Author: Matt Rowley

Here’s our podcast number 90. I’m joined by Scott Allen and new G&GR recruit Andrew Logan as we review the weekend and discuss the latest news like George Smith joining the Brumbies (I told you so!) and Bill Pulver announcing the new Claytons 3rd Tier proposal. And we had a few technical difficulties, so give us a break! Podcast Powered By Podbean Download this episode (right-click and save)

Which is your choice for try of the week, and why? [youtube id=”b8xine-pERA” width=”600″ height=”350″] Public OpinionPoll Results

Here’s our Aussie Super Team of the week for Round 2. 1. Ben Alexander – seems to be relishing a return to the loosehead role. Excellent set piece work. 2. Stephen Moore – the only Aussie hooker who can throw lineouts? Also bull-like. 3. Dan Palmer – still solid despite a few errors. 4. Luke Jones – starting to show what he can do, put in the hard work. 5. Sam Carter – head down, bum up. 6. Ed Quirk – coming into his own, another abrasive performance. Wallaby 6 jersey is open… 7. Liam Gill – quietly went…

Here’s a gallery of photos from the Rebels’ loss to the Brumbies last night at AAMI Park in Super Rugby round 2. Thanks to the Melbourne Rebels for the photos.

We asked what else to add to our Team and Player of the Week ratings, and you answered. While the details varied there was a common thread: you demanded a SHOCKA OF THE WEEK. And we  have listened. Here’s a video reel to refresh your memory of round 1’s worst moments, and you can vote below. Your choices are: Kimlin’s kick. There’s two points in it, your team is hot on attack in the oppo’s half and the tall boofhead lock grubber-kicks it straight to them. Just awesome. Cooper’s pass. The kiwis have never forgiven Carlos Spencer; should we forgive our own…

Here it is, our Aussie team of the week from round 1 of the 2013 Super Rugby competition. The base was clearly the Brumbies, with a few ringers thrown in. 1. Ben Alexander – the Brumbies’ front row bossed the Reds’ scrum and hit rucks to boot 2. Stephen Moore – ditto 3. Dan Palmer – ditto 4. Hugh Pyle – strong in the lineout and dynamic around the park 5. Scott Fardy – shifted rocks 6. Ed Quirk – abrasive 7. David Pocock – everywhere, while managing to keep on the right side of the ref 8. Ben Mowen…

Watch the Brumbies versus Reds game in its entirety with this full match video. Thank you, YouTube. [youtube id=”UAzInShomb8″ width=”600″ height=”350″]

Here’s a great gallery of pics from the Brumbies versus Reds match in round 1 of the 2013 Super Rugby season. Thanks to the Brumbies for the photos.

Just in case you missed it – the full match video of the Melbourne Rebels versus the Western Force from AAMI stadium. Isn’t YouTube a wonderful thang? [youtube id=”9i7L62A_wcQ” width=”600″ height=”350″]

This has to be my favourite photo of the week. What’s your caption for it?

Photos from the Tahs’ trial against the Crusaders, courtesy of Greg Seaton. Gallery

For some strange reason no one wants to sponsor the Aussie super conference (Bill – if you’re reading can you get back to me on G&GR’s offer?). What’s the chances of our conference lifting its game this year? Brumbies Having only fallen at the final hurdle in the first year of the Jake White regime, you have to be optimistic about what year two could bring. 2013’s success was based off a limited game plan and Laurie Fisher has been open about their designs for a more attacking style. It would be hard to think of how they could have as…

In our first podcast of 2013 we take an in-depth look at the Aussie Super Conference as well as some other key issues in Aussie rugby. Podcast Powered By Podbean Download this episode (right click and save)

Time to go Nostradamus and rank how you think the Super Rugby ladder will end up this year. Through the week we’ll be bringing you previews of the teams to help with the decision making – but maybe you can just fire from the hip? Let us know how you made your calls in the comments section below. Super Rugby 2013 – Ladder Prediction

Here are video highlights of Quade Cooper’s first professional boxing match versus Barry “been there and” Dunnett. Don’t blink or you might miss it! [youtube id=”b1Y5cswffTA” width=”600″ height=”350″] Public OpinionPoll Results

A few weeks ago there was a bit of scoffing when the idea of an Americas-based Super Rugby team was mentioned by SANZAR. Of course the main reason was logistics, but obviously if the rewards are big enough, pesky things like distances could be overcome. So how big are the rewards? In our podcast last year with SANZAR CEO Greg Peters, we got our first hint at the potential of a Super Rugby team being based in or from the Americas with a comment about the viewer figures out of Argentina for The Rugby Championship. Following up this year, Green…

It’s the hottest day in the history of Sydney and Greg Harris, the CEO of RUPA, is talking me through his organisation’s proposals for the evolution of Australian rugby outside a cafe in Surry Hills. It’s not just Greg’s F- and even C-bombs (refreshing after 20 years of business in the UK) that have got my attention in this crushing heat, but also the vision that he unfolds over an hour. He readily admits it’s not a panacea and that it will have its points of friction among stakeholders. But it’s a different take on an intractable challenge — for…

At the end of last year we kicked off this competition for a lucky winner to take away a Nexus 7 tablet and a three-month subscription to eHarmony. It’s my pleasure to announce that the winner is: 5StarStu ! Here was his entry: Anything at the MCG – I’m convinced that, when our civilisation has bit the dust, the next will look at the MCG like we do the Coliseum – a gigantic tribute to the gladiators of our time. It’s pretty special to think about. While he was a quick responder and used both entry methods, it was the…

Yes it’s spelled wrong, but this new form with an ‘anus’ in 2012 feels right — just ask the frikken Mayans. That said, could it be that 2012 was in fact a turning point for Aussie rugby? Relive the crapness Let’s start with Super Rugby. This year our conference became the open mocking ground of the comp. We let in more tries and scored fewer than the other two nations. We were also the easybeats — unable to win games against the other conferences. The Tahs bored the fans, but rarely the oppo, to death — creating record losing streaks.…

FINAL ENTRY DEADLINE NOW EXTENDED TO 11TH JAN If you’re a rugby lover in the singles team, with the northern hemisphere tour out of the way there’s no need to stay exclusive to the game they play in heaven for a good few months. Time to get yourself sorted out and find a shoulder to cry on as Robbie Deans is reinstated for another year of scintillating Wallaby backline play. One in 10 Australians now say they’ve found love online and we’re going to make it easy for you to hit the likes of the Sydney singles scene (or any…