POPEYE had spinich, but the power food for Raiders skipper Terry Campese is mum Lisa's lasagne. Lisa will be in the stands at Canberra Stadium on Sunday for Mother's Day, as usual, but she is also a big part of Campo's pre-game routine. Two nights before every match Campese's family, including wife Sarah and kids Billie and Jett, feast out on Lisa's lasagne so Campo can carbo-load for the match. ''There was one time, I'll never forget, he cooked his own [lasagne] and he played like crap. I said, 'That's it, I've got to cook'.'' Sarah Campese revealed at the Women in League dinner on Tuesday night that she would like another child. But given their two young children were born just before Campese went down with back-to-back knee injuries, she joked that Campo may not be so keen.
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Canberra commandos face NZ in first paintball Test
WE’RE not sure if they’ll have to face a haka, but three Canberrans will represent Australia in the inaugural paintball ‘‘Test’’ against New Zealand in Sydney on Friday. Pictured left to right, David Turner, Mitch Hackett and Mark McElligott have all previously represented ACT in the Super 7s annual State of Origin series. The Canberra trio can expect to come under rapid fire, with the guns capable of shooting 15 balls per second.
Hangover fears
FORMER Melbourne Storm skipper Robbie Kearns was on radio on Saturday, claiming the Raiders had hit the town and celebrated like they won in the grand final following last weekend's upset 24-20 win over the defending NRL champs. Let's hope the Raiders can back up against the Newcastle Knights at Canberra Stadium on Sunday, because too often they've been guilty of a ''hangover'' after a big victory.
Storm brewing
RAIDERS back rower Joe Picker has been linked with a possible move to Melbourne Storm next year, although Joel Thompson's defection to the Dragons may yet give him a lifeline in Canberra. One player the Raiders did hold on to despite big interest from the NRL defending champion is Paul Vaughan. The Canberra junior turned down a Storm offer and has been rewarded with his first NRL games.
Rathbone to stay
IT LOOKS like the Clyde Rathbone comeback is set to continue for at least one more year in Canberra, with the former Wallabies winger in negotiations to extend his contract. Locker Room understands Rathbone is close to committing to another season with the Brumbies. Less than 12 months ago Rathbone was retired and didn't want to play Super Rugby again after initially hanging up his boots in 2009. Brumbies coach Jake White is keen to keep him as an experienced player in Canberra. The Brumbies are also working on a few more players signings in the coming weeks.
Bus troubles
THE CANBERRA TIMES reported last week about how qualified mechanic Sharni Williams was named captain of the Australian women's sevens team. Her two worlds collided the day after the story, when the team bus broke down before it even got out of the car park at the AIS. Williams was on board and recognised a problem with the starter motor, but didn't have the tools on hand to fix it and another bus had to be called in. Williams will lead the side in London and Amsterdam.
Time for a re-tweet
BLAKE FERGUSON'S contract extension was great news for Canberra Raiders fans this week. But the in-form centre may have alarmed some Green Machine supporters when he tweeted he was 'resigning' instead of 're-signing'. It sparked a few wags to post that long-serving Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson may not have been the only Ferguson to step down this week.
Softballers want a name
THERE'S the Raiders, Brumbies, Capitals, Cavalry and Knights, to name a few, now the ACT men's softball team wants its own moniker. It is the most successful men's softball team in the country, having won a record 12 national titles. If you'd like to pitch an idea, email it to softballact@bigpond.com with your name and telephone number by June 7. The winning entry will receive a Softball ACT supporters pack including family passes to the national championships.
Fuller is faster
ACT riders finished first and second in the NSW Bridge to Bridge jetski race on the Hawkesbury River last Sunday, a pretty big deal considering there are actually no waterways in Canberra where the dynamic duo can even train. The Canberra Times tried to get a photo of Tuggeranong's Ben Fuller and Belconnen's Chinni Rao aboard their machines, but the ACT government denied access to even the Molonglo River. Fuller is just a novice to the sport, but described it as a mix of drag-racing and motocross on water, with the skis reaching speeds of more than 120km/h. ''The feeling you get travelling at that speed … it's definitely not something for the faint-hearted. My ski will do 0-100km/h in just over three seconds.''
