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From the piece, “the 28-year-old one-time Parramatta flyer became the first man to win player of the match awards in the World Club Challenge, Challenge Cup and Super League finals in the same year.”
Impressive from French personally and Wigan in the collective. My memory perhaps is fading but I do not recall Bevan French being this good with the Eels.
The French collection: Cleary lauds Bevan as record-breaking Wigan add Super League trophy to bulging cabinet
They should make Vegas the site for the WCC just as soccer once did using Tokyo for the Intercontinental Cup between the champions of Europe and South America.
A WCC in Vegas between Wigan and Penrith would have been a great showcase. Oh well, perhaps sometime in the future….
The French collection: Cleary lauds Bevan as record-breaking Wigan add Super League trophy to bulging cabinet
The most difficult match of this qualifying round. Japan have been brilliant of late but yes, as Mike writes, the Socceroos, can use their ability on set piece plays to cause some danger for Japan. Souttar may have difficulty dealing with Japan’s mobile and elusive attackers but on the other end he can be a real danger if he can get on the end of a Goodwin free or corner kick. Set piece play could be key for the Socceroos. Meanwhile defensively they will have to stay disciplined and don’t dive in on attackers and commit unnecessary fouls. It won’t be easy but should be a good test of where Popovic has this team right now. Despite Australia’s early struggles in qualifying under Arnold, finishing in the top two and avoiding a playoff is still a very achievable goal.
Can the Socceroos steel themselves and cause an upset in Saitama?
A thought provoking article Harry. The problem is the answers to the questions you raise are not easy. But I have come to the conclusion a SR AU & SR Aotearoa are the best way forward, even more so with Fijian Drua & Moana Pasifika now part of the system when they were not in the pandemic era domestic league’s. So 6 teams each (culling teams definitely isn’t the answer) followed by a Champions & Challenger League combined with Japanese clubs is the best way to grow the game throughout the Pacific region. Then Australia need their version of the NPC. That has to be more than just the Shute Shield & QLD competitions, but rather a more vast competition to act as a feeder league to SR AU. Anyway, not an easy question but with the 2027 World Cup on the horizon, NOW is the time to act and catch the wave of momentum from the World Cup.
'Curse the money all you want' but RA must work out what it wants from Super Rugby - otherwise the game is doomed
Nice piece Mike. I do enjoy watching Ligue 1, lot of teams playing attacking football with some high quality players. Just sad to see many of best players not with PSG get snapped up by clubs from other leagues. Yet don’t have to be absolute top of the food chain to still have an interesting league.
Sacré bleu! Is Ligue 1 the most underrated league in world football?
As Ninkovic was being rushed out he shouted,
“What is the charge? Eating a meal? A succulent Chinese meal?”
😂
Grow up Corica: Sydney FC coach in childish act towards Sky Blue legend Ninkovic
I like what the Force are doing. Rome was not built in a day so it will take time to build a truly competitive team but signing a player of Nic White’s ability is a very good move. Sad for the Brumbies but with Lonergan’s development they can afford to let White leave.
'World class': White's bombshell move to Super Rugby rival confirmed
Overall a good squad. I would have preferred Mafi over Uelese and I feel for McDermott, Lolesio and Wilson but I reckon each will get their chance before the World Cup squad is named. I like Vunivalu but he’s done little to merit this selection. As others noted Eddie must see something in him which he can use with the Wallabies.
Wallabies squad confirmed: Eddie Jones shocks with big name omissions from first training camp
First time since 2014 the Storm WON’T be in a qualifying final. The times, they are a changing…
NRL finals fixtures: Semi-final, prelim final match-ups - who plays who and when in playoffs
AJ wrote,
“Why in God’s name would you risk the fitness of one of your key players, who’s in the middle of a breakout season, in Round 15 for an ultimately meaningless Friday night game in Sydney? If Cotter was having issues during the week he should have been left behind to get himself right.”
I 100% agree, silly and reckless behaviour by the Cowboys. Above and beyond the State of Origin implications, it is what this needless risk will now do to the Cowboys and their young star.
NRL Round 15 talking points: Hit whoever you want, it’s just fine
Redders you beauty!
I was stunned to see Redmayne come in. A major gamble by Arnie which paid off. His jumping around like a madman (Grey Wiggle) did not appear effective, until it was effective and he saved that final kick from Valera.
Not a match to treasure for its aesthetics but what a win for the Socceroos. I think my having low expectations after the way this team ended qualifying makes this qualification even more special. Five months to work on bettering the team but for now let’s celebrate!
Socceroos headed to Qatar World Cup after penalty shootout win
Duke started very well but after the first 20-25 minutes was missing in action. Some of that was lack of service, some of it due to his lack of clarity. But Arnold was wise to take him off when he did. I thought Rowles and Wright were each superb in central defence. They took Lapadula out of the game. Other than the late Edison Flores header off the post, when he beat Behich in the air, Peru’s strategy of hitting crosses inside the box was baffling to me as Rowles and Wright ate those up. Not an aesthetically pleasing game but World Cup playoffs rarely are, the important thing obviously is to qualify and now Australia can work on fine tuning its team for November.
Socceroos headed to Qatar World Cup after penalty shootout win
A goalie can not only move laterally but can move forward as well so long as he keeps one foot on the line until the penalty taker strikes the ball.
Socceroos headed to Qatar World Cup after penalty shootout win
Remind me again why Addo-Carr was not selected? The Fox was missed. Cleary and Luai have dominated with Penrith but each were missing in action in game 1. You can’t expect that will repeat again. Despite the Maroons out playing the Blues, it was the Blues who finished the game 1 metre from the try line and who had a try (by Junior Paulo) called back, and rightly so, for obstruction. So with some slight improvements, the Blues can be better, possibly even much better.
Blues player ratings: 'Insipid' star's worst game for NSW, 'brutal' Raider who stood out in the gloom
Best Origin game I have ever seen from Cherry-Evans. Cotter was a revelation, Holmes was superb and Munster, what can you say? I thought he’d been cloned and there were two Cameron Munsters out there. Billy Slater could not have asked for a better coaching debut. He had the Maroons prepared for everything.
Maroons player ratings: 9.9 'absolute dynamo' and 51-tackle rookie forward 'built for Origin'
I always thought World Cup organisation is something distinct from the host nation’s rugby organising body. There may be some cross over to give “rugby people” a say but most leading a World Cup organising committee are those used to organising large events or are sports administrators not the national rugby football union. If so that bodes well for the USA as that is a nation used to organising big events even if USA Rugby is not.
Rugby News: Aussie's US rugby teams LA and Austin banned from playoffs as crisis hits MLR, RTS' big leap forward
100% right Aiden. Grit and determination are important qualities in matches like this but as Aiden says there’s so much more that also matters. Australia’s performance in this game vs UAE did not exactly raise hopes they can lift their game against a Peruvian team that will dominate possession and force the Socceroos to defend. Can the Socceroos rise to the occasion?
REACTION: Hrustic's 'nuclear' winner as Socceroos 'kick, bite and scratch' one step closer to World Cup
I don’t fully understand what happened first with Austin, then Los Angeles. Seems to be a lot more to this story than is being released. Never heard of a US sports franchise banned from the playoffs before.
Rugby News: Aussie's US rugby teams LA and Austin banned from playoffs as crisis hits MLR, RTS' big leap forward
Courtois was superb, there’s no question about that but Liverpool as they did in both domestic Cup Finals again showed an inability to win tight matches against good opponents. Something Real Madrid clearly have shown they can do. PSG, Chelsea, Manchester City and now Liverpool, a difficult path but Madrid got past them all. You have to acknowledge their ability to win big matches.
REACTION: 'I don't get enough respect' says Real's Courtois after stunning performance denies rampant Reds
This sums up the match well. The early goal played right into Western United’s hands, allowed them to sit back and defend which since Diamanti’s injury has been their key to success. Lacroix is a superb defender and Young, as he’s done throughout the finals made the important saves when needed. Credit where credit is due, WU beat both their local rivals in consecutive weeks and now they lift the trophy. Hard to begrudge their title win and hopefully they’ve made many new fans with their victory.
Western United A-League champions after stunning Melbourne City
1) Good news about White. I do agree Tate is a better runner but no 9 in Australia plays the quick ball as well as White and with Cooper, Kerevi and Koroibete coming back to the Wallabies, White’s style of play suits them well. 2) Fascinating to see Kidwell leave the NRL Eels to work on Cheika’s staff in Argentina. Wasn’t Shaun Edwards a league coach before becoming arguably the best defensive coach in the 15 man code? Could be the path Kidwell follows.
Rugby News: White rejects $1m deal to stick with Wallabies, Ryan escapes sanction over red, Eels coach joins Argentina
Actually I did not. What did you think of his play there?
Explain to me why the All Blacks' 13 jersey is a done deal?
This Jacko, exactly this. Jordan is a 15, he should not be at 14. I’m curious to see how Jordy B. does at 12 this weekend.
Explain to me why the All Blacks' 13 jersey is a done deal?
Good comment, now that Goodhue is healthy, I do hope we see more of Fainga’anuku & Goodhue. Good potential there. I’m not sold on Havili as a 12, looks to me that he has put on too much muscle and is not as quick or elusive as before.
Explain to me why the All Blacks' 13 jersey is a done deal?
Talk about a match of two halves! First half a disaster for Sydney FC as they lost their first leg advantage, the 2nd half completely the opposite as Sydney ended up increasing their aggregate lead and won the 2 legs by a 3 goal margin. What a crazy sport this can be! On to the semifinals vs Lion City Sailors.
ACL Two preview: Sky Blues can't afford to park the bus - same counter-attacking style should seal SF spot