The two-week observation: The Wallabies can play low possession rugby OR find the Australian way – but not both
Two weeks into his second-coming as Australian coach, Eddie Jones must surely now realise that his two major themes around how he wanted to…
It was a privilege to be able to call David Lord a colleague for a decade, and his support and encouragement for rookie writers on the site was something I’ll never forget.
David of course had enjoyed a full career before he started contributing to The Roar, but wow, what a contribution it was. ‘Prolific’ doesn’t even start to do him justice.
And it’s certainly true that he didn’t mind indulging in a but of hyperbole from time to time – I can still remember for him calling on the immediate Wallabies selection of a former Australian rower in his first season with the Melbourne Rebels, a crazy notion at the time, but that was the value he put in Caderyn Neville’s early performances – but he did that because he recognised the value of rugby discussion, which was huge in those early days of the site, where a good discussion could continue for days.
Lordy gave as good as he got in the comments, but as long as people were discussing rugby (or sport more broadly) he didn’t mind.
His encouragement for young and new writers was invaluable, and it was always a pleasure to get a random call or email from David after he’d seen something he liked. He was thrilled when he learned I was doing commentary for the ABC in Canberra, and so his encouragement became about radio craft, too.
In truth, this is a comment I’ve been expecting to write on The Roar for a few years, having learned a little while ago that his health was deteriorating. But it makes it no less sad now that the time has come.
Lordy was a genuine old school sportswriter, and it was so great to have Zac included in this tribute, and to hear from Tristan and Paddy again after so many years as well, all of them providing extra context that might otherwise have been lost.
He will be missed, no doubt, but it was truly an honour to have learned from him.
Vale Mr Lord. And thank you.
RIP, David Lord: Australian sports journalism icon was 'always thoughtful and thought-provoking'