Author: G&GR Media

It’s official. The Queensland Reds sit #1 after seven rounds of SRP, beating a valiant Force side 28-24 in tricky conditions. The win see’s all 4 Australian sides remain in the SRP top 6.In a see-sawing contest, the forward exchanges in particular were brutal and it wasn’t until the full time whistle that the Reds could breath easy.The Reds didn’t have it all their own way, with the Force absolutely demolishing the Reds lineout all match. With Joe Schmidt in attendance there were several players on both sides who did their Wallaby chances no harm for the Lions series. Tom…

As if a 9 tries to 2 loss and a 57-12 drubbing at the hands of the Hurricanes isn’t bad enough. Tahs coach Dan McKellar has also confirmed Max Jorgensen is injured and out for extended spell. McKellar telling reporters: “Max looks like he’s done a syndesmosis injury, so we’ll need to get that scanned,” As for the match, McKellar was circumspect about the defeat, also saying: “The game’s won and lost around the physical collision, and the Hurricanes dominated that area. We turned the ball over too much, both at the breakdown and in our set-piece, and when a…

A shortened round ahead for this weekend with three (3) sides having the ‘bye’:Round #7 sees the Blues, Chiefs and the Drua all with the week off and perhaps a chance for Oz sides to consolidate their top #6 positions.

With the Force and Drua still to meet the SRP ladder currently looks thus:A bonus point victory to either side will see them jump into the top six on the table. Should the Force be victorious, all four Australian sides would sit 2nd-6th. Surely the first time in an age that all Oz sides have collectively sat atop the ladder, after six rounds of the competition??

After 13 consecutive losses, the NSW Waratahs have finally beaten the ACT Brumbies, holding on to close out the match 28-23 in front of over 20,000 fans in Sydney. In what was a fiercely contested contest, it took an 82nd minute turnover to replacement prop Isaac Kailea, to seal the deal and see those in sky blue with bragging rights.The Brumbies have not been bested by the Waratahs since 2018 and despite early dominance from them, went to the sheds training NSW by 21-6. Three first half tries to the Tahs gave the home side real momentum, so much so,…

The Queensland Reds have broken their 12 year drought in Dunedin and have won 29-23 against the Highlanders. Whilst scrappy at times, the Reds got their groove back in the second half, securing the bonus point win. And it was very much back on their scrum in the second half that gave the Reds real advantage, lead in particular by Alex Hodgman.Two tries to Filipo Daugunu saw him spearhead the Reds attack, although Tom Lynagh had a night to forget with the boot. The win is even more important, given the Reds had several regular starters either on mandated RA…

Reds goal kicking maestro Tom ‘The Laser’ Lynagh who is a perfect 17 from 17 so far this season. admits he only does one session a week and prefers to rely on rhythm, rather than outcomes. Lynagh tells rugby.com.au: “I haven’t changed anything,””I got in a good space on those Wallabies camps (last year).””’Didn’t want to change a lot; I’m big about keeping the reps minimal and making sure you feel good.”Not heavily outcome based, just more about feel.””Rhythm’s the right word. Like in golf, when you try and hit it too hard, you end up striking it pretty poorly.”And…

New U20’s coach Chris Whitaker has named his first squad for next months training camp in Coffs Harbour.Australia U20 Squad for opening campACT BrumbiesFinn Baxter – Gungahlin EaglesOllie Aylmer – TBCEli Langi – Tuggeranong VikingsBeau Morrison – Sydney UniversityLachlan Smith- Gungahlin EaglesJoe Dillon – Canberra RoyalsMalakye Enasio – Gungahlin EaglesShane Wilcox – Tuggeranong VikingsWestern Force Boston Fakafanua – Wests ScarboroughOllie Barrett – Associates RUFCFinn Prass – Wests ScarboroughQueensland Reds Trevor King – SouthsJohn Grenfell – University of QueenslandCharlie Brosnan – BrothersTom Robinson – University of QueenslandJames Martens – GPS Rugby ClubDre Pakeho – BrothersXavier Rubens – SouthsNick Conway – Wests BulldogsNSW Waratahs …

From Qld Rugby Media Unit:A new, expanded Challenge Cup for 14 women’s teams will sit beside the fabled StoreLocal Hospital Cup when Queensland Premier Rugby kicks off on March 29.A broader capture of women’s clubs in south-east Queensland will fill a March-May position in the season calendar before a June 7 launch for a nine-round Premier Women’s competition.The revised format is all aimed at better embracing the flourishing women’s game by appealing to those new to rugby as well as the aspirational high-performance end.The StoreLocal Challenge Cup will welcome Brisbane Irish, Bond Pirates, Gold Coast Eagles and Redlands Combined as…

Waratah prop Isaac Kailea has signed a 2 year extension through to the end of 2027. Good news for the Tahs & RA and adding to our prop stocks.Kailea, 24, was capped eight times for Australia in 2024 after making his Test debut against Wales in Sydney last July, thus becoming Wallaby No. 975.Standing at an imposing 190cm and weighing in at 129kg, Kailea switched to loosehead prop from the backrow in 2018 and made an immediate impact, debuting for the Melbourne Rebels against the Reds less than three years later.

Saturday 22 March 1:05 pm AEDT – ACT Brumbies v Queensland Reds at Viking Park, Canberra, Stan SportBRUMBIES (1-15): Sally Fuesaina, Katalina Amosa, Keia Mae Sagapolu Sanele, Ashley Fernandez, Lily Bone, Siokapesi Palu (c), Chioma Enyi, Tabua Tuinakauvadra, Ella Ryan, Faitala Moleka, Biola Dawa, Merania Paraone, Manua Moleka, Gabrielle Petersen, Ashlea BishopReplacements: Tania Naden, Martha Fua, Iroha Kishimoto, Easter Savelio, Edwina Munns-Cook, Piper Rankmore, Jay Huriwai, Kyah LittleREDS (1-15): Bree-Anna Browne, Tiarna Molloy, Eva Karpani, Tiarah Minns, Deni Ross, Jemma Bemrose (co-c), Carola Kreis, Zoe Hanna, Layne Morgan, Lori Cramer, Ivania Wong (co-c), Shalom Sauaso, Faythe Manera, Caitlin Urwin, Charlotte CaslickReserves: Zophronia Setu, Cristo…

7’s superstar has been named at #15 for this weekends Reds match. This Saturdays match against the Brumbies will also be the Queensland sides 100th female rugby match. The match will be the 100th played by the Queensland women’s team since the first against Canadian province Alberta at Ballymore in 1996.Versatile Lori Cramer will start in the #10 jersey in a reshuffled backline. Ivania Wong is back on the wing to play a record 40th time for the Reds. Congrats to all involved with QRU for this terrific milestone.

The Ponies have lobbed the first grenade in the lead up to this Saturday’s match against the Horrortahs Waratahs and who can blame them. The Tahs are 0-13, dating back to 2018 against the Ponies. Not only that, but the Tahs are coming off a performance lambasted as ‘soft’ & ’embarrassing’ by their own coaches. Who can blame the Brumbies for feeling cocky.But beware, pride cometh before the fall. Checkout the Ponies reddit offering here.

The whispers are true, Fraser McReight has re-signed with RA until the end of 2028, turning down a more lucrative Japanese contract.F-Mac telling rugby.com.au: “I’m very happy to have my contract resolved for the next three years and I can concentrate on those good times ahead with the Reds, the Wallabies and my teammates,””There were other offers but my heart has always been with the Reds and the Wallabies. Queensland is my home and it means so much to represent my family and friends and playing for your country is the highest honour where you get to represent where you…

The Reds v Tahs stoush this weekend also involves the battle of the Tahs U18 & U20s against their Red counterparts. Both games are at Ballymore on Sunday.The NSW Waratahs U18s play the Queensland Reds U18s at Ballymore Stadium in Brisbane on Sunday at 1.15pm (AEDT). The game will be streamed live on rugby.com.au and the Rugby Xplorer App.Team List:The NSW Waratahs U20s play the Queensland Reds U18s at Ballymore Stadium in Brisbane on Sunday at 3.15pm (AEDT). The game will be streamed live on rugby.com.au and the Rugby Xplorer app.Team List:

Who says Australian teams can’t win at Eden Park, because nobody told the Brumbies that! The Eden Park ‘hoodoo’ is dead. Hopefully a potender for the Wallabies teams to come.In a thrilling contest, that yet again went down to the last 2 minutes, the ACT Brumbies have walked away with the chocolates defeating last years champions, the Auckland Blues, at Eden Park: 20-21.The Brumbies put on a set piece master class, befitting their pedigree and the enormity of the challenge. The Brumbies had plenty of hero’s on the evening with Tom Hooper, Rory Scott & Lachlan Shaw all outstanding and…

The guy with the flashiest sounding name in Oz Rugby, Nick Champion de Crespigny has signed a two year contract extension to stay in WA. The 28yo ex Sydney Uni forward joined the Force after a three year stint in the French Top 14 with Castres Olympique and while the SRP season is only three rounds in, de Crespigny’s form has caught the eye of many a fan. Perhaps even shaping as a smokie for the Wallabies?Good news all round.

Great news for both Reds & Rugby fans with confirmation Lukan Salakaia-Lotu has signed a three 3 contract extension with RA & the Reds, through to the end of 2028. The big unit was in career best, abrasive form last season and at only 28 years old, with SPR, Wallaby & overseas experience, one feels his best years lay ahead.

For a win that sure was hard to watch. Poor game management, dumb options, poor discipline. At least the D was OK. Sure it’s the Tahs best start since 2014, but they need to improve if they want to compete with the Kiwi teams and go deep in SRP.Coach Dan McKellar said as much as well: “The fighting effort that I spoke to you people about a couple of weeks ago was there, there in bucket loads, but we nearly beat ourselves,” McKellar said. “That’s the disappointing part.”I’m really pleased with getting four points and we sit here with two…

Time waits for no man, not even if they are three legends of Irish rugby. News today that Peter O’Mahony. Cian Healy and Conor Murray will call time on their international rugby careers at the end on this year’s 6N. However, Murray will continue to play abroad at club level.O’Mahony is his nation’s seventh most capped player and picked for three consecutive Lions tours in ’13, ’17 and 2021. While Healy is Ireland’s most capped player, surpassing Brian O’Driscoll’s record last year.Interim Irish coach Simon Easterby said in a statement, “Peter, Cian and Conor have each played a huge role…