Welcome to country is basically (and rightly) standard in any public event now.
NSW absolutely whomped QLD though. It's no surprise that QLD were able to get going in Suncorp, but it looks like they're a bit lost without the crowd. Tom Trbojevic was pretty spectacular - I hope that keeps up. You have to think that if and when NSW eventually get Luke Keary on the field they'll be even tougher to beat.
It strikes me as a pretty bizarre ritual. 'We acknowledge the traditional owners...' Well, you don't, do you? Otherwise they would still be the owners.
https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rug...dent-1.3936040
Send some filthy whatsapps = sacked.
Piss on someone in a pub = "sanctioned".
It's infinitesimally better than nothing (which at this stage is basically saying you specifically don't acknowledge them, given the ubiquitousness of these messages), even if it's a little performative.
It's also important when you consider the popularity the sport has within indigenous communities. Many of them are generally favourable to statements like that, so if they see it as meaning something, who are we to argue? We can't undo the past, but it's important to acknowledge it.
Why do they need to be acknowledged specifically? They're obviously part of the national story, and ought to be acknowledged as part of that, but you're all just Australians now - for better or worse - so distinguishing people as the 'traditional' anything seems a bit weirdly ethno-nationalist given the make-up of the country and its various waves of immigration.
That hasn't been the case since the Mabo ruling, which legally recognised native title and indigenous land rights. So there is an actual legal distinction there.
This is a relatively painless way of acknowledging that there were people here under a different sovereignty, and while it does not continue in the same form, there is a distinction. As it has largely become the norm in public events in Australia (even including things like Parliament), taking it away would be a very active statement. And given that rugby league is very prominent within many indigenous communities, who have produced many important players, it makes sense that they acknowledge these groups with whom they have so many links.
Also, at this point not having that is being a dick for its own sake. There are a handful of people who would happily do that, but they tend to be of the "they had it coming, and we should've wiped them out when we had a chance" variety. And one or two government cabinet ministers, inasmuch as those two groups don't privately overlap.
I know they have certain rights over certain territories, so crack on if your public event takes place on those designated areas, but I don't see how, when referring to the whole country, it makes any sort of sense. I get that they might like to hear it (and that white Australians can live with being classed as guests of the 'traditional owners'), but it is meaningless.
You probably have to be here to really get it, I suppose.
Mitchell Pearce should make a massive deal of retiring from New South Wales now. That one man celebration at the winning try is right up there.
It never even occurred to me that NSW would get a last minute try. That just isn't how these things are done.
Great game though. One of the best I can remember for years.
I think the best thing James Tedesco can do is remain loyal to Italy.
Justin Holbrook to go to NRL? Apparently Gold Coast Titans have approached him.
I'm a twit
He should avoid it like the plague.
Ash Taylor would be a superstar elsewhere, but those other contracts are pretty lol.
Is it that the area is just short-termers and deadheads? Why can't it sustain anything?
It is just suburban sprawl outside of the tourist bits. Not that easy to get around and there are heaps of retirees and Victorians who have no interest. The Gold Coast isnt an actual identity. A person would say I from Burleigh not Im from the Gold Coast.
The stadium is in the middle of no where with nothing to do outside. Either have to get the train or a bus from Robina shopping center. Maybe if the stadium was in the middle of Surfers Paradise they might have some sort following?
Another thing is that the local AFL competition is more popular than the local Rugby League competition from my understanding.
I reckon they should just play out of Suncorp or Redcliffe maybe transfer the licence to the Redcliffe Dolphins who are an actual league town with history and big enough leagues club to have a proper supporter base that will show up week in week out. Also a huge juniors club that is the number one sport in every direction.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redcliffe_Dolphins
http://redcliffedolphins.com.au/
Last edited by Queenslander; 18-07-2019 at 12:20 AM.
@Queenslander: It's great too see Christian Lealiifano back playing for the Wallabies. That guy's been through a massive amount.
To go through leukaemia treatment and then make your way back into the team is amazing. And we're so much better with him on the field, too.
It was odd to see James O'Connor back in the jersey though. He must have rehabilitated somewhat.
Last edited by Queenslander; 28-07-2019 at 02:43 AM.
If Shane Flanagan replaces him then they will have done well out of it, and then your bigger problem is him poaching Luke Thompson and whoever else.
This sounds like a winner. It sounds like (in the report at least) that 'tackles' are being conflated with 'collisions', in which case both sides going into them with their heads down is hardly likely to improve matters. Mental.
The irony of Roy Keane helping a team get ready for a world cup in Japan.
I hadn't thought of that. If you can't wrap the ball up you would be daft to put more than one man into a tackle, so you end up with fifteen vs thirteen (two held back for the 50/22) individual crash battles and what the fuck is that?
What do they plan for cleanouts at rucks?
Brisbane Lions won again so Ill be dusting off the old scarf come finals time.
Ohhh the whinging from the Kiwis is epic.
No complaints from me. Top teams are so close now, down to 14 for 40 minutes is too much to make up.
I'll be in London during the AFL grand final, and if the Lions are playing I'm definitely finding a bar that'll be showing it.
Also, we're demolishing the All-Blacks. This is a thumping.
Dan Coles is the most stupid All Black I have ever seen. Can he even write his own name?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/mixed-martial-arts/49431626
I'd imagine plenty of people will be looking forward to him inevitably getting his face filled in.
Challenge Cup final on Saturday. Can’t wait.
It’s on BBC1 too, so Tanya Arnold.
I'm a twit
One of them on someone. Blake Austin is out, so if Saints lose they should change coaches on Sunday.
lol at them not sending that try to the video. Robert Hicks will be meeting Twitter divs for the rest of the year if they lose this.