It's been a while since I've had the energy to lay down rugby words here at Wide World of Sports.
Evidently watching your beloved Wallabies go 2-9 in a Rugby World Cup year isn't good for the 'inner you.'
I thought I'd got past the worst of it recently and set about writing an article praising Angus Bell as our Between Two Posts player of the year.
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Mid-story, his coach walked out, a boardroom spearing followed and all my positive chi left again.
Evidently watching your governing body blow itself up isn't good for the rugby soul either.
I've found some light though team… my stars have I found LIGHT!!!
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The re-branded and re-energised SVNS series got moving again last weekend in Dubai and the Aussie women were, for want of a better word, incredible.
It was a weekend of milestones for our girls – how's this for a run.
– Became the first women's side to win four straight titles at a venue.
– Sharni Smale (nee Williams) become the first woman to play in every single Dubai event. That's 12 years of play in the UAE. History maker.
– Maddison Levi was in year two at primary school when Sharni debuted, but made history herself with a record 12 tries across the weekend's play. At times it was unfair watching opponents try and put her down.
– Sister Teagan was crowned player of the final and was presented the award by World Rugby hall of famer Bryan Habana. The kids call it game recognising game.
Finally, our women took down New Zealand in the decider, who up until that point, were on a 41-game winning streak.
I've been covering the women's circuit for a decade now and this was as good a tournament as they've ever delivered.
Under coach Tim Walsh the skill level and pace in the squad has gone to a new level.
NSW Waratahs centurion Tom Carter heads up strength and conditioning and has the squad supremely tuned.
Complementing the flash and dash was the brutal midfield defence of hitwoman Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea.
One unfortunate opponent in pool play got hit so hard you could hear the air leave her lungs through our effects microphone.
So, it was a first up series win in an Olympic season for our Aussie women.
They've got Cape Town this weekend which will really test them.
Going back to back ain't easy and they stumbled in 'the Mother City' last year.
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This version looks a different beast though.
I've got them framed for the final again.
Over on the men's side, John Manenti's squad had a tough time of it last weekend.
They got through to the quarter-finals but ran into Dubai juggernauts South Africa who went on to win a fifth straight title in the Middle East.
There were a couple of tiny mistakes which cost them huge and those same slips won't be repeated in Cape Town.
One big tick was debutant Henry Palmer who had some handy touches and looks a good find.
Finally, let's circle back to Bell.
The hulking Wallabies prop took out our 'Posty' as the best Wallabies player of 2023.
After every Test, Morgan Turinui, Stephen Hoiles, Andrew Mehrtens and I would offer up a 3, 2, 1 to find their best.
Bell edged out Will Skelton.
His ball running, scrummaging and handling was world class.
His presence off-field exceeds his years and his teammates tell me he's a champion bloke in the squad too.
Alrighty, I feel better after penning that. It's good to be back.
Evidently a talented and likeable group of women along with a stand-up young prop is good for the rugby mind, body AND soul.
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