Author: G&GR Media

As the Western Force gear up to celebrate their 20th anniversary, Head Coach Simon Cron has issued a rallying cry to his squad: “Bite your mouthguard and go to work.” This directive comes as the Force prepare to face Moana Pasifika in their Super Rugby Pacific season opener at HBF Park this Saturday at 4:35 pm WST.Emphasizing the importance of attitude, Cron stated, “The attitude for us is a second to no-one approach. There’s a level of humility in what you’re trying to do, but when you get on the field, you’ve got to bite your mouthguard and go to…

Lori Cramer, the Wallaroos fullback, is set to rejoin the Queensland Reds’ starting lineup for their women’s trial match against the Western Force this Saturday at Ballymore Stadium. This marks a significant change for the team as they prepare for their second trial, which begins at 12:30 pm (Qld time).Joining Cramer is Wallaroos halfback Layne Morgan, who recently moved to the Gold Coast and will don the Reds jersey for the first time after transferring from the NSW Waratahs. The lineup also features Easts’ speedy winger Piper Flynn and Brothers’ prop Mabel Johnston. In the backrow, Wests’ players Dillyn Blackburn…

The NSW Waratahs Women are set to kick off their 2025 preparations with an exciting trial match against the ACT Brumbies on February 15 at Campbelltown Harlequins Rugby Club. Head Coach Mike Ruthven has named a strong squad that blends experience and emerging talent, aiming to fine-tune combinations ahead of the season.Starting XV:Reserves:Coach Ruthven emphasized the importance of this match, stating, “The Brumbies are always a tough opponent, and this match will provide a great opportunity to fine-tune our game.”The trial match is scheduled for a 3:00 PM kick-off at Campbelltown Harlequins Rugby Club. Fans are encouraged to attend and…

MG Motor has been announced as the official vehicle partner for the Blues, a partnership that aligns two champions in their respective fields. The decision came after the Blues’ triumphant victory over the Chiefs in the Super Rugby Pacific final, which convinced MG Motor Australia and New Zealand’s President and CEO, Peter Ciao, of the synergy between the two.Peter Ciao expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “”The Blues are a champion team, and MG is becoming a champion brand. This partnership is a natural fit.”” He emphasized MG’s commitment to community-focused sporting sponsorships in New Zealand and anticipated similar success with the…

The NSW Waratahs are gearing up for their Super Rugby Pacific season opener against the Highlanders at Allianz Stadium, Sydney. Captain Jake Gordon emphasizes the team’s focus on reaching their potential rather than getting caught up in external expectations. After finishing last in 2024, the Waratahs are determined to concentrate on a “”week-by-week”” approach, aiming to play strong and cohesive rugby.Gordon, who will start as halfback, is among twelve Wallabies in the squad, with seven players set to make their Super Rugby Pacific debuts. These newcomers include props Taniela Tupou and Siosifa Amone, flankers Rob Leota and Jamie Adamson, lock…

The Highlanders are set to kick off their 2025 Super Rugby Pacific campaign with an exciting clash against the NSW Waratahs in Sydney this Friday night. Head Coach Jamie Joseph has unveiled a dynamic lineup that blends seasoned experience with fresh talent, aiming to make a strong statement in the opening round.Key Highlights:Starting XV:Reserves:Coach’s Insight:Jamie Joseph expressed confidence in the squad’s preparation:”We are excited to get our season underway. There’s a lot of enthusiasm and energy around the squad as we prepare for a tough opener against the Waratahs. We’ve named a mix of debutants and experienced players to provide…

The Blues are gearing up for an electrifying start to the Super Rugby Pacific Championship, fielding a formidable team with eight All Blacks in their lineup for the clash against the Chiefs at Eden Park this Saturday. Leading the charge is All Black prop Ofa Tu’ungafasi, marking his 150th game for the Blues, a milestone only surpassed by Keven Mealamu’s 164 caps.Head Coach Vern Cotter is steering the 2024 champions with a clear vision for the new season. “Last year’s title gives us confidence, but 2025 is a fresh start. Success comes from hard work, clear roles, and precise execution,”…

The NSW Waratahs are gearing up to kick off their 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season with a home clash against the Highlanders at Allianz Stadium in Moore Park, Sydney. Head Coach Dan McKellar has unveiled a lineup featuring seven debutants, headlined by the much-anticipated inclusion of Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii at fullback.Debutants:Coach McKellar emphasized the significance of this season opener, noting the fresh faces and renewed energy within the squad:”We have seven debutants and a new coaching staff, marking the beginning of an exciting journey for the Waratahs.”The match is scheduled for Friday night, promising fans an exhilarating start to the season…

The Western Force is set to kick off their Super Rugby Pacific season with a fresh lineup featuring nine debutants in their 23-player squad for the match against Moana Pasifika at HBF Park this Saturday. Among the new faces are off-season recruits Nic Dolly, Darcy Swain, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Vaiolini Ekuasi, Sio Tomkinson, Divad Palu, and Mac Grealy, all of whom will start the game. The match begins at 4:35 pm, and tickets are available through Ticketmaster.Dylan Pietsch, a Wallabies winger, will make his club debut from the bench after recovering from a hand injury sustained during pre-season. A…

It seems nobody beats Wales 14 matches in a row as Warren Gatland is marched from his role as Welsh coach. This from https://www.planetrugby.com/news/warren-gatland-gone-wales-confirm-drastic-mid-six-nations-sacking-after-14-successive-defeatsThe Welsh Rugby Union have announced the departure of head coach Warren Gatland with immediate effect after a run of 14 successive Test defeats. Cardiff coach Matt Sherratt will take over for the rest of the Six Nations on an interim basis.Gatland’s first tenure came to an end after the 2019 Rugby World Cup after he guided Wales to a fourth-place finish and was subsequently replaced by Wayne Pivac. However, he returned to the position in January 2023…

The Blues are excited to announce their new partnership with Gerard Roofs New Zealand as the Official Roofing and Statistics Partner for the 2025 season. This collaboration underscores the shared values of performance, strength, and resilience that both the Blues and Gerard Roofs embody.Gerard Roofs, renowned for their innovative roofing solutions, operates in 127 countries and is a leader in the industry. This partnership unites two powerhouses dedicated to excellence and lasting success. Just as a sturdy roof protects a building, a strong rugby team defends its line and builds a legacy through outstanding performance.Blues CEO Andrew Hore expressed enthusiasm…

Trilleen Pomare is set to lead the Western Force once again as captain for the 2025 Super Rugby WomenÕs season, with local Wallaroo Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke stepping up as vice-captain. The decision came after a player vote during the recent Maali Camp, emphasizing the team’s desire to shape their own path for the upcoming season.Pomare, a 31-year-old standout from Wanneroo, has been a cornerstone of the Force since its inception in 2018. She made history as the first female player to reach 25 caps and guided the team to its first finals appearance last season. Supporting her is Kalamunda hooker…

Ten players from the Western Force have been selected for Rugby AustraliaÕs 46-player squad for the Wallaroos, gearing up for the 2025 season. This squad, divided into four tiers, is under close watch as the Rugby World Cup approaches in August. Representing the Force are Georgia Cormick, Michaela Leonard, Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke, Ashley Marsters, Sera Naiqama, Alapeta Ngauamo, Trilleen Pomare, Allana Sikimeti, Cecilia Smith, and Samantha Wood. Notably, Malcolm Heke, recently appointed as the Force’s vice-captain for 2025, and Wood are both local talents from Western Australia, playing for Kalamunda. Meanwhile, Force captain Pomare represents Wanneroo. The squad also includes…

NSW Waratahs Head Coach Dan McKellar is confident his team is ready for their Super Rugby Pacific 2025 opener against the Highlanders at Allianz Stadium in Sydney. As he prepares for his debut game as the Waratahs’ coach, McKellar emphasized that the team has tailored their preparations specifically for this match.”We’re as prepared as we could be, but we won’t be perfect,” McKellar admitted after a morning training session. He highlighted the importance of prioritizing key areas for the first round, aiming to make a strong impression.McKellar plans to adapt the team’s strategy as the season progresses, acknowledging that early-season…

Get ready for an exciting evening at HBF Park this Saturday as the Western Force takes on Moana Pasifika in the opening round of the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season.Match Details:- Teams: Western Force vs Moana Pasifika- Venue: HBF Park- Kick-off: 4:35 PM- Gates Open: 3:35 PMTickets:Secure your tickets online through Ticketmaster or purchase them at the gate.Pre-Match and Post-Match Activities:- Former Force captain Nathan Sharpe will present the game ball before kick-off.- After the match, fans can join the “Fans on Field” event for autographs and selfies with players, starting 10 minutes post-game.Game Day Fun:- Enjoy free face painting…

Nineteen years ago today, on a memorable day in 2006, the Western Force made their Super Rugby debut in front of a packed Subiaco Oval, with 37,037 enthusiastic fans in attendance. The atmosphere was electric as foundation captain Nathan Sharpe led the team onto the field, joined by notable players like Brendan Cannon, Matt Hodgson, Matt Henjak, and Scott Staniforth. The Sea of Blue greeted them with a standing ovation, setting the stage for an unforgettable match.The ACT Brumbies, however, were quick to make their mark. Mark Chisholm intercepted a pass from Matt Henjak, sprinting away to score the first…

The 6N Grand Slam is Ireland’s to lose now. This from https://www.sixnationsrugby.com/en/m6n/news/scotland-v-ireland-match-report-m6n-2025- Simon Easterby’s Ireland claimed a convincing 18-32 win over Scotland in a bruising encounter in Edinburgh. Sir Chris Hoy, a six-time Olympic champion, delivered the match ball to a standing ovation as Scottish Gas Murrayfield marked 100 years of history. How the home fans hoped their team could experience the sort of dominance enjoyed by this beloved son of Edinburgh in his glory days on the bike.The game burst into life from the first whistle, with both teams laying down an early marker in what proved to be…

The Western Force kicked off their 2025 Super Rugby Women’s pre-season with an impressive 45-6 victory over Rugby Victoria in a trial game at Wanneroo Rugby Club. The Force dominated the first half, scoring five tries to lead 27-0 at halftime. Despite numerous player changes in the second half, the Force maintained their momentum, ultimately scoring eight tries in total.Australia A representative Brooklyn Teki Joyce was a standout, scoring two late tries to seal the win. Fijian Olympic sevens star Adi Vani Buleki made a memorable debut, opening the scoring with a try that showcased her speed and skill. This…

Wales cunning plan too be the best Tier 2 team in world rugby is bearing fruit. This from: https://www.planetrugby.com/news/italy-v-wales-five-takeaways-as-azzurris-golden-youth-come-of-age-while-warren-gatlands-time-looks-to-be-upThe opening quarter of this match truly represented a Six Nations wooden spoon decider as neither side showed much accuracy or ruthlessness with ball in hand, and the constant downpour didn’t make matters any easier. The game needed a spark with the scores level at three apiece and it was the Azzurri’s hero Paolo Garbisi who provided it as he latched onto a Martin Page-Relo pass, threw a glorious dummy, sprinted into a half gap and put in a perfect grubber that Ange Capouzzo…

This from https://www.sixnationsrugby.com/en/m6n/news/england-v-france-match-report-2025-six-nations-rugbyEngland claimed a remarkable 26-25 win against France in an extraordinary encounter in London. The first half was a scrappy affair, punctuated by moments of brilliance. France fullback Thomas Ramos, possibly the greatest kicker from the tee in the game, surprised the entire Allianz Stadium when he missed a kick at goal 10 minutes in. England would have been delighted if was a sign of things to come for the Toulouse player.Les Bleus had only conceded three penalties in the entire match against Wales in round one, but England were proving to be tougher opposition at the Allianz…