The Roar
The Roar

The Roar

Tony Harper

Editor

Joined July 2021

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Tony has been writing about sport since making a debut at the Queensland Times, Ipswich, in 1989 with a column entitled 'That's What I reckon Sport!' He has since worked as a reporter and editor with organisations including Fox Sports, Fairfax, AAP, The AP and ACP magazines, covering four Olympics, three FIFA World Cups and WC's in cricket and rugby. Favourite team: Arsenal. Favourite question: 'Did you even watch the game?'

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I’m just lucky I have one of those jobs – everyone knows how to do it better than I do so I’m never short on advice. 😂

Almost 20 years on from Toutai Kefu, are Wallabies finally close to having their next world class No.8?

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Rugby
 
Feb

The guys did mention Harry Wilson in the pod, but had to leave something for everyone to discover on their own

Almost 20 years on from Toutai Kefu, are Wallabies finally close to having their next world class No.8?

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Rugby
 
Feb

Yeah, that was my mistake, now fixed thanks. Always sucked at maths

Almost 20 years on from Toutai Kefu, are Wallabies finally close to having their next world class No.8?

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Rugby
 
Feb

Thanks received and glad to see you’re still here. Do let me know if want to discuss anything.

Tasty Tahs, a Rebel with promise and reality check for new boys as SRP off to a slow start

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Rugby
 
Feb

Hi James, please let me know if mobile is working fine again – should be now, but you might have to log out and in

Tasty Tahs, a Rebel with promise and reality check for new boys as SRP off to a slow start

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Rugby
 
Feb

The mobile issue should now be fixed. If you are having any issues viewing our content or commenting please let me know at tony@theroar.com.au

Tasty Tahs, a Rebel with promise and reality check for new boys as SRP off to a slow start

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Rugby
 
Feb

Hi everyone. We had a site upgrade overnight and it has affected some functionality which we are working through. Currently comments can’t be made via mobile devices in many cases. You can comment on desktop and we will update as soon as the mobile issue if fixed.

Tasty Tahs, a Rebel with promise and reality check for new boys as SRP off to a slow start

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Rugby
 
Feb

DONE DEAL: Beale's $500k sacrifice confirmed as he makes play for fourth World Cup

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Rugby
 
Feb

That’s a shame MK. Feel free to email me tony@theroar.com.au and chat about it. See what we can do.

DONE DEAL: Beale's $500k sacrifice confirmed as he makes play for fourth World Cup

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Rugby
 
Feb

Good mornng Bobby.

Here is a press release from Drua befopre the game which might explain it.

The Swire Shipping Fijian Drua will bring more than just their famed rugby skills to Super Rugby Pacific when they run out for the first time ever against the Waratahs tonight at CommBank Stadium, Paramatta.

The team will showcase a specially created Fijian challenge – Na Bole – prior to kick-off, bringing back a tradition dating back centuries. Traditionally, Na Bole was presented by warriors heading to war. It holds a special place in Fijian history.

Fijian Drua CEO Brian Thorburn revealed that the bole was created by the team to energise and remind themselves of the task at hand.

“Our Drua has finally reached the shores of Super Rugby Pacific after 25 years. The significance of this journey and opportunity is top of mind for our players, staff and Club. When the team made the request to bring back the bole for our inaugural Super Rugby Pacific campaign, we immediately worked to get approval to do it from Rugby Australia and New Zealand Rugby. We are thankful for their understanding of how special this is for our team, our Club and country. The Swire Shipping Fijian Drua will present Na Bole before our first ever match tonight and all Drua home matches subsequently.”

Thorburn adds, this was yet another way the Drua would represent the culture and pride of Fiji to the world.

“We’re bringing something quite special to Super Rugby Pacific in addition to that fast, fearless Fijian flair that our players are known for. The Drua is powered by the heart and spirit of the Fijian people and we aim to make them proud on and off the field. The wordings of Na Bole encapsulate all that unites the Fijian Spirit: unwavering faith and belief in God, our connection to the vanua, the people, our vuvale and kinships, and finally, the Drua’s own values of Integrity, Discipline and (being) Relentless.”

The Swire Shipping Fijian Drua will unveil Na Bole for the first time prior to kick-off in their historic first match against the Waratahs tonight.

REACTION: 'Well drilled and trust each other' - instant impact for Coleman as Fijians drop the ball

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Rugby
 
Feb

Great Johnny G story!

I just recited the whole school song. Made no sense to me then, less now. 😂

'He'll rip in and give it back': Tahs giant who overcame mental health struggles and is set to take SRP by storm

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Rugby
 
Feb

You can’t hurt me more than they have these past 17 years

'He'll rip in and give it back': Tahs giant who overcame mental health struggles and is set to take SRP by storm

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Rugby
 
Feb

Hey Bobby. I was a cadet at the QT from 1988-89. It was West Ipswich and our local was Jeff McLean’s Coronation Hotel.

My first boss, Peter Gardiner, determined I had to have a counter lunch and at least two beers there every day for lunch. So I don’t remember many afternoons.

Went to the Grammar school there and played in a very bad first XV in 1983 – just before they recruited some guns like the Walters brothers and David Wilson.

Cheers

T

'He'll rip in and give it back': Tahs giant who overcame mental health struggles and is set to take SRP by storm

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Rugby
 
Feb

Ha, my biggest supporter (until I do a scathing takedown of the Crusaders).

'He'll rip in and give it back': Tahs giant who overcame mental health struggles and is set to take SRP by storm

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Rugby
 
Feb

Cheers and no worries. That’s how DC described it. I wonder if it’s timed on a flying start for 40 metres or so because a 10 second 100m gets him to the Olympics.

'He'll rip in and give it back': Tahs giant who overcame mental health struggles and is set to take SRP by storm

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Rugby
 
Feb

Perfect! My cunning plan is bearing fruit

Andrew Johns as an NRL head coach? How other Immortals fared when they took the reins

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League
 
Feb

You guys are obsessed with Justin Langer 😂

Andrew Johns as an NRL head coach? How other Immortals fared when they took the reins

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League
 
Feb

No, just Guardian understands. See Ali’s story here.

'Don't do it at a pub': Vaughan lifts lid on Cummins' secret summit in days before Langer's downfall

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Cricket
 
Feb

Hi Bobby, there is a player embedded in the story. You should be able to just click on that and it will play automatically. Otherwise just click HERE and it should fire up.

Beauty and the Beast: are Les Bleus the best team in world rugby?

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Rugby
 
Feb

We interrupt these comments for a brief commercial break. Episode 1 of The Roar Rugby podcast featuring Harry, Geoff and Brett has just been released. You can check it out HERE or via the player at the bottom of Nick’s story.

Beauty and the Beast: are Les Bleus the best team in world rugby?

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Rugby
 
Feb

I found it odd at the time that the reporters both broke that story at the same time in UK media.
I find it strange that the cricketers were oblivious enough to talk publicly and openly in a public forum without thinking it would leak out.
No proof, but seeing as the two reporters are long term well known writers it’s therefore reasonable to think that McDonald at least should have recognised them, so my spidey senses are tingling about what the real explanation is of how it came to be printed.
That said, I don’t think you can question the trustworthiness of the source if they’ve heard it directly.

'Don't do it at a pub': Vaughan lifts lid on Cummins' secret summit in days before Langer's downfall

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Cricket
 
Feb

They wrote it at the time, think Vaughan is explaining how they got the story. Basically eavesdropping

'Don't do it at a pub': Vaughan lifts lid on Cummins' secret summit in days before Langer's downfall

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Cricket
 
Feb

Hey Michael, all of the quotes from Cummins in this are from his press conference, not a pre-prepared statement, so yes I do believe he came up with them himself, even if he had received some coaching.

ANALYSIS: The 'dick pic' that helped scuttle Langer and fast tracked a natural born leader

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Cricket
 
Feb

Well I was lined up for a motza then they read about how I thought they were involved in a public relations disaster and how poorly the CEO and comms department handled it, and pulled the fee.

Maybe, you didn’t read that far but they did.

'Exact opposite of Langer': The intensely private Andrew McDonald and what will change with him in charge

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Cricket
 
Apr

The state of this comment 😂

'JL hurt by the back stabbing': How will fans treat Cummins now after uncivil war between old and new guards?

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Cricket
 
Feb
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