The Kangaroos risk dying out unless the ARLC commits to regular Tests
The Australian Kangaroos are one of the country's most successful teams. Their brand is synonymous with excellence, professionalism and advancing rugby league through outrageous…
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Freelance sports writer. Author: Their Finest Hour: A History of the Rugby League World Cup in 10 Matches. Journalist with NRL.com, Inside Sport and Big League.
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totally agree too Boz, thanks for your thoughts.
ARLC can revolutionise international game’s future
According to the RLIF:
The Kiwis snatched the top spot from Australia (2) for the first time in June of this year and, with Australia inactive, they could stretch their lead at the top with a decent showing against England.
However, the hosts will understand very clearly that a very strong performance from them, three wins, could put pressure on the Kangaroos in second place and even position them for an assault on top spot in 2016.
ARLC can revolutionise international game’s future
Sorry Sleiman, I thought you were being serious…. but it certainly has grown as you say. We need people to think outside the square to see the sport develop outside of the “Big 3” of Aust, NZ and England.
ARLC can revolutionise international game’s future
Thanks Kris – as said, this was about the best player in the world of 2014 – the Golden Boot winner – I was not suggesting Johnson is better than Thurston. JT is the number 1 and has been for some years – but Johnson took the mantle of the world’s best player in 2014.
Enough with the sour grapes – Shaun Johnson is the world's best rugby league player
+1 – biggest game of the year
Enough with the sour grapes – Shaun Johnson is the world's best rugby league player
Hi Scott – thanks for your thoughts. JT, GI etc are ahead of Johnson at the moment – but in terms of 2014, he outpointed them all across the season… that is what the Golden Boot is about. The whole season – Test and club performances combined, with a greater weighting at Test level. SJ dominated the Four Nations but some margin and had an effective match in the mid-season Test. It isn’t an award to the best player of the last few years. It’s about this year.
Enough with the sour grapes – Shaun Johnson is the world's best rugby league player
Thanks for everyone’s thoughts so far – this place is very polite compared to those Fox Sports’ forums!
Enough with the sour grapes – Shaun Johnson is the world's best rugby league player
Thanks Buzzard – I think they seem a switched on team this year… to many level heads to get carried away. Tomkins will really help with this – such an experienced campaigner for a young guy (I think just 24)
Finals footy, the Warriors are coming for you
Thanks Sylvester. Yes many dark times…. hopefully the Warriors players don’t read this article and get ahead of themselves too!
Finals footy, the Warriors are coming for you
Thanks for your thoughts Clark. Interesting when you look at where the Warriors have played… just three at Mt Smart this year (won all)… the rest at Eden Park plus away games.. the sooner they stick to Eden Park the better!
Finals footy, the Warriors are coming for you
Thanks Maximillian – they do seem to have more grind in them.. so important when finals footy comes around!
Finals footy, the Warriors are coming for you
Nordburg – who would be your dark horse? Granted it has been 20 years of promise… but surely based on current form, the Warriors are tipped to give this years’ comp a good shake?
Finals footy, the Warriors are coming for you
Thanks Karlo, much appreciated!
What we learned from Todd Carney and Alex McKinnon in 2014
Thanks so much James – glad you enjoyed!
What we learned from Todd Carney and Alex McKinnon in 2014
Interesting point MC – you will still see it sold out though… does that mean that organisers can still charge huge amounts? Maybe first the first time in a long time, some empty seats?
State of Origin in trouble unless it evolves
For ever and ever Will? Not a slight chance to include another emerging state?
State of Origin in trouble unless it evolves
Thanks for your insightful thoughts as always, Johnno. Globalisation certainly plays havoc with the notion of “origin”, regardless of code or competition as you say!
State of Origin in trouble unless it evolves
Interested point Jo about u20’s… to me it smacks of trying to capitalise on the brand of Origin, rather than really mean anything as a spectacle.
State of Origin in trouble unless it evolves
Thanks for your thoughts Mango Jack – I wasn’t so much as trying to change it, but don’t you think it is too “inward thinking” to really believe that the other states might be in a position in another 300 games to launch a serious bid for a team….not so much about popularity, but rather the growing of the concept of “State of Origin”.
State of Origin in trouble unless it evolves
Hi all. Thanks everyone who took the time to comment. Let me provide some context after the red mist has settled.
Before the series, this was billed as the “Nice Guys” (NZ) v Australia. So, like clockwork, once New Zealand started losing, the media (on both sides of the ditch I might add) decided to blame their failings on being too nice. I found this galling (with nothing to do with skills). E.g: Damien Fleming’s comments, and:
http://www.theage.com.au/sport/cricket/australia-v-new-zealand-no-more-mr-nice-guy–its-time-for-the-black-caps-to-get-angry-20151108-gktn3m.html
I felt that the media and the Aussie cricketers have portrayed their “aggressive” style cricket as the only one to follow. Playing it in the competitive spirit – lumped into the “nice” category – was seen as weak (recent Haddin, Starc, Warner comments). It wasn’t a premediated attack – and certainly not intended to be an Aussie v Kiwi thing. Australia thumped New Zealand, there is no other way to say it. Look, there were some sweeping comments there. Australian cricket can evolve from being the “bully-boy’s” from yesteryear. I don’t doubt that. Smith could be the right man to do it – but he will need to change decades of an ingrained cricket identity. It is a tough ask – but if McCullum could, Smith can too.
Aussie tough guys in their own cricket world