Roar Pro
Joined January 2015
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A Queenslander that bleeds maroon, gold and red... and a little bit of teal. Was at Lang Park for the can throwing, the Gabba for Fatty's catch, and on the couch for everything I can get away with...
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Brad Fittler is on his last legs as NSW coach. Or so we’re led to believe. If the Blues do the unthinkable and win…
In early January, I wrote about my thoughts that Wayne Bennett's refusal to recruit a specialist halfback had essentially consigned Brisbane's 2018 season to…
These are not easy days to be a Queensland Reds fan. Sitting through the debacle that was the humbling 63-28 demolition at the hands…
In part 2 of my interview with Lucas Browne, hear the Australian heavyweight's memories of the fateful trip to Chechnya, his plans for the…
Australian heavyweight Lucas Browne is on a redemption mission, heading back into the ring two years after he was crowned, momentarily, this country's first…
The greatest redemption story in Australian sport is perhaps about to be written. It's certainly the best story of 2018. It involves climbing a…
This year's NRL premiership is likely to come down to two men, who will both be wearing the number 7 jersey, and looking to…
Wayne Bennett's refusal to admit that he has bungled the Broncos' recruitment efforts over the summer has effectively written off the powerhouse club's 2018…
New Queensland Reds head coach Brad Thorn would've bristled with barely contained rage when he heard the news that Karmichael Hunt had again found…
Take yourself back to this time two years ago, with the Cowboys to face the Broncos in the NRL grand final. The talk at…
As a fanatical Wallabies and Reds supporter, it has been a delightful relief to watch the British and Irish Lions' tour of New Zealand…
The recent to and fro between Dragons coach Paul McGregor and Recruitment Director Ian Millward regarding the future of Josh Dugan has been interesting…
A little over a year ago, after another insipid Reds loss to the Waratahs, I banged out an open letter to the Queensland Rugby…
While State of Origin morning is no time for interstate niceties, and in the shadow of some fantastic cross-border baiting from Paul Gallen yesterday,…
Reports that Quade Cooper has taken a significant step towards signing with a French club at the end of this season should send shivers…
North of the Tweed, it's never too early to start thinking about State of Origin, particularly when the three Queensland clubs have had a,…
My name is Cameron, and I have a problem. I am addicted to fantasy sports. I don't care what it is... rugby league, rugby…
The success of several cross-code superstars has proven that the borders that used to divide our sports are no longer watertight. Moves between the…
So Eugenie Bouchard was asked by Channel Seven interviewer Ian Cohen to “give us a twirl”. My first reaction was mild horror that a…
For some time now I have become increasingly concerned at what I consider to be the new scourge of rugby league. Almost every time…
We should have seen more (some!) of Lonergan, can’t really see what the point was of playing White last week, would have been a great opportunity to give Ryan 20 mins or so. Should have seen more of Faessler, if it wasn’t for the late injury we wouldn’t have seen him at all, so more good luck than good management that we now know he’s up to it.
The Panel: Lessons have been learned, but are some World Cup options burned?
I was never a massive Hooper fan, I thought we had better options and needed better balance in the backrow over the last decade, but jeez I would have loved to have had him around the squad at the WC, even if he was only a slim chance of playing. His leadership, mentoring of the young loosies, invaluable. If a couple were to go down late in the tournament, I wouldn’t have minded throwing him in for a last crack, he would play himself to an absolute standstill if he knew it was the end, and you can’t ask for much more. A true warrior, great servant, and a sad way to end.
'You have no control over some things': Hoops' bleak prophecy that played out in ruthless Eddie call - and what comes next
Why didn’t Stokes tell Duckett to walk after the Starc “catch” then?? You can’t claim “rules are rules” one day and “spirit of the game” the next……
UK View: 'He didn't look like a leader. He looked pathetic' - Cummins caned but Poms also skewer 'dozy' Bairstow
I just struggle to see that we have the luxury of resting players… if anything I feel like our guys need MORE time on the park. When we’ve struggled this season, at either provincial or test level, has it been because we’ve looked overdone? Or is it because we’ve lacked combinations, game sense, instinct, rugby nous…? I think always the latter, and you don’t build that by not being on the pitch.
Right then, what do we need to see from Australian rugby in 2023?
I had always been a proponent of SRTT as the way forward, but I just can’t shake the starkness of the difference in mood, both within rugby circles and with more casual sports fans, between the two halves of the season. For a couple of months, I wasnt embarrassed to be a rugby fan anymore, we weren’t the laughing stock we had been… And then it all came back, every story was about how bad we were all over again… I just don’t know how we voluntarily choose that to be the mood we have around rugby again. SRAU may not be the long term solution, but for now I think it’s what we need, and I wouldn’t at all be disappointed if we had another year or two of positivity around the game.
The Thursday rugby two-up: Super Rugby review
I wonder if the solution to the ruck issue is less about flooding the defensive ruck and more about adequate support of our runners to ensure the Kiwi turnovers are minimised. I don’t have data to support, but I’ve always had the feeling our urgency in support play was significantly less than the kiwis, hence our runners get isolated and turned over. A kiwi makes a break and there seems to be support everywhere, not so when an Aussie pokes his nose through, and we are left exposed. Again, no data, just a gut feel…
Two easy changes to be competitive against the Kiwis
😂 Of course, how could i have missed that…?
My club's not from Sydney: Sell me on NRL conferences
I’m still not exactly sure what problem we’re trying to fix…?
My club's not from Sydney: Sell me on NRL conferences
Just so disappointing. Not sure if it’s bad luck or bad management, but it’s shattering that he keeps taking one step forward and two steps back.
Despite his rawness, or perhaps because of it, I’d be looking to Paisami now. He’s a specialist 13, he’ll be comfortable outside JOC, and he looks like he’s made for the contest. Throw him in, he’ll have a crack, and at least we won’t die wondering…
Wallabies dealt major blow as the extent of Jordan Petaia's injury is revealed
I would really liked to have seen Jock Campbell included… The form 15 in SRAU I think, and more upside than DHP…
Wallabies squad for 2020 international season revealed
I’m with you. Early on I was convinced a trans-Tasman comp was the way to go, but I’ve really enjoyed SRAU, and I think if it can find it’s place in the calendar, without dragging on forever, it can be really successful. The simple of psychology of seeing Aust teams win each week, and not having to talk about another week of losses to NZ teams, is the benefit I didn’t expect. With the quality of games increasing each week, I think the commentary around negative comparisons with the NZ comp won’t last forever either. And as you’ve rightly pointed out, removing the overseas teams has left me without the mixed feelings I used to have about how the other Aust teams went. It’s simple, it’s quality, it’s built on existing tribalism. Over time, it could be really successful.
Why Super Rugby AU is the competition we never knew we needed
Agree it is not essential that a list like this is released, but for me it serves a couple of purposes. 1) it gives those players who weren’t on the first list a good indication that they’re on the right track, 2) it gives some others a kick up the bum that they need to lift for the last few weeks of the season, and 3) it gives us lot something to talk about and chew over. I guess 1 and 2 could be achieved with a phone call, but that doesn’t help us in Roar-land 😊
Waratahs surge onto Dave Rennie's Wallabies radar
Thanks for putting your thoughts together, always tough to come up with something from a blank slate, much easier to pick holes in others’ ideas! 😁
While I am open to the idea of going it alone without NZ, I would rather lean on our existing structures than try to create new ones. I know you have lost your connection to the Waratahs, but I am deeply connected to the Reds, and would be disappointed if they only played 3 games a year. The current 5 team SRAU comp is a concept worth sticking with, maybe as a short, sharp, intense competition that precedes Wallaby duties. We need to make sure those teams are seen as rep teams, and fix the link to local grass roots comps that has gone missing. The Reds are working very hard on this, and other teams can do the same. The Brumbies and Force already have strong local links as well.
This is a wicked problem to solve, not sure there is a perfect answer that solves all the problems…
How to save Australian rugby? Rekindle tribalism – and forget New Zealand
As a reds fan, I’ll take the 5m scrum every time!
Early observations from Super Rugby AU’s law variations
I see the rationale for the held ups leading to goal line drop outs, but I’m not sure it should apply to forcing the defensive team in goal.
If my memory from round 1 is correct (and it may have been influenced by some of the local Milton product…), it felt like QLD didn’t get the reward for forcing Hooper to take the ball in goal from the field of play after the kick chase… He was forced in goal and tackled by McReight, and it felt like a QLD 5m scrum would have been just reward, however the Reds ended up with the ball back at halfway after a goal line drop out. Not sure I see the rationale in that change, apart from the quicker restart. I’d like to see the attacking team with a bit more reward for that kind of play…
Early observations from Super Rugby AU’s law variations
But she’d give you a few good nights now and then… 😁
Joey Leilua the “worst signing by any club in the NRL era”? Hmm, he may well be
In terms of expectation, dollars and return on investment, its hard to go past Foran… I think the Tigers knew what they were getting with Joey, no one was actually surprised by the weekend, were they…?
Joey Leilua the “worst signing by any club in the NRL era”? Hmm, he may well be
As a Reds fan, I didn’t see much to get excited about from JOC last night, plenty of wasteful kicking, and the timing of passes was a little rusty, but I guess that can be forgiven first game back.
I really like what I’ve seen from Gordon, big smooth mover, good boot and passer… I honestly don’t know if he’s ready, but as the only specialist 10 close to the 23 I’m mighty tempted to start giving him some minutes…
O’Connor kicking goals in Super return
While I don’t disagree that there should be a desire to settle on what Hodge’s best position actually is, on a personal level perhaps there is a temptation for him to maintain the versatility tag, particularly as so many here think he is not, and may never be considered, the best in any one position. I’d rather play 100 Tests off the bench than none…
Will Dave Rennie remember Australia’s forgotten man?
Incredibly frustrating to remember Wayne Bennett didnt think Mitchell Pearce was a good cultural fit for the Broncos, and that he didnt want that sort of character in a leadership position at the club… 😔
Kalyn Ponga will be worth every cent as Newcastle returns to NRL relevance
If you go to school in Ipswich you’ve done more than enough to qualify 😁
Izack Rodda makes French connection after Reds departure
Still the most influential player in the game, so it’s hard to push him out the door. It can’t last forever, but there is very little sign of his powers diminishing, especially with the break this year.
Cameron Smith's story isn't done yet. Why should it be?
Feels like a great shame… it might be outdated notion, but I want the best QLDers playing for QLD, and he would have been a 100 gamer… Clearly this is the new world, but I’m not yet ready to abandon the Giteau Law completely.
Izack Rodda makes French connection after Reds departure
Fantastic stuff… how many times will I watch it between now and July 3rd….? 😁
Rugby Australia's promo for the domestic Super Rugby comp is superb
Honestly, this just infuriates me… I am a rusted on rugby supporter, a die hard Reds and Wallabies fan, but I have no connection to any Brisbane or Sydney club team. I dont think I’m alone in that position. The connection Waugh speaks of only covers a tiny proportion of rugby fans, and leaves the rest of us with nothing. It shows no actual understanding of rugby fans outside his beloved childhood memories.
For gods sake, just play SRAU without the Wallabies players for another couple months while the Tests are happening. It doesn’t feel that difficult.
Why RA CEO is leaning into 'beating heart' of club rugby in third tier plan as crunch talks loom