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Joined February 2008
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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
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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…
Spot on. Says it all and it’s obviously particularly pertinent in the current restructure climate. Cox’s comments are a tacit admission that the depth aint there in Australia. And yep Cipriani was a flop – and Kurtley Beale and James O’Connor came with big reputations too and couldn’t spark em.
Would more foreigners really improve Super Rugby?
Yes wanted to make that point Sheek but ran a bit over. They are two good examples. Plus even success at provincial level doesn’t always pay the bills. Stade Francais and Racing have won the French Top 14 the last few years. Both sides’ crowds are well down this year. Hence the merger attempt.
Would more foreigners really improve Super Rugby?
I don’t mind the idea of a free player market – or even pushing out to 50% foreign quota as Cox suggests. The idea of the article was to highlight that even if current quotas were relaxed, none of the big guns would flow to Aussie Super Rugby teams. Like the NBA, MLB and EPL are the big-buck leaders in their respective sports, for rugby union the promised lands are England, France and Japan… not Australia. We aint far off I suppose – guys like Scott Higginbotham, Adam Thomson and George Smith have filtered back, but if one is looking specifically at the financials, Australia can’t match the Euro coin…
Would more foreigners really improve Super Rugby?
You’d think the only way for NZRU to change policy would be if the Kiwi players union flexed their muscle. Open it up for All Blacks to play outside NZ and Kieran Read, Aaron Smith, Sam Whitelock, Malakai Fekitoa would quickly be fielding big offers – I’d imagine well above their SR deals in NZ – to become a marquee signing for the Rebels or Tahs or Brumbies etc and you’d assume in South Africa too even taking into account a weak rand…
Would more foreigners really improve Super Rugby?
Not sure whether the Aussies got in his ear, but going on that dismissal – leaving one to be plumb LBW to Nathan Lyon – Kohli is mentally scrambled. Cut the head off the snake!
Would sledging Kohli cut the head off the snake or merely poke the bear?
Yeah a tough one. I don’t like the way a lot of them get pampered. Especially when they get to 25 years of age. The excuses run thin from then on, even if they’ve grown up in the professional sporting bubble. And what about the post-career attention some of them think they deserve. Ridiculous.
How should the NRL and the Tigers handle Jamal Idris?
He’s certainly different in a lot of ways. And I reckon that’s a good thing. NRL players have become very homogenous over the years – sometimes it’s hard to distinguish the body shape of a back-rower, prop and centre! He offers something a bit off-beat and that’s good to watch.
How should the NRL and the Tigers handle Jamal Idris?
Hopefully the big marn fires – on and off the field!
How should the NRL and the Tigers handle Jamal Idris?
Perhaps it was a factor. But even alcohol aside, should he be advised to stand back from the limelight, at least for a while? He’s admitted he suffered from the exposure previously. Although I note he’s done a Daily Telegraph profile in today’s paper.
How should the NRL and the Tigers handle Jamal Idris?
Yep. Channels 9 and 7 wouldn’t be keen – they’re in deep with NRL and AFL. What does Channel 10 have on a Friday night? Why not a deal there? An Aussie team playing the 7.30pm AEST game on a Friday night on Channel 10 nationally. Or is there some reality TV show carving it up in the ratings in that slot?!?!
Would more foreigners really improve Super Rugby?