Futtocks

Martin Crompton - if he'd signed for a top club, I think he'd have gone on to much bigger things than his already admirable career. Scott Quinnell - I thought that, at the point where he went back to Rugby Union, he was just beginning to play to his potential.

An Amazon list of authors with unfortunate names.

He is a very entertaining broadcaster.

Duplicate post

Bootsy Collins - Zillatron: Lord of the Harvest. A blend of funk, death metal, cartoon whimsy and free jazz. Sick!

Always a dangerous player (sometimes in the wrong way, inadvertently or not), but he more than earned his pay at each club he played for. The Aussies didn't like playing him either, which is always a good sign. But the way a life unravels like this is just awful.

Isn't it?

Not forgetting: "Dear me, why do they carry the ball in one hand. I really do not know, tut tut..." And, of course, mentioning a try-scorer's father and the amateur club he played for.

Japanese Mah-Jongg - addictive.

Foie gras is very rich. But delicious. See if you can find monkfish liver - often available tinned. It is another rich delicacy, sometimes called the foie gras of the sea.

The current rules made for some fantastic matches, but I remember at the time watching Michael Jennings tear up the pitch for Tonga and wondering how long it would be before Australia tapped him on the shoulder, hinting at a chance to play in Origin. A solution that benefits the game as a whole will be a long time coming, I fear.

Lobster's great, whether just simply steamed or boiled, or in a classic dish like Lobster Newburg. And dressed crab is one of life's great pleasures. Crayfish, on the other hand, rarely lives up to expectations.

At this late stage, man-management and inspiration will be pretty much all Stanley could (and probably will) deliver. Hopefully, he will have assistants around him that can fill in the technical coaching bits.

News just in: Tony Williams has been removed from the Kiwi train-on squad. Apparently Stephen Kearney didn't like the fact that he was touting himself about for Tonga and Australia.

And there lies the problem. If you enforce a rule that you can only play for one nation (which would be ideal for the code's credibility), too many players would put their hand up for Aus or NZ, as the more likely teams to win trophies and glory. The Pacific Islands would be weakened - left with a loyal core, plus players who don't see themselves ever making the Kangaroo or Kiwi squad. Somehow, there needs to be a 'critical mass' of players willing to represent - for example - Tonga, so they can become a genuine force in the game, with a chance of competing with the Big Two of the Southern hemisphere. That team's example could get players on board for other nations in the same situation. Hard to see how it can be done, though.

While I'm fully aware of the context of that 300%, if every other existing sport (apart from Football) can trot out the "fastest-growing sport" line (and they do, regularly), why can't RL?

Bump

Never mind that - Wally Lewis is coming!

So who takes his place - Junior Sa'u? A very different physical specimen to Matai.

She's a competent singer. But without the looks, she'd never have got a record deal. She's a fair bit better than most of those 'crossover classical' artists, though. Best ever, to my mind, was Edwin Starr. Absolutely superb!

Three of Simon Cowell's worthless spawn. Whoopee.

Excuse me while I pause to blow a thick layer of dust off a rotten old joke... ... ... ... ... ... ... I thought he was really good in 'Grange Hill'. I'll get me coat...

Kiwis preliminary squad named. Obviously early days, and will be pruned down over the next few weeks, but there's a fair few new names included:Alex Glenn, Antonio Winterstein (Brisbane) Bryson Goodwin, Ben Roberts (Canterbury) Bronson Harrison (Canberra) Greg Eastwood (Leeds) Kieran Foran, Steve Matai, Tony Williams (Manly) Adam Blair, Sika Manu (Melbourne) Junior Sa'u, Zeb Taia (Newcastle) Krisnan Inu, Fuifui Moimoi (Parramatta) Sam McKendry, Frank Pritchard (Penrith) Nathan Fien, Jason Nightingale, Jeremy Smith (St George Illawarra) Roy Asotasi, Issac Luke, Eddy Pettybourne, Fetuli Talanoa (South Sydney) Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Joseph Leilua, Mose Masoe, Frank-Paul Nuuausala, Sam Perrett, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (Sydney Roosters) Lewis Brown, Aaron Heremaia, Lance Hohaia, Kevin Locke, Simon Mannering, Ben Matulino, Russell Packer, Sam Rapira, Jerome Ropati, Ukuma Ta'ai, Manu Vatuvei (New Zealand Warriors) Benji Marshall (Wests Tigers) Thomas Leuluai (Wigan)

An excellent idea, and one that should have been done long ago.

As I posted elsewhere, I just have this hunch that we won't win it this year. The team's more than good enough, as are the other main contenders, but I just have this feeling. It has still been a superb season, whatever happens from now on.