Off-course Snappers Teed Off As Wallabies Hit Fairways
Sydney Morning Herald
Saturday September 22, 2007
THE Wallabies continue to be the most elusive of teams. Members of the international media were led on a wild goose chase across the south of France, trying to find a golf course so they could get shots of Australian players hitting the fairways on their day off. The directions to the golf course, somewhere between Belgium and southern Spain, were very vague, even though the team driver, who delivered the players to the course, told R&M: "C'est simple." Sure, sure. Within half an hour, there was a frantic telephone hook-up between various media networks trying to find it. Some had gone south. Some had gone north. Some west, and R&M correctly went north-east. Most were completely lost. At that stage, no Wallabies in silly golf shirts had been sighted. Adding to the intrigue was a French media car, madly chasing the R&M van, because its occupant had organised an interview with one of the Herald team for a story about George Gregan. The R&M team thought they were being pursued by someone who looked like Inspector Clouseau, and, wanting to ward off French intelligence, hit the gas. Hours later, the golf course was found. Everyone got there in the end, and Inspector Clouseau revealed himself as one of the writers for Rugby Hebdo magazine, who actually lived in the area. Even he, intimate with this zone, said: "Where are we? I've never heard of this golf course." But the happy snaps were eventually taken.
ARU's guillotine busyOur snout at the Australian Rugby Union HQ at Crows Nest tells us there have been some interesting staff movements in recent days. More of John O'Neill's allies are returning, and those who were heavily involved in the Fort Fumble days are quickly disappearing. We hear some very interesting names are under threat. Monty medico to rescueMontpellier is claiming it has the doctor with the miracle cure to save Australia's World Cup campaign. The local paper, Midi Libre, championed the doctor who conducted the arthroscopy on Stephen Larkham last Sunday. It said the doctor was a genius, and like all stars, he was humbled by the sudden tidal wave of attention. Below a photograph of Dr Florent Buscayret, sitting next to a plastic knee, the medico said: "It was flattering to have the confidence of the Wallaby delegation to do the operation. And he [Larkham] even left that night walking just like you and me. It was an emotional moment."Seeing red over JenkinsAlmost halfway into the World Cup and numerous teams are trying to play down alleged rifts in the ranks. Over the past few days, both Ireland and Wales officials have been denying reports that all is not well. The Welsh situation is simmering, with suggestions that Wales coach Gareth Jenkins is on his last legs. Wales love sacking coaches - they have had 12 different head coaches in the past 21 years, and after the loss to Australia, Jenkins has been slagged off by all and sundry in the valleys. The Welsh Rugby Union have already admitted it will conduct a review of the national coaching team after the tournament. Who knows? Perhaps Wallabies assistant coach Scott Johnson will get a call.Laporte in a stormThe wacky Bernard Laporte stories continue. The French coach was asked if it was true he said he would reject his position as secretary of state for sport in France, which he is supposed to take up after the World Cup, if his team bombed in the tournament. "I must have a twin," Bernie "Le Dingue" (Crazy Bernie) said. "I never spoke about that." Every day there are sledges in the French media. L'Equipe ran an interview with English commentator Stuart Barnes, who couldn't resist throwing some bombs. "I ask myself about the French team. The French have been sometimes good, sometimes bad. The only stable thing for eight years has been Bernard Laporte. They play some superb matches, and then produce some absolute horrors. Laporte is not a very good coach."
© 2007 Sydney Morning Herald
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