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Based in Melbourne, Geoff began contributing to The Roar in 2012, his Monday morning column 'The Wrap' becoming a staple for rugby followers around the globe. He has published two books on rugby; 'A Year in the Life and Death of the Melbourne Rebels' (2024) and 'A World in Conflict; the Global Battle For Rugby Supremacy' (2017), and in Feb 2025, Penguin Random House will release his first crime fiction novel. For further details visit www.geoffparkes.com Meanwhile, his twin goals of achieving a single figure golf handicap and owning a fast racehorse remain tantalisingly out of reach...
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Despite only four Super Rugby Pacific matches being scheduled, there was no shortage of talking points to fill space over the weekend. As if…
It’s one of those tricky Melbourne autumn evenings. Too warm for a jacket, too cool for a T-shirt. Never mind, the temperature inside Kensington’s…
The ‘imminent’ announcement of Les Kiss as new Wallabies coach finally became a reality last week, albeit his start date in the role is…
Round 11 of Super Rugby Pacific saw the spectre of TMO involvement rear its head again – fans frustrated on three separate occasions where…
Just before half-time in the match between the Western Force and the Hurricanes, Stan Sports commentator Matt Burke correctly likened the crash, bash and…
With the Reds missing Harry Wilson’s tireless ball carrying and Filipo Daugunu’s spark, Saturday always felt like it would be a tough night. More…
With Super Rugby Pacific continuing to enjoy its most competitive season, it is fraught with danger to be drawing hard conclusions at the halfway…
As if none of us got enough of 2019 when it was around, Israel Folau suddenly burst back into the rugby consciousness last week,…
A common sight from teams shamed and embarrassed one week is to build their response around defence. Plans tend to be simplified, individual roles…
Another highly enjoyable weekend of Super Rugby Pacific began in Dunedin, where Captain America overcame The Hulk, 20-18. Whatever the pros and cons of…
The Blues’ path to the 2024 Super Rugby title was a direct one; opponents unable to live with their efficient attacking clean-out, fast recycled…
UPDATED: One of rugby’s most infamous chapters was the ‘Bloodgate’ scandal of 2009 where, in a Heineken Cup match between Harlequins and Leinster, Quins…
With every match in Super Rugby so far this season highly competitive, it’s been quite the beginning for fans to savour. Perhaps the only…
I haven’t met Waratah’s bench prop Siosifa Amone, but he strikes me as the type who wouldn’t be fazed about powering over for two…
This is a wonderful time of year for rugby. The Six Nations is in full swing and all 11 Super Rugby sides sit atop…
Eleven evenings ago, I sat on the grass bank at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl enjoying Leon Bridges and his excellent seven-piece band, on…
It is characteristic of rugby fans to pay more attention to the future than the present. Sure, losses sting in the moment but the…
After the Chicago White Sox lost the 1919 World Series to the Cincinnati Reds, eight players, including legendary slugger ‘Shoeless’ Joe Jackson, received a…
Given the snow that fell in the lead up to the Wallabies match against Scotland, the visitors must have been delighted to find conditions…
There’s an old saying that 420 days is a long time in rugby, but that awful night in Lyon last year, when Eddie Jones’…
Fair point Tony, I was more focused on Brumbies and Crusaders.
The Wrap: Imagine how invincible the Chiefs would be if they shared players with the Warriors?
Greg Sommerville, Mark Hammett and Caleb Ralph.
The Wrap: Imagine how invincible the Chiefs would be if they shared players with the Warriors?
Serious question…
How old are you? Actually two questions… why do you parents let you skip school?
Code wars across threads died out here years ago. They are inane (look it up) and reflect poorly on the people who pursue it.
We get it, you don’t like rugby. You’ve made your point countless times, but unless you’ve got something useful/constructive to contribute, do everyone a favour and take it somewhere else. Please.
The Wrap: Imagine how invincible the Chiefs would be if they shared players with the Warriors?
Potter’s had a great year WB, but that certainly wasn’t his best moment.
The Wrap: Imagine how invincible the Chiefs would be if they shared players with the Warriors?
It won’t win any ‘try of the year’ awards that usually go to long-distance break outs JDK, but you’re right, it was brutal and one of my favourite moments of SRP this year.
The Wrap: Imagine how invincible the Chiefs would be if they shared players with the Warriors?
Really impressed with how Sititi has come back, Danny.
They stretched him out to a full game this week and he was going strong at the end.
And while we know what a dangerous runner he can be, it was his willingness to make the hard yards that stood out to me.
One of those rare guys who plays so much older than he really is.
The Wrap: Imagine how invincible the Chiefs would be if they shared players with the Warriors?
The activity itself isn’t cultural. The connectivity around it definitely is.
'I was sickened': The brutal new rugby-combat hybrid 'sport' where athletes risk their futures for a $20k wad of cash
That’s something the PI community has to sort out themselves, Doctor.
Yes it is authentic, but it’s also badly misplaced.
I understand where the demonisation comes from, but rather than have a whole group be told what idiots they are, I think a better outcome is for the community leaders to listen to and understand the concerns and to show what is the right path.
'I was sickened': The brutal new rugby-combat hybrid 'sport' where athletes risk their futures for a $20k wad of cash
There were quite a number of kids there. I think many were children and nieces/nephews of the competitors.
'I was sickened': The brutal new rugby-combat hybrid 'sport' where athletes risk their futures for a $20k wad of cash
Hi Adam
What the Senate inquiry taught me was that we’re being extremely naive if we think politicians are the best avenue via which to effect change in an area like this. The individuals don’t really understand, they’re way too preoccupied with other issues, and if there’s not a vote in it… forget about it.
Hence outcomes where a few ‘recommendations’ are made and some boxes are ticked. What will have more impact is widespread public concern and condemnation. And yes, I agree that broader public discussion and wider understanding of the issue (with the msm picking it up) will have a flow on effect for other contact sports.
'I was sickened': The brutal new rugby-combat hybrid 'sport' where athletes risk their futures for a $20k wad of cash
Hi Nath. Absolutely, this is a tragedy waiting to happen.
'I was sickened': The brutal new rugby-combat hybrid 'sport' where athletes risk their futures for a $20k wad of cash
Nemani posted to social media the day after the event. It was heartfelt and touching and encompassed all of the aspects around young men overcoming fear in order to provide a better life for their families.
Now clearly there’s a compelling case for this activity not being the right way to go about that, imo the brain health concerns should see it shut down immediately, and there are potential questions around these competitors being exploited.
But… I think there’s an authentic cultural element too that should be handled respectfully by those of us who don’t come from within the PI community, which is reflected in MP Moira Deeming’s reaction.
'I was sickened': The brutal new rugby-combat hybrid 'sport' where athletes risk their futures for a $20k wad of cash
That one was a head-scratcher, Highlander…
'I was sickened': The brutal new rugby-combat hybrid 'sport' where athletes risk their futures for a $20k wad of cash
Essentially to differentiate the runner and the tackler.
But yes, that subtlety is lost when the two big bodies come together…
For the contests where there wasn’t a KO or a forfeit, the winner was decided on “judges decision”. But it was never made clear what the criteria was.
'I was sickened': The brutal new rugby-combat hybrid 'sport' where athletes risk their futures for a $20k wad of cash
Hi Tony, Rugby Victoria certainly made their position clear and I suspect that, as well as his personal concerns around safety protocols, NAS stepping back from his association tells a story of where league sits with this.
'I was sickened': The brutal new rugby-combat hybrid 'sport' where athletes risk their futures for a $20k wad of cash
To be frank cookie, I think the Tahs have won a couple more games this year than I expected them to. Yes there is a lot of talent in the team and coaching group, but…
1. people tend to underestimate the importance of cohesion. I expect this group will perform better next year
2. despite having a strong squad on paper, they are short of elite class in a handful of key positions
The Wrap: As ever, parochialism in Australian rugby rears its head in battle over Kiss appointment
Appreciate the support, Colvin!
And no question, having a 6 in the front of your age is no impediment to writing books or being a Test rugby coach.
But I do agree with Harry that it’s unusual for a successful Test coach to come to the job for the first time, at such an age.
The Wrap: As ever, parochialism in Australian rugby rears its head in battle over Kiss appointment
I have friends with a business in Tweed Heads, BF. With staff and families living on both sides of the border.
No problem to have a difference of opinion, but in my view the lives of the people in that area were made far more difficult than what was needed. All because the premier felt there was an advantaged to be gained from tapping into the vein of parochialism.
The Wrap: As ever, parochialism in Australian rugby rears its head in battle over Kiss appointment
Adsa, the question marks aren’t around the Reds board but conflict within the RA board and executive.
The Wrap: As ever, parochialism in Australian rugby rears its head in battle over Kiss appointment
Hi Colvin
You’ve got a friend who thinks I might be 76?
You need to find yourself better friends mate! 😂
The Wrap: As ever, parochialism in Australian rugby rears its head in battle over Kiss appointment
You forgot fact 5. Queensland hospitals are for Queensland people only.
The Wrap: As ever, parochialism in Australian rugby rears its head in battle over Kiss appointment
It’s a really interesting situation isn’t it, Don?
No question in my mind that having Schmidt for longer is a good outcome. But what if the Reds happen to tail off next season and don’t make the final six? (Not saying it will happen, but anything is possible). That would place a heap of pressure on Kiss just as he assumes the head coach role.
What happens then? RA leans on Schmidt to extend for another year and negotiates some kind of walk-back assistant role for Kiss? That would be very messy – let’s hope things turn out way smoother than that.
The Wrap: As ever, parochialism in Australian rugby rears its head in battle over Kiss appointment
As mentioned above Charlie, while I acknowledge that Piardi is relatively inexperienced, and he had a difficult week last week, On the matches I’ve seen, I think he’s a pretty good referee.
The Wrap: As ever, parochialism in Australian rugby rears its head in battle over Kiss appointment
COVID was such a massive eye opener with respect to the state’s powers relative to the federal body, wasn’t it?
In a professional setting Australian rugby’s federated model continues to be an impediment. Plenty of work has been done behind the scenes to construct workable governance structure alternatives, but at the end of the day it will require those in charge to be brave and visionary and park any state parochialism. And that feels unlikely.
The Wrap: As ever, parochialism in Australian rugby rears its head in battle over Kiss appointment
Never good to see the stretcher brought out, but great news that both players seem to have come away relatively unscathed.
The Wrap: Imagine how invincible the Chiefs would be if they shared players with the Warriors?