Expert
Joined February 2008
447k
Views
130
Published
110
Comments
Sport is so simple yet often so complex. Sometimes black and white, more often colourful. I try to make a bit of sense of it - mostly cricket, rugby union and rugby league - but try harder to have a laugh along the way. "We’re going to turn this team around 360 degrees” - Jason Kidd
Published
Comments
It could be argued that in these crazy coronavirus times, Rugby Australia has a lot more to lose than just a few games of…
There’s one side so far this Super Rugby season that’s scored the most tries, comfortably made the most line breaks, racked up the most…
If someone told you that rugby-playing numbers and sheep were in decline in New Zealand, you’d probably want to take them in for a…
Dave Rennie was coach of the Chiefs, searching for a way to bring his players closer together. It was 2012, and Rennie also believed…
The reset season following the World Cup in Japan was supposed to be the one that brought Australian rugby competitively closer to our Kiwi…
The Waratahs will do well to fill Scully Park in Tamworth next month. It’s three losses in a row for the Tahs to start…
They blew it at Brookvale and had a nightmare at Newcastle, so there’s no more room for slip-ups if the Waratahs want to be…
For Brad Thorn, it’s time to prove his axing of Quade Cooper wasn’t for nothing. It’s been more than two years since Thorn told…
Sadly, Samu Kerevi and Sonny Bill Williams won’t be seen in Super Rugby this season but there are a few arrivals in the competition…
How good is it as an Australian sports fan to play three Test matches against New Zealand. In summer, that is. Let’s do it…
Wallabies fans might have enjoyed a chuckle during the week when Richie McCaw gave his thoughts on what changes he’d like to see made…
If you think Latrell Mitchell’s manager is having a tough time finding his client a new contract, then imagine how hard it would be…
Raelene Castle no doubt thought she had helped to position Rugby Australia nicely for a solid shot at a decent broadcast deal. It was…
It’s all about rebuilding and renewal at Rugby Australia at the minute, but there’s an item that’s due for review that must be retained.…
“We believe you’re the best candidate to be the next Wallabies coach Dave, but we only want to give you a two-year contract,” says…
Rugby Australia’s lawyers have spent much of the year focussed on the Firing Folau File, but now it’s time they turn their attention to…
That the Springboks have played in two World Cup finals and won both of them without scoring a try in either tells you a…
If Japan showed us how enthralling running rugby can be during this World Cup, the All Blacks' semi-final against England this weekend will be…
If anyone needs Ricky Stuart, it’s the Wallabies. The Canberra Raiders coach flew to Japan to meet up with Eddie Jones and the England…
Did anyone ask for Ben Skeen’s advice on whether they should cancel Rugby World Cup games this weekend because of the approaching typhoon? What…
Ben Brown – that was a question that was answered definitively by the male players in the recently negotiated EBA. Male players signed the deal to give females I think it was a 127% pay rise. For international players. And a massive one for domestic female players too. This even though they hardly generate any income (although that might change in new broadcast deal).
CA should tax any contracted player headed to the IPL
Yep fair Paul D. There’s plenty of posturing going on from James Sutherland on this. He is very keen to reiterate that CA’s priority is Test cricket. That can be viewed as a power play against the T20-heavy BCCI. And other T20 tournaments like in Caribbean and Pakistan.
CA can’t keep lid on player power.
CA should tax any contracted player headed to the IPL
Anyone got a link to the percentage of contracts paid by BCCI to other national associations like Cricket Australia?!?
CA should tax any contracted player headed to the IPL
Simon – is this right?!? Makes my proposed tax look ridiculous ??
CA should tax any contracted player headed to the IPL
Good points spruce moose! The top guys like Smith, Starc and Warner need to consider legacy which can be lucrative in years after retirement. Plus endorsement opportunities might not be as forthcoming if not playing for Australia. But your points on financial dynamics are spot on. Will cricket move further towards soccer in which club holds much greater sway than country (excluding only the biggest tournaments)?!?
CA should tax any contracted player headed to the IPL
Yeah agreed – the Waratahs lack that two or three players who have played 15-odd games and are ready to make their mark like a lot of the Kiwi teams produce every season. Dempsey one who should bloom hopefully. Rona maybe in that category even though he’s a bit older given his years in the NRL. Gordon at halfback maybe.
High-five for Gibson by end of April or it's Tah Tah
Agreed Brumbies pack quality, but like the Rebels they look light on for backline line-breakers and point-scorers.
High-five for Gibson by end of April or it's Tah Tah
A backline that includes Foley, Beale and Folau – there’s three top-drawer players. Hooper, Kepu, Dempsey in the pack. Simmons and Phipps have plenty of Wallabies caps. The Rebels and Brumbies don’t boast as many proven influential spine players.
High-five for Gibson by end of April or it's Tah Tah
Ha like it… although if Pat Cummins was a car, you probably would’ve sent it to the scrapheap a few years ago despite it being a blinged-up Ferrari…
Marsh is Smith's insurance against another busted paceman
Fair points. But as I alluded to, a quality all-rounder is such a valuable commodity (for the reasons you point out) that Australia’s selectors are keen to go back to the well. Mitch Marsh has shown enough over the years that he might break through at Test level. But like Glenn Maxwell, it’s more in hope than based on consistent first-class form with bat and ball. Was it in the West Indies years ago that Adam Gilchrist batted at No.6 for a few Tests?!? 2003?!? What a luxury that is… to pick five front-line bowlers. But those all-rounders are so rare. Too tempting for selectors to push for them nonetheless.
Marsh is Smith's insurance against another busted paceman
Yeah I think we would regardless of Handscomb’s form. And last in, first out would’ve been Shaun Marsh only three weeks ago. But when runs are your currency, you can’t argue with it now being Handscomb out and Shaun Marsh to No.5. Things can change very quickly. Just ask Matthew Renshaw, Cameron Bancroft, Usman Khawaja (oversease Tests).
Marsh is Smith's insurance against another busted paceman
Fair. Risky. Marcus Stoinis would’ve been close.The poor fella’s father passed away during I think the second of the three Shield games leading in. He was probably in front of Marsh at that stage as an all-rounder option. But Marsh’s workload shouldn’t be massive. And he’s proven to be pretty economical. He bowled some solid overs in Sri Lanka last year.
Marsh is Smith's insurance against another busted paceman
There was a consensus that has been formed following plenty of the day-night pink-ball first-class matches both in Australia and overseas: get the new pink ball in the hands of the quicks when the lights go on. Of course Smith and the Aussie crew knew this. And Australia had bowled only 75-odd overs. Not a heap, and I think Lyon had got through 25 or so. But Smith’s reluctance to risk his quicks again was an insecurity that can be mitigated with a medium-pacer added to the mix. That equates to insurance to me. Reduce the workload means – in theory – lessening the risk of injury.
Marsh is Smith's insurance against another busted paceman
Oh I see. I assume being almost a Ricciardo you shoey your Shiraz ???
How to spice up the Bledisloe dead rubber? Give Quade a run
Always gamble responsibly?!?!
How to spice up the Bledisloe dead rubber? Give Quade a run
Yeah not a massive fan. It’s more in hope than empirical evidence that Quade will turn a game. Like Glenn Maxwell for the Aussie ODI and Test team…
How to spice up the Bledisloe dead rubber? Give Quade a run
For sure. And this fixture has got free air really. Nice little gap between NRL grand final and RL World Cup. No international cricket. But not enough meat to chew on this time around ?♂️
How to spice up the Bledisloe dead rubber? Give Quade a run
I wanna get pumped. Nothing driving it. And I’m normally a proponent for being fired up for every Test – there are only generally 15 per year after all. But there’s tumbleweed for this one. Need a villain or something.
How to spice up the Bledisloe dead rubber? Give Quade a run
Good to see someone is revved up. Although I expected more chill ? from one called waxhead
How to spice up the Bledisloe dead rubber? Give Quade a run
Yeah there aren’t a heap of excuses. But I suppose the crux of my article was about the teams hosting deservedly getting an advantage. None for the Eagles and Sharks in week one. Shafted.
NRL finals folly: Get back to the ‘burbs!
Yeah, AFL fans are a committed bunch. Incredible every week.
NRL finals folly: Get back to the ‘burbs!
Well I love Brooky because it’s everything Homebush isn’t. It’s a link to decades of rugby league gone – shabby stands, shoulder-to-shoulder on the hill, grimy, grab a hot dog walking into the ground. Grab a beer at Brookvale Hotel early. Old school mentality and not in tune with the finance and marketing department. But that’s what I like about the suburban grounds.
NRL finals folly: Get back to the ‘burbs!
Absolutely. The footy was brilliant. Every game went down until the last five minutes. Including an extra-time game. Three out of the four AFL finals were duds. But the AFL crowds are always going to be far superior. Keep the finals local in the NRL. The TV ratings I reckon would be healthy for the NRL for the four week-one finals. Must be reward for home teams.
NRL finals folly: Get back to the ‘burbs!
The reality is that Parramatta, Brisbane, Canterbury, St George-Illawarra and South Sydney can draw 20,000-plus crowds in the first two weeks of the finals – and that’s usually if they play eachother.
Nonetheless, the hosting teams deserve better. If that game is on at Brooky on Sat night, it’s a memorable night for all. All jammed in. 22,000. Manly get the advantage they deserve by finishing higher on the ladder. There’s nothing emotive to lure Manly fans to the SFS. Nor the Penrith fans.
NRL finals folly: Get back to the ‘burbs!
So start the BBL a few weeks earlier matth?!
CA should tax any contracted player headed to the IPL