Geoff Parkes's Blog, page 3

Marsh madness: Skipper’s blitz powers Aussies to commanding win despite Kiwi’s fighting ton

A hard-hitting 85 from Australian captain Mitchell Marsh has outgunned New Zealander Tim Robinson’s century to set up a commanding win for the visitors in their first T20I in Tauranga.

After Robinson’s 66-ball 106 helped rescue the Black Caps’ innings after slumping to 3/6 against the new ball, Marsh helped make light work of the target of 182, with the skipper’s 43-ball 85 and rapid 67-run opening stand with Travis Head steering Australia to victory with six wickets and 21 balls in hand.

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AFL News: Elliott makes contract call, league ‘not thrilled’ with Cats’ Mad Monday antics, RIP the bounce

After weeks of speculation over his playing future, Jamie Elliott has re-committed to Collingwood.

Fresh off a career-best season, the Magpies forward, who controversially missed a maiden All-Australian selection after booting 60 goals for the year, was seen as a live chance to take up a substantial offer from Gold Coast to head north, with the Pies’ contract described as ‘borderline offensive’ by SEN reporter Sam Edmund on Seven’s The Agenda Setters.

Carlton also recently flagged their in...

NRL stars on rugby radar as rebel comp puts player managers on notice with kick-off date

Organisers of breakaway rugby competition R360 have told player agents to plan for an October 2026 start date, in a move that could create headaches for the NRL.

Player agents were this week informed of growing confidence the rebel league will be able to take off, with claims funding has been secured for three seasons.

Talks remain ongoing with World Rugby, after the competition pushed back its application to seek approval from the governing body until late 2026.

The competition is at t...

Super Rugby AUS final teams: Wallabies in action as Force host Tahs

The Western Force and the NSW Waratahs showcase several recent Wallabies when they clash in the Super Rugby AUS final in Perth on Sunday.

Ben Donaldson is at No.10 for the hosts with Darcy Swain leading the team that also includes veteran Kurtley Beale.

For the Tahs, Tom Lambert will start at prop with Wallabies Isaac Kailea and Matt Philip on the bench.

Western Force vs NSW Waratahs Sunday, 1:00 pm local (4pm AEDT), Kingsway Regional Sporting Complex, Wanneroo, Perth.

Teams

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NRL grand final team lists: Coaches set to back winning formula as Carrigan returns, Reprieve for Broncos prop

Both coaches are set to stick largely with a winning formula from the preliminary final, with only the obvious inclusion of key Brisbane forward Pat Carrigan from suspension as the only major change across the two squads.

His return pushes Tyson Smoothy to the interchange bench, and Ben Talty is the unlucky man to drop out of the side to the reserves.

Broncos prop Xavier Willison is free to play in the NRL grand final after the match review committee only fined him for a dangerous tackle i...

Klein dumped as NRL appoint new grand-final referee after controversial ‘penalty-athon’

Grant Atkins looks to have usurped Ashley Klein as the NRL’s No.1 official after being handed control of the grand final for the first time in his refereeing career.

Atkins, who has regularly refereed at NRL level for over a decade, will be the man in the middle for Sunday’s decider between Melbourne and Brisbane, League Central announced on Tuesday.

Chris Sutton and David Munro have been appointed as touch judges, while Klein will be in charge of the bunker.

M...

‘They’re wasting their time’: V’landys rubbishes threat of cashed-up rugby recruiters stealing NRL talent

Peter V’landys has rubbished the threat of R360 to the NRL, while also declaring he expects Mark Nawaqanitawase to one day return to the 13-man code.

The NRL is facing a battle on two fronts against rugby union, with the lure of a home World Cup in 2027 enough to drag Nawaqanitawase back to the Wallabies.

At the same time, the rebel rugby union R360 competition continues to rumble away, with off-contract players routinely linked to signing with the mooted competition.

Melbourne star Rya...

NRL News: Souths star open to shock rugby switch, high-priced recruit released, Reece slams Stefano’s ‘stuck-up’ sledge

South Sydney skipper Cameron Murray is open to following in the footsteps of former Sydney Rooster Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii in a code switch to rugby union.

The NRL representative forward has always considered him a rugby league person, but has had junior history with union, playing inside centre for Newington and was offered a contract from the Waratahs at the end of year 12, but turned it down to sign with South Sydney.

The 27-year-old is now locked in at Souths until the end of the 2028 se...

‘It didn’t sound good’: Maxwell suffers horror training mishap ahead of upcoming T20s

Another injury has forced Glenn Maxwell out of the Australian T20 tour of New Zealand and thrown a major spanner into his summer schedule.

The 36-year-old suffered a fractured arm when hit by teammate Mitch Owen while bowling to him in the nets.

Owen launched into a drive that hit Maxwell near the wrist.

More Cricket 'It didn't sound good': Maxwell suffers horror training mishap ahead of upcoming T20s As...

Exclusive: Surprise Aussie pick to replace Cron as Wallabies prepare to farewell ‘unsung hero’

The “unsung hero” of the Wallabies’ revival is set to bow out this weekend, with Mike Cron poised to call time on his association with Rugby Australia following Saturday’s second Bledisloe Cup Test in Perth.

The Roar can reveal that Brumbies scrum coach John Ulugia, the former Brumbies and Waratahs hooker who spent a decade playing in the French Top 14, is set to take over Cron for the end-of-year Tests.

It’s believed the rising coach is in camp with the Wallabies this week to start the tr...