Roar Guru
Joined November 2017
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Previously a TAFE student of journalism, lives in Sydney, writes from time to time, rugby and cricket player, plenty of other sports as well.
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After a lucky - to understate it - win on Wednesday night, the Wallabies have a series to clinch when they take on France…
While you wouldn’t think of this game as being particularly important in the context of a Super Rugby AU season, the Brumbies still haven’t…
If you’re anything like me, Rugby Australia announcing their new rugby rights deal out of the blue would’ve completely thrown you. Shoutout to Raelene…
Coming off a vastly improved performance against the Brumbies, the promising Waratahs’ next challenge is to knock over a Melbourne Rebels team who is…
The undefeated table-toppers of Super Rugby AU, the Reds, host a resurgent Western Force team at Suncorp Stadium. Join The Roar for live scores…
The fifth week of Super Rugby Aotearoa will wrap up with the unconvincing Hurricanes hosting a Highlanders team coming off two losses. Join The…
A lot goes on the line tonight at Brookvale Oval when the Melbourne Rebels meet the Queensland Reds. Join The Roar for live scores…
The two worst teams in Super Rugby Aotearoa - the Chiefs and the Hurricanes - will play off in Hamilton this afternoon, each looking…
The Brumbies and Rebels, Super Rugby AU’s frontrunners, meet on Saturday night at GIO Stadium in Canberra for the second and final game of…
Despite a demoralising 30-20 loss last weekend, the Hurricanes are expected to draw more than 22,000 along to their match-up with the Crusaders tonight.…
Beauden Barrett runs out for the Blues against the Hurricanes in the second game of Super Rugby Aotearoa's Round 1. Join The Roar, where…
It’s right to question South Africa’s (and Argentina’s) involvement in Super Rugby. But let’s remember: they contribute more than Australia. The rainbow nation has…
It’s been a big week in rugby union, even without any actual games being played. Changes to the Rugby Australia board, the likelihood of…
Last week Channel Nine came out and slammed the NRL, claiming they knew nothing about the plans to relaunch the season on May 28.…
One of college football’s biggest criticisms is that not much changes year from year. At the top end, anyway. But for the teams battling…
Super Rugby has been suspended, likely for the year. In the hypothetical that each team would make a pitch to SANZAAR as to why…
The Dragons get their season underway against the Tigers today, in the last game of the first round. Join The Roar for live scores…
In the penultimate game of Round 7, the Highlanders are out to avoid a third consecutive loss when they play the Jaguares in Buenos…
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Coming off a resilient win in Dunedin, the Rebels will want to back it up when they return home to face the Lions. Join…
You’re a harsh marker mate. In saying that, 4/10 for the cupcake thing was kind.
Brownlow Medal red carpet fashion ratings, photo gallery 2018
Completely unfair claim. While Brett may love and talk positively of the NRC more than most of us, nothing that he says is factually wrong in the least.
People like you Jock, are so out of touch with what’s really happening, only laying in the boot because the Sydney Rays haven’t been around since Roman times, unlike the Shute Shield.
The NRC has been a success pretty much everywhere except NSW this year, yes, but look at the facts.
Sydney Rays have played at Woollahra (more like a hockey field than a rugby one and not a great place to watch), at Concord in the wet, and at Leichhardt on a school night.
If you want proof that the midweek games don’t work in terms of crowd, watch the Mitre 10 Cup.
Hopefully a massive crowd out at Concord on Saturday, like in the last Drua game in Sydney. I’ll be there anyway.
The NRC bridge must be kept open. That was the whole point…
Thanks for the article Jed.
There’s no doubt that the value of club has gone down in comparison to the value of school or academy, which was first brought to my attention in a NZ article a few years back.
It mentioned especially how it wasn’t uncommon for a commentator or scribe to mention someone’s club, whereas now more often than not, it’s the school, putting the emphasis obviously back on schools not club.
Going by this season’s form, the Rams’ cull hasn’t done NSW a helluva lot of favours, but I wont get started on that.
I doubt that that 23 the Rays ran out against the Vikings is the best 23 in Sydney, it can’t be, even allowing for injuries and resting due to scheduling clashes.
Of course it wasn’t the best 23. The fact that Qld can run two successful teams with a QPR that, while still high standard, most of us would agree is less than that of the Shute Shield.
Thanks again Jed.
The decline of the NSW NRC and the death of the second-tier player
Honestly feels like this has been brought up multiple times before.
The BBL is the BBL, it and the A-League are worlds apart, just like cricket and soccer are worlds apart.
You’re never going to replicate the atmosphere at BBL, just like BBL are never going to come close to the fanatical support which soccer drums up.
Soccer is a pretty continuous sport, cricket is constantly stopping which obviously gives DJs a chance to keep the high temp atmosphere. Soccer already has that.
Anyone would be impressed by how the A-League creates an atmosphere naturally and not artificially if that makes sense.
Music during play at A-League games is the FFA's worst idea yet
Hahaha! Yeah I think I’ve been a standout all year, and am destined for the wallabies.
Appreciate the kind words mate.
What the Bok? Saffas stun All Blacks in incredible boilover
I can’t get my head around it. Why not move NSW C v Melbourne onto Sunday? Maybe you know something I don’t.
Not much between first and last, even if the ladder disagrees.
Battle of the backrows lighting up the NRC
Sounds crazy, but I’m going Brisbane over Sydney- losing to the Drua in Fiji isn’t the greatest embarrassment ever- it was the margin that was the issue.
NSW C by 15 or something similar.
Qld C v Fiji will be decided by a point or something like that. Drua by a whisker.
Force will win by 7 ish.
Watched three games last weekend, honestly what kind of rugby fan would throw dirt on this comp?
Battle of the backrows lighting up the NRC
Rassie? Is that you?
Seriously though, good article mate. Right now, I wouldn’t say the Springboks are that bad on field. We’ll have to see which direction they go in ahead of the WC however, but mainly positive onfield.
Why I am considering handing in my notice to the SARU
I can tell you first hand that they are planning for a 2019 team. Or World Series Rugby if that doesn’t work out!
Do the squads validate NSW's NRC consolidation?
Gday Brett.
There’s no doubt at all the squads are better, but justifying it by saying that no NSW team made the finals last year is just wrong. As you mention, almost all 3 of them made it in 2016, but with the Drua and Qld Country being serious contenders last year, it was almost like a 4 team finals didn’t do it justice.
Will the cull make the other Sydney teams stronger? Probably, yes.
Will it be bad for Sydney rugby? Most likely.
Also, if the four teams from NSW (1 too many, I’d say) was a recognition of how good the Shute Shield was, is the cut down to 2 a recognition of how weak it is now? Doesn’t make sense I think.
Anyways, out to my first game this year on saturday. Won’t even be able to go to as many as last year, but might as well make the best of it.
Do the squads validate NSW's NRC consolidation?
Cricket isn’t played at TG Milner, it’s rectangular. Other than that and possibly Uni, you’d be right. Difficult to negotiate with all of those.
NRC Season 5: Less means much, much more
Thanks Brett for your coverage from year to year- and good to know I’m talking to a real person as well haha.
A few things:
I’m still sour about the Rams getting culled, surely they had the highest average attendances of any Sydney team? In a bigger context, I’m guessing the Drua and Spirit were higher.
Last year was very very good, just felt more like rugby and less fake for whatever reason- I’m supposing the points system had plenty to do with it.
Fox Sports’ tv guide have the NRC as being on 503 which pushes Mitre 10 Cup to Fox Sports More, when there is a clash of schedules, throughout the weekend. This is overdue; nothing against Mitre 10 Cup, but surely an Australian comp should take priority so it’s good to see.
Considering that the Vikings made the Grand Final last season, and their starting XV is powerful; surely they are favourites for this year?
Away games to Perth and Fiji will be challenging with a capital C. WSR is probably a great warmup for any comp, especially given the playing styles are very similar.
Bit unfortunate that round 1 has to start so late for two of the teams, but lets enjoy a great Shute Shield final, and then it’s full steam ahead.
NRC Season 5: Less means much, much more
Full Time
80‘ – Thoughts on the game and series roarers?
New Zealand Black Ferns: 45
Australia Wallaroos: 17
Black Ferns vs Wallaroos: Women’s Test rugby live scores, blog
80‘ – Wickliffe is taken down, as NZ look to go wide, chip and chase but Wallaroos had it and Morgan cleared it. Black Ferns have it now, Saili is taken over the sideline, there’s the siren and that is fulltime!
The Black Ferns have claimed the Laurie O’Reilly Memorial Trophy in this series with a 31-11 win last weekend in Sydney, before a 45-17 win tonight in Auckland, vs the Wallaroos.
Pretty scrappy second half, but the job has been done for NZ.
Thanks for joining me for both games everyone, as NZ romped home here.
Stay tuned for heaps more rugby this weekend, as the Rugby Championship continues via New Zealand and Australia tonight, while tomorrow Argentina and South Africa will play off tomorrow morning.
New Zealand Black Ferns: 45
Australia Wallaroos: 17
Black Ferns vs Wallaroos: Women’s Test rugby live scores, blog
79‘ – 8 inside Black Ferns territory, Wallaroos have it off the back of a scrappy lineout.
Out to the right, Maguire kicks, and knocked on by Murphy.
Black Ferns to feed a scrum on their own 22, 90 seconds left
New Zealand Black Ferns: 45
Australia Wallaroos: 17
Black Ferns vs Wallaroos: Women’s Test rugby live scores, blog
75‘ – Aussies clear their 22, find touch about 30 out.
Wallaroos come away with it, it’s messy though. Crystal Maguire comes away with it and a penalty to Aus.
New Zealand Black Ferns: 45
Australia Wallaroos: 17
Black Ferns vs Wallaroos: Women’s Test rugby live scores, blog
Penalty
75‘ – Black Ferns now have it, and they go to the left as Cotrell is dragged down, 17 out.
Penalty to the Wallaroos.
New Zealand Black Ferns: 45
Australia Wallaroos: 17
Black Ferns vs Wallaroos: Women’s Test rugby live scores, blog
Conversion
74‘ – The kick is good as well!
Last time these sides played, it finished 44-17.
New Zealand Black Ferns: 45
Australia Wallaroos: 17
Black Ferns vs Wallaroos: Women’s Test rugby live scores, blog
Try
72‘ – Scrum feed to the Wallaroos, now they have it outside the 22, now Black Ferns are driven back as they win the ball.
Wallaroos now turn it back over, they are 17 out.
Aussies have it 4 out, try now!
First of the second half, and well done by Ngaha for Australia.
New Zealand Black Ferns: 45
Australia Wallaroos: 15
Black Ferns vs Wallaroos: Women’s Test rugby live scores, blog
70‘ – Black Ferns knock on the restart, Wallaroos will feed a scrum after no advantage.
New Zealand Black Ferns: 45
Australia Wallaroos: 10
Black Ferns vs Wallaroos: Women’s Test rugby live scores, blog
Try
68‘ – Black Ferns persist with that kicking behind the Wallaroos line, this time it finds touch and the Aussie will take a lineout- oh the Black Ferns come up with it, and they have it near the line and onto Winiata who scores the try!
NZ into the 40s, here’s the kick.
It’s successful, what a second half by the women in black.
New Zealand Black Ferns: 43
Australia Wallaroos: 10
Black Ferns vs Wallaroos: Women’s Test rugby live scores, blog
62‘ – Cocksedge chips through, Murphy is back there and makes a bit of a break, Wallaroos now have it 12 inside their own half. Savage breaks two tackles and now here’s a penalty to Aus.
New Zealand Black Ferns: 38
Australia Wallaroos: 10
Black Ferns vs Wallaroos: Women’s Test rugby live scores, blog
61‘ – Well now the Wallaroos have it, Shanice Parker makes a run, Aussies almost up to halfway and now Murphy breaks through two tackles, loses the ball and we will have a scrum to NZ.
New Zealand Black Ferns: 38
Australia Wallaroos: 10
Black Ferns vs Wallaroos: Women’s Test rugby live scores, blog
60‘ – Kick at goal by Cocksedge- nope, the buffer will stay at 28 points.
New Zealand Black Ferns: 38
Australia Wallaroos: 10
Black Ferns vs Wallaroos: Women’s Test rugby live scores, blog
What about alphabetical order? Bankstown-Canterbury-Illawarra-St George BullDragons. Quite catchy when you get used to it.
Which teams deserve the axe?