Hopes that Migaloo will say peekaboo

Hopes that Migaloo will say peekaboo

3.07.2009

Southern Cross University whale researcher Wally Franklin says based on earlier sightings this week off the Gold Coast, he believed the albino humpback would be in waters off the Sunshine Coast tomorrow or Sunday.

This is despite predictions from local authorities that the Sunshine Coast missed out on Migaloo`s annual migration north after reports the 14-metre whale has been spotted as far as the Fraser Coast.

Mr Franklin says many whale watchers were going spotting off Mooloolaba, Maroochydore and Noosa Heads on the Sunshine Coast.

"The number of whale watchers has increased dramatically over the years, largely because of Migaloo,`` Mr Franklin said.

"He is an amazing sight and is easy to track.

"Because of this he has become the ambassador of his kind and reminds people of the importance of the whale`s migration north to mate.``

Migaloo, whose Aboriginal name means white man, was spotted off Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast on Wednesday afternoon.

Share this article:

07/03/2009 Betancourt goes from hostage to Hollywood
FRENCH-COLOMBIAN former hostage Ingrid Betancourt has announced she will work with a top Hollywood producer on a film about the six years she was held captive in the jungle by leftist guerillas
07/03/2009 Positive thinking can make things worse
  • Positive thinking may lower self-esteem
  • Study focussed on "I am a lovable person"
  • Reaction was "I`m not always lovable"
07/03/2009 North Korea launches ... beer ad
COMMUNIST North Korea`s latest launch is sure to cause much frothing ... it is a locally brewed beer that promises drinkers it will help ease stress
07/03/2009 Four decapitated in drug gang violence
AT least four men have been found decapitated and 12 others murdered in suspected drug violence over just 24 hours, Mexican officials say
A nightmare build-up was bad enough, but nothing compared to the suffering that awaited New South Wales at Suncorp Stadium.

When the dust settled on a spiteful clash, Queensland had staked their claim as Origin`s greatest by sealing a record fifth straight Origin series with a 34-6 victory.

But more pain is expected for fiery NSW backrower Luke O`Donnell.

The Maroons faithful in the 52,452-strong crowd went into party mode as Queensland continued their golden run - a 10-4 win-loss record since their winning streak began in 2006.

Only Queensland`s 13-3 record from 1922-26 is better.

It was going to take something special to take the focus away from the Andrew Johns racial row that had marred NSW`s shocking countdown to Origin II - but it became a subplot after O`Donnell`s brain explosion.

The Cowboys enforcer was considered lucky not to be sent off in the 26th minute when the match erupted following his ugly spear tackle on Maroons winger Darius Boyd.

He was placed on report - but that may be the least of his worries.

After O`Donnell`s shocking tackle sparked an all-in, the fired-up North Queensland forward could be seen headbutting David Taylor as the Queenslander was restrained by NSW`s Joel Monaghan.

While O`Donnell appeared to come off second best in the end after Sam Thaiday had finished with him, the Cowboys backrower looks set to have an even bigger headache when he appears before the judiciary considering his NRL rap sheet.

Not much had gone right for NSW in the countdown to arguably their most important clash in Origin`s 30-year history.

And the trend certainly continued from the kick-off.

Days after Johns` now infamous racial slurs rocked the countdown to Origin II, the question remained: ``How would the Maroons` indigenous stars respond?``

The fired-up Suncorp Stadium crowd didn`t have to wait long for the answer.

In the third minute a pumped Greg Inglis - the focus of Johns` rant that cost him his NSW assistant-coaching gig - had dragged two defenders over to score.

By the 12th, Israel Folau - another reportedly in Johns` sights on last week`s Blues bonding night - had latched onto a floating Willie Tonga pass and crossed with one of his first touches of the game to make it 10-0.

Asked how the Johns saga had affected him, Inglis told Channel Nine: ``It showed in my game tonight.

"I was pretty upset about it, and it`s pretty disappointing."

Cameron Smith gave NSW a sniff when he inexplicably kicked the ball out on the full not once but twice.

Yet by halftime Queensland had crossed again through Darius Boyd (35th minute) to make it 16-0.

It could have been worse. Billy Slater`s 31st minute effort was called back due to a dubious forward pass ruling.

It was more of the same in the second half as Queensland kept scoring, and players kept biffing.

The niggling act between Inglis and NSW centre Beau Scott boiled over in the 57th minute when the pair went toe to toe.

But there was no stopping the Maroons juggernaut as they blew out to a 34-0 lead through Tonga (44th), Folau (48th) and Cooper Cronk (62nd).

After Brett Morris was called back in the 74th minute for off-side, NSW finally got on the board through prop Brett White in the final minute, ensuring Queensland did not seal a record-breaking victory over the Blues.

It was the only solace for a badly beaten Blues outfit on Wednesday night.

In another headache for NSW, Paul Gallen was placed on report for a 23rd minute high shot on Nate Myles.

"I told you I was going to get him back," Gallen could be heard saying on the referee`s microphone.

AAP

Maroons embarrass woeful Blues   06/16/2010
09. 2010
Mo Tu Wd Th Fr Sa Su
12345
6789101112
13141516171819
20212223242526
27282930


Google


Categories: News Headlines Business News Entertaiment News Hi-tech & Science Sport
Global: Americas Europe Africa Australia Asia Middle East