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Joined October 2009
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Steve Mascord has covered rugby league in 15 countries and worked for most media organisations that regularly feature the sport, on both sides of the globe. He started off as an 18-year-old cadet at Australian Associated Press, transferring to the Sydney Morning Herald just in time to go on the last full Kangaroos Tour in 1994. He spent three years at Sydney's Daily Telegraph from 2006 before going freelance at the conclusion of the 2008 World Cup. Steve is the author of the book Touchstones, host of the White Line Fever podcast, partner in international rugby league merchandise start-up Mascord Brownz and proprietor of rugbyleaguehub.com and hotmetalonline.com. He is married to Sarah and spends most of his time in London.
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“I said to them that if they were keeping a particular player, it was either him or me. They said ‘we invested in him…
Is this first grand final in Brisbane, or the second? Is Wayne Bennett shooting for his eighth premiership or his seventh? On Monday, my…
So the Wests Tigers are holding onto Michael Maguire. I’m pleased with that. Coaches are convenient scapegoats and on most of the occasions they…
I don’t know about you but I’m pleased to see the rugby league grand final going back to Brisbane after 24 years. I can…
IF these days it’s all about engagement – I’ve been reading today about the 'outrage economy' – then without a doubt my most successful…
After losing a sudden-death finals series match to Cronulla on a seventh tackle try in 2013, North Queensland coach Neil Henry and captain Johnathan…
As the NRL considers three applications to be the 17th team, I’ve been given cause to contemplate the ‘rise of the club’ in our…
In the wake of reports Jack de Belin was in line to be St George Illawarra’s captain this week, it’s fair to say there…
As I near the end of the writing of my book Two Tribes, about the divided 1997 season, my tiny keyhole view into the…
Transfer gossip - the blood that carries the oxygen to the heart of modern professional sports coverage - bores me to to tears. I…
You’re expecting a rant, I know. When the news broke that Australia and New Zealand had withdrawn from the World Cup, Rugby Football League…
THE rugby league we are left with when Covid is finished with us won’t be the same as the one we had in February…
The last time I was in bed and could hear people celebrating a sporting victory in the street, it was September 24, 1993. That…
The idea that ‘rugby league is dying’ has been rightly ridiculed in recent days as a baseless trope - and yet watching Melbourne excoriate…
It's traditional of this column to start each year with a state of the league address and since this will be the final piece…
Doing an interview the other day, I kind of stumbled across a question that strikes at the heart of what we like about our…
Let's talk about scrutiny in professional sports. Generally speaking, players, coaches and administrators would rather live without it. Fans like scrutiny as long as…
Should Catalans Dragons have signed Israel Folau? Should they have been allowed to sign Israel Folau? This is the water cooler discussion on both…
“Living in England,” the Screaming Jets assured us back in 1992, “I don’t have to act like I’m having fun”. Strangely, the most English…
Is it just me, or are the NRL Nines and All Stars games sneaking up on us quickly and - more worryingly - rather…
If I am a corporate shill, I am the least successful one in history. No employer of mine has paid for a flight or hotel in at least seven years. I’m 46 and living week to week financially. As for international representation being the culmination of a life’s work, doesn’t that apply to both teams? How does that help me decide who to support? If you think I am worthy of your pity, I’ll act your pity sincerely and gratefully. Thankyou.
MASCORD: Is patriotism compulsory?
I’ve left. No hard and fast plans to return although I’d imagine I will for a visit or two.
MASCORD: Is patriotism compulsory?
As I have written before, I am not a sports fan. I am a rugby league fan with little to no interest in other sports. So it is quite logical that I would see other sports through the prism of what impact they have on rugby league.
MASCORD: Is patriotism compulsory?
Let’s face it, rugby league struggles in most places. It needs all the help it can get.
MASCORD: Is patriotism compulsory?
The Super League grand final risked being completely overshadowed by England rugby union playing across town. Now that England are out of the World Cup, that won’t happen in the north. In the rest of the country, it still will.
MASCORD: Is patriotism compulsory?
In sport, or generally? I’d love to do stuff outside sport. If you know a media outlet who would be interested, let me know.
MASCORD: Is patriotism compulsory?
See my comment above about not being a sports fan. I have not interest in other sports domestically or internationally.
MASCORD: Is patriotism compulsory?