Along with its habit of sucking remorselessly on the federal fiscal teat, Darwin may soon have another sin to answer for if my wors fears are confirmed. The Wallabies’ new coach John “Knuckles” Connolly began his coaching career just across the creek from where I’m writing this post.

I don’t share the generally positive media reactions to Connolly’s appointment. I’m in Phil Kearns’ camp. When asked what he thought of Connolly, the former great Wallaby hooker said:

“My mother taught me if you can’t say something nice about someone, don’t say anything at all.”

My mother used to say exactly the same thing, but it never stopped her from verbally knifing someone with her very next breath, and it isn’t going to stop me now.