January 2008 - Sports Bar

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Sports Bar - January 2008

Rugby League hits the USA

January 16th 2008 01:14

Rabbitohs Air-born

South Sydney will today fly out on their historic venture into the USA. Who knows how they will be received? With Russell Crowe set to make a tv appearance to promote the game, there should be at least a very small ripple in the American sport landscape.

The Rabbitohs will play Super League Champions the Leeds Rhinos on the 26th January.

This is not the first time Souths have ventured overseas… In 1929, South Sydney became the first Australian Rugby League side to tour neighboring countries - winning two of
their three tour matches in New Zealand.

Now we know that Russell Crowe has some considerable clout in Hollywood – but how will the Rugby League experiment go? Will it be a flash in the pan, will anybody even know its on? After all – the Superbowl has everyone in a spin and it would be hard to imagine the Souths Leeds game attracting much attention after the circus has hit town.

But – if there is a chance that the game can be spread, we must take it and this could be a huge moment in the history of Rugby League.

America do have a national team and a national competition, but with only 8 teams competing, it is hardly making headway in an overcrowded landscape. Rugby League could be huge in the states – Its quick, exciting, end-to-end and easy enough to understand. The game is similar to Grid-Iron – but the concept is fairly similar. Try to get over the oppositions line, and then kick at goal.

In my opinion, League is tailor-made for the USA. The big hits are still there, you have the celebrities – the big name players and it’s all over within 80minutes. You can relate to a player more in league than in NFL - one simple reason for this

In Australia we have soccer, Rugby, League and AFL all competing and still fans manage to keep track of all of these. Honestly, I don’t know how we do it… It’s a tough job, but somebody has to do it.... we wouldn’t have it any other way!

In America it is a little different in that, its not similar codes. Where we have a million football codes, America has a collection of “the World’s best” sports– NBA, NFL, NHL and MBL. Or if you are not up with your alphabet in translates to– Basketball, American Football, Ice Hockey and Baseball.

They are the big 4 and then you have your Rugby and Soccer also trying to get a foothold and trying desperately to make an impression.

Oh and let us not forget the supercharged, bodyslammin, lycra wearing wrestlers that make up the WWE – who seem to steal all the athletes who don’t quite make it.

So how does Rugby League make an impression?

In honesty, it probably won’t. But the one way it might is the other great American pastime… Through Celebrities.

Russell Crowe has the appeal and creates enough interest that he could bring the game into lounge rooms across the States. If nothing more, at least might get people watching – even if they don’t understand the rules.

In a World Cup year, I for one was disappointed the USA Tomahawks failed to qualify – it could have been a huge co for Rugby League. If only…

I would love to see this game one day become a true World sport. But then again, every sport would love to emulate soccer.

Soccer (Football) is the only sport – a part from perhaps running that can truly claim to be world wide.

We will watch with interest to see what happens, I just hope they put on a good game…

To see more about it Click Here

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VERY INTERESTING

January 10th 2008 04:43

Hey, this is not a blog as much as an interesting site that could open Pandora's Box so to speak.

Click the Link below to see some dubious moments in cricket...

CLICK HERE

Cheating, bad sportsmanship? I'm not having a go, I'm sure you could find examples of evey team and bemusing moments...

Ian Healy springs to mind.. claiming catches that were short or dropped...

I just find it interesting - You wonder why batsmen don't walk when they should...

Its just an interesting look at things

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Has the whole world gone mad? The tention, the drama and the Controversy

January 8th 2008 07:15

Under Fire

Has the whole world gone mad? Has all sanity been lost? The depth of coverage of the latest cricket saga is nothing short of bewildering. In a Summer where cricket has struggled to make the back page – suddenly it has hit the Mecca – Front Page, Back Page, Editorial, Radio Waves, Internet and other media outlets all over the entire World.

In a bitter ironic twist – when the media has been bagging lop-sided cricket and begging for a contest. When Cricket Australia could not buy a trick... when they finally get one it is overshadowed by a complete an utter circus. Can we all step back for one second and draw breath?

Let’s start from the beginning shall we? The first day of the SCG Test. After India’s meek showing in the Boxing Day Test and an absolute shellacking by a ramped Australian side – we all wondered whether India would bounce back – knowing they customarily perform well at the spin friendly SCG.

So when Ricky Ponting won the toss and decided to bat, there was a collective grown. Another massacre was seemingly on the cards, but what’s this? Australia 1 down, 2 down, 3 down? 6-130? We have a match on our hands ladies and gentlemen. And then it started. Andrew Symonds given not-out after a knick that was so loud it could be heard in London.

Ride the luck

Symonds rode his good fortune to the tune of 160 runs – helping the Aussie’s score over 400 – a feat which looked impossible given their predicament. Perhaps Symonds should not have admitted he hit the ball at the press conference after play… But then, what else was he meant to do? There could be no denial of such an obvious knick. It happens in cricket, some days you play and miss and are still fired by a trigger-happy umpire – it’s the nature of the beast.

My question would be – name one player in world cricket other than Adam Gilchrist that would have walked? Ganguly? Laxmen? Dravid? Forget about it. In the modern game you don’t give an inch. You ride the luck when you have it, because the decisions will even out in the long run. Look at Ponting, should have been given out early in his innings- but was later given LBW when hitting the cover off the ball. Ying and Yang – the good and the bad.

Steve Waugh when faced with a similar question after not walking in an MCG Test against England had this to say: “Its like you yourself, if you are driving 60km in a 50km zone are you going to ring the cops and tell them your were speeding?”

It may be a dramatic exaggeration of the point, but in reality it’s not far off. Swear jars around the world have been filled to the coffers because of bad umpiring decisions. This is not limited to Test cricket by any means. Every school boy, every grade or CNS cricketer has a tale of a dodgy decision they copped. Some will have you believe they have never been dismissed legitimately… EVER! Just ask them.

But when it comes to our Elite Cricketer’s they are meant to dance to the beat of a different drum. A drum that we ourselves do not dance to. To put things in perspective, if your average grade cricket refuses to walk, why should a Test player – his career and livelihood is on the line afterall.

So to label the Aussie’s cheats based on Symonds non-walking is rich to say the least. Call it bad umpiring, no - call it absolute appalling umpiring, but don’t blame Symonds for standing his ground.

Okay, time to take a breathe, relax.

Now, there were numerous bad umpiring decisions in the game – more than usual. Bucknor in particular had an absolute shocker – and yes the Indian’s probably copped the majority – but this has happened time and time again in cricket. When Australia lost the Ashes in 2005, Damien Martyn must have walked under a ladder whilst holding a black cat and spilling salt all on Friday the 13th for all the bad decisions he copped in that series. Yes we were angry – did we blame the umpires for costing us the series? Well for the most part no. England were too good – and yes, that is the only time I will ever say it.

My point is however, you can’t blame a team for appealing. With LBW decisions, the ball hits the pad, it looks close – so its worth a shout. Sometimes they’re given, sometimes they’re not. Sometimes a ball that his hitting middle stump halfway up is given Not Out. The game continues – the fielding side is aggrieved, but they will live to appeal again.

It is the same with bat-pads and caught behinds. It all happens so fast, the bat, the ball, the pad, the ground, the feet moving – there are so many sounds and it is often unclear what has taken place – even when Channel 9 slow it down with all modern technology to the enth degree it is impossible to tell what has happened – so how can you blame a team for appealing? Yes Dravid was robbed – and replays showed the bat was closer to Mars than the ball – if you were standing at slip, it would have sounded like a knick – you ask the question.

Every game of backyard cricket and games around the world have people over enthusiastically appealing at the prospect of a wicket – how many arguments have there been over a “caught by the automatic wicketkeeper” across backyards all over the world? “You’re out!”

Many an argument started here

“But I didn’t hit it”

“Yes you do, don’t cheat”

“I’m not cheating, you are. There is no way I hit that.”

Sound familiar? It should, it does to me. Many a sibling brawl was started by this – you hear a noise – and for all you know, they hit it, you’re absolutely convinced. Which means, they know they’ve hit it and are cheating to hog the new bat they had which they just got for Christmas.

Atleast the Australian team appealed and waited for the decision. Some teams in the pass have ignored the umpires totally and just continued celebrating with a bemused batsmen and umpire looking on.

Time to pause, relax…

Now to the racial slur, the bad sportsmanship the heart of it all.

Whether or not Harbajhan called Symonds a monkey is unclear – we possibly will never know. But I for one was very surprised when it was reported. The Aussie side has been famous for its sledging – if anything its been celebrated over the years. But the buck stops with racial slurs and it is also meant to stop on the field. The old adage of what happens on the field stays on the field.

Centre of it all

The Australian’s have lived by this mantra. When Graeme Smith lifted the bottle on sledging they labeled him a sook, a cry-baby and a dobber. Thus Ponting’s decision to report the matter is something of a paradox – it doesn’t matter that he was told to report it, the Aussie’s have always maintained play hard on the field, meet and greet off it.

This is why there has been so much uproar. The matter has not been helped by it being Ponting’s nemesis in the centre of the controversy. If it had been another player it might not have been such a media frenzy.

In the ensuing madness a lot has been said about the game, the sportsmanship - the media has gone into ballistic overdrive. Not even Michael Schumacher himself could keep up with the endless twists and turns in recent days.

Yes, we need to recognise cultural differences - but really - it is hard to believe that Andrew Symonds would take much notice of being called a monkey. He is a knock-about Aussie bloke and you would hear more abusive language at an under 10's match than that. However, racism is a touchy issue - one that is always simmering under the surface of an uncertain society. We chose to ignore it - claim its not there - but since the beggining of civilisation we have been affraid of what is different.

Rasicm starts with ignorance - and this is where cultural differences are exagerated and people can get hurt... This is where the uproar begins...

Pause – take breathe

Lets reflect on what has been cruelly overshadowed. One of the greatest Test matches to be played in recent years. Controversy aside it had everything anyone could possibly ask for in a sporting contest. Actually, controversy usually adds to the legend and appeal of a game – if only…

First there was Australia’s miraculous comeback with Symonds, Hogg and Lee all playing blinders to rescue the Baggy-Greens from the doldrums.

India’s reply was genius – I was there to watch Laxman blast the most majestic of Centuries. It was cricket poetry in motion, fluent, artistic and against the best bowling attack in world cricket. What more could you ask for?

Don't let this Overshadow the great Tendulkar Innings

You then have the little master’s performance – which hopefully time won’t lose in this madness. It was Tendulkar of old – a brilliant last display from one of the game’s best ever players. NEVER FORGET THAT INNINGS!! Sachin proved he is a true champion and to a man everybody stood and cheered his achievement. Not many opposition players are treated with such awe and admiration – a true sign of a legend.

Hayden and Hussey also scored centuries and then the final day was set-up for a classic Test match finish. Looking at the match from a strictly CRICKET standpoint it was brilliant, gruesome theatre.

Enter Michael Clarke with India desperately trying to hold on to a famous draw – with Anil Kumble determined knock – another batting achievement that should not go unnoticed!! It was a gritty, uncompromising display of absolute determination and concentration – never willing to give up, not willing to give an inch – a true captains knock.

Michael’s Clarke’s 3 wickets to win the game should also go down in history as one of the most thrilling finishes to a match.

If you wanted a showcase of all the emotions and drama only a Test Match can provide – the SCG Test provided – and Some! It was a tough grueling Test. Isn’t that what Test cricket is – a true an ultimate Test of temperament, technique, skill and will? It had it all – can we acknowledge this?

-Take Pause- Relax

“For someone renowned for his (Kumble) thoughtful and measured approach to matters on and off the field, his statement was a damning condemnation of the operational methods of the most powerful and successful cricket team in the world.”

INDIA captain Anil Kumble's denunciation of the way Australia plays cricket will be widely supported throughout the international cricket community.
By so publicly questioning the manner in which Australia play, he is expressing a view held by many people in this country and many more beyond the Indian diaspora.”

- By Mike Coward – Foxsports

Much has been said about how Australia played the game – but what have we learned in the aftermath?

Where did Australia go so wrong? Hayden not walking? Excessive appealing? Reporting sledging? Possibly the ladder is why we find ourselves in the current climate.

As for the Michael Clarke catch – he claimed the catch, the Umpire gave it out – seems pretty straight forward apart from Ganguly initially standing his ground. If the umpire does not refer the decision and decides to give it out – on your bike son. You can’t blame the Aussie’s for that. Even if Ponting was ill-advised to raise his index finger - ultimately it is the umpires decision. Benson chose not to refer it, case closed.

It was Ponting don’t forget that in the 1st Innings who did not claim a catch when replays actually hinted that he had caught the ball. I’m sure many other players from both teams and across cricket world-wide would have claimed that catch for all money. In a backyard game or beach cricket not even a second though – I caught it – you’re out – time to give somebody else a go.

This was in a test match and it was one of India’s premiere batsmen as well.

So why has Ponting been accused of cheating in the 2ng innings? To me – it makes no sense.

Take a breather – the saga continues

This has overshadowed what the series really should have been about. Way back last year I wrote an article eagerly awaiting the arrival of the Indian’s in their version of “The Final Frontier” This is what this series was meant to be about. Tendulkar, Laxman, Ganguly – their final shot at the modern game’s holy grail. The chance to beat Australia in Australia – a feat not achieved since 1993 and the West Indies.

A chance for Austalia to step out of the shadow of Warne and McGrath – the new era in Australian cricket vs the Old Guard of Indian Cricket

Read the article written long before this madness… this is what the tour was meant to be about. Really Long Link Have we forgotten?

Its sad to see the ensuing circus that has eventuated over Sing – the Umpires – the bad sportsmanship..

HAS THE WHOLE WORLD GONE MAD??

The Sydney Morning Herald and Peter Roebuck hit the front page with the astonishing line – Ponting must be sacked…

Are you kidding?

Am I Wonderland?

This is meant to be one of Austalia’s leading Broadsheet papers – firstly leading with a cricket story? Secondly sensationalizing the issue and calling of all things for Ponting’s head?

Now I truly have seen everything! It is truly a remarkable article – for many reasons. To read it click here Really Long Link

We then have the Daily Telegraph leading with “Cricket held to ransom”
where it calls on the ICC to uphold the ban placed on Sing – click here to read Really Long Link

Take time to ponder… relax

This is only the Australian media after all. You can only image what is being written in the Indian media. Effigies of umpires are being burnt and everybody is to blame in a country where cricket is a religion in its own right.

As the Daily Telegraph’s back page labeled it “BollyLine”

Its not far off the mark. Never has a series divided public opinion so much since Larwood and Jardeen came up with Bodyline.

But really – has everything been blown way out of proportion?

Bad umpiring decisions will always incite rage, passion and heated conversations. They always have, always will – in any sport. Remember, as painful as it is – Soccer World Cup – we were robbed!

But the issue gets clouded when racial issues are brought in, when passion and tension is so high – things are inherently inclined to be miskewed, misconceived and misunderstood.

India claim it is a matter of honor. That there very culture is being challenged. This is why they have threatened to abandon the tour…

Perhaps this is true

But surely the whole matter has been totally blown out of all proportion. It is very sad to a cricket mad person such as myself.

When I look back at this, I won’t remember all this media circus – I will remember one of the great Test matches in the modern era. I will remember Sachin Tendulkar’s mastery, Laxman’s genius – Kumble’s determined fighting display and that dramatic last over.

This was theatre, This was poetry, This was cricket – and this is how it SHOULD be remembered!

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LEGENDS RELIVE SCG GLORY

January 8th 2008 05:01

The ground may have drastically changed but for six of Rugby League’s oldest surviving Foundation club players the memories were as rich as the history of the SCG itself as they reunited at the game’s spiritual home yesterday.

Walking onto the SCG for the first time in decades Wally O’Connell (Easts/Sydney Roosters), Bill Keato (Wests), Jack Lawrence (Souths), George Debnam (Newtown), Norm Strong (Norths) and Sid Ryan (Balmain) unofficially kicked off Rugby League’s Centenary.

Australia’s oldest surviving Test captain, Wally O’Connell has fond memories of the SCG; he first played for the Roosters in 1942 and went on to captain his country and coach Manly to their first Grand Final appearance.

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL ARTICLE

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Put it in your Diary!

January 4th 2008 07:25

February 2nd – Harvey Norman Fan Day

Picture this, all 16 NRL clubs and over 400 players in the one place at the one time…

Impossible you say?

It is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity – it is hard to believe that every contracted NRL player will be on show at ANZ Stadium (formerly Telstra Stadium). But the NRL has been planning this day for along time and it is sure to be one of the highlights of the year.

Rugby League fans of all ages can take part in a host of free interactive activities, including Kids to Kangaroos skills clinics, autograph signings and kicking competitions in what is certain to be the biggest public fan event in the game's history.

Players will also be on hand to read stories to the younger kids with a number of charities and Rugby League’s One Community also heavily involved.

FEATURES OF THE DAY INCLUDE:
* Player Photo - See 400 of the top NRL players pose for the largest player photo ever staged
* NRL Sharp shooter Competition - Watch 16 goal kickers battle it out for supremacy
* Big Kick - a once in a lifetime opportunity to kick a footy on the Telstra Stadium playing surface.

REGISTER FOR FREE ENTRY AT:
www.nrlfanday.com.au

Capacity for this event is limited to only 20,000 so you will need to register your attendance in advance!

2008 is the Game Centenary year – it is quite literally the biggest season of Rugby League ever! Don’t miss the opportunity to be a part of this once in a lifetime event. Come and meet your favorite team and players, get autographs and enjoy the atmosphere.

And the Icing on the cake? IT"S FREE!!

Don’t miss out!!

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