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As discussed, TFF has been in Paris this week. I went to my first Wallabies training in decades, as the World Cup approaches and Eddie Jones’ men play their final lead-in match on Sunday (early Monday morning AEST), against the French at Stade de France.

If the activities and high-tech nature of the training were bewildering – drones in the air, filming it; at least half-a-dozen coaches – I was at least encouraged to watch new captain Will Skelton closely throughout. For, whatever else, he projected a sense of real enjoyment, perpetually smiling while working hard, and putting out a lot of joyous yin, to Eddie’s high-tensile yang.

As Eddie told me afterwards, he specifically picked Skelton on the reckoning that he would have the capacity to bring the team together. From a distance, it looked like it was happening before my eyes. They worked like stink ’neath a seriously hot Gallic sun, but appeared to be enjoying it, and Skelton was in the thick of the lot of it. On the reckoning that we of the Australian rugby community know little of the approach he intends to take, I chatted to him briefly afterwards.

Fitz: Will, ca fait trois ans que tu joues à La Rochelle. Comment est ton français? (Will, you’ve been playing at La Rochelle for three years. How is your French?)

WS: Pas mal. Je parle un peu. (Not bad. I speak a bit). [And he does. But his accent is excellent, the mark of one who has really worked at it.]

Fitz: Anyway, let’s cut to le chase. What do you want to bring to the captaincy?

Will Skelton taking on the All Blacks in July.Credit: Getty

WS: [Long pause.] That’s a good question. [Pause.] Well, I don’t want to change much really. I just want to bring … I want to bring the team together.

Fitz: A “band of brothers”?

WS: Yeah. I think that comes with connection. I really want us to be tight. I want us to enjoy each other’s company. So when we get on the field, we can fight for each other.

Fitz: When you look back over your long career, who is the captain you had, that you can draw inspiration from now?

WS: That’s what I’m trying to figure out now! Like, I have had great captains: Dave Dennis, Brad Barritt, Michael Hooper, James Slipper, among many. These have all been great captains, but I haven’t seen myself in them, right? So I’m just trying to take the bits that I resonate with, and try to do it in my own way and really grow into the role.

Fitz: Bonne chance.

Eddie’s overhaul

Meantime, TFF also had a good one-on-one chat with Eddie Jones, in the manner of “we’re-old teammates-so-cut-the-crap”, and the whole thing will be published in the Sun-Herald on Sunday. He was seriously optimistic about the Wallabies’ chances in the World Cup, to which I made the obvious point in reply, that it bloody well hasn’t worked so far.

“It is an interesting process taking over a team,” he replied, “because you’ve either got to decide that you build on what’s there, or you destroy what’s been made. And you’ve got to make an appraisal and I tried initially to build on what was there, and I just felt this isn’t going to work. We’ve basically gutted the team.”

The really good news, though, is that …

Yeah, nah, read the interview!

Positive equity

The ramifications of the stunning success of the Matildas and the Women’s World Cup itself? Seriously, too many to count. But they are all positive. Obviously, the argument that Australia gets to make about hosting international sports competitions is greater than ever. But the most interesting thing is what it will do for women’s sports in general.

For the past few decades, the reason most football codes put money into women’s sports was because … it was the right thing to do. A few visionaries – and they did not include me – maintained that such money was actually an investment, and that by building women’s competitions a whole new market would be opened by getting women spectators as well. But even fewer foresaw the reality of this tournament: that the success of the team didn’t just bring women spectators, it brought everyone. It was a fabulous sport to watch for us, and a certain El Dorado up ahead for the football codes, if they get it right.

The argument made by the Wallaroos this week that they deserve a better shake from Rugby Australia could not have been better in terms of content, or timing. They are not alone. The women from Australian cricket, league, AFL and basketball are all making the same argument, and the Matildas are the example they are pointing to. To this point, we have seen the evolution of women’s sports move towards the edge of the big time. This feels like the beginning of the revolution for the codes that get it, with the Matildas in the vanguard.

Maxing out Sam’s value

Meantime, for yonks, TFF has made light fun of the fact that every time an Australian athlete makes a breakthrough to the really big time, the go-to to beat all go-tos for a quick story has been Max Markson who can always be guaranteed to predict that the said athlete will “make a million dollars”. Seriously, we have read that story 30 or 40 times, yes?

Sam Kerr is an undoubted superstar, but is she worth $500 million?Credit: Getty Images

But for Sam Kerr, you’ll be pleased to hear, Max has upped the ante, being quoted in The Australian as saying she will earn … wait for it … WAIT FOR IT, I said …

“… 500 million dollars.”

Tell ’em Max.

“By the end of her career, she will end up with $500 million in the bank,” Markson said of the 29-year-old. “She will be a female Cristiano Ronaldo. Sam could enter the same pay bracket as Ronaldo. And Ronaldo is the biggest soccer player in the world. Sam is female – that’s the magic. The world is her oyster.”

I agree with the last sentence. But still, the figure feels a bit high to me? Particularly when the story notes that $US500 million is what Ronaldo himself is worth now, and he’s been amassing his fortune for two decades. Our Sam has hopefully got at least five years to go, so she’ll need nigh on $100 million a year, yes $2 million a week, for the next five years – which seems a bit of a stretch. To put it in perspective, Channel Seven paid $4 million for the rights to broadcast the entire World Cup. And Sam, on her own, is worth 25 times that, every year for the next five years?

And yes, Max did point out she can earn $250,000 a year from speaking engagements, but, still, it feels a little over-egged?

Hope amid tragedy

TFF has had a Melbourne friend in Sydney for the better part of six weeks waiting for an organ transplant. Mercifully it happened on Wednesday, and we all hope for the best. The core problem is not enough of us have committed our organs for donation. And sport can help. This Friday is Jersey Day. It was started by the Gremmo family as a way to harness their grief about losing their 13-year-old Nathan in 2015 in a car accident. Six of his organs went to others, helping to save six lives – which helped with their grief. So they are asking sporting teams to wear their favourite jersey to promote awareness about organ donation. You can find out more, at jerseyday.com.au.

What They Said

TFF’s erstwhile colleague Richard Hinds tweets during the World Cup final: “Let’s face it. Prince Harry is coming home before the World Cup. #WorldCup2023.” I wish I had said that, Oscar.

After Olga Carmona scored, and England trailed Spain 1-0, @GaryLineker tweets: “Surely the first goal ever scored in a World Cup final by someone whose name is an anagram of goal.”

Sam Kerr after the loss to Sweden in the consolation final: “We wanted to have some hardware to take home, it wasn’t to be. We’ve proved to the world – and also within Australia – that we are a footballing nation. It’s sad that it’s come to an end. This has been the best four weeks of our careers.”

FIFA president Gianni Infantino on the World Cup: “And I say to all the women – and you know I have four daughters, so I have a few at home – I say to all the women, that you have the power to change. Pick the right battles. Pick the right fights. You have the power to change. You have the power to convince us men what we have to do and what we don’t have to do. You do it. Just do it. With men, with FIFA, you will find open doors. Just push the doors. They are open.” Condescending much?

Eric Bieniemy.Credit: Getty

Washington Commanders offensive co-ordinator Eric Bieniemy: “Eric Bieniemy is who he is. Eric Bieniemy knows how to adapt and adjust. Eric Bieniemy is a tough, hard-nosed coach.” Eric Bieniemy! Eric Bieniemy! Eric Bieniemy! Me? I just laugh saying it, and I know Eric Bieniemy feels the same.

Australian Olympic Committee CEO Matt Carroll, being questioned by the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport references committee concedes the $2.7 BILLION rebuild of the Gabba for the 2032 Games is over the top:“The IOC does not require you to build new venues unless you really need them. The Olympic movement is saying the decision is, ‘If you don’t have one, and want to build a new one, make sure it is not just for the Olympics’.”

Ange Postecoglou on the impact of the Matildas: “I battle with that, mate. I really don’t know if we [soccer] will ever crack Australia. I hope so. I think the Women’s World Cup was a brilliant tournament.”

Statement by Wallaroos to Rugby Australia: “We’ve seen the impact that Women’s sport has had on the Australian sporting landscape, thanks to the @matildas. It’s time for the chairman, board, and CEO to prioritise the future of Australian Women’s Rugby and allocate adequate resources. It’s time to acknowledge that we are not promoted equally, even on a free platform. The future of our games hangs in the balance. It’s your move, Rugby Australia.”

Wallaroos five-eighth Arabella McKenzie: “At a time women’s sport is shining in Australia, the reality isn’t the same for the Wallaroos #yourmove.”

Spaniard Pilar Martin on the World Cup victory:“I’m just delighted. And I’m proud as both a Spaniard and as a woman. Any final is a bit like a lottery but we’ve hit the jackpot today. But that jackpot isn’t money; it’s happiness.”

Novak Djokovic to Carlos Alcaraz at the net, after beating him in a tie-breaker in the final set of the Cincinnati Open final: “Boy, you never give up. Jesus Christ. I mean, I love this about you, but I wish you would play some points like this.” Alcaraz replied: “Spaniards never die”. Djokovic nodded and, in a clear reference to Rafael Nadal, said: “I’ve experienced this before.”

Steven Bradbury on being recognised by the Governor-General for saving the lives of four teenage girls from drowning last year: “It was kind of nice to know that under extreme circumstances, that I could still go back into what I call Olympics mode, even though I’m not as fit and a little older than I used to be.”

Lance Franklin.Credit: Getty

Team of the Week

Buddy Franklin. Will be given a lap of honour at the SCG on Sunday.

Spain. Despite never winning a Women’s World Cup knockout match previously, they are world champions. They join Germany as the only nations to win a men’s and women’s World Cup.

Luis Rubiales. The president of the Spanish Football Federation deservedly under pressure after forcibly kissing Spanish player Jennifer Hermoso on the winners podium.

Boomers. Their World Cup begins. They’re in a group with Finland, Germany and Japan. The top two advance to the second round.

Wallabies. Take on France late on Sunday night (AEST). Your humble correspondent will be there, and reporting.

Swans. Sealed their place in the finals while the Giants are battling for that last spot. What happened to them?

Twitter: @Peter_Fitz

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