The perfidious NSW scumbags are at it again
– putting some meaning into both rugby codes north of the Tweed. NSW is reportedly trying
to steal more Queensland rugby union talent, while a Daily Telegraph suggestion that only
one Queenslander will make Ricky Stewart’s League test team has the Sunday Mail’s
blood boiling. Greg Davies writes:

Former Test stars fear rugby
league could plunge back into the “dark ages” of NSW Test selection
bias. They have called for Australian coach Ricky
Stuart to be axed if Queensland is snubbed for next month’s Anzac Test at Suncorp Stadium.

If speculation in Sydney is correct, the Australian team for Stuart’s debut as
Kangaroos coach will be the first Test side in 42 years with only one
Queensland-born player.

Meanwhile the same organ reports boom Reds
prop Rodney Blake “is the latest target as the NSW Waratahs step up their raids
on Queensland’s playing stocks”. Filthy southerners are also stalking Drew
Mitchell.

Queensland has already provided most of the Western Force team and a third of
the Waratahs’ likely starting side against the Brumbies this weekend. In the
Waratahs’ tight win over the Reds to start the Super 14 season, all the points
were scored by Nudgee College old boys – Flatley, Hewat and Elsom.

Outrage over indulgent southern cheque
books is part of what Queensland needs to rebuild. More importantly, new QRU chairman Peter Lewis has
to make his administrative changes work as the dysfunctional old guard is
cleaned out.

Australian rugby needs Queensland strong,
angry and well-balanced again (chips on both shoulders). The mungoes could
probably do with the same. Keep the evil southern plotting coming.

Meanwhile, the Crusaders cruised a little
in the second half, letting the Waratahs back into their match. There was
nothing on show that the Brumbies won’t be happy to have a crack at this
Sunday. NSW might have the better tight five, but ACT has the backs. Hopefully
Matt Rogers will be fit to provide the battle of the Australian five-eighths
with Steve Larkham. It should be nearly as hard a game as QRU politics.