January 25, 2023: Melbourne and Auckland Two Tribes launch venues confirmed
We're at the London Tavern in Richmond next Wednesday and The Pigeon in St Heliers Bay on February 8.
WHAT’S the name of that Meatloaf song? “Rock’N’Roll Dreams Come True”?
This is the closest I’ll get to being in a touring rock band, visiting three capital cities in five nights - by road - to promote Two Tribes .. and then flying straight to Auckland.
On the recommendation of Roy Masters, we’re hitting the famed sporting pub the London Tavern on Wednesday February 1 from 5.30pm.
A week later it’s the St Heliers Bay Pigeon Racing Club in Auckland from 7pm where we’ll also have some international rugby league merch for sale.
Still trying to pin down a venue for Adelaide but the date will definitely be February 3.
See you there!
LIONS ON THE ATTACK AFTER TALLIS CLEARED OF TACKLE CHARGE
Sydney Morning Herald, Wednesday November 11 1997
GREAT Britain, accused of successfully baiting Australian second-rower Gorden Tallis in the Second Test, had another go on Sunday when he was cleared of a high tackle charge.
British team manager Phil Lowe slammed the decision of a Rugby Football League committee which, after viewing video evidence, decided not to citeTallis for a high tackle on winger Alan Hunte.
"We are surprised at the committee's verdict,”Lowe told League Express magazine.
"In this case you should also consider what happened throughout the whole game and I believe that Tallis could have been sent off for any one of three offences.
"But we are a sporting nation and, once again, we have lived up to our reputation," he said.
While both sides have been at great pains to play it down, there was an extensive under current of niggle and provocation to the Old Trafford Test, won 20-12 by Britain.
Tallis, sent to the sin-bin for repeated infringements, told of being baited and headbutted, while British coach Andy Goodway reckoned Australia's tactics were to "smack them around the head".
And with New Zealand referee Phil Houston in the Netherlands on holiday for much of this week there seems little likelihood such incidents can be addressed with him before the deciding encounter at Elland Road next Monday morning (Sydney time).
On Sunday night, Lowe said Britain wanted to meet Houston.
"We were surprised that Tallis escaped serious punishment after what looked like an elbow high tackle on Chris Joynt when Andy Farrell scored his try," Lowe said.
"We were equally amazed when he Houston spoke to the same player again twice but then sent him to the sin-bin for what was a technical offence.
"We did not ask for anything else to happen to Tallis because Mr Houston was the referee and he saw what happened.
"But we do want to talk to him so that we can seek some kind of guidance on how he sees various aspects of the game."
Houston on Monday rejected claims from Goodway after the game that the Brits had "made a few points" to him before the game - a claim which upset the Australians who had no knowledge of any meeting.
"The referees director, Geoff Berry, said Andy wanted to speak with me and I told him that I was available on Thursday but both coaches had to be present," Houston said from Amsterdam.
"I then got the message back that they didn't want to meet so it never happened. The only thing they did was clarify a defensive tactic with me through Geoff."
RFL officials reported to ticket selling duties on Sunday to find sizeable queues.
About 20,000 tickets have been sold for the 40,000-capacity home of Leeds United soccer club and a sellout is anticipated.
Britain have not won a home series against Australia since 1959 and, with the tourists weakened by the Super League war, could be staring down the barrel of their best opportunity.
Australian doctor Hugh Hazard rates centre Brett Mullins, who burst a blood vessel in his left leg at the weekend, a 50-50 chance of playing in the Third Test.
The availability of centre Ryan Girdler (knee) and second-rower Brad Clyde (calf), who both missed the Second Test, is uncertain.
"We'll keep a close eye on them during the week and we are hopeful," Hazard said.
In other news, Keighley are expected to initiate legal action against the RFL after their News Ltd grant was withheld because the club is in the hands of receivers.
And Blackpool, already dead as a first-grade club, have gone into liquidation.