”
Sad but true.
It is a shame a team has to unpick the vagaries of each referee’s interpretations as much as they have to focus on unpicking the opposition’s defensive structures.
I don’t know of any other sport where officials take up so many column inches. It’s a blight on the game but what can be done about it?
Hit and miss: Those who impressed or failed the test from the first EOYT games
Will the Lions ever tour Japan or for that matter Argentina, or are they defined by SA, NZ and Aus? With the gap between north and south nations narrowing in the professional era the Lions concept is beginning to fray.
The last outing of the Lions to SA was a spectacle for all the wrong reasons regrettably.
Crystal ball gaze at a Wallabies-ABs ANZAC XV that could seriously stretch the Lions in 2025
The mis-firing halves and centres meant the back three were largely absent yet they have often this year been an ever present danger. Consequently too much pressure on the forwards to clean up the mess and save the play.
Wallabies studs and duds: Sub who 'rescued the game', star back's 'terrible technique', 'complete mess' moment
@Jim agree with your assessment of Frost. He has always been sound and is potentially world class.
It’s tough being a wallabies fan though. I think what they miss most is a talented ‘in-play’ kicker. An accurate and tactically astute kicker would take so much pressure off the forwards. It would mean playing more time in the opposition half given more opportunity the latent talent of many players to shine.
Unfortunately Cooper is that kicker.
ANALYSIS: Frosty the go man is 'a player every nation wants to unearth' making an Eales-like run at RWC
A reversal of 2009 when Giteau called to convert at the death to win the match ending 27 years of dominance
https://amp.theguardian.com/sport/2009/nov/21/rugby-union-scotland-australia
REACTION: 'Somehow!' - Wallabies reprieved at the death to open tour with nail biting win over Scotland
Is that a wish or a conclusion?
'There's a roof just 4 kms away': Fans vent as Aus-England blockbuster abandoned... with alternate venue just up the road
The real saturation. In just 17 months time the circus starts all over again. T20 WC 2024.
'There's a roof just 4 kms away': Fans vent as Aus-England blockbuster abandoned... with alternate venue just up the road
“ Ireland have caused one of the biggest upsets in cricket history by beating World Cup favourites England”.
I remember at the ODI World Cup in 2015 Bangladesh beating England by 15 runs at Adelaide Over as being a bit of an upset too.
Well done Ireland – makes this group pretty interesting and sets up Friday’s game aus v eng nicely.
'A famous victory': Irish eyes are smiling after boilover World Cup upset win over England
Interesting article.
They could put in variable for match day referee. Not all referees are equal.
I used to put small wagers on rugby games. The ‘arbitrary’ nature red card / yellow cards / penalties getting awarded / issued has made picking results much harder over the last 18 months so I no longer bother. I reckon the rankings suffer similarly.
If you had a few quid on aus for the first aus/nz in the trc you have been pretty dark. What odds on that refereeing decision?
Is this the Wallabies' big chance to climb the rankings?
KP – Was that a ‘clear out’ or a ‘tackle’?
Rugby News: RA threatens to quit Super Rugby, Skelton 'hurt' by England tour snub, Ella feted as Cook Cup name axed
No mention of Pete Samu for the back row, or is he locked in off the bench.
Rennie reveals OS trio for England, Taniela latest, how 'versatile' Tah changes backrow options, and A-team plan
With the number of red cards issued this season I’m curious to know what impact it has had on the betting markets- certainly tipping in tipping competitions has become trickier?
'The onus is on us': Players, not rules, need to bend in high contact crackdown
‘Couple of blocks’ is an English idiom for something being relatively close. In this case closer than Brisbane
'Don't want to rush it': Tupou's sobering reality check as he's set to miss TRC opener - but hints at club rugby return