Wrap - Get the Moa Out

Boys,

1. The A League GF was unbelievable. The atmosphere - once the preserve of the EPL that we only dreamed about - is now on our doorstep. The other codes should be worried. Western Sydney tried hard but folded under pressure really. Not helped by injuries and ridiculous free kicks. A great effort with a new coach on board for the Roar. Enjoy the toilet seat trophy.

2. International Rugby League. I went out there on Friday night and the one ref footy is SO much better. The over officiating we have seen is eliminated. It is a much more pure game then. The only thing we have not seen in 2014 is a 'one up - one down' touch judge decision. Shouldn't be long.

 I must say that Allianz Stadium is a terrible looking field these days. A real patchwork quilt. Tired look of chairs that look like your chalky pool furniture that has seen too much sun. The pre match entertainment - a women's footy game and a poor garage band was standard NRL excellence. We were also treated to a lap of honour of the men's and women's Australian touch football team at half time. The NRL are a shambles.

3. The game itself was excellent. Thurston is the pick of the Smith-Slater-Inglis-Cronk dynasty. He will be an immortal one day. He never flags under pressure - ever. There is no room for all of them. Loved the haka at the start. The non-playing NZ haka leaders each looked like the 2013 Origin streaker. The Dean Whare tackle on Inglis was top shelf. The great Sam Moa - best on ground easily! Slater fading. The Morris boys have sheer pace like the great Slippery Morris.

4. The Fiji v Samoan game. The crushing defence and silly kicks and flick passes...Love the enthusiasm of the crowd. It is entertaining!

The U/20 game however was a terrible advertisement for league. Small boys turning the biff on, niggle, foul mouths...everything that is ugly about the game. Please...does anyone really care about U/20 State of Origin? It simply reinforces the spoilt brat component of the game of young boys getting too much TV exposure, too much money and too much attention. The quality of the game was only so so too.

5. Benji Marshall. Saints?...sadly there is a sniff of underperformance about him before he has put a boot on.

6.Sydney FC. Who wants to apply for the most despised job in world sport? Maybe a Captain Coach? I'd like to see it make a comeback! Not since Graham Langlands or the King Wally Lewis have we been treated to such self indulgence and internal club confusion.

7. Australia back on top of world Test cricket. A great achievement, but hard to follow how this is determined. Could be a short stay if we're not careful.

8. Super 15 Rugby. Waratahs won well under pressure of their 'GF'. Thankfully for them everyone else seems to be falling over at key times too.

9. AFL. The Fish Gil is now in command. Finally an opportunity to crack down on drug cheats!

10. EPL. Man City in the box seat, but Liverpool and Chelsea will fight them all the way. A few turns ahead yet.