What’s the Buzz: Saint, sinner, shoosh

WHAT’S THE BUZZ 2: Mal Meninga finally lands in the good books, but it’s all bad news for our Australian cricket selectors.

MAL Meninga finally lands in the good books, but it’s all bad news for our Australian cricket selectors.

SAINT

YOUR columnist over the years has questioned Mal Meninga’s coaching ability with a Maroons team full of superstars anyone could win with.

However, his work with the Kangaroos since his appointment last year has been outstanding, especially at the Four Nations.

MORE WHAT’S THE BUZZ: Legendary league coach in ugly pub stoush

Mal Meninga’s work as Kangaroos coach has been outstanding.

SINNER

CRICKET Australia’s past three chairmen of selectors have been Rod Marsh, 69, John Inverarity, 72, and Trevor Hohns, 62. Surely, it’s time to get someone younger and more in touch with the modern game and all three forms of cricket.

SHOOSH

THE push is on from the FFA for Tim Cahill to return to his rightful position in the Socceroos after the midweek debacle in Thailand.

SHOOSH II

THE James McDonald racing inquiry is expected to broaden in coming weeks with at least two more big-name jockeys under investigation over their relationship with a northern beaches punter.

SHOOSH III

NEWCASTLE Knights refuse to give up hope of securing the Cowboys’ boom rookie Kalyn Ponga as early as next year. Knights coach Nathan Brown and the Cowboys’ Paul Green are great mates from their early footy days and are believed to be discussing a player swap.

Kalyn Ponga could be off to Newcastle as early as next year.

SHOOSH IV

THE relationship between the grieving family of the late cricketer Phillip Hughes and Cricket Australia remains touchy to say the least, as negotiations continue over compensation claims — not that you could put a price on Hughes’ tragic passing.

SPOTTED

FORMER Panthers and Warriors coach Ivan Cleary at NRL headquarters where he has agreed to a six-month contract in the football department. Cleary will assist with both match review operations and the judiciary — the NRL’s biggest problem areas this year.

SPOTTED II

SONNY Bill Williams and the Warriors’ Kieran Foran at the movies in Auckland.

SPOTTED III

SUSPENDED Roosters recruitment manager Peter O’Sullivan in Newcastle catching up with Knights coach Nathan Brown.

SPOTTED IV

CLIVE Churchill Medal winner Luke Lewis visiting the lions at Zambi Wildlife retreat at Wallacia last week. Lewis and his wife, Sonia, have organised a gala dinner and fundraiser for the facility on December 1 at Le Montage in Lilyfield. Guy Sebastian will be performing. Tickets for the Thursday event are available from www.zambiwildliferetreat.com.au

Jordan Spieth has attracted plenty of followers at the Australian Open.

SPOTTED V

WALLABIES great and handy golfer Nick Farr-Jones at Royal Sydney watching US star Jordan Spieth in the Australian Open from the Emirates marquee on Friday.

Originally published as What’s the Buzz: Saint, sinner, shoosh