Latest news with #Thorburn
Perth Now
7 days ago
- Business
- Perth Now
Wallabies look for another golden moment in Melbourne
With the Tom Richards Cup on the line, the Wallabies will be counting on the golden army turning out in Melbourne, where rugby union carved out its own slice of history in the AFL-mad town 24 years ago. In 2001 Australian rugby's governing body was stung into action by the red sea of Lions supporters, who flooded the opening Test in Brisbane, leaving the Wallabies feeling like they were at Cardiff Arms Park rather than the Gabba. And they played like it, with the 1999 World Cup champions crashing down to earth with a 29-13 thud. "I was sitting there looking for glimpses of gold because it was a sea of red and then they started singing ... so on and off the field, we got absolutely smashed, which was a massive wake-up call and the media gave it to us with both barrels and said we'd let Australia down," former ARU boss John O'Neill told AAP. "We decided we really had to make sure the series was really competitive, at least 1-1 after Melbourne, and we had to make sure Wallabies supporters were seen and heard." With only a week before game two, Australian rugby set about "golding" the Docklands stadium, and ironically it was paid for in British pounds. A British tour operator had bought tickets that were meant to be sold in Australia, which the ARU looked to cancel due to the breach of contract. Brian Thorburn, then general manager of commercial operations, told AAP he smartly re-sold the tickets back to the operator at a higher price. "We basically said to the agent, 'Well, we've got sympathy for the 300 people you've sold to, but the facts are that you've got them cheap and outside the contract, so we'll sell them back to you at double the price'," Thorburn recalled. "The profit we made essentially paid for all of the gold at both the Melbourne Test and the Sydney Test, so it was quite ironic that a British travel agent paid for all the gold." The ARU's marketing team brain-stormed ways to make the Melbourne venue feel like home for the Wallabies - even trialling golden goal posts with kicker Matt Burke, before it was decided they were too distracting. "We put 'Go Wallabies' placards on every seat in the lower bowl and we had 10,000 very flimsy gold scarves, which was all we could secure with three days' notice," Thorburn said. "We ensured every square inch of available signage was gold - we had a catch-cry of 'Be Bold, Wear Gold', and it was really a turning point." While they achieved their gold rush aesthetic, not everyone was happy - in particular the AFL, which was the ground's tenant, now owner. "We got these mylar cannons and they blasted as the teams ran on and as we scored any try, and the result was gold glitter coming all over the crowd and on top of Poms drinking their beer," Thorburn said. "The CEO of the stadium, Ian Collins, gave me grief for years because they were still getting glitter out of the grass two or three years later because it was so small." The AFL could also be suitably miffed by the size of the crowd at the stadium for the second Test, with 56,605 squeezed into a venue that had a capacity of 56,347 - with the AFL's biggest ever crowd 54,444, set in 2009 at a St Kilda-Geelong match. Rugby's 2001 attendance record stood until the second 2013 Lions match, when 56,771 fans crammed in. With Australia winning the second Test 35-14 before wrapping up the series, O'Neill said the night changed the way the Wallabies were supported. "For probably a good 10 years, the Wallabies were Australia's team, and at sporting events around the world you'd see Wallaby jerseys scattered everywhere," he said. "It was a real turning point in the manifestation of 'be proud, be loud', and long may that continue."
Glasgow Times
08-06-2025
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Openreach urges Cumbernauld homes to upgrade broadband
More than 13,000 homes and businesses in Cumbernauld are eligible to upgrade to Openreach's Full Fibre network, but only a fraction have made the switch. Despite a £3.9 million investment and coverage reaching more than half of the town, just over one in five properties have upgraded. (Image: Supplied) Read more: New Glasgow letting agent aims to manage 1,000 properties in two years Robert Thorburn, Openreach's partnership director for Scotland, said: "Fast and reliable full fibre broadband gives households and businesses a significant boost. "As the UK's leading provider of fibre infrastructure, Openreach is at the forefront of the digital transformation, connecting communities all over the UK and future-proofing the network for decades to come. "Our extensive network – the largest in the UK – means residents can shop around and find the best deals that suit their needs. "But it's important to remember that upgrades don't happen automatically. "People need to order it to take advantage of the technology." The uptake challenge extends beyond Cumbernauld, with neighbouring areas such as Shotts, Cambusnethan, and Greengairs also lagging behind in adoption. Across North Lanarkshire, more than 85,000 properties now have access to Full Fibre. The technology is said to provide" gigabit-capable speeds", which allows multiple devices to connect simultaneously without slowing down. Mr Thorburn said many eligible residents might not realise they need to actively request an upgrade. He said: "It's important to remember that upgrades don't happen automatically. "People need to order it to take advantage of the technology." (Image: Supplied) Read more: Meet the Glasgow pupil who raised hundreds of pounds to buy a life-saving device Openreach says Full Fibre is suited to streaming, gaming, video calls, online banking, and business operations. The company also notes that newer broadband packages are increasingly competitively priced, with some customers potentially paying the same or less than their current bills. Openreach's Full Fibre network currently reaches more than 18 million properties across the UK. The company aims to expand this to 25 million by the end of 2026 and believes it could reach 30 million by 2030 with the right investment conditions. Residents can check their eligibility using Openreach's online Full Fibre checker.
Wales Online
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Tonight's rugby news as coach on 'WRU's wanted list' and Wales captain urges 'full shake-up' of Welsh game
Tonight's rugby news as coach on 'WRU's wanted list' and Wales captain urges 'full shake-up' of Welsh game The latest rugby news from Wales and beyond. Former Wales skipper Paul Thorburn wants a full shake-up of the game in this country (Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency ) These are your evening headlines on Saturday, May 24 Jones on WRU's 'wanted list' Adam Jones is on the Welsh Rugby Union's 'wanted list' as they search for a permanent new coaching ticket. The legendary prop has been recalled by the WRU ahead of their summer tour of Japan but is not a permanent fixture in the coaching set-up. Of course, Jones spent the Six Nations as a coach of Wales on secondment from Harlequins. RugbyPass have reported that Jones is on the WRU's "wanted list" to work alongside Danny Wilson and Steve Tandy long term, so Quins are preparing for that situation. The report says that Northampton Saints scrum coach Matt Ferguson, who is leaving the club at the end of the season, will become a Quins target if Jones switches to Test match coaching on a permanent basis. Heading to the Far East with Jones and Sherratt will be Wilson, T Rhys Thomas and Gethin Jenkins. Article continues below Leigh Halfpenny has reportedly been contacted about a role this summer too. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. Thorburn: Welsh rugby needs full shake-up Wales legend Paul Thorburn says Welsh rugby needs a "full shake-up" following recent controversial developments. The game in Wales is tremendously divided at the moment, with Ospreys and Scarlets failing to agree to the Welsh Rugby Union's Professional Rugby Agreement, which prompted the two west Wales sides to issue a statement revealing their concerns. Former Wales skipper Thorburn told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast that the WRU need full control of the regions in order for the game to thrive again. "Personally, I'm for a full shake-up. I think the regions, however many there are, need to be totally owned and controlled by the governing body," he explained. "I think the governing body needs a bit of a shake-up as well in terms of how it manages the professional game, but I think now is the time. "If we don't sort it out and bring those clubs into control of the governing body where the money is directed centrally, we're only going to be having the same conversation in 10 years' time." Thorburn also touched on the possibility of a region being cut following the WRU's announcement. "Ultimately, if that's what is needed (cutting a region) for the future and sustainability of international rugby and the game in general then so be it," he continued. "To me, a blank sheet of paper, let's put all of these parochialisms to one side and let's work out what's going to be the best to sustain international rugby and grow that pathway. "We also have to look after the community game because it's not looking great. If you don't have players coming through, you haven't got an international game." Cardiff star bids farewell Gabriel Hamer-Webb has bid farewell to Cardiff, following confirmation of his upcoming departure from the club. The 24-year-old, who has been linked with a move to Leicester Tigers this summer, joined Cardiff on a short-term deal from Bath back in the 2023-24 season, and enjoyed two stints before making his stay permanent. An impressive end to the season had put him in the conversation for the upcoming Wales tour of Japan, only for uncapped Ospreys winger Keelan Giles to be picked instead. Taking to Instagram, Hamer-Webb wrote: 'To my teammates, the fans of Cardiff, and the staff, I cannot thank you enough for the many memories. 'I've gained since being a part of such a special club, I've gained friends for life and will always be a fan. Was no easy decision, but I'm very much looking forward to the next chapter in my career.' World Club Cup announced PA staff European Professional Club Rugby has announced the first World Club Cup will take place in 2028. A tournament featuring the best club sides from both the northern and southern hemispheres, to be held every four years, has received unanimous backing from all the sport's governing bodies. Sixteen teams will qualify – eight from the Investec Champions Cup and the remainder drawn from Super Rugby Pacific and Japan. EPCR chairman Dominic McKay confirmed before Saturday's Investec Champions Cup final between Northampton and Bordeaux in Cardiff that an idea mooted for 'the last two or three years' will now be delivered. McKay said: 'We've been trying to work our way through this project to see if we can deliver it. 'And over the last few days we've had great meetings with our Board, great meetings with our General Assembly, who represent the three leagues (the TOP14, United Rugby Championship and English Premiership) and stakeholders from seven unions, and everyone is unanimous about wanting to deliver a World Club Cup – through EPCR.' The tournament will launch in June 2028, elevating the Champions Cup knock-out rounds to the Rugby World Club Cup and 'supercharging' the closing stages of the EPCR Challenge Cup, the EPCR said. McKay added: 'The Investec Champions Cup is the greatest club competition in the world, and we're going to continue to protect that, nurture it and develop it further. 'We've got some ambitious plans for both the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup, which we'll unveil over the coming weeks. 'And, to elevate the whole of professional club rugby, we want to create this World Club Cup proposition in 2028 and 2032 with our friends from the South. Article continues below 'We have these incredible competitions that we own and operate, and we want to find a way to elevate them further and bring in teams from Australia, from New Zealand, from Japan, and we'll do that through the World Club Cup.'
Wales Online
19-05-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
Former Wales captain calls for WRU control of all clubs as 'writing on the wall'
Former Wales captain calls for WRU control of all clubs as 'writing on the wall' The pair were speaking on BBC Radio Wales to dissect the stand-off between the WRU and the two west Walian sides The WRU are facing a challenge from west Wales clubs Scarlets and Ospreys (Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency Ltd ) Former Wales international Paul Thorburn says he understands the concerns from the Ospreys and Scarlets around the WRU's ownership of Cardiff Rugby, but has urged the Welsh game to move towards a set-up closer to the Irish model of union control. Both the Ospreys and Scarlets made the decision not to sign up to Welsh rugby's new Professional Rugby Agreement (PRA) earlier this month, causing the union to announce it was to move away from the approach of four evenly funded professional sides, which could in turn see the number of professional sides in Wales reduced to three. The two clubs had already expressed concerns around the union's takeover of Cardiff Rugby, and had sought assurances that it "will not disproportionally benefit Cardiff and disadvantage the independent clubs". Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. Speaking to BBC Radio Wales, former Neath full-back Thorburn said he could see where the two clubs were coming from, but also said the financial management of some regions hadn't been up to scratch in recent years. "I understand that," he said. "But I'm also aware that some of our regions have been less than sensible when it comes to good financial management. I've witnessed it first-hand where excessive salaries have been paid to some of the management they've brought in from overseas, beyond our ability. "You can't spend what you haven't got. That's a simple fact of life. I think we need a complete wholesale review of where we are in the game. If these measures are there to try and spend a few years sorting it out, so be it. Article continues below "I am an advocate of the Irish model. There seems to be far more collaborating and working together over there. I don't see why we can't have a similar model over here." Thorburn said he also supported the idea of bringing all the regions under the control of the union. "I think the writing has been on the wall for some time that the game is walking a very thin tightrope. Let's be fair and honest, Welsh rugby is never going to compete financially with the likes of France, England and Ireland. Never have done, never will do. "I've been an advocate for, I have to say, trying to bring the regions within the control of the Union - albeit I'm not saying the Union is brilliantly administered necessarily. "But it certainly needs a better structure where we're all working collaboratively. In our history, we've had problems with our clubs, then regions, with some going financially in a very difficult position. There's no consistency, that's the problem. I think we now need to have a better working model, where everyone is working together. I don't believe that has been the case over the years." Commenting alongside Thorburn, Nigel Davies said examining the number of professional sides as way to map out a route out of this latest crisis, was potentially the wrong way of looking at things. "Paul makes a good point about collaboration and a plan to move forward," he said. "But surely that's what should have been done over the last 18 months. "We've come up with this One Wales strategy, which I've looked at in detail, and while there is significant talk about what they want to happen, there's no detail about how it's going to happen. "You would have thought that would have encompassed what needed to happen, how we can move forward within the professional game as well as the community game. Article continues below "I think the one problem we've got, people talk about the number of regions and what the right number is. I think that's the wrong question. It's what we want our professional teams in Wales to look like to be successful. "That's men and women's. Until we have that model and are clear about what successful rugby teams in Wales look like, I think it's very difficult to have this conversation. "I think that's part of the problem. Paul mentions that some of the regions have been mismanaged in the past. He's probably right and the regions are the first to admit that."
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Yahoo
Child murderer found dead in jail
A man convicted of killing a foster child in his care has reportedly been found dead in his jail cell. Rick Thorburn murdered 12-year-old schoolgirl Tiahleigh Palmer in 2015 and was sentenced to life in prison. Thorburn was found dead in his cell in regional Queensland on Friday, and is understood to have taken his own life. A Queensland Corrective Services spokeswoman confirmed the death of Thorburn, as reported by The Courier Mail. 'The 64-year-old man was accommodated in a single cell and was found unresponsive at approximately 10pm,' a spokeswoman said. 'Responding officers called QAS and attempted to revive the man however their efforts were unsuccessful. 'The incident has been reported to police and QCS will assist with their investigation.' Tiahleigh was reported missing in October 2015, from the home of Thorburn, his wife Julene and their two sons south of Brisbane. Julene ran a home childcare business from the house. Tiahleigh's body was found six days later on a river bank. Her older foster brother, Trent Thorburn, had sexually abused her. Trent later pleaded guilty to incest, perjury and attempting to pervert the course of justice; an attempt to cover up the sexual abuse sparked Rick to kill Tiahleigh. A Coroner investigating Rick's actions after he had pleaded guilty to murder said Tiahleigh was resilient despite a tough start in life. 'She loved hip hop dancing, cheer leading, animals and horse riding. She was described as a 'delightful girl' and 'a child people fell in love with' by those who knew her,' Coroner Jane Bentley found. 'Despite being subjected to neglect, abuse, abandonment and adversity, Tiahleigh remained a kind and gentle girl. She had many friends at high school. 'She was not 'streetwise' but immature and naive for her age. Although in the past she had experienced some behavioural issues as a result of the harm that she had suffered, she had not been involved in the justice system and had no history of self-harm, drug or alcohol use.' More to come Lifeline 13 11 14 Suicide call back service 1300 659 467 Beyond Blue 1300 22 46 36 Mensline Australia 1300 78 99 78 Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 1800 Respect 1800 737 732 13YARN 13 92 76 (For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people)
