Wrap - Plane Crickets

1. Jarryd Hayne. Like him or not, Hayne is getting more press and press-ure in this pre-season than any other player outside of the Broncos' Matt Lodge. For all his faults, the press (in the absence of any other controversies outside of the dynamic dopes - Dugan and Fifita) are hounding him somewhat unfairly at present, but Brad Arthur is a composed man who has it in hand. For Lodge, the extraordinary events in New York are violent, crazy and menacing. How he gets back into the NRL without any payments to his victims and Todd Carney does not, is very interesting. Perhaps both should be banished. Hayne may yet be banished too depending on his charges.

2. An NRL Testimonial Game. Please...isn't that when blokes are retiring? Thurston may be, but Smith? We'll get an outbreak of these before too long. A salary cap dodge? Time to make a big difference with third party agreements...

3. Sonny Bill Williams returning to the Roosters? That might just make them Premiership favourites yet. Injuries like all teams will hurt - but especially at the Roosters. Lots of leavers. Great signings, but if great signings fall...

4. Cricket. In the Shield, Renshaw finally gets a ton. Even Henriques too. Blue Moon watch out! Some continued poor batting seems to plague us in the game v South AfricaA. Handscomb needs a miracle to play Test cricket again any time soon. Those decks will really test us. An enthralling series ahead this week. Cummins is building nicely as a tremendous all rounder. His batting saved us.

5. Rugby. Great win by the Waratahs - and the Brumbies. The Rebels did it easy too. Brad Thorn will come under the blow torch if he doesn't lift the Reds to a better performance. A terrible start.

6. EPL - Huddersfield. Two wins can change your EPL life. This year, 6 points makes a stunning difference - more than most years. Suddenly they are almost safe...for a few weeks yet at least.

7. Winter Olympics. A great effort to win three medals by the Aussies. The summer Olympics are a fabulous event, with the winter Olympics, the poor cousin. Lots of skill, entertainment and injuries... but still in the back seat.