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Joined August 2011
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Ben Pobjie is a writer and comedian whose promising rugby career was tragically cut short the day he stopped playing rugby and had a pizza instead. The most he has ever cried was the day Balmain lost the 1989 grand final. Today he enjoys the frolics of Wallabies, Swans, baggy greens, and Storm.
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Sport isn't about feelings or impressions; it's about cold hard facts. For example, Essendon defeated Hawthorn in the 1985 VFL grand final. That's a…
Names and numbers on players' backs in Test cricket? What a great idea! But if you'll indulge me for a moment, I think I…
I'm not sure I've ever seen anything in cricket more unlikely than Australia coming back from 2-0 down in the ODI series in India…
A wildcard weekend in the NRL, enabling the ninth and tenth-placed teams to contest the finals? What a great idea! After all, for many…
I learnt a lot from Nick Riewoldt's bold statements about drugs this week. I learnt that in Riewoldt's view, illicit drug use among AFL…
After a bracing summer holiday, multiple medallist Roy 'Crackling' Pork and six-time journeyman Wayne 'Spanks' Spankle are back at the bar to say what's what.…
Bright spark Roy 'Crackling' Pork and sharp unit Wayne 'Spanks' Spankle sit down at the bar to chew on some solutions. CRACKLING: Well, Spanks,…
Mercurial speedster Roy 'Crackling' Pork and renowned workhorse Wayne 'Spanks' Spankle break it down and spit it out for you. CRACKLING: Well Spanks, the…
Elite performer Roy 'Crackling' Pork and honest man Wayne 'Spanks' Spankle sit down and sort it all out. CRACKLING: Obviously nobody likes it when it…
Elite sporting raconteur Roy 'Crackling' Pork and quicksilver playmaker Wayne 'Spanks' Spankle chew the fat and spit it right out. CRACKLING: Would you walk…
Sport is so unimportant, and matters to us all the more for it. Sporting heroes achieve so little of real consequence, and yet their…
Big game specialist Roy 'Crackling' Pork and small game ignorer Wayne 'Spanks' Spankle grapple-tackle the week in sport to within an inch of its…
Hardest-working man in sport Roy 'Crackling' Pork and repeat offender Wayne 'Spanks' Spankle sift through the ruins of the weekend. CRACKLING: Well, Spanks, it's…
Grand final perennial Roy 'Crackling' Pork and big-game specialist Wayne 'Spanks' Spankle rev up for the pointy end. CRACKLING: So, Spanks, Billy Slater? Does…
Eight-time best and fairest Roy 'Crackling' Pork and 17-time 'Most beers drunk between Wollongong and Broken Hill' record-holder Wayne 'Spanks' Spankle toss the pigskin…
Clutch performer Roy 'Crackling' Pork and big-game specialist Wayne 'Spanks' Spankle get down to business. CRACKLING: Serena, eh. SPANKS: Serena. CRACKLING: Take a shot.…
Community service veteran Roy 'Crackling' Pork and the doyen of gurus Wayne 'Spanks' Spankle get to grips with the week's most get-to-grippable issues of…
The mercurial utility Roy 'Crackling' Pork and journeyman maverick Wayne 'Spanks' Spankle give the straight dope on sport's most pressing issues. SPANKS: Here we…
Ten-time player of the year Roy 'Crackling' Pork and lifetime MVP Wayne 'Spanks' Spankle sit down at the bar to get to the bottom…
Living legend Barry 'Crackling' Pork and legendary larrikin Wayne 'Spanks' Spankle sit down at the bar to chew all the fat one week of…
Say what you like about the modern game, but making dangerous play legal as long as the perpetrator can afford to pay a minuscule fraction of their salary in fines is just a fantastic innovation that you can’t help but applaud.
Judiciary hands down surprise DCE verdict after controversial charge for dangerous throw
Well that came out of nowhere.
'Success hasn't been forthcoming': Souths sack Demetriou after fractured board eventually decides time's up
Polynesians came from Taiwan, but originally of course all humans came from Africa.
Super Rugby shows that the Bledisloe Cup isn't going anywhere - one selection could give the Wallabies hope
I don’t think Finegan had no talent.
Super Rugby shows that the Bledisloe Cup isn't going anywhere - one selection could give the Wallabies hope
The final game of 1989 broke my heart, but it was a brilliant season. I think the decade starting with 1988, when the comp expanded, was outstanding in general – obviously players didn’t achieve the level of athleticism they have now, and the systems were not as efficiently instilled, but there was wonderful skill, creativity and adventurous play going on.
NRL is flying high in 2024 but if this isn’t the best season ever, then which one is?
And Spain. Their eggs are amazing.
Super Rugby shows that the Bledisloe Cup isn't going anywhere - one selection could give the Wallabies hope
This McKenzie sounds like just what the Wallabies are looking for. He should emigrate.
Super Rugby shows that the Bledisloe Cup isn't going anywhere - one selection could give the Wallabies hope
Don’t know if “hits blokes for fun” is the best phrasing.
Exclusive: Wallabies star weighing up big move to England
I would play Wright on one wing, Nawaqanitawase on the other, Corey Toole on the third wing, Darby Lancaster on another, Dylan Pietsch on the other wing and Tim Ryan on the final wing.
Five things: Aussie sides finally discover what it takes to compete against Kiwis, rookie outshines World Cup Wallaby
I think the NRL would consider buying actual peanuts a better investment.
Rugby Australia's debts blow out to almost $89 million after draw-down of PEP facility
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Rugby Australia's debts blow out to almost $89 million after draw-down of PEP facility
Quade Cooper had a very expensive Faberge egg habit
Rugby Australia announce $9.2m deficit, board member fails to be re-elected but coup falls over
Pretty sure it was Geoff Parkes.
NRL Round 8 Talking Points: The kick-off is on borrowed time, so what replaces it?
Are you offering to trade him to Penrith mid-season?
Roosters' 2025 troubles mount as premiership-winner Keary announces shock retirement
This is a great idea. I reckon just start the set where the ball is caught, but rewarding catches, and incentivising kicking to find ground, would be good.
NRL Round 8 Talking Points: The kick-off is on borrowed time, so what replaces it?
I don’t see why the kickoff can’t be replaced by a three-round trivia quiz.
NRL Round 8 Talking Points: The kick-off is on borrowed time, so what replaces it?
All of the Rebels failed spectacularly. They lost 39-0. “Rockets out of” seems apt.
The Wrap: Rebels young gun rockets out of Wallabies contention, and why Samipeni Finau's 'brutal' hit on Edmed was fair game
He was the star performer in Seven’s shouting camp.
Six Points: Channel 7's commentary, the AFL's most underrated coach, and what on earth is wrong with a draw?
I loathe that. And halftime interviews too.
Tahs' season hanging by a thread after Chiefs go whack to post bonus point win
I think at this stage it’s just a tic. Like people who pepper “you know” through every utterance.
Tahs' season hanging by a thread after Chiefs go whack to post bonus point win
Didn’t check the score, just the comments from Roarers. I assume the Tahs lost by 70-80 or so?
Tahs' season hanging by a thread after Chiefs go whack to post bonus point win
Results are just baffling sometimes.
'We got our pants pulled down': Rebels smashed in reality check as Crusaders keep finals hopes alive
It always the ones you most suspect.
NRL News: Ferguson's marquee deal terminated by semi-pro team, Benji happy with Tigers' CEO call
I reckon Mike Veletta should take the gloves
What’s in a name? The all-time great Steve XI
Any player manager who doesn’t put it out that their client is considering a switch to the NRL should be sued for dereliction of duty.
Wallabies' young gun mulling NRL switch as Rebels' future continues to cloud picture