Australia /Ireland Rugby Test, Brisbane 24 June

It was interesting to hear the Irish anthem, or maybe it wasn't if they had players from Ulster in the team. Whatever it was, it was bland and unexciting. The Australian anthem was sung by Kate Gordon, about whom I know nothing, can't even find a MySpace page. A big solid contralto voice, more leagues club than opera and sung to the standard backing track. All OK until the last note where she drifted off key, but she did come back by the end. Maybe I was just feeling grumpy, but I couldn't be inspired beyond a 4.5, while herself manged a 6.

Wednesday 16 June The 2nd State of Origin Rugby League game

AAF was sung by a 12 year old from the Gold Coast whose name is Straalen McCallum. He smiled a lot as if auditioning for a role in a musical (Glee has a lot to answer for) and got through it OK. I suppose there was some reason for him getting the gig - the Courier Mail says he hopes to have a CD out later this year - but it escapes me. You can't say anything cruel about this sort of thing, its a bit like kicking puppies. The daughter gave it a 4, I could just manage a 5 and her indoors played Sodoku on the computer and ignored the whole thing.  Shame about the NSW team though the biff was good