Almanac Super Rugby Pacific: In the doldrums

The discourse around rugby is gloomy, and Brian the Ruminator senses the roubles. “But,” he writes, “it’s the sense of helplessness that many of us in the rugby fraternity feel. It’s hard to see a circuit breaker.” Here are his thoughts after the first round.

Almanac Rugby Union – 2023 Rugby World Cup: 28 years later, All Blacks out to square ledger

Brian the Ruminator puts the 2023 Rugby World Cup in perspective as he looks forward to next weekend’s final between the All Blacks and the Boks.

Almanac Rugby Union – 2023 Rugby World Cup: Pool Stage Wrap and Finals Preview

‘If you truly love the game played in heaven you have to revel in the spirit of the game, where the game comes first and the travails of your team a distant second.’ So says Brian the Ruminator as he reviews the 2023 Rugby World Cup pool stage before offering his thoughts on the upcoming finals.

Almanac Rugby Union: 2023 Rugby World Cup preview

Brian the Ruminator returns to The Footy Almanac to provide a preview of the upcoming 2023 Rugby World Cup. Who are his top fancies to claim ‘Bill’?

Almanac Rugby: The November Tests

Brian the Ruminator runs a rule over the recent Rugby test series between some of the heavy hitters and also rans. With next year a World Cup year, the favourites are taking shape.

Almanac Baseball: When Josh Came to Town

Josh Reddick is a former USA major league baseballer now playing in Australia. Brian The Ruminator has admired Josh throughout his playing career as his story indicates.

Almanac Baseball: Astros Win World Series

The Astros are galactic champions! Brian the Ruminator wraps up the MLB’s World Series which was won by the Houston side whose shift from the National to the American League proves the old adage ‘a change is just as good as a holiday’.

Almanac Baseball: MLB ALDS and NLDS Reviews

Brian The Ruminator ruminates on all the latest news from the world of baseball in the USA.

Almanac Baseball: MLB Final Eight

It’s not footy finals, but it’s finals of a different sort – Brian the Ruminator has all the info from the beginning of the pointy end of the MLB season.

Almanac Rugby: NZ Wins The Rugby Championship

Brian Lynch reports on the conclusion to The Rugby Championship 2022 where the status quo of world rugby was maintained – unfortunately for the Wallabies!

Almanac Rugby: Most Controversial Bledisloe Test I’ve Seen

The Ruminator is gutted by the unprecedented ending to Thursday night’s Bledisloe Cup match. It leaves him empathising with Magpies supporters.

Almanac Rugby Union: Week 4 of The Rugby Championship

The Ruminator reports on Week 4 of the Rugby Championship where the trend of bounce-back wins continued.

Almanac Rugby: Week 3 of The Rugby Championship

History was made in Aotearoa (the wrong type if you’re a fan of the All Blacks) when the Argentinians won for the first time and consigned their opponents to defeat for the third time in a row at home. Brian the Ruminator has the wrap up of that match and a heartening win for the Wallabies over the World Cup holders.

Almanac Baseball – Ruminations on MLB and ABL

With the baseball season approaching, Brian The Ruminator ruminates on aspects of both Australian and American baseball leagues.

Almanac Rugby: Week 2 of the Rugby Championship

Never count out the All Blacks…or Los Pumas for that matter! Brian the Ruminator gives us his insights into the second week of the Rugby Championship.

Almanac Rugby: Week 1 of the Rugby Championship

What’s happening at the All Blacks? Worrying signs for the eternal powerhouse of rugby…meanwhile the Webb Ellis holders are on the up and up and Argentina showed signs of their recent good form against Australia but the Wallabies came back to win their clash somewhat comfortably. All the details from Brian the Ruminator inside.

Almanac Baseball: MLB All Star Game

The Ruminator runs his eye over the annual All Star baseball match between the National League and the American League.

Almanac Rugby Union: Wallabies, All Blacks lose their series, Samoa wins Pacific Nations Cup

The All Blacks have lost a series at home for the first time in 36 years! Brian Lynch provides coverage of the weekend’s international rugby union. It should be one hell of a World Cup in 2023!

Almanac Rugby Union: Week 2 of Tier 1 North v South Tests plus Pacific Nations Cup

Brian the Ruminator rediscovered his blarney as he took in Week 2 of international rugby union clashes. The results set up a fascinating conclusion to the various series this weekend.

Almanac Rugby Union: Week 1 of Tier 1 North v South Tests plus Pacific Nations Cup

July is a big month for international rugby union as the Southern Hemisphere powerhouses host the top four ‘Home Nations’ while the Pacific nations play each other for local supremacy. The Almanac’s rugby expert Brian Lynch reviews the first weekend of competition.