Greetings people and welcome to Friday’s Rugby Information from a sodden Hunter Valley.
Cash, cash, cash issues this week. Who’s obtained it, who needs it and who’s been spending it like Barnaby Joyce on a pork barrelling real re-election marketing campaign. Let’s bounce into the cash pit first up with: ‘Not Drowning, Waving?’ Head south to the land of guarantees with out proof in ‘Present Me the Cash, Please’. Preview spherical #11 of SRP in ‘Final Rights?’ Have a look at a attainable profession change in: ‘The Rabbit Whisperer’. And bid the working week farewell with one other ‘Friday’s Goss with Hoss’, not too long ago appointed a Bonza Airways ambassador.
Not Drowning, Waving?
It’s been stated that cash is the evil of all roots. Or one thing like that. And the central theme to Australian rugby information this week has been {dollars}, heaps and much and plenty of {dollars}. Or extra exactly, the dearth thereof.
Slightly than repeat all of it, there was an inciteful and damning SMH report that laid all of it naked. And all of that earlier than the Tahs introduced a $4.8m loss for 2023 as properly.
A number of the low lights:
- $1m nonetheless unpaid by the French for the RWC ‘heat up’ match. That is simply baffling and a telling perception into life underneath the previous RA administration. No formal contract in place. A verbal settlement with a corrupt former French Union official and no cost but. For those who have been France, how a lot would you pay?
- 2023 matchday income down $25m from 2022. Because of solely two residence exams in final 12 months’s World Cup 12 months.
- World Cup expenditure of $11.5m. Yep, $11.5 million {dollars}. Bear in mind RA stand by their declare that $2.6m of this quantity is ‘unapproved overspend’. I might’ve coached the staff, completely rooted our possibilities and close to crippled the code in Oz for a smidgeon of that cash.
- And this loss is on the again of a $31m grant (or 30% of RA income) from World Rugby for the RWC.
- $50m of the $80m credit score facility RA established has already been drawn down. And this at a reported rate of interest of 10% pa. Appears my financial institution isn’t the one thieving bastard monetary establishment on the market.
Perhaps that accountant isn’t waving in spite of everything?
#passthehataround
Present Me the Cash, Please!
One other cash associated story appeared late yesterday surrounding the perilous state of the Rebels funds, the consortium with the alleged monetary backing and a veiled menace from the Victorian Authorities to Rugby Australia!
Seize the popcorn, that is about to get attention-grabbing.
From the SMH: A senior authorities supply, not authorised to talk publicly because the conversations have been confidential, confirmed on Wednesday that Sports activities Minister Steve Dimopolous phoned Rugby Australia chair Daniel Herbert late final week to debate the implications of internet hosting the ultimate on the MCG if there was no Victorian staff in Tremendous Rugby.
“The federal government helps rugby union remaining in our state and expects Rugby Australia to decide to a staff on the elite stage of the game in Victoria,” he stated in a press release. “Rugby Victoria and our elite rugby union staff, the Melbourne Rebels, have deep group roots and profitable packages that assist and encourage the group from the grassroots stage as much as the elite.”
Nonetheless, RA counted with: “These are two totally different issues. The Melbourne Rebels is a singular state of affairs across the future viability of the membership and the monetary sustainability {of professional} rugby in Australia. The opposite is across the placement of main international sporting occasions in Melbourne,”
Nonetheless this ends, any individual, at some stage, has to indicate any individual else, the cash. And shortly.
Final Rights?
Now to some precise rugby.
The great thing about a prime eight, with solely twelve sides within the comp, means practically everyone will get a prize. With 4 rounds remaining there are six sides with an opportunity of taking the final two spots. Because it at the moment stands:
- seventh Fijian Drua – 17 factors
- eighth Highlanders – 15
- ninth Moana Pas. – 14
- tenth Crusaders – 12
- eleventh Waratahs – 12
- twelfth Pressure – 10
So to this weekend’s matches. With wins at a premium and even shedding bonus factors proving crucial there’s quite a bit to play for. However I can see some actual blowout scores coming. Who wins and why? Learn on.
Groups: Completely satisfied’s Thursday Information.
Friday 3 Could 5:05 PM AEST – Hurricanes v NSW Waratahs at SKY Stadium, Wellington, ad-free, dwell and on demand on Stan Sport
A ref who lets the ruck be a dockside brawl, truly dockside brawls are extra civil. Lacking extra gamers than I can rely. And for me, no Jed, no Ned, equals ’nuff stated.
Fearless Prediction: Canes by 23.
Referee: Dan Waenga Assistant Referees: Paul Williams, Mike Winter
Friday 3 Could 7:35 PM AEST – Melbourne Rebels v Blues at AAMI Park, Melbourne, ad-free, dwell and on demand on Stan Sport
Rebs are at residence, however that’s the place the excellent news ends I reckon. How are you going to severely again a staff that misplaced 39-0 final up? One would hope the gamers are chafed chastened by each their efforts final week and, hopefully, by the administration imposed ‘nudie run’ that adopted. It was gutless, soulless tripe the gamers produced and their coaches and followers deserve higher. Significantly better.
Skipper Rob Leota is again within the run-on facet for first time since spherical 6. KFC gold card holder and life member, Taniela Tupou will get a uncommon begin and will probably be underneath the microscope from followers and selectors alike. The massive man must regain his gum chewin’, scrum screwin’ methods pronto, as each the Rebs and the Orange Ones are higher when he’s on music.
Nonetheless, the Blues are actually working into some elegant kind. Sotutu is one thing particular and simply maybe the SRP participant of the 12 months to this point and I simply suppose they’ve an excessive amount of class.
Fearless Prediction: Blues by 29. Shut up till 55 minutes after which the Blues will blow them away. Let’s hope the Rebs get on the board this week at the very least.
Referee: Angus Gardner Assistant Referees: Matt Kellahan, James Palmer
Saturday 4 Could 12:05 pm – Moana Pasifika v Highlanders at Teufaiva Stadium, Nuku’alofa, ad-free, dwell and on demand on Stan Sport
Nice to see the MP facet get a sport at a correct residence floor. The MP lads have been courageous, however disappointing final week within the battle for bragging rights with the Drua. I reckon there’s an upset brewing right here too.
Fearless Prediction: MP by 9.
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe Assistant Referees: Stu Curran, Jackson Henshaw
Saturday 4 Could 2:35 pm – Crusaders v Queensland Reds at Apollo Initiatives Stadium, Christchurch, ad-free, dwell and on demand on Stan Sport
Asking for a buddy, however what number of shut video games do it’s a must to lose earlier than you’re thought of chokers?
Anyway, the Greg Norman of Australian rugby (which is ironic as he was additionally a Coinslander) the Reds, this week tackle a resurgent (two wins in a 12 months makes them resurgent, WTF?) NZ easybeats the Crusaders. The Crusschutchians will welcome former Welsh legend and sexagenarian (watch out typing that at work. I came upon one typo takes you down a rabbit gap – actually) Leigh Halfpenny for his first Tremendous Rugby begin with the staff previously often called champions. Effectively achieved that man.
For the Communists, they welcome again Australia’s second finest #7 after he was suspended for flagrant assault on an opposing participant a couple of weeks again. Plus he obtained an additional week added to his punishment, for not being pretty much as good as Charlie Gamble.
I need to admit the Reds look settled and harmful of their beginning XV, however the Saders look extra skilled and harmful from the bench and the 2 substitute entrance rows might settle the consequence on this one. Certainly, I can see this being one other one which goes proper to the wire and the QPRQ facet…
Fearless Prediction: Profitable by 2. I imply even Norman finally gained a few majors. Even when they have been solely British ones.
Referee: Jordan Means Assistant Referees: Damon Murphy, Jeremy Markey
Saturday 4 Could 5:05 pm – Chiefs v Western Pressure at FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton, ad-free, dwell and on demand on Stan Sport
Ever see a staff afraid to win? Return and watch final week’s Pressure sport. Bugger me if it wasn’t like watching Rambo pores and skin Bambi with a blunt dessert spoon. It was wretched and psychologically damaging to observe that sport.
They journey up the street (aren’t all NZ cities on the identical road?) to tackle the Chuffs this week. At the least the Waikato lot gained’t make the Pressure undergo as a lot. It is going to be fast, clear and brutal. Though James Doleman has the whistle. Sigh.
Fearless Prediction: Could the Fourth be with you certainly. Chuffs by 40.
Referee: James Doleman Assistant Referees: Jono Bredin, Fraser Hannon
Saturday 4 Could 7:35 pm – ACT Brumbies v Fijian Drua at GIO Stadium, Canberra, ad-free, dwell and on demand on Stan Sport
The Ponies have been at their finest final week, which is nice, as a result of the week earlier than I assumed the Rebels had stolen their jerseys. The Brumbies have had a couple of damage adjustments to their facet. With hooker Billy Pollard out and Corey Toole additionally out with an ankle damage. Maybe Toole has refused to play till Jimmy Slips comes up with a greater nickname?
Final week noticed the previous males of the entrance row, 7As and Slips, reunite and their ahead pack seemed fully totally different. This week with grunt up entrance, tempo and guile out extensive and the uber spectacular ‘Aussie Joe’ Tua at #12, the Ponies will probably be far too good.
Fearless Prediction: Ponies by 28
Referee: Nic Berry Assistant Referees: Jordan Kaminsky, George Myers
The Rabbit Whisperer?
What’s a famend rugby union coach to do when he’s on the lookout for work? Why apply his commerce expertise to gaol ball, that’s what.
Attention-grabbing twist this week, within the storied and profitable profession of one of many world’s finest rugby coaches. Media experiences suggesting he has expressed in curiosity in teaching perennial NRL spoon collectors, the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
No stranger to loig, Cheika took Lebanon to the the loig World Cup in 2022 and say what you’ll, the man can coach. Nonetheless the one and solely coach to win the foremost rugby titles in each northern and southern hemispheres and take his staff to a RWC last at his first try and was the 2015 World Rugby Coach of the Yr.
Josh Mansour who performed underneath Cheika in 2022 for the Lebanon Cedars, tells the SMH:
“He’d be good for South Sydney. He’s a coach that’s superb at bringing a staff collectively. He’s a superb man supervisor. He’s a confirmed winner. The very best trait about Michael Cheika is his skill to instil perception, not solely inside your self as a participant, however inside the staff. He’s simply extraordinarily enthusiastic about what he does.”
Interested by a union coach leaping camps obtained me considering. What if coach Voldemort additionally utilized? So I inquired on to him in Japan.
When challenged, the previous reality oracle replied: ‘don’t know what you’re speaking about mate’. Nonetheless, sources have instructed G&GR Voldemort has since been noticed testing a fixer higher within the Redfern space. It’s believed he’s employed a bricky to do the styling, a painter to repair the plumbing, a lecko to do the concreting, 18 employees to supervise these guys and his BFF Chris Webb, to get his coffees and supply fixed affirmation the the coach is at all times proper and the remainder of the world is at all times mistaken.
Sound acquainted?
Friday’s Goss with Hoss.
Schmidt: For Brains.
After the cluster fudge underneath a former Wallaby coach, how refreshing is studying one thing like this from St Joe on rugby.com.au:
“I don’t suppose I’ve an enormous quantity of IP however I’ve obtained quite a lot of expertise after 20+ years {of professional} teaching and no matter I do know in regards to the All Blacks, the All Blacks know heaps about me as properly.
“My actual motivation for attempting to assist was when Peter Horne rang me, I genuinely consider we have to be as sturdy as we will on this nook of the world and that’s a nook we share with the All Blacks and New Zealand, not a nook the place we will dwell in isolation.
“One of many methods to assist one another is to attempt to be as aggressive as we could be in opposition to one another to drive the efficiency of each groups.”
‘Larger than rugby’
Effectively stated and properly achieved: stuff.co.nz has extra
Bull Bledisloe Bounce Again?
I need to admit that the chatter round Angus ‘The Bull’ Bell and his damage went a bit of quiet currently, however then this from planetrugby.com that the massive unit might return in September for #bringbackbelisloe marketing campaign. Go properly Gus.
Pluck of the Irish?
Perennial world cup chokers could have gotten forward of themselves a wee bit: stuff.co.nz has extra.
Plucking of the Irish.
Information final evening that our Wallaroos will tackle an Irish facet in September. The take a look at at Kingspan Stadium on 14 September would be the first take a look at between the 2 sides for seven years. The Oirish take a look at is a part of an expanded 2024 take a look at season as our staff builds in direction of the 2025 RWC: rugby.com.au has extra.
Dazed, Glazed and Tazed.
At the least huge Billy V didn’t resist arrest. In addition to it’s obtained the makings of a terrific joke: An Aussie born, Samoan heritage, English rugby participant walks right into a bar with 9 Spanish police (rely ’em). Though one would possibly argue a couple of of the cops might be cited for prime tackles, late and from the facet. Stunning how most of the police discovered their braveness when Vunipola was flat on the bottom, with sufficient present working by him to energy a fleet of Teslas.
Test it out on X, known as this as a result of Elon Musk merely can not spell.
Beneath 20s Underperform.
The Aussie U20s obtained a actuality test final evening on the Sunshine Coast, paradoxically performed in torrential rain. The Golden younger weapons took on the Pumitas to kick off the U20 TRC marketing campaign. The younger FISMs took the sweets 25-6.
Shameless Self Promotion
No, not one other leaked Hoss intercourse tape, the RSPCA put an finish to these, however the truth that our very personal Inexperienced & Gold Rugby YouTube channel is again up and working. With new content material added weekly and an in depth again catalogue higher than that of the Beatles, you actually ought to test it out. Now.
I stated ‘now’.
Till subsequent week. Go the …ahhh neglect it.
Hoss – out.
