Author: Matt Rowley

It blew out by the end, but what are your Wallabies player rankings this week against Argentina? The Greatest Rugby Players of All Times

Here’s the full Wallabies team to play Argentina in Mendoza  with David Pocock, Bernard Foley and Greg Holmes all starting against the Pumas, Michael Hooper and Quade Cooper on the bench. Scott Higginbotham isn’t in the 23. WALLABIES VS ARGENTINA, MENDOZA Slipper Moore Holmes Simmons Skelton Fardy Pocock McCalman Phipps Foley Tomane Toomua Kuridrani Ashley-Cooper Folau Bench Polota-Nau Sio Kepu Mumm Hooper White Cooper Beale

On a beautiful Brisbane Saturday afternoon Churchie played Gregory Terrace in the GPS schoolboy competition. While you couldn’t fault the commitment of the boys, a group of G&GR blazers watching it commented more than once on the lateral width the teams tried to play, with little or no forward punch first. “So schoolboy” we thought. And then we watched the Wallabies do exactly the same thing against the Springboks that night. For the first ten minutes of the test, you felt that things just might be different this time. Looking across the Wallabies, every spot had someone in it that you…

They squeaked a win, but what are your Wallabies player rankings from last night’s test against the Springboks? Sports & Games Lists on Ranker

We’ve looked at openside and blindside so far and they’ve yielded Hooper, Pocock, Fardy and McMahon as our Wallaby back row. Bob Dwyer reckons we’re bereft of world class candidates, but what do the stats tell us about the Wallaby number eight? As Aussies we like our 8 to be that impact ball carrier who can turn shit ball into good ball, offload and make some big hits in defence. The embodiment of this had to be Toutai Kefu, and as if you needed reminding… So who can measure up for us in 2015? For perspective we’ve thrown in two of…

In this rugby podcast we interview Waratah and Wallaby 8 Wycliff Palu. First we talk to him about his memories so far, including playing against Jerry Collins and learning under Michael Cheika. Then look forward to the semi-final this weekend against the Highlanders and on to his career after that. Saturday will be your last chance to see Cliffy in the flesh for the Tahs at Alliance. Make sure you come see the big man rumble.

With some big matches you wonder whether you should make the time to get to the ground or clear the social diary – finals footy and all that. Not when it comes to the Tahs v Clan (Highlanders) this Saturday. Guaranteed. I’ll start top-line – how does six tries in a match sound? The Tahs and Highlanders are both averaging more than three tries per match over the season and are 4th and 3rd respectively for points scored. Stock up the beer tray early because there’s gonna be action aplenty (especially around half time). Now, big points scoring isn’t necessarily…

There was plenty of argument when it came to selecting the Wallabies Openside Flanker by stats, but in my humble opinion Blindside Flanker is murkier. The theory goes that a good blindside is rarely seen, because he’s either doing the dark job no-one else wants and/or something thoroughly illegal. Perhaps this is why our journey through the stats to find our choice is such a winding road, starting with the contenders. There are quite a few forwards around who could play six (Luke Jones, Dave Dennis, Higgers), but for the stats we need to look at those who did in…

We see who the stats say should be openside for the Wallabies in 2015

That’s right, Bam Bam is back with a David Pocock turnover masterclass video against the Blues last weekend.

Written and produced by a young bunch of rugby tragics, you gotta give this fly on the wall comedy a go as it gives a true insight into – The Rugby Bored. You can fill yer boots on YouTube here  or keep up to date on Facebook here.

We don’t know who did this scrum video analysis on the Brumbies versus the Chiefs last weekend, but it’s awesome!

In recent years Aussie rugby supporters have had to get used to disappointment when it comes to on-field performance. It’s not been pleasant, but there’s usually been something around the corner that’s made us feel that things could get better; often a ‘backs to the wall’ performance. What we won’t stomach being treated as though, are mugs – which has become a disturbing default in recent years, and surely has reached new lows in 2014. When the ARU board renewed John O’Neill’s contract and then paid him out two million dollars when he became too busy with the duties of other boards,…

Thanks to it’s absence on free to air TV, I haven’t even see it yet. What are your Wallabies player rankings versus England? Sports & Games Lists on Ranker

Another thrilling match and close defeat. What are your Wallabies player rankings against Ireland?

A close loss that we never seemed to be in. What are your Wallabies versus France player rankings?

The Wallabies come to Paris where a bedraggled French team have their backs against the wall.   Photos by our man in Paris, Tim Anger First Half Thirty seconds into the match and Rob Simmons comes within a small knock on of scoring from a charge down. However, two minutes into the match and it’s clear a feisty France has turned up. An outrageous penalty for holding on from Owens gives France territory. France follow with a beautifully executed cross kick to Huget from Lopez, which puts France on the Wallabies try line. Horwill spills the ball in contact and a scrum later France…

What are your Wallabies player rankings in their first test match under Michael Cheika?

If you’re not on the bandwagon yet, then get up on top of it with this highlights video of Sean McMahon vs the Barbarians last weekend

How does the returning Will Genia’s passing game stack up against the impact Nick Phipps is having on the Wallabies? We do some video analysis to find out.