Which leaves us where, exactly?
I reckon it leaves us trawling the past for good yarns, even while scouring the city for fresh stuff from the grassroots.
And how funny I should say that …
Bubbles fall flat
For she was a lovely elderly woman, who approached me in the café on the reckoning that I might like her story from 50 years ago.
Go on …
She and her refined girlfriends from the Lower North Shore were at a bar in George Street, when a very famous rugby league footballer – who first found fame with St George before going much higher – sent over a bottle of champagne to their table, with a cheery wave in their direction.
In short order he had plonked himself down among them, trying on various versions of “How ’bout it, love?” to one after the other, only to receive polite variations of the same response: “Thanks, but I’d sooner stuff a pretzel up my nose.”
Said Leaguie then storms off into the night. As the young ladies leave a couple of hours later, it is only to find the cost of the champagne had been added to their bill!
And that’ll learn ’em.
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Tough crowd for premier
Meantime, the scene was set a couple of months ago, out Canterbury way, one Saturday morning as kids from all over Sydney were engaged in a touch competition. On the sideline is a familiar figure – Premier Chris Minns.
He is there watching his youngest son George, 7, tearing ’em up for the “Boom Squad” team.
After the tournament winds up in the late morning, and trophies have been awarded, the Minns family are making their way to the car when the coach of the winning team asks the family patriarch if he would he pose for a photo with his team and their newly won silverware.
Of course. There is some kerfuffle as the boys make way for the tall dignitary so he can hold the trophy with them, and give the thumbs up – “Say ‘cheese’, everyone!” – in the traditional manner.
Completely unimpressed, a nearby 10-year-old asks within earshot of Anna Minns, “Who is that?”
“That’s the Premier,” his awestruck coach replies.
“Nah,” the lad snorts derisively, “look at him. He doesn’t play for the Panthers!”
Oh go on, say it after me: Gotta love this city!
Minns a true union man
In the double meantime, make no mistake, despite Premier Minns’ OUTRAGEOUS largesse to rugby league – don’t get me started on paying for a new stadium at Penrith, as I have been known to go on for some time – he is actually a rugby union man through and through, playing in the back-row for the Oatley subbies team, in the late ’90s.
And – with thanks to one of my spies on the inside, who rummaged through the bottom draws to find it – here he is!
Chris Minns (top left, with VB can in hand) during his playing days with Oatley in the 1990s.
From Gunnedah pals to Australia-Japan rivals
Finally, there is this.
There is a great untold story which will have an interesting new chapter when the Wallabies kick off against the Japanese Cherry Blossoms on Saturday afternoon.
See, 15 or so years ago, when a young No.8 by the name of Harry Wilson was tearing ’em up for the Gunnedah Red Devils, he would often test himself at training by taking on a slightly taller bloke one age group up – a rangy back-rower by the name of Ben Gunter. No hard feelings, and that’s rugby.
After training, Harry and his older brothers would be driven home by their dad, Cam, the club president, to the family farm outside Gunny. Ben would walk to the home of his grandparents, with whom he lived.
Harry Wilson in action against the All Blacks earlier this month.Credit: Getty Images
Rugby was extremely important in the lives of both young men, and Harry even nurtured dreams of one day playing for the Wallabies. By their mid-teens, Ben’s rugby prowess had won him a scholarship to Brisbane Boys College, while Harry would soon follow him to Brissie, attending St Joseph’s College, Gregory Terrace. In school clashes, the two Red Devils would go hard at each other, doing themselves and their old club proud. No hard feelings, and they were mates.
While both were grateful for what the Gunny club had done for them, this was particularly the case for Gunter, because of the rugby scholarship that changed his life – and on visits back, he would always go out of his way to express his appreciation for the club, coaches and community that had so nurtured him.
Ben and Harry’s paths took different directions after school. Harry went on to play for Queensland and is now, of course, the captain of Australia. Ben, meantime, went to play club rugby in Japan, under the coaching of Robbie Deans.
Ben Gunter after Japan’s win over Wales in July.Credit: Getty Images
This afternoon, he’ll be playing for the Cherry Blossoms, and he and Harry will clash once more . Both can be expected to go hard. No hard feelings, and that’s rugby.
Bravo, the two of them. And the Gunnedah Red Devils club can be very proud to have bred such fine men, and rugby players.
What they said
Allan Border reaches for the long handle: “Sam Konstas, I’ve only ever seen him play a ramp shot. Can he cover drive or anything like that?”
LA Dodgers manager Dave Roberts on Shohei Ohtani, the Japanese pitcher, designated hitter and outfielder all in one, who is tearing up American baseball: “That was probably the greatest post-season performance of all time. There’s been a lot of post-season games. And there’s a reason why he’s the greatest player on the planet.”
Ohtani’s teammate, Mookie Betts: “He’s like Michael Jordan, and we’re the Bulls.”
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca reacts on Ange Postecoglou’s unceremonious dismissal from Nottingham Forest: “This is a business where if you don’t win games, the consequence for all of us is exactly the same. So, sorry for him.”
Ange the day before he was sacked: “I just don’t fit – not here, just in general. If you look at things through the prism that I am a failed manager who’s lucky to get this job – I know you’re smirking at me, but that’s what’s been said – then, of course, these first five weeks look like, ‘This guy is under pressure’.”
Mary Fowler and Nathan Cleary.Credit: Instagram
Jamie Melham on being the first female jockey to win the Caulfield Cup. She rode Half Yours to victory but by her comments maybe it should have been Up Yours: “What I want to say can’t go on camera. I would say, ‘They can all get …’ and it would start with an F.”
Nathan Cleary on Mary Fowler’s rugby league understanding: “She sometimes asks me why I don’t kick a 40-20 every set. I kind of like that as well. She understands sport in general, but she isn’t telling me how to play. It’s nice.” Yes, yes, yes, Nathan. But why don’t you?
Mitch Marsh asked if he thinks he may get an Ashes recall: “I’ve got tickets for day one and two. I haven’t asked the wife yet, but that’s about as much thought as I’ve given it.”
Oscar Piastri, after Max Verstappen won the US Grand Prix to loom in the Australian’s rearview mirror, closing fast: “I’d still rather be where I am … I’ve been in fights that were as close or at this point even closer than what they are now. So I’ve got the evidence for myself that things can still turn out well, and I still fully believe that I can win the championship.” Formula One bores me rigid, if you care. Oh. Oh, I see. As you were then.
Gorden Tallis on advising Kangaroos players he may have criticised in the past: “Sometimes you might feel a little bit awkward, but I’m OK with it, generally. I might have said something but deep down it doesn’t worry me. They are paid to play footy, I am paid for my opinions. If they stop playing footy then they stop being paid. If I stop giving an opinion, I stop getting paid.”
Queensland Senator Matt Canavan, who sits on the CQ32 Rowing Legacy Advisory Committee on the Fitzroy River being used as rowing/canoe venue for 2032 Games: “I mean, if Jesus Christ ever came back to this world, it’s a great place for him to come because it’s flat enough to walk on.” Don’t look at me. I have no clue. Uphill rivers are not common. And I am guessing Jesus walked up the odd hill in his time, starting with the Mount of Olives? Or am I showing my Biblical ignorance?
Team of the week
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Nick Champion de Crespigny. The man with the best name in Australian sport, who made his debut for the Wallabies just this year at the age of 29 – after four years playing in France – will captain them today against the Cherry Blossoms as Harry Wilson is rested, to start from the bench.
Mark Nawaqanitawase. Wallaby. Olympian. Kangaroo.
Ange Postecoglou. Sacked just 39 days into his Nottingham Forest career, a post-war record. Geez, that is brutal. Is it time to bring him back to at least be part of the Socceroos, as they build to the next World Cup, whenever that is?
Beckham Baker. Plays for Melbourne City and is most welcome. It’s about time sub-editors across the land had a sports star with a great name like that to play with in headlines.
Toronto Blue Jays and LA Dodgers. Will contest baseball’s World Series.
Liz Ellis AO. The Chair of Netball Australia, and champion player of the 1990s, will be officially recognised as a “Legend of NSW Sport” at the prestigious NSW Champions of Sport Ceremony at The Star thingammy on Monday. Congratulations to her.
Peter FitzSimons’ book, The Courageous Life of Weary Dunlop is released on Monday. You can read an extract in Sunday’s Sun-Herald.
