I’ve joined the Young Liberals. That should help

Massive blow to the likelihood of The Rugby Championships going ahead - Pumas coach Mario Ledesma tests positive for Covid-19. A hugely popular former scrum coach of the Wallabies, and everyone in the rugby world will be wishing him a speedy recovery.

It’s official: The Rugby Championships will be played in Australia in November. Primarily in NSW but Brisbane will stage a double-header, with the world champion Springboks likely to play the Pumas on same day as a Bledisloe Cup Test, Australia v All Blacks. Huge boost for RA.

Rugby Australia now without a major sponsor after breaking its 30-year partnership with Qantas. Could not accept a contra-only deal. It will leave about a $5 million hole in RA’s budget.

Just what the Wallabies didn’t need. Lock Rory Arnold has a fractured forearm while playing for Toulouse. Wouldn’t have been released for Bledisloe series but it’s a fair bet he figured prominently in Dave Rennie’s plans for Rugby Championships.

Major selection shocks for the Wallabies this weekend with both Noah Lolesio and Irae Simone given debuts as the starting 10 and 12. And flanker Fraser McReight and halfback Tate McDermott set to join them as debutants off the bench. A team for the future but they must win now.

Lukhan Salakai-Loto an unlikely starter for Wallabies in Bledisloe IV in Brisbane on Saturday. Brumbies Caderyn Neville brought in as cover at lock

Very sad news that Mick Barry, who played for Australia against the Boks in 1971, drowned this morning on the Gold Coast. Would have played a lot more times for Australia had it not been for a certain John Hipwell. Was in the Queensland side which beat the British Lions in 1971.

All Blacks lost two in a row in 2011, to South Africa and Australia in the Tri Nations. Then they went on and won the World Cup.

Dreadful news about the death overnight of Greg Growden. Have wonderful memories of touring with him and every now and then leaving the rugby behind to go exploring. A wonderful journalist and writer. Fort Fumble is in mourning today.

Cadeyrn Neville, Jermaine Ainsley, Isi Naisarani and Suliasi Vunivalu all released from Wallabies ahead of the final Tri Nations match against Argentina on December 5 at Parramatta.

Wallabies jersey is going back in time 30 years to the colour worn by the 1991 World Cup-winning side. It’s gold but not as gold as some.

May be lost in all the Folau publicity but the Brumbies’ trial match against the Western Force on Saturday in Canberra has been put back to Tuesday as WA comes out of lockdown.

Melbourne Rebels hit the road, 55 players and staff, and head to Canberra by road to ensure their opening Super Rugby AU match against the Reds in Brisbane can go ahead on Feb 26. Queensland had imposed 14-day hotspot on Melbourne so Rebels had to get on the road very quickly.

Significant blow to Waratahs asJack Dempsey decides to move to Glasgow Warriors at the of the season. Most experienced Test player in NSW side and one of the most elusive going into contact.

BREAKING: Code-hopping winger Suliasi Vunivalu has been fined $10,000 and suspended from the Reds’ opening Super Rugby AU match against NSW after pushing a security guard at a nightclub in late January. Press conference currently underway at Ballymore.

Terrific servants of Queensland journalism and sport, Paul Malone, Jim Tucker, John McCoy, Ross Lawson welcomed into Sports Media Wall of Fame at Suncorp today. Spent a lot of time in press boxes with Jimmy and no one put more humanity into rugby coverage than he did.

Brumbies captain Allan Alaalatoa and Force hooker Andrew Ready both suspended for three weeks after facing SANZAAR judiciary. Three weeks seems to be standard fare these days.

Sitaleki Timani might be no spring chicken at 34, signing for the Western Force, but Rugby Australia’s director of rugby Scott Johnson believes the 18-Test lock is in the best shape of his life.

To all those who have sent such generous words on my impending retirement, thank you so much. I’ll try to reply individually. But Wednesday is my final day and for now I have a column and a news story to file. So it might take time...