In praise of the small men
Opening round of Super Rugby 2020: the Highlanders are at home to the Sharks on the ridiculously early date of February 7. One look…
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Opening round of Super Rugby 2020: the Highlanders are at home to the Sharks on the ridiculously early date of February 7. One look…
This British and Irish Lions tour year provides some real conundrums for the travelling coach, who needs to decide on players with either history…
Let’s get the disclosure in early: making broad pronouncements following a relatively one-sided run against a side who have lost 30 games in a…
With safety increasingly paramount in the game, referees are taking a hard line on shots to the head – as they should, and perhaps,…
Now all of the code constituents are firmly facing in the right direction after Part 1 of this series, we should appreciate the wider…
Call it what you will: the ripple, contagion or domino effect. In our code, small changes have a wide impact on how the sport…
At the end of the last Six Nations season, I saw a statistic that George Kruis was the leading hitter of attacking rucks in…
Officiating kept its place in the spotlight this week as World Rugby told referees they have been searching too hard for mitigation, while Nigel…
There is no doubt who is the form rugby player in the world right now. Antoine Dupont, the French halfback, is racking up highlights…
Before a ball was kicked, word was out that World Rugby’s new match officials supremo, Joel Jutge, had spoken to the refereeing panel to…
I have met a number of referees over the years, all of them called Sir and they universally referred to me as "six". As…
When to take the three points on offer from a penalty kick has been the bane of Michael Hooper's captaincy, seemingly with little discernible…
Note the date of December 4, 2020 In your rugby memory banks. It was the opening gambit in a change of attitude from the…
As we seek to rescue the international rugby game from the malaise that currently envelops it, I offer the below for further consideration, in…
Our game is at a crossroads. No, we are passed that. We are charging headlong into a very narrow, restrictive cul-de-sac and rapid U-turn…
As I sat down to watch the final game of the Tri Nations between the Wallabies and Los Pumas (with a light blue tilt…
The laws of unintended consequences are often a function of unrivalled success. It was only a couple of short weeks ago that I wrote…
After a somewhat wobbly beginning to the Bledisloe series, New Zealand coach Ian Foster and his new All Black coaching team have made some…
A 'Bozo'? An Arrogant? A Vandal, perhaps? What descriptor should one use for the Barbarian XIII, the self-absorbed group of rugby players who caused…
Shortly after receiving your first mouth guard, an orange and an explanation as to why you need to run in the other direction in…
Surprised the 11 team story took this long to pop in Oz, has been bouncing around here for a week or so.
The podcast that had it on doesn’t have great credentials, but a little digging traces the source to Super Rugby Pacific Chair Kevin Malloy using the phrase, 11 team comp, a couple of times in a radio interview.
The Wrap: Rugby Australia gaslights Rebels staff and why ‘I Can’t Go For That’
Think we all on the Rebels side here Geoff, but those continuing RA payments look like the swinging factor don’t they. Good luck.
PE backed consortium 'in final stages' to save Melbourne Rebels with $30m injection and link with A-League club
The issue I see here JDK is, to be viable going forward, the Rebels are likely to require continued funding from RA.
No Rebels, one less mouth for RA to feed. If RA remain cash strapped this process is still an exit for them.
Apologies for the downer comment in what is largely a really positive step from Melb.
PE backed consortium 'in final stages' to save Melbourne Rebels with $30m injection and link with A-League club
Directors will more likely go into a debt for equity swap than forgive the debt entirely. But short term good outcome, no cash needed to pay them out.
PE backed consortium 'in final stages' to save Melbourne Rebels with $30m injection and link with A-League club
Violently agree Geoff
The Wrap: Reds light up Melbourne, while it's lights out for TV over Lienert-Brown concussion
Not sure on this one Geoff – use it call at scrum time very different than at ruck time to me.
Should the side, Blues here, choose to have a second shove and are moving forward, which they comfortably were, that is surely using the ball, If you choose the second shove and don’t move forward, then you lose it, as you should.
The Wrap: Reds light up Melbourne, while it's lights out for TV over Lienert-Brown concussion
Apparently that nice Mr Marinos was a pretty good financial manager………
Rebels set to sue Rugby Australia as civil war erupts, Rugby Victoria President barred from summit
Fingers crossed mate, it seems every time a rock gets moved these numbers go up. Here’s hoping for some positive outcomes.
Rebels set to sue Rugby Australia as civil war erupts, Rugby Victoria President barred from summit
Might be a little optimistic there Jez
If they start the facility at 40, having paid back Ares, there’s a few additions already
Consolidating the Tash new debt – which no one knows, call it 10m
NZR dropped in 8mil last year to stop the covenant of the Areas loan being triggered ( RA had to show a surplus and have 3 mil in the bank I think I read in the financial footnotes.) Don’t rely on that this year.
Add in the Eddie overspend from the RWC, and any operating deficit they happen to be running this year over and above those numbers.
Plus interest on the current debt of course annually.
Looks like the calls on the 80 mil facility are adding up already.
And with the Wallaby brand as collateral – ouch.
Rebels set to sue Rugby Australia as civil war erupts, Rugby Victoria President barred from summit
Excellent essay Geoff and what a shame it would be to lose such a pathway scheme.
“and who at Rugby Australia knew about it and sanctioned it” – why do I have the feeling that this is going to be a super important line when the board members come to defend themselves in the face of the ATO, Corp regulators, and claim on their directors insurance.
The Wrap: Code Orange as looming Rebels decision places rugby pathways at risk
He’s a loosehead
Why ex-All Blacks prop is open to Wallabies switch - and the 'mental toughness' he's found in Australia
Would you not get the board packs of every side to which you are the primary funder?
That’s kinda slack TWAS.
At the very least, the Rebels board should be informing RA of a situation like this early.
Fears for Rebels' future as debt threatens their Super Rugby existence - but CEO says 'we will be fine'
How does a board find out that a 9mil debt is a surprise – do they not look at the financials at every board meeting? This can’t be right its so poor.
List of creditors you don’t want to owe money to –
1. Any tax office.
Compliments of the season ROARers.
Fears for Rebels' future as debt threatens their Super Rugby existence - but CEO says 'we will be fine'
I fear you are right jez
This doesn’t look good
Cash-strapped Rugby Australia sign $80m debt deal to help give game second life ahead of Lions, World Cups
Borrowing from a fund manager so it can’t be great terms.
This facility cannot be in addition to Ares can it? Surely this repays original debt deal first
Cash-strapped Rugby Australia sign $80m debt deal to help give game second life ahead of Lions, World Cups
Should be interesting now ex Chair and ex Coach will have little editorial control/influence
COMMENT: 'Best interests of the game'? Hamish's dummy spit proves RA was right to cut him loose
Excellent summary Geoff
Finally the Board step up, this is the place to manage Chairman performance issues, perhaps they were waiting for the review to move but had a catalyst imposed on them by the States.
But action finally taken in the right place.
Their first act needs to get Harrrison off the years performance review. He should certainly be a vital contributor, but way too conflicted, even more so now, to be part of any recommendations or source fault attribution.
ANALYSIS: McLennan's fatal blind spot, and why his exit leaves Australian rugby in a better place and a worse one
How do you get Hamish McLennan to run a small business?
Give him a big one
( apologies to Jodie Rich who featured in the original joke)
Exclusive: Embattled chair asks for extension, Rugby Australia meet AGAIN as civil war breaks out
Anyone still think Harrison isn’t conflicted for the end of year review?
'No longer have any trust or faith': Rugby Australia chairman told to resign by SIX states, EGM looms with 'gloves off'
Geoff – Thanks for the excellent year of writing with your feet firmly bedded in reality.
So many questions/observations from this year but I shall restrict myself to 2 on the Wallaby front.
1. Did Jones ever present to the Board or was it simply the Chair?
2. Am surprised there has been little speculation on the likely title of the coming Stan doco on the Wallabies.
Can I suggest
– Ed in the Water
– Liar Liar
All other suggestions appreciated.
The 2023 Wrap: Man who was 'dropped from heaven' and the abject s--t show that followed in his wake
Harrison is massively conflicted.
The governance doesn’t get any better
Ex-Wallabies and high-performance expert named to review World Cup shocker
Bells not a tighthead
CONFIRMED: Eddie blames RA for early exit as Woodward calls for Rennie apology, ex-ABs coach linked to role
Looks like a fine basis for the Chairs resignation
Read it and weep: Eddie made Wallabies fans 'eat s--t' for 10 months - here's every bit of BS he uttered
If , and it’s a huge if, RA has a functioning board, the directors will demand his resignation at the next board meeting.
His decision making has been horrendous and expensive
'I'm not a quitter': Under-siege RA chair won't follow Jones, blames 'broken system' for chaos
Found it
Weekend sports show with jason pine
April 28 podcast
Malloy states while they haven’t yet had any confirmation from RA, an 11 team comp next year is looking likely
The Wrap: Rugby Australia gaslights Rebels staff and why ‘I Can’t Go For That’