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Joined February 2010
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Who is Australia's greatest athlete? This is a point of discussion that many Aussies have had over a few beers in the past. Who…
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[caption id="attachment_24037" width="300" caption="NSW Blues StNSW Blues State of Origin coach Craig Bellamy. AAP Image/Dean Lewins"][/caption] Who, after 70 minutes of game 3, was…
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NSW Origin selectors have an opportunity to pick a side, and more importantly, a backline that is capable of winning game 3. The Maroons…
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The past eighteen months in rugby league have been riddled with scandal after scandal, much like the previous eighteen months. Unlike any other sport…
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[caption id="attachment_13184" width="300" caption="Former Australian rugby league team coach Ricky Stuart. AAP Image/Dave Hunt"][/caption] As rumoured, Ricky Stuart has resigned as coach of the…
Richie Porte, ladies and gentleman, could be the first Australian to win a cycling grand tour after being the second Australian to wear the…
I’d imagine the reported return of Mark Gasnier is music to the ears for NRL boss David Gallop. Finally, something positive to take the…
The Waratahs have been riding their luck for the majority of the Super 14 season. Going down to a twelfth placed Highlanders side in…
Australian rugby has suffered without a notable goal kicker. Matt Burke held down the fort for years before Elton Flatley steered the Wallabies into…
In 1995, the boxing world was stunned as a labouring Irishman by the name of Kevin McBride fumbled his way to a knock-out victory…
Akazie, it may well be the case that controversy in AFL kills that in RL. However, the article’s context is that the NRL is doing little to prevent it eating away at the fabric of the game. Like i said, AFL has its niche, which is why I think it will survive. The NRL needs to do more than what they currently are if they wish to survive.
Rugby league is becoming the self-imploding sport
Gidley is an example of that. Average form at best this year. His selection is based purely off reputation.
NSW Blues need to lift their game collectively
Interesting, I thought clearly was safer than a bank? Is he not?
Stuart should regain his confidence in the UK
Ricky’s a liability in his current state. Sheen’s is a coach, like Wayne Bennett. The formula is there but jut like anyone they go through form patches. The Tigers would be foolish to let him go.
Stuart should regain his confidence in the UK
Chop, I agree. It’s become worse more recently, blaming referee’s is a prime example.
Stuart should regain his confidence in the UK
Evan’s looking dangerous. Patience is key, still a long way to go.
Could Porte be first Aussie to win the Grand Tour?
I’d say they will shuffle him along, it’s probably a relief for Ricky to be honest.
Stuart quits Sharks
It would be a fairy tale for Porte to win. I wouldn’t write him, especially when blokes like Baden Cooke are saying things like “is this boy from tassie going to win the Giro”. He has a bunch of time, but like i said previously, he looked stuffed when he crossed the line today.
Lance, well… I’m not sure. The evidence is rather detailed, it would be hard to manufacture. Franky Andreu made similar claims, it almost cost him everything. The thing about Frankie is he had the credibility to make such claims, Floyd doesn’t.
http://53×11.com/blog/2010/05/20/Floyd-Landis-Letter-of-Confession.186
Could Porte be first Aussie to win the Grand Tour?
Pardon me, Sastre 7 minutes down. Still within striking distance as far as I’m concerned.
Could Porte be first Aussie to win the Grand Tour?
Yes SR, a great Giro, shame about the messy Dutch start. That was always going to throw a spanner in the works.
Rogers is my underdog for TDF. The remaining stages of TOC will either confirm or deny his form. His biggest asset is the strength of his team, provided they don’t focus too much ion Cav.
Could Porte be first Aussie to win the Grand Tour?
He’ll ride for Astana. The cobbles will be his biggest test at the TDF.
Could Porte be first Aussie to win the Grand Tour?
Agreed, Australian Cycling has had their most successful year since Mcewen won his last green jersey in 06. The performances at the world track championships and those on the road are equally impressive. Especially when the majority of results are coming from the younger brigade (Bobridge, Myer etc).
Richie will be fighting to hang on, it looked like he struggled today after a nasty crash, but still finished in the main bunch. There’s no doubt he will lose time in the mountains, just how much is the question. Provided he can keep turning the screws in the TT i think he’s in with a shot.
I can’t see Arroyo gaining enough in the mountains especially with his mediocre time trailing ability,Wiggins remains a threat as does Gerdemann. As for the favourites such as Vino and Cadel, I can’t see them figuring much further up on the overall due to their current position. Unfortunate for Cadel, he’s on form, and deserves a GT win more than anyone.
Could Porte be first Aussie to win the Grand Tour?
Agreed, I have been in two minds about Lance for a long time, however, innocent until proven guilty, besides he’s riding pretty damn fast since coming back and seems to be getting tested every time he goes to the toilet . Floyd’s credibility is mud, what more can be said. The fallout is only going to get worse, looks like a few interesting days on the horizon.
I can’t go past Contador for this year’s tour, however, Michael Rogers is in great shape and seems to be timing his form to perfection, lets hope they don’t send too many lead out men for Cav and save a couple of mountain goats for Mick. The Schleck’s will figure of course, they can’t be discounted with the strength of the Saxo squad…. Surely Bob is commentating the tour? Please tell me this won’t be the case.
P.s. Cancellara could surprise a few, he’s made no indication of his GT aspirations, however, with an engine that big there’s no telling what he’s capable of
Could Porte be first Aussie to win the Grand Tour?
His ability against the clock is amazing, provided he gets to the rest day intact i think he’s got a real shot in the GIro, fingers crossed. I think Saxo will stick with the Schleck’s for the tdf, mainly because Richie is so young and may struggle to back up. I have to keep telling myself that this is his first 3 week race! Incredible!
I think the Landis situation is only going to get worse before it gets better. Lance came out and said all the right things today, there’s just something not right about the whole thing, whether Floyds lost his mind or not these are disturbing allegations. I highly doubt whether it will affect Lance, these things have been water off a ducks back in years past (as i type he has just crashed out of the TOC).
Could Porte be first Aussie to win the Grand Tour?
Shaun, the context of the article is not referring to the NRL being comfortable in terms of the physical nature, but rather the fact that Mark’s pedigree is in rugby league. Its the game he knows best, and that which his natural instincts are attached. Therefore being the game he is most comfortable playing. So, in context, despite his natural ability as a footballer, the game of rugby union is not his natural comfort zone.
Mark Gasnier needs to fire up for return to NRL
Fuchal, I think what frustrates people about the Waratahs is the fact that they have a playing roster capable of winning the comp, and have had for some time. Until they perform to their potential, the criticism will continue.
Do we really want the Waratahs in the finals?
Fair point, Willy. However, all Australian teams have had a tough time with injury. Both the Reds and Brumbies have been without arguably their most influential players (Mortlock, Horwill) for the majority of the season, and have shown they can beat teams like the Bulls. I agree Ben Robinson’s absence puts pressure on the Tah’s scrum and without Cliffy Palu they lose possibly the best loose forward in Australian rugby. The roster they have is capable of much more, and should have already achieved more in the ample time that those players have been present. They have a test match quality front row lining up this weekend, on paper they should roll the Chiefs….
Do we really want the Waratahs in the finals?
Is the coach not up for selection?
Bellamy has a great record at club level, but has failed to impress as the state coach, whereas a man such as Mal Meninga who has no first grade coaching experience has had great success. It seems Bellamy attempts to coach the players rather than feeding them with self belief and confidence. I reckon they get enough coaching, so, shouldn’t they give someone else a chance?
Who should make NSW's Origin side?
Some kickers have a natural ability, like sprinters have natural speed. I’m absolutely certain Giteau would have been training like any other international kicker, however, hasn’t shown the same ability as others.
What about James?
I wouldn’t dispense with Giteau at all, but rather move him to 12 and put James in at 10. His form has been outstanding for Clermont, of course Top 14 isn’t super rugby standard but they way he is dominating the competition is impressive.
I agree with your point about Huxley, however, his fitness and form would be a lottery. It will be interesting to see how he progresses.
There’s no debating Giteau is simply a better footballer, however, at what cost? The Springboks and All Blacks were able to limit his impact last year to the point where they needed something extra. The top 5 teams in the world have the talent to quell a players attacking ability but they don’t have the ability to limit a goal kicker.
I’m a Ronan O’Gara fan, but wouldn’t place him in the same category of any one of our inside backs (Cooper, Barnes, Giteau). Nor do I think Ireland as a team are of the same calibre as the Wallabies, so why should they even get as close as a draw.
What about James?
You make a good point TammyS, however, this article is in comparison to other sports, and RL in the past 36 months completely tips the scales. It’s the small things that contribute, Willie Mason swearing on TV is a good example, not to mention Alan Langer and Andrew Johns most recently. Despite the fact that the RL players may just have behaved themselves a little better this year, they continue to make holes which the NRL is forced to plug.
Rugby league is becoming the self-imploding sport