Author: Matt Rowley

So how does a team that contested the final only two years ago, and only just missed the semi’s last year suddenly look quite so bereft of any hope whatsoever in a regular game of footy? That’s the question I keep coming back to when looking forward to this weekend’s match up. Let’s start with the easy bit. Will the Tahs beat the Bulls on Saturday (Sun 4am AEDT)? No. The Tahs haven’t won in Pretoria since 2002, and haven’t beaten them anywhere since 2005. They pulled a rabbit out of the hat in Brisbane, got smashed last week at…

A long held topic of conversation in the various Gagger family households has been the Wilkinson myth; idiot-savant kicker and solid tackler – yes, god’s own five-eighth – fark no. I realise it can sound like RWC’03 sour grapes, but Blind Freddy could see that Wilkinson’s predilection for running directly sideways into his centres has created the need for neolithic pairings the likes of Noone and Tindall, and ruled out any chance of backline fluidity. Freddie dud-eyes could also spot that

For followers of the Waratah’s fortunes, the last two games have been critical indicators as to whether last year’s malaise was a bump in the road, or a downward trend. The last minute win against the Reds last week papered over an uninspiring performance, but this weekend’s shellacking in Capetown (27-6 to the Stormers) exposed a new development in the Waratahs game that is as worrying as it is un-Tahlike. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRUfg-bl04U[/youtube] In 2009, the pack on its own came within a try of getting NSW into the finals; it wasn’t until the last games that the back-line gained any fluidity.…

Here they all are. Video highlights of each of the Aussie games from round 2. I believe the first Reds try might be missing, but keep an eye out for that in Try of the round anyhow. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-ump2RmqBs[/youtube] For the rest of the games click

QUEENSLAND REDS 41 (Quade Cooper 2, Rod Davies, Digby Ioane tries Cooper 3 cons 5 pens)  CRUSADERS 20 (Andrew Ellis, Brad Thorn tries Daniel Carter 2 cons 2 pens) at Suncorp Stadium.

Say what you want, but this shows good thinking. I mean, you’ll change clubs and change girlfriends, but you’re unlikely to change your last name. Pretty cunning therefore for Blair Connor to permanently stencil it in large letters across his arm, above a nice eagle. I wonder what The Chaser’s tattoo inspector would have to say about that (below)

Look out! This could well be your last chance to order an official Green and Gold Rugby T-shirt. Once we close the books on this order, those who have had the foresight to purchase this slice of amateur sports-hack history will be left with a limited edition momento of the little Aussie battler rugby blog that went on to a clean sweep of the online rugby world, without a single loss to farking Scotland. Think of the look of pride in your loved ones eyes as you don this hallowed tunic and prepare to represent your state or country from…

Along with the reviews of the week like the post below, each week we’ll be keeping our eyes peeled for Wallaby playing form. Within each Aussie teams’ match review, you’ll find us singling out three players: Wallaby who put his hand up Wallaby who did himself no favours Bolter watch (no capper having a belter) Looking back over the year, this should give a few pointers at who we’d hope to see get a run. This week I’ve gathered them all here, have a look and see what you think.

FULL TIME: Western Force 15 (O’Connor 5 PGs) – Brumbies 24 (Tries: Moore, Valentine, Edmunds)

You’ve seen (or at least read about) the trials, the coaches, the players. So where do you reckon the Aussie S14 teams will net out by the end of the season? To give you something to chew on (or laugh at), a few of the G&GR pundits have put their rocks on the block and the table below is what we came up with. Interestingly, while it was all done independently of one another,

LOVE AUSSIE RUGBY? DON’T WANT TO BE NAKED? Well, have we got a deal for you! We know you’ve all been hanging out for this and the moment has finally arrived. The G&GR crew, along with some clever friends, have designed a ‘must have’ item of clothing for the discerning rugby follower.

By Brumby Jack The NSW Waratahs have beaten the ACT Brumbies 15- 7 at Viking Park Erindale in front of a healthy crowd, including interested onlookers Robbie Deans and John Mitchell. The game was riddled with handling mistakes and the shrill (or thrill) of Steve Walsh’s whistle at every given opportunity. The first 5 minutes was full of mindless midfield bombs from both teams, in particular Barnes for the Waratahs. After about 7 mins a break down the right wing by the Brumbies led to a penalty to the Brumbies right in front. Surprisingly, a shot at goal was…

Many thanks to Jay who posted the links to these videos in the comments.

From the press release: The HSBC Waratahs took another step in their 2010 Super 14 preparations with a comprehensive 83-15 victory over the Fiji Warriors at Wade Park in Orange. A strong crowd of 6623 turned out to see NSW score 13 tries to two, with coach Chris Hickey able to test a number of combinations with a total of 29 players used across the four quarters.

I, erm, don’t know what to say. UPDATE: Looks like it was originally all for charity. Phew, I guess. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oC9RG2MObB4[/youtube]

Alleluia. Having endured a year when the most successful teams were the ones who kicked the ball away, it would appear that the Southern Hemisphere powers that be have felt the disillusionment of rugby lovers in the place the counts the most; the balance sheet, and decided to do something about it. “Within Australia, we’re all on the same page,” O’Neill said at the unveiling of the Wallabies’ new strip yesterday. ”Reds, Waratahs, Brumbies, Force … we’ve all sat around the table and looked at the reality of where crowd figures have gone and where the game generally is at.…

Now with Fat Cat picture, and video So here it is the new Wallaby jumper. Waddya reckon? I’ve also attached a few other shots of the squad wearing it, together with a factoid packed press release, below The new Qantas Wallabies jersey, designed and manufactured by Australian sports apparel company KooGa, has been unveiled today. Technologically advanced – with materials including carbon fibre and hydrosteel used in the manufacturing process – the jersey is the first to be produced under a four-year deal that will continue until the end of 2013 between Australian Rugby Union and KooGa. Retail orders for…

To add a bit of spice to this year’s comp, the winner will receive a free KooGa jersey (including any of their S14, or new Wallaby designs)! Here’s how to join:

It’s been at least a week since there was any Aussie rugby, and so I’ve naturally completely forgotten coming plumb last in the Tri-Nations and stuffing a once in a quarter of a century Grand Slam chance (including losing to Scotland, FFS). As such, the incurable optimism of the Wallaby supporter has re-surfaced (without it, we’d all be Mungos) and I’ve started thinking about my hopes for 2010. So here they are –  I’ve tried to keep them realistically optimistic (I naturally dream we win everything), but you can give me a reality check no doubt! MY AUSSIE RUGBY WISHES…

Wondering where your donations to G&GR have gone? Well, if you stuff enough money into someone’s top pocket, it’s amazing what they’ll hand over. Into our possession has fallen the transcripts of a certain top ARU managers phone texts. There are no names, we do get the locations of where the texts were delivered along with dates. See if you can make out a select few, I’ll be buggered…