The Wrap - FIFA FOMO

1. The Cowboys. Todd Payten signed his contract extension at the right time a few weeks back. Having 80+ points put in your team is very unusual, but also incredibly embarrassing. Noticed Tom Dearden will now stay in North Queensland, even though his pregnant girlfriend has a successful business in the Hills District. Could have been a great signing for Parramatta! They play an open brand of football, but were sliced and diced. The Roosters have strung together a few wins now and look strong. Beating the top teams is their nemesis.

The Panthers backed up with a strong performance in Mudgee v Canberra. A complete team who have had the stutters more recently. The Knights are also such a different team this year. The coach, Justin Holbrook, has done a remarkable job. A wonderful win without a couple of Dylans v the Broncos.

Tigers v Eels. The battle for the spoon remains with an error-athon. Hard to think that Tigers and Eels are still fighting for the spoon. The Doueihi nonsense... please. The Tigers will not make the semi finals with the current coach and current chemistry in that team

St George seem to have the spoon for themselves. How bad are the Broncos? So much talent, but terrible. 

Cronulla are looking stronger and stronger. Perhaps they can do something magical this year?

2. PNG Chiefs. Wayne Bennett is absolutely right. How ridiculous that they have tax concessions and different rules to the rest of the competition. They will need every decent player they can grab, but the safety and living standards in PNG are a massive trade off. I wonder what would happen if the NZ government and the Warriors did similarly.

3. AFL. Carlton are surging and really put it to the resurgent Brisbane team. That helps the Swans. The Swans had a strong win v St Kilda, but did it tough. GWS are still alive against a Port Adelaide side that has lost five games this year by less than 15 points!

Melbourne continued the Gold Coast's misery and Essendon keep getting closer to the spoon!

4. PGA Golf. The Detroit Rocket Classic is a lesser tournament, but still offering big prize money. It ends this year after eight years. Cam Young, number 3 in the world led after two rounds but still looms large for the mid 60 scores needed to win in tomorrow's final round. 

Worth noting so far in 2026: Scottie Scheffler has 1 win yet 11 top ten finishes. No. 1 in the world.

5. Commonwealth Games. Some great performances on the track and an avalanche of gold medals for Australia. It seems we have outgrown the games. 65 gold and 158 in total!

The boxing results (men and the women especially) were outstanding for the unheralded India! An interesting development in world sport.

6. Netball - Diamonds. What a disaster losing to Jamaica...and now fighting for a bronze. Incredibly poor result. A few players and coaches may be looking in a different direction for the next team. Bad for an unstoppable team in every major tournament!

7. FIFA. What a bunch of self seeking fools. President, Gianni Infantino needs to take his governance and fundraising ideas with him out the door. His future is bleak, but he will no doubt come up with more ideas that benefit member countries and despite the current reactions, he will stay on. Money talks. The thought of missing out on more cash and being banned by member nations was enough to have the idea dropped.

8. 'Clicky' Ponting Scandal. Clicking when a batsman is beaten and claiming a wicket has been happening in the Parramatta District Cricket Association for the past 50 years. Just started in England apparently.

The Wrap - Spiders and Fires for the Wests Tigers

1. Wests Tigers. This franchise is officially totally inept. They have slumped to second last in 16th spot now, behind the Eels. They need a whole new set up - and coach sadly. 14 years without a semi final appearance and nothing looks like changing. A few blokes who have signed longer contracts will be a little anxious about their careers now. Representative football is so far away. Three losses by fifty points (Sharks, Panthers, Raiders) and two losses by high forties (Manly, Storm) tells us the club is in crisis.

Adam Doueihi should thank the gods he was not cut a few years back. He has always seen himself as a lot more talented than most. He is too slow to be a halfback and not creative enough. Tough, hard runner with good defence, but unlikely to win a comp - or make the semi finals for a club. He is a forward in the Issac Yeo style. What a performance of protest. Embarrassing, especially when the team he left is losing by 50 yet again. How you manage yourself in times of disappointment, defines you. Peace talks? Honestly, cut and run.

Let it be said, that if Parramatta sign Doueihi, every member should start supporting the PNG Chiefs. They will be done and will emphasise that they are the worst run club in the NRL. The Chiefs and Perth Bears will have a better chance at winning the comp. 

• Zac Lomax moves to the PNG Chiefs. The tax free dollars appeal to many players! Yet the Perth Bears get no such luxuries or concessions. It seems very unfair by comparison and they will get the spoon for a long time if they can't address this soon.
• Interesting to see the Roosters keep winning tight games as well, even when they are not at their sizzling best. So far in 2026, the Eels have lost four games by less than six points while the Roosters have won four games by eight points or less. A big difference on the premiership table.
• Great to see young Nick Lenaz playing for Manly today as the hooker. Coached him as a junior and never saw a kid who was tougher and who could poleaxe players in defence like him. An awesome success story after a tough time in North Queensland.
• Manly got pumped in their game against Cronulla, who have taken out the July premiership scoring so many tries in recent weeks. The Sharks look good, but have done so at this time of year before too. 'Fozball' is dead, but 'Fitzyball' is thriving!

2. Injuries. What an horrific weekend for NRL injuries... Tom Dearden, Dylan Brown, Dylan Lucas, Daniel Tupou, Harry Grant, Latrell Mitchell (ruled out for season), Dylan Edwards, Tallis Duncan, Cameron Murray, Kaylan Ponga, Noah Martin, Reed Mahoney and Cameron Munster who is out of action too.  

3. Commonwealth Games. Not that too many noticed, but the Commonwealth Games have started. We already have so many more gold medals than everyone else it is ridiculous.  Almost like a Little Athletics carnival with the big kids smashing the smaller ones. Medals are expected - and lots of them. 

We had flash backs to the old Richard Wilkins song from years ago - "Out there every morning, under windy skies and pounding thighs, it's a long hard road". See: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBi4p--iUGM.  Should these games even be a thing? It seems very outdated as a concept and the hosting of them is not popular. So many better and bigger games and competitions these days.

4. AFL. Collingwood are surging. Six straight wins and crowd support of the best supporter base in Australia. The Swans bounced back v GWS who simply cannot compete with Sydney time and time again. Essendon are a misery once again after a win last week... but it is Freo who are minor premiership bound, hoping they don't go out in straight sets like Adelaide in 2025.

Carlton continue on their winning ways too, after last week's hiccup...Brisbane are still racking them up and are surging into a three-peat premiership feat. So much talent right across the field.

5. NBA. Lebron James. He heads to the Philadelphia 76ers (and maybe takes his son). Maybe they won't need Ben Simmons there now! Great for memberships, but he is 40 years old!

6. 2026 British Open Golf. A top effort from New Zealand's Ryan Fox for the victory! An incredible story of perseverance and dedication. Top composure under pressure.

The 3M PGA Championship at present is seeing some ridiculous scoring. Ten unders and Eight unders! Scheffler is six off the lead, but will still be in the mix.

7. Hungarian F1 Grand Prix. Kimi Antonelli has won six races this season already and Mercedes and Ferrari have won every race. Dominance. Interesting to see that after penalties, Piastri starts from third spot. Two McLarens in the top three...a changing of the tide?  Not many opportunities to overtake anyone in Hungary, so a podium finish is within reach! Piastri is sitting sixth overall on point ahead of the great Max Verstappen. Lewis Hamilton is sniffing around the top this year too. Such a legend of the sport.

8. Tim Tszyu. It truly is a zoo with the media frenzy... he was running out of chances, but has bounced back against an older, but wily rival. A mug's game in so many ways, but good luck to him. He was running out of support and chances, but may get another crack at a big and possibly final pay day.

The Wrap - The Rain in Spain Cries For Argentina

 1. The Open Championship (British Open). Great crowds and an intriguing course that punishes the wayward driver - or any club really. Lucas Herbert was sensational in the second round with one of the best rounds of all time in a Major tournament. Followed by the NZer, Ryan Fox in the third round. Herbert got the hippy hippy shakes in the last few holes of round two and couldn't back it up in round three, but what a performance! Sam (Carpet) Burns looks hot at present and will know the conditions well.

The Bryson blow up...predictable in some respects (bring back John Daly). However Rory shouldn't be offering his commentary on it all. Not his place. Not a good look for golf from either of them.

Royal Birkdale looks like the city dump from on high, but it is well manicured and subject to torrid coastal weather. When that wind gets up it would be murderously cold and unplayable, let alone the fog. The long grass and the scruffy look is links golf at its best. 

A shame the PGA has three Majors in the USA. Like tennis, what is stopping there being more golf or tennis majors? Surely while tradition dictates, some change there enhances the sport's popularity and profile. 

2. NRL. The Panthers have hit a mid season wall, losing a few recently. They are loading for the semi finals and we have seen this before. No panic. Re-signing a few stars will settle the camp. Mitch Kenny is now in the longer term stable, but Martin, To'o, Cleary, Yeo and Leota will seal the deal. They have nurtured a great second tier of players and signed Ray Stone from the Dolphins mid week. Top defender. The Warriors and Roosters are closing in on Penrith for the JJ Giltinan Shield now.

The Tigers have absolutely hit the wall (on the same number of points as Parramatta) and look like wooden spooners, but St George just can't seem to win despite putting together much better efforts of late. Canberra and Brisbane are hanging in there with solid backs against the wall wins. 

Manly needed a win against the Gold Coast who can play well this year...Leading 10-0 early and then...what a disappointment they can be. Tom Trobjevic must really regret doing the midnight Corso sprint all those years back.  

How different is day time football? A day time Grand Final could be an exceptional feature in dry weather game these days. The Dolphins and Cowboys are super entertaining teams.

Noticed the Gold Coast women put 50 points on Parramatta today too. Honestly.

3. Football World Cup. Always love a third v fourth World Cup playoff. Do we need it? Both teams play a little defeated or embarrassed and neither team truly wants to win or lose. 6-4 (like a wet 1970's NRL score) England v France brought much history, but also a reminder that the football powerhouses are so far ahead. Spain to win the final based on their class and composure, but the fight and steel of the Argentinians is most admirable. What a story two successive World Cup wins would be for Argentina!

4. AFL. You have to love the Collingwood crowd. Passionate, crass and fanatical! Even though they struggle at times, they are a super power of Melbourne sport - and hated for it by most. The Carlton v Collingwood clash is always epic, but a strong Collingwood victory.

The Sydney Swans continued to tumble and again fell apart late in their wet game v Adelaide. They are back pedalling while Freo find a way forward. The Swans could be in some strife table wise without a few more wins.

Brisbane struggled v West Coast, but were never losing. Melbourne were the same v North Melbourne. Richmond are dreadful...absolutely pumped by Hawthorn. Essendon edged out a gravely disappointing GWS in a good arm wrestle! A long time since we have heard their team song! A proud and excellent club, but they need a new era.

5. T20 Cricket. 

(i) The T20 Blast finals... Chris Lynn, Nathan McSweeney, Daniel Sams,  These guys are on the international T20 gravy train (a great train to be on!). Darren Lehmann's Northants team win.

(ii) The US T20 Cricket Final saw the LA Knight Riders play and beat the Washington Freedom (Steve Smith and coach Ricky Ponting) by one run. The Washington keeper, Andries Gous is a USA keeper who can play. A BBL prospect. Lots of top notch West Indian players in this league (Narine, Fletcher, Russell, Holder, et al).

(iii) The third ODI of India v England is played tonight with the series locked at 1-1. India have not been on their game of late, so England have a sniff. The great Joe Root continues to peel off big scores with 99no in Game Two for the victory.

6. Wallabies v Italy. Joe Schmidt's reign has mercifully ended in Perth (12 wins/ 33 Tests). He has not been able to deliver and needs to learn not to keep changing his combinations or his teams will never win! Rugby Australia has been too patient. Could you imagine Argentina putting up with this from their national team? 

His announcement that the great rhyming slang man will take over (Les Kiss), was made too long ago! He should have left a year ago. Six tries to one was better, but the Italian team looked and played like they did in 1980. Hopefully a new, more exciting era awaits now.

7. F1. Kimmy Antonelli is on pole yet again in Belgium. He is building a brilliant record for someone so young. Oscar starts on sixth spot... he'll be flat out getting a podium finish again. This season is getting well away from McLaren. Talk about a sudden fall in standards.

The Wrap - Paying and Playing 'Ovas'

1. World Cup of Football. FIFA corruption allegations aside (why trade your reputation for temporary placation?). the dominance of Spain and France - and ultimately Argentina was stunning. England are the spare wheel of sorts, but Jude Bellingham is really making a big impact. England could go close v Argentina. They are there and closer than usual. 

Every team has their star striker, but the journey of Norway to the final eight was something else. The Viking Row was outstanding (like the Icelandic clap). Super entertaining, even allowing for exaggerated dives and histrionics. They should earn a ten minute stint on the sideline (like the fake HIA claim in NRL). The hydration drinks break has proven to be a master stroke of resetting and preserving players in the heat.

Perhaps FIFA could concentrate on eliminating death threats against players who miss penalty shoot out opportunities, like Columbia is finding once again!

The red card penalties that go across games are ridiculous, but necessary, otherwise they face rampant poor behaviour. Trump could have sorted things out for Switzerland who in the 70th minute lost their striker Embolo. There should be more red cards for the fakers.

2. Wallabies. How we want to love them, but what a repeated tale of disappointment they are. Starting brightly, they simply cannot match others and on form should really be qualifying to get into the Rugby World Cup. Coach Joe Schmidt's winning percentage is now 36.66% (11 wins, 19 losses...including 1 win in the last ten Tests and 6 losses in a row!). Dave Rennie (38.2%) can breathe easy. A few novice rugby tips to save the code:

1. Appoint Australian coaches on merit only. Les Kiss is a good start.
2. Don't overpay for players. Sua'ali'i is yet to show his wages value.
3. Have a similar Wallabies side each game. The high rotation is a joke, especially in the halves. Injuries strike, but massive squad sizes are ridiculous. No one knows the team anymore. Think of the golden ages when people knew the players broadly.
4. Get a mainstream TV deal. No one really watches the game (outside of the GPS fraternity).
5. Speed the game up and stop the torturous TMO moments.
6. Limit the rule breaches to an explainable single set. 
7. Have referees who are consistent and not self absorbed.
8. The game is in massive decline. What is the plan? 

The defence of our outside backs was horrific. Too many soft efforts.

3. NRL. Brilliant 300 game celebration for Daniel Tupou. Three tries and a huge win. The Roosters could make a dent but need to beat Melbourne and Penrith. Not sure Walker at $1.5m per year is the best investment long term. Cherry-Evans has been solid.

Jerome Luai. He attracts too many headlines and not enough on field excellence. To think that the worst run club in the NRL, Parramatta, are even considering signing him is beyond belief. What is most disturbing (allowing for the one year Jonah Pezet signing stupidity) is that the supposed excellent young players are clearly not trusted and another year closer to moving on...the Volkman impasse is understandable (19th most missed tackles in 12 games), but we are not hearing of lots of other players moving on, unlike St George. 

They are also simply incapable of attracting any good talent (Xerri, Burton, Leniu, Farnworth have all been mentioned), but did pick up the unwanted Su'A. They need a complete reset. A shame they refused to listen to Matt Cameron when he presented the same blueprint that is succeeding at Penrith.

The Sharks were stunning v the Dolphins who join the high number of teams leaking 50+ points in a game in 2026. Parramatta (twice), Wests Tigers (twice), St George, Titans, Melbourne and now the Dolphins. There are extra teams who have conceded 40+ points in games in 2026, like Manly! The Bulldogs...honestly. Too much Gus and not enough Ciraldo. Have we seen this movie before?

How good was coach Daley? A top, rare and very unexpected Origin series win.

4. AFL. Sadly, despite some great moments in 2026, the Swans are gone. Their efforts in the second half v Freo brought back every bad memory of their successive Grand Final massacres in recent years v Western Bulldogs, Geelong and Brisbane. Lack of strength, composure and experience under pressure and a complete capitulation. Very concerning with talk of a new culture and overcoming mental demons sounding very hollow. Every struggle they have had like this is on a bigger field. They were at a complete loss.

Meanwhile, Hawthorn are regathering and the GWS comeback win over Geelong was spectacular. St Kilda look stronger than their table position indicates. Brisbane seem the most likely to win their third comp in a row.  Freo will go close. Forget the rest...Melbourne, Geelong, Adelaide, Collingwood, Western Bulldogs... all have talent, but too inconsistent. 

What has happened to the Gold Coast? Like the Wests Tigers... promise and now perishing.

5. Scottish Golf Open. Min Woo, MacIntyre, Fitzpatrick, Gotterup and Fitzpatrick (M) are leading the way after Rory's poor third round (by his lofty standards). Scheffler's run of 78 straight tournaments without being cut, ended surprisingly (after winning The Open in 2025). The fog is playing havoc, but a good prep for The Open which kicks off on 16 July later this week.

6. Wimbledon. Yes, sadly Alex de Minaur lost again. He does not seem to be improving and needs a change in his personnel or his methods. Sixth-eighth in the world is awesome, but not Grand Slam winning. 

The women's final saw Linda Noskova beat Karolina Muchova. The domination of the game by central Europeans is incredible. The '-ova' surname suffix is a familiar one these days!

Sinner destroyed Novak and will do the same to Zverev too tonight. This will be his fifth Grand Slam victory, one short of Edberg and Becker. He is a machine, especially with Alcaraz (7 Slams) injured at present.

Cruz Hewitt into the Junior Wimbledon final tonight as well. "C'mon...". A great story.

7. Conor McGregor. A bad injury to end his return, but is there not a little bit in every viewer that hopes he gets a tough opponent to close his mouth a little? A showman and a successful one, but humility is not a strength. One you may be seeking a refund for on pay per view!

The Wrap - Losing the Tight Games

1. Travis Bazzana. Travis has been named in the American League MLB All Stars game as a second baseman. This is an incredible achievement in his rookie season. He has started his career (50 games) really well,  but this was not predicted.

2. NSW Origin. It is staggering to believe how many injuries and troubles NSW have at training in the lead up to Origin games in recent seasons. Whoever is training them (and coaching them) is pushing them far too hard, too early - or something else that is strange. Last year we had Latrell break down in camp. This year Moses, Casey McLean, Crichton, Strange... whose next? 

This will be Laurie's farewell from NRL coaching ever, anywhere. His decisions to bring Lachlan Galvin and Hugo Savala into camp...after having Joash Papali'i and Blaize Talagi in camp earlier, defy belief at this stage of their brief and unproven careers. Let them play, prosper and be better club players first. This seems unecessary and adding to the pressure on these emerging players. Sadly it is looking like Queensland 13++.

3. NRL. Interesting to see Bronson Xerri turn his back on Parramatta for Melbourne... Spencer Lenui, Matt Burton, Moses Leota and Herbie Farnworth have all been pictured in mock Parramatta jerseys on social media too (they might all be suing them for defamation too). Sadly, there is every reason to reject the club: Culture. However, their efforts without Moses are often better than when he plays. Interesting.

The Tigers have hit rock bottom. A new CEO and now a huge decision to make re the coach. It is looking a lot like the past few seasons all of a sudden. Well done to Saints! Apparently Clint Gutherson is keen to continue playing at St George for another five seasons too, he runs the BBQs for the U/18s, is training the house down and looks good in the nets too.

The Broncos are a disgrace in 2026 too. So bad. They just seem to have given up. Time for 'Madge' to move on and give the reins to Trent Barrett. 

You have to give it to Justin Holbrook. What an effort with Newcastle. They have stood up at key times this year and been so much more consistent. Dylan Brown is playing freely and well. 

4. Socceroos. 1-1 v Egypt. A lot of joy has been given to us all over the past month by the Socceroos, but coach Popovic (from Fairvale way) sure can makes things complicated! Replacing the best beach in Australia with the aging Matt Ryan was either going to be master stroke - or a case of heat stroke in the hot Dallas sun. Giving the ball to our youngest player, Herrington, seemed really strange too, while more experienced players hugged their team mates in the huddle.

Egypt were far more composed and Mo Saleh shook hands with every opponent while his team celebrated. Classy. Surely there needs to be more science into spot kicks... run ups, planted foot = direction, keeping the ball on the ground or in the air? We seemed lost while Egypt had their laptops out, analysing the way we play penalty shoot outs.

Losing tight games is not good for you and should be avoided at all costs. Brazil v Norway and England v Mexico tomorrow should be close, cracking games. Mbappe and Messi lead the way on 7 goals. Harry Kane and Erling Haaland sit on 5 goals. Awesome players all.

5. Wallabies - Rugby. Speaking of  close losses, this has proven to be a specialty of the Wallabies under Schmidt who passed the coaching mantle over far too early. He should have left then. Against Ireland we had some really bright moments. Still an infuriating game with the TMO interruptions and injury stoppages. Thank goodness the Egypt football team didn't play!. Great when the ball is in play, but rugby now rivals the NFL in terms of stop start and duration. Good for the big men! We re just not good enough.

A tight and entertaining win by Ireland. A penalty after the final whistle is vintage rugby! Joe Schmidt seemed to get beaten a lot by small numbers...great guy, but the second worst Wallabies coaching record ever in our history. (39% win after 29 tests). Dave Rennie has the worst ever (36% from 33 tests).

We lost with a chance to win after the bell. However, it was closer than Harry Souttar's effort. (Noticed the NSW Waratahs coach, Dan McKellar, has left the building too. No surprise).

6. New Sporting Capital of Australia - South Australia. 

South Australia have become the best state in all domestic Australian sports:

• Current back to back Sheffield Shield cricket champions (2024-2025 and 2025-2026); 
• Current 2025-2026 Australian Baseball champions (Adelaide Giants); 
• The 2026 NBL final had Adelaide 36ers lose narrowly in the final series 3-2 to the Sydney Kings;
• In the A-League 2026, Adelaide United came second in the season proper and lost their semi final. 
• The Adelaide Crows were the AFL minor premiers in 2025.
• In the 2026 AFL season, the Adelaide Crows (equal fourth) and Port Adelaide Power (fifteenth) are pretty good too! 
• Now the Adelaide Thunderbirds win the national Super Netball championships back to back - in 2025 and now 2026.
• But, no rugby league in that state - so there!

7. AFL. The Swans looked fresh and finally have parked their handball speed game. It was very predictable for great tacticians like Chris Fagan and the Brisbane coaching team. Brisbane are surging now and look favourites to win the flag for mine...again for the three-peat. Freo got dusted by the GWS orange (due for a loss) and Carlton continued their 7 game undefeated surge under their new coach, Josh Fraser. They are in the top ten now in a "wildcard" position ... "we are the navy blues...". Hawthorn v Carlton next week may hit 100,000 in the crowd! A tight win by two points 74-72.

8. T20 Cricket. India v Ireland. India have lost their T20 series to the Irish... incredible! A close loss, but a loss all the same. Their first T20 series loss in a long while and with a full strength team! In England, they lost the first T20 as well. However the fifteen year old phenomenon, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi debuted with 14 (and two sixes). He can hit the ball!

9. T20 Womens Cricket Final. There have been ten T20 finals for women starting in 2009 (played every two years). We have played in eight finals now, winning six times, with a possible seventh win in 2026! Elyse Perry has really excelled in this tournament as our highest run scorer, but we have been pretty understated in making our seventh final. Sutherland and Gardiner have not really dominated yet - and can! No more narrow Australian losses!

10. MLB. In the American League, Texas Rangers, the Tampa Bay Rays and Cleveland Guardians lead the way. In the National League, the Dodgers continue to absolutely dominate, but the Atlanta Braves, Phillies, Brewers and Chicago Cubs also figure strongly after playing about 50/ 162 games for the season.

11. FI - Oscar Piastri. The Silverstone GP is one of the best and is on this weekend. Antonelli (179 - Mercedes), Russell (136 - Mercedes) and Lewis Hamilton (132 - Ferrari) lead the way in this year's drivers championship. Oscar is in sixth spot (82 points). Starting from eighth on the grid never ends well.

12. USPGA Golf. Scottie Scheffler lost in a tight, delayed playoff earlier this week in the Travellers v Viktor Hovland at -21 and is starting to do that a bit...but a good problem to have winning $2M still! The John Deere Classic this weekend is sadly like a Reserve Grade fixture with none of the world stars on show (why would you sponsor it?)... Lucas Glover looks strongest.

13. Fenech v Mundine. Some great banter from Jeffrey Fenech about Anthony Mundine's mouth, but Mundine is also correct. Jeff's record as a boxing trainer/ cornerman is not spectacular. He was vastly superior in the ring however!

14. Wimbledon. Alex de Minaur leaps into the round of sixteen and needs to lift when he plays the in form Italian, Flavio Coboli. Coboli made the final of the French Open two weeks ago, losing in five sets to Zverev. Hopefully he can win and get into the final eight! No narrow Australian losses.

The Wrap - Climbing the Pyramid of Football

1. Socceroos. Is the World Cup the most unifying thing we have seen for a long time in Australian sport (since the last Football World Cup or Sydney Olympics)? You have to admire the passion and commitment of the fans! The funny thing is we know we are ordinary, but knocking over South American and European teams is exciting. Australia v Egypt will be interesting. Mo Saleh will be the difference, so we will need to watch him. Hopefully we can be more attacking! Two goals in three games won't win it! A goal may be enough to conquer the pyramids of Egypt!

2. NRL. The Dolphins are warming up for a sensational semi final appearance. No Wayne Bennett legacy  impact. Classy, speedy and tough. What a lesson in recruitment that club is! Hard nosed forwards and speed. The Cowboys, Roosters and Knights all won tough arm wrestles!

Jason Taumalolo 300 games! Awesome. Not many players in the game at present over 300 games. Only Cherry-Evans (367), Ben Hunt who signed on for an extra season in 2027 (366), Josh Papali'i (334), Dane Gagai (328) and Adam Reynolds (320) are over 300 games. A rare club. Cameron Smith leads on 430 games. When will he be announced as an immortal? An incredible player.

The weekend told us a few things: Api needs to start. Ethan Strange needs to start. To'o may struggle to be picked. Bradman Best is a top shelf Origin player. Tedesco-Edwards is the toss of a coin. Olakau'atu is a must. He crushed the Storm early at Brookvale Oval. How he was dropped is staggering. Latrell will be missed but Crichton is an incredible leader and talent. Murray must start as well... Unfortunately Turbo looked like he needed leg surgery...so slow.

POSSIBLE WINNING NSW ORIGIN III TEAM:

• James Tedesco 
• Mark Nawaqanitawase
• Stephen Crichton
• Bradman Best
• Tolutau Koula
• Ethan Strange
• Nathan Cleary
• Payne Haas
• Api Korisau
• Isaiah Yeo
• Haumole Olakau'atu 
• Hudson Young
• Cameron Murray

It will be interesting to see if Laurie Daley sticks with some less exciting options (Moses, To'o, Staggs, Brailey, Robson...). His coaching career could come to an end very soon otherwise.

3. AFL. The Swans... the Swans...What to make of them? That game v Brisbane reminded us all of that horrible 2024 Grand Final effort. There is a softer underbelly there sometimes, even if the season has been very positive for them so far. Gulden's return was most welcomed! Freo continue to shine... hard, dry tracks help their style. Dominant users of the football. Hawthorn and the Cats are hovering, but it is the Brisbane Lions that impressed most this weekend...and six straight wins for Carlton!

4. England v New Zealand Test Cricket. As soon as that sun comes out in England, the game changes. This pitch is an absolute road, but overcast conditions can change the whole Test. Series locked at 1-1. A top opening stand of 317 by Tom Latham (151) and Devon Conway (157). Ben Duckett (113) scored his first ton for a long time. 7 Test tons, but 16x 50s. Lots of starts, but not many finishes for an opening Test match batsman. New Zealand are zooming in on a 2-1 Test series victory. Lots of tight bowling and loose English batting at key moments. Harry Brook is incredibly talented, but thoughtless and slap dash at bad times.

5.T20 Cricket - Ireland v India. A remarkable T20 victory for Ireland v India. Like a Shakespearean play...arrogance is the fatal flaw. Playing the IPL Orange cap winner (most runs), 15 year old, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, would be a great start. He is a superstar.

6. FI- Austrian GP. Can Piastri upset Antonelli? Probably not from seventh spot on the grid. Lewis Hamilton is the surprise packet for Ferrari. McLaren are eating plenty of humble pie this season, sitting a distant third place so far. The Ferraris look sharpest.

7. Wimbledon. It all starts on Monday. Serena Williams is back in the first round as well (last played in 2022) v Australia's Maya Joint. She has lost so many games this year, Serena is a huge chance in Round 1. In the Wimbledon lead up tournament at Queens, Alex de Minaur gets dumped out in the quarter finals. Top 8 again is his limit.

8. USPGA Golf. At the Travellers, Scottie Scheffler shot 60 to led at16 under after two rounds, but Viktor Hovland  has put pressure on him at -20 after three rounds. Incredible golf. A scintillating final round ahead.

The Wrap - Parra Guy

1. World Cup - Socceroos. The World Cup of Football is the greatest show on earth. A brilliant win v Turkey last week, but a dreadful start v USA for the Socceroos. How good would a goal or two v USA have been? Harry Souttar's air swing in front of goal didn't help. However coach Popovic has a few tricks up his sleeve. Sometimes it seems like he may be outwitting himself! Turkey have been stuffed and basted and Australia needs points v Paraguay on Friday. We need to play with more freedom and attack on Friday! Hopefully we can do the business. Any team with 'parra' in it, is able to be beaten.

2. US Open Golf. Shinnecock Hills is not close to anything much in Long Island. It is a tricky course, but not close to the quality of the Masters either (what is?)! Brutal at times and has so few players hitting under par. In fact only five after three rounds. It is also very hard to get there, so the crowds are not great. The US Open has always struggled. 

Xander Shauffele is always there, so it seems is Morikawa and the Fitzpatricks have made a strong collective name for themselves. Scottie Scheffler is always hovering and sits second after three rounds in pursuit of his golfing major Grand Slam! Wyndham Clark has nailed the course (64 was super impressive in the first round, then 69... awesome golf), but a few slip ups and it is anyone's to win. 

Adam Scott's 100th consecutive Major (incredible) ended badly for him and all the other Australians. Min Woo, Cam Smith and an injured Jason Day did not trouble the leader board and in fact were on a plane home soon after (MTC) - or at the victory parade of the New York Knicks!

It is Wyndham Clark's to lose from here...surely he can't lose from there. Wyndham will be destroying more than locker rooms if he loses from here. His win in the Byron Nelson positions him well for the final round pressure. The 2023 US Open winner stands to equal Greg Norman on two major wins if he can hold on.

3. NRL. State of Origin. Why was it so predictable for NSW? We just seemed so unlikely to win all week. There needs to be changes and Latrell and Stephen Crichton could come in immediately and excel. Crichton is a sensational player. Strange needs to play and Cameron Murray needs more minutes. Has Laurie Daley lost it? Api might think so.

Todd Payten gets two more years as Cowboys coach which is a massive comeback from earlier this year when the critics had the door to the crematorium open for his career.

Manly were horrible in the last few minutes v the Bulldogs and probably deserved to lose. Crichton's boot was better than Garrick's and it was the difference with a field goal as well. He will be welcomed back into the NSW team ASAP! A punish of a game to watch however. 

The Dolphins surge on yet again and the curse of Wayne has been defeated by a team that looks better than when he coached them! Benji's Tigers were sadly at their mediocre best. The Storm are back too! With a bye in hand they are one win outside the eight!

4. Australia v Bangladesh ODI and T20 Series. A thumping for us in the ODI series, but the T20 has seen a few flourish. Cooper Connolly's 149 in the final ODI win was extraordinary. Matt Renshaw in particular - three wickets in two T20s and 89no in the last one!

5. Test Cricket - England v New Zealand. Without Stokes, England look vulnerable. New Zealand conditions are very similar to English conditions and it is an even context. Matt Henry has 146 wickets in 35 tests at 26.92 which is good going! Ravi Rachindra averages 47.68 after 23 tests (5 tons) while Henry Nicholls has 11 Test tons at 40.00 after 59 Tests. A couple of great young stars. Joe Root keeps shining at home especially. He is what stands between victory and a draw for New Zealand.

6. NHL. The Carolina Hurricanes beat the Las Vegas Knights to win the much treasured Stanley Cup. A phenomenal competition. Brutal.

7. Super Rugby Final. In case you were wondering... 357 points scored in the final series and the Hurricanes beat the Chiefs 60-5 in the Grand Final! Embarrassing. The competition needs a reboot. We are further behind now than we were 12 months ago.

8. MLB. Travis Bazzana is stamping his class at the Cleveland Guardians, averaging .260 after 45 games. He hit two home runs this morning v the Astros from a pitcher who had not given up a home run to a left hander all season after 146 plate appearances. Travis hit him out of the park with the first pitch of the game! Sixth and seventh MLB Home Run! He is a terrific talent, possibly in the best clutch of MLB players this season! Keep an eye out for him. Played for Ryde and lives at Turramurra. Awesome story.