For the final time in 2024, greetings one and greetings all. Welcome to Friday’s Rugby Information, or what’s left of it after Allyoz went full Putin and invaded all yesterday’s late breaking rugby information. At present we kick off the Friday farewell with ‘Fats Boy Fanfare‘. Take a look at free cash, apart from all of the strings hooked up, in ‘Inform him he’s dreamin’!’. Crank up a ultimate Friday custom for ‘The Wallabies night time earlier than Christmas’. And we bid 2024 adieu with ‘Friday’s Goss with Hoss’, now in talks with Dutto about placing a nuke on the Ponderosa.
Fats Boy Fanfare.
I like a participant that may get via 80 minutes however nonetheless appears to be like like he has a pie or six on the weekend. And the Wallabies personal Fats Boy Slim, Fraser McReight, is that man. Sturdy, however with a touch of a love deal with or two.
And so it’s come to cross that Fats Boy Fraser has been topped the male PotY by RUPA. And who can blame them? There’s little question Australia has been blessed with some bloody good #7s over the previous 20 years. Gamers like Michael Hooper and others (whose names escape me) have all the time carried out the fabled gold #7 jersey proud. And it’d appear we’re in additional than succesful palms for the foreseeable future with this younger man. His tackling, help play, hyperlink work, jackalling, truly his entire bloody recreation has gone to the subsequent degree this yr and it’s a delight to look at. Doesn’t damage that he appears a cracking younger man as properly.
To not be outdone, Atasi Lafai was named Wallaroos participant of the yr on the similar perform. Having watched all the Wallaroos video games this yr, Lafai confirmed again and again she has the engine, aggression, talent and recreation smarts to be a long run Wallaroo. Abrasive with and with out the ball, Lafai added one thing the Wallaroos have wanted for some time, an enforcer.
In different awards Maddison Levi made it a clear sweep of awards when she picked up girls’s 7s POTY. Nick Malouf received the lads’s 7s award. Whereas close to forgotten Charlie Cale received the Newcomer of the Yr award.
Congratulations to all RUPA award winners from all of us on G&GR.
Inform him he’s dreamin’!
While you lie down with canines, you ‘re more likely to get humped fleas. And it appears the cash canines, on this occasion some crew known as Ackerley Sports activities Group (ASG), try to hump the bejesus outta the legs of SARU. As all the time with Yanks, the satan’s within the element.
On face worth a proposal of $75 million USD ($1.3bn rand) from ASG in return for 20% stake within the industrial rights firm is price some due diligence and severe dialogue. BUT, mentioned due diligence reveals a 15% fee, or $11.25m USD (a shitload of rand), payable to Eddie Jordan of F1 motoring fame for brokering the deal within the first place. That’s gone down about in addition to urinating on a braai throughout the cooking.
With 7 of the 13 SA provinces already voicing their dissatisfaction with the provide because it at the moment stands, the deal would seem useless within the water. Particularly given it requires 10 of 13 provincial votes to cross within the first place. planetrugby.com has extra.
The Wallabies night time earlier than Christmas.
It was the night time earlier than Christmas and all via the squad
Not a participant was stirring, as Joe was thought of their god.
The recollections of Eddie, of the hell and disruption
Had now been changed by constant efficiency and actual gumption.
The gamers have been nestled, all cosy of their beds.
With visions of Lions glory variously dancing of their heads.
Though one or two stirred, a contact stressed with their slumber
Maybe bothered by night time visions of their season and private blunders.
Joe seen large Nella turning and thrashing a good bit
And thought, ‘should be reliving that final cross in Dublin, because it was pure shit’.
Younger Tate McDermott too was agitated, as he frowned and muttered in his sleep
When Joe’s soothing tones eased him with ‘subsequent time cross it, Tate, don’t kick’.
Huge Sideshow Bob was not one to stir, as he was shagged and slept just like the useless.
His efforts herculean, Joe gently smiled and kissed his brow.
Tom Wright was tucked in, unusually sporting his favorite Brumby onesie,
Joe celebrated the modifications and thought ‘lastly, not clumsy’.
RA’s newest signing, Josef was cradled, quick asleep in a manger.
‘Gotta cease these shoulder costs younger Joey, otherwise you’re in actual hazard’
Fraser McReight was one other to sleep properly, though rolled over with a sigh,
Then Joe discovered beneath his mattress 6 burger wrappers, pizza crumbs and 5 pies.
He continued his checks and wasn’t shocked to listen to Nic White speaking gibberish in his sleep,
Sounded quite a bit like screaming at refs and questioning Kiwis about sheep?
The following bunk alongside was Jimmy Slips, ‘Huge Horny’ himself
With skincare merchandise, hair gel and a mirror neatly stacked on his shelf
His checks now full, the season now carried out.
The enhancements he sought in matches laborious received
So he retreated to his quarters, settling again in his chair.
Content material, however not comfortable, however now not full of despair.
A plan was rising, items falling into place
It appeared rugby in Oz had had nearly saved face.
Joe sipped a whisky, his ideas drifting away
However he sensed followers in Australia had a number of issues to say:
‘Thanks for the efforts, with you Joe the Wallabies have grown
Oh and by the way in which, up yours and stuff you, Mr Eddie Jones’.
As I sit at The Ponderosa, having fun with the sights
It’s Merry Christmas from me and to all, a 2024 goodbye.
Friday’s Goss with Hoss.
Crystal Ball.
Fascinating learn on WWOS on who will end 2-4th of the Australian sides subsequent yr.
Who’s subsequent up?
Succession planning sucks, don’t it? However, within the terrible occasion that St Joe does go who, apart from entrance runner Michael Cheika, is likely to be subsequent up? Virtually by stealth, we have now some cracking coaches in Oz at current, Chuckles McKellar, Bernie Larkham, Wendy Matthews on the QPRQ, and Mike Cron’s relative over west someplace. To not point out we have now Andy Buddy again in Oz, too.
For me, I reckon we beat the FUKIRs and Joe scarpers; we lose and he stays to ‘proper the unsuitable’ and win a house World Cup! Joe has promised RA a choice this month.
What number of knock ons do it is advisable make one knock on?
Let’s be sincere, Oirland deserved to win. 118% possession and three.5 hours in our 22 over the course of the match tells the story of the tape. However nonetheless, once you lose by solely three and there are three blatant knock ons by the one participant, within the one motion, properly that type of sticks in your throat a bit. Particularly when there was no TMO intervention.
I settle for the ink is dry and it was nonetheless a terrific efficiency by these in gold. In addition to, with their palms on the ball that a lot Eire ought to have received by loads. That, or apply for a job at 2GB (allegedly).
French hate Individuals too!
The FFR has given the NZR an enormous le up yours, scuttling a suggestion to take the third check of their July 2025 NZ tour stateside. The Minstrels had been eager to return to San Diego and problem Damien McKenzie to catch the group bus this time, however les blues mentioned ‘nein’. stuff.co.nz has extra.
Comfortable Festivus.
That’s one other rugby yr carried out on G&GR and generally ‘thanks’ doesn’t appear quiet sufficient. To the writing group who give of their time so freely, as an alternative I say this, you’re an excellent crew. To our major writers, Bris, RAWF, Yowser, KARL, Comfortable and Nutta, I’ve nothing however admiration and the deepest gratitude to your dedication to G&GR, your laborious work, insights, humour, mind, humanity and friendship.
To our podcast purveyors at The Dropped Kickoff, Nick W, Nick H and another man, likewise. Every week you give of your time and efforts and produce high quality work and we’re the eternally grateful to your contributions.
To Sully, Comfortable and KARL to your weekly efforts and rising success with the G&GR Podcast. To The Rugby Report Card group who might have left these pages, you aren’t forgotten and shared a podcast with us this yr. To Eloise for the all the time insightful, clever and articulate choices each entrance, and again, of home the place it’s typically a raucous, juvenile playground (you already know who you might be Yowie). To KB, Damo, Allyoz who’ve all contributed this yr, my honest thanks. I’d additionally wish to pay hommage, hommidge, homage to our grammar Nazi, Lindommer. The polished prose you see out entrance doesn’t essentially begin its life as such, however our phrase wizard whips it into form with aplomb.
I’d additionally wish to single out our IT guru, Heidi, for his tireless contribution to G&GR. To that finish G&GR could have a brand new appear and feel once we return in 2025. Higher response instances, simpler to have interaction with and all for less than $12.99/month subscription payment. Thanks Heidi.
Lastly, thanks to all of our loyal followers who interact with Inexperienced & Gold Rugby. The location has grown 79% on 2023 numbers, and that was a World Cup yr no much less. Whether or not you remark or lurk within the digital shadows, take heed to our podcasts, observe us on social media or take part within the discussion board discussions, our website wouldn’t be what it’s with out your help of rugby union on our platform. Our honest thanks.
That’s a wrap from me. Benefit from the vacation season and spare a thought for individuals who could also be doing it a bit powerful. Maybe the best reward you possibly can bestow on others this yr is that they aren’t forgotten, that you just care sufficient to succeed in out and say ‘G’day’. It’s the season for giving in any case.
From all of us Cartwrights, be secure, be merry and be sort. See you in 2025. The yr of the Tah (Google it – it’s truly an actual factor)
Hoss – out.
