High-profile columnist Peter FitzSimons has congratulated himself for pulling a sly joke on Sydney's sporting elite.
As he summarizes the 'greatest hits' of 2023 on Saturday, says commentator Sydney Morning Herald told how he had pulled off an April Fool's joke that caused rugby union, league and racing heavyweights to 'choke on their Weet-Bix'.
FitzSimons reported on April 1 that Peter V'Landys – the ubiquitous sports boss who is chairman of the Australian Rugby League Commission and CEO of Racing NSW – was set to become Rugby Australia's next boss.
A cheeky Peter FitzSimons revealed how he fooled his readers with an April Fool's joke about footy supremo Peter V'Landys
FitzSimons 'reported' quotes from an insider at the time: 'He (V'Landys) handles everything else, so why not rugby too? … It saves so much hassle'.
It wasn't true – just a joke for FitzSimons' sports-obsessed audience, at the expense of the footy supremo.
But he did convince at least one person: Mr V'Landys' wife, Philippa, FitzSimons claimed.
Mr V'Landys reportedly texted FitzSimons: 'Thanks for the early morning concussion. My wife only saw the headline and started yelling at me.
“It was really funny when you had her hook and sinker.”
Mr V'Landys, with his wife Philippa, who were the victims of the prank
It's been an eventful few months for the prolific author, columnist and ex-Wallaby, who has been writing non-fiction for 35 years.
Publisher Hachette last month released its latest book on Australian history, The Last Charge of the Australian Light Horse.
Meanwhile, FitzSimons' wife – journalist and TV presenter Lisa Wilkinson – was recently in the spotlight at the Federal Court, where Bruce Lehrmann is suing her and The Project for defamation over her reporting on Brittany Higgins' allegations.
The media power couple have three children and live in Sydney's north.