Between Two Posts, Rugby Heaven and this column took a much needed break following the close of Super Rugby Pacific.
I spent the time off mastering the perfect tomahawk steak and I think I’ve nailed it (recipe to follow).
So, plenty to sink the teeth into with England arriving and the Wallabies looking to end an eight year drought against them. ‘Lesgoooo,’ as the kids say.
Watch every match of the July Test series on the home of rugby, Stan Sport. Kicks off on July 2 with Wallabies vs England live in 4K plus All Blacks vs Ireland, Springboks vs Wales and much more. All streaming ad free, live and on demand only on Stan Sport
Tupou crashes England tea party
HOW GOOD, HG
BTP producer Ollie landed our biggest guest of the year in HG Nelson a fortnight back.
I know they say to never meet your idols, but HG blew that theory out the back door with his first handshake. He’s a champion.
I was going to throw a few quotes from the chat in here, but they wouldn’t capture his perfect delivery.
Instead, watch the clip below – it’ll leave you smiling for the rest of the series.
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WRIGHT ON IT
There was also some fun content on the Wallabies social accounts in the lead up to State of Origin II.
Asked who would win, 12 tipped the Blues with the Maroons grabbing nine votes.
Former Manly Sea Eagle Tom Wright showed he still has a fair idea on what it takes to get a result, highlighting the selections of Jake Trbojevic and Api Koroisau as the difference. Both were huge.
A whopping three million viewers tuned in on Channel 9 for NSW’s blowout victory, with many remarking on the huge promotion afforded to the Australia vs England series throughout the coverage.
TOP SHELF TUCKY
Morgan Turinui, Matt ‘Tucky’ Dunning and I were lucky enough to lend a hand at junior village club Harbord Harlequins a couple of Fridays back.
Morgs and Tucky shared a couple of hilarious stories around their time under Eddie Jones at the Wallabies.
The biggest laugh came when Dunning detailed an infamous night out in South Africa which saw a few senior players including he and Wendell Sailor hauled before their coach.
Thinking he was in the clear and at the lower end of offending, Tucky put away a couple of lagers in the lead up to the meeting.
It all blew up a couple of minutes into their sit down when the boss caught a whiff of Dunning’s breath, paused and asked in a state of shock: ‘hang on a second, are you drunk now?!’
Unsurprisingly the name M Dunning was missing from the starting XV the next weekend.
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HORAN HUNTING BIG NAMES
Colleague Tim Horan has been busy across the last couple of weeks catching up with legends from sport and entertainment who are huge Wallabies fans.
So far, Timmy has banked time with ‘The King’ Wally Lewis, legendary Australian swimmer Susie O’Neill and John Collins, guitarist of iconic rock outfit Powderfinger.
There’s more to come as well with the two-time World Cup winner tapping into his enormous network.
ELLA-MOBBS CUP A WORK OF ART
It’s been well documented there’s a new piece of silverware the Wallabies and England will be fighting for in July and I can tell you, the Ella-Mobbs Cup is an absolute stunner.
Named after Wallabies icon Mark Ella and former England captain and war hero Edgar Mobbs, it brings together both men and their nations in spectacular style.
The public unveiling takes place this Friday at Forest Place in Perth from 11.30am.
Ella, Michael Hooper and Owen Farrell will be among those on hand for the reveal.
Hard not to get excited.
PUSH IT UP
I’ve done it. I’ve completed 3139 push ups across the month of June in aid of Lifeline as part of the ‘Push for Better’ campaign.
That 3139 figure is the number of Aussies who died by suicide in 2020.
It’s an awful number but a good way to try and raise awareness to reduce it.
So, can I ask, if you can afford it – send what you can Lifeline’s way to help out on the mental health front.
Cheika backs Petaia as Wallabies fullback
WHO DAT?
Which big name Wallaby got heads turning around the Rugby Australia offices pre-camp by wearing only a pair of eggplant emoji budgy smugglers?
I’m told he looked a million in the skimpy swimmers.
NEW PODCAST: Sean Maloney and Andrew Mehrtens welcome back Morgan Turinui and are joined by the legendary HG Nelson to talk ‘The Cream,’ Michael Cheika and Wallabies vs England
WE’RE GOING LIVE!
Rugby Heaven is cranking the noise tonight with a new look show.
We’ve got a studio audience in at HQ, big name guests and a generally good vibe.
Watch it live from 7.30pm AEST on Stan Sport.
AND FINALLY…
Here’s your marinade as promised.
Remember, room temperature to cook and rest post-grill.
MAGNET’S MONTREAL MARINADE
– 3 tablespoons maple syrup
– 4 tablespoons English mustard
– 3 tablespoons Montreal steak spice (standard steak spice will do)
– 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
– 3 cloves crushed garlic
– 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
– drizzle with olive oil pre-grill
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