Wrap - No Real Love (NRL)

1. Parramatta were best summed up today by a comment from my youngest son "Ryan Morgan did well today dad. He didn't stuff it up at the end and lose the game with poor defence in the last five minutes". He actually played alright to be fair, but he has hands like Dolf. Their defence was willing, but their attack is terrible. A bad loss by Manly, but Parra will be doing handstands. No wooden sppon in 2015. They are back (to rank mediocrity, not terrible underperformance).

2. Troubled by the anti-NRL sentiment flowing regarding TV rights. The NRL simply have no presence in two states (SA, WA) and a fledgling at best presence in VIC with zero interest in NT and TAS. They are probably lucky to have received what they have got. Smith has actually done pretty well attracting what he has. As for sponsors worried by the shoulder charge, Smith is too smart by half with all these journos. Law suits for damages will mount up. Are these the same people calling for a shorter season to ease the load on player's health and their welfare. Spare me! The critics have been brought undone with a tighter more professional approach (complete with errors) minus the leaks and mates deals. The NRL has become a financial powerhouse, operating with backward clubs who are mostly if not in, are certainly nearing in, on the shithouse. Does anyone really care these days if there were only 12 teams. There is a lack of care in most people who know that crowds on game day are a thing of the past.

 3. The Australian Cricket Team. Clarke has plummeted with the bat although apart from his feisty leadership, we will miss his fabulous hands in the slips. God help us with our batting order this summer. The Windies might get closer to us than we think - especially if they select Chanderpaul.

Good to see Siddle has put away the maps and the Tom Tom and is playing cricket. He has bowled well. Accurate, but all too late. Warne's criticism of Rod Marsh is absolutely spot on. Rod Marsh has lost the plot. Mark Waugh was in on that too wasn't he? He needs to get his act together too. Faceless.

Interesting to see we have scored more tons (3) than the Poms (1), but have lost. Inconsistency has cruelled us. Nothing like a dead rubber victory. It feels the same as painting the dog house after the dog just got killed by a motorbike. Empty. Noticed Steve Smith has scored 9/10 test tons in the first innings. Handy strike rate. Nathan Lyon has the wood on Cook. Even if it takes him 90 runs to crack.

4. Just when you thought Hawthorn were definites, the West Coast are forming a new threat - especially with a home final. Their work v Western Bulldogs has certainly helped Sydney's top four cause too.

5. Jarryd Hayne. Hopefully he can produce the goods tomorrow v the Dallas Cowboys, but certainly under pressure and the microscope. Something massive.

6. Noticed Ricky Stuart has presided over another end of season free fall. He could yet get another wooden spoon. He must like baking cakes.

7. England beaten by France in a Rugby Test. Maybe Sam Burgess is needed after all.