Roar Rookie
Joined September 2017
13.7k
Views
6
Published
17
Comments
If you lose say nothing, if you win say even less
Published
Comments
What impact would a leg-spinner like Shane Warne have had on this Border-Gavaskar Test series?
In the last week or so, there has been a fair bit of comment on David Warner – the commentator. Around the same time…
The jacaranda trees are in flower, summer has arrived, Christmas is coming, and so too another cricket season – the Indian team are here…
"For Wales? Why Richard, it profit a man nothing to give his soul for the whole world... but for Wales!" This wonderful line comes…
I am not a Victorian by birth or inclination. I am a migrant to Australia and for this I am forever grateful. My wife…
Another rugby union Test over and get another round of commentary. Lots of talk of the Wallabies 'building' – they seem to be forever…
Many thanks. Kind.
Comparisons are odious - but how does Warner stack up to openers from bygone era?
Most interesting; do not forget the tragedy that was Sid Barnes who played too few test matches. Opened with Morris in 1948.
Comparisons are odious - but how does Warner stack up to openers from bygone era?
Thank you. I had another go today.
Cricket's commentator crisis: Endless wave of ex-players is not what everyone wants to hear
Many thanks.
Cricket's commentator crisis: Endless wave of ex-players is not what everyone wants to hear
Thanks. Too true sadly; the editors totally missed the point and their heading has nothing to do with the article or its intention. And they added a sentence, too, further confusing matters. It is not about the soul of rugby. It is about a person, me, wrestling with a choice, and the desire to send RA a message about their ongoing performance. I used a line from Robert Bolt’s play, ‘A Man for all Season’ which in itself has a quote from Mark’s Gospel. And heaven knows where they dreamt up ‘the Rebel’s grave’. Oh dear the foibles of modern journalism.
Rugby has 'sold its soul', and playing a Wallabies-Wales Test on the Rebels' grave doesn't exactly help get it back
“The folly that was the expectation that leading Rebels players would willingly relocate to the Waratahs is being exposed for what it is; a gross misunderstanding of what drives players. The two things they want are to be part of what they believe is, or will become, a winning franchise, and to attach themselves to a program they unequivocally believe in.”
Spot on!
The Wrap: Unrelenting Blues power to superb title win, Wallabies selection a sign of the times
Compounding my sadness is the fact that we will not have the opportunity to see firsthand the ongoing growth and development of Andrew Kellaway and Carter Gordon. Both have some way to go but their potential is evident. Kellaway also has an interesting and thoughtful mind and Gordon reminds me a little of an embryonic Larkham. He attacks the line and passes the ball in a similar style. And his defense is aggressive. It is always useful when you do not have to cover for your flyhalf’s defense.
In my opinion (which does not matter much) our greatest ‘want’ in Australian rugby is in the scrum half position. Our New Zealand neighbours seem to have the ability to produce a number who can pass long and short without needing to wind up by moving across the field and/or sometimes backwards before passing. Now I am straying from my original strain of thought. Apologies.
'Insidious and arrogant': A diehard Melbourne supporter on what really killed the Rebels
One of the lovely things to witness in recent times has been the growth in the number of players with a Pacific Island heritage. They make fine rugby players. They are fine people.
'Insidious and arrogant': A diehard Melbourne supporter on what really killed the Rebels
Ah the names we hide behind! My take on mzilikazi would be Zimbabwean. So I am wrong. Reminds me of one of the finest rugby players, ex Zimbabwe, David Pocock. Up in my top five. With an Irish connection you may remember, although you could be too young, Mike Gibson. A very complete footballer.
'Insidious and arrogant': A diehard Melbourne supporter on what really killed the Rebels
I did not know. Thank you very much. It sounds like the War of the Roses.
'Insidious and arrogant': A diehard Melbourne supporter on what really killed the Rebels
Thanks. This is very interesting. Much appreciated.
'Insidious and arrogant': A diehard Melbourne supporter on what really killed the Rebels
When I wrote this article I suggested that the title should be “the alternatives are a bit like supping with the devil”! Modern media intervened and selected a far more confronting title. So be it. My aim is not to generate anger but a sensible debate on the best way of moving forward. We live in a world where discussions and interactions are often polarising and we all bunker down with our own prejudices. We must rise up and work towards a better tomorrow. Someone wise remarked that the greatest skill in conversation is ‘listening’. My sense was that RA and the Rebel Board were talking at each other and no one was listening. By the way, where were the Victorian Rugby Union in all of this?
Anyway, a story to finish. Many decades ago, in a game involving the University of Melbourne, one of their centres went down with a head injury. “How are you feeling” asked the referee. “I am seeing stars” came the response. “Not on this pitch” responded the referee. There are not too many stars around in our management groups.
'Insidious and arrogant': A diehard Melbourne supporter on what really killed the Rebels
Thanks. You may be right or … It sounds a little bit like what our cousins in South Africa call the ‘laager’ mentality. (You circle the wagons to try and delay the inevitable.) It may have a small sort term effect but it will not work. The two issues are management and then developing and delivering a professional plan for the international game in the 21st Century with the appropriate structures below that nurture the game at all levels. Good talk, thanks again.
'Insidious and arrogant': A diehard Melbourne supporter on what really killed the Rebels
Thanks but this only reinforces my point. We are using such figures to justify current management structures. And, as we all know, they are not working. Professional sport is about where the real potential funds lie. The fact that there are no funds around is because of poor management. Did not RA recently provide funds for NSW and the ACT? Borrowed funds too! A little while ago, Hanson, who coached the All Blacks, suggested a Brumbies and Rebels merger. It was a glimpse into what the future could be. If we are going to rely on funds generated by the registration of players and fans, heaven help us. I do appreciate your comments and the sentiments expressed – not frustration, just sadness. Take care.
'Insidious and arrogant': A diehard Melbourne supporter on what really killed the Rebels
As usual, very good commentary. Thanks. Spot on with respect to Carter Gordon. He, more than anyone else in recent times, reminded me of that great flyhalf, Stephen Larkham. I hope, and hope is all we have at the moment that, like Douglas MacArthur, he returns.
The Wrap: The sublime and the disappointingly familiar crash head-on in Super Rugby’s semi-final weekend
Showing my age:
Mike Gibson,
Fergus Slattery,
Willie Duggan
Willie John MacBride
My five favourite Irish players of all time
I think Alan McGilvray rated Richards as the best bat after Bradman that he had seen?
Comparisons are odious - but how does Warner stack up to openers from bygone era?