Author: G&GR Media

The Reds kick-off their UK tour this weekend, this from https://reds.rugby/news/reds-team-named-for-bear-hunt-in-bristol-2025130 Queensland Reds Head Coach Les Kiss has named 13 Wallabies to start the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific pre-season against English Premiership contenders Bristol Bears in chilly conditions on Friday night.Lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and winger Filipo Daugunu will play their first matches for Queensland since 2022 and 2023 respectively at Bristol’s Ashton Gate home ground.Both will resume careers of 69 Reds caps and bring significant experience to a side which will be led by captain Tate McDermott and vice-captain Fraser McReight.Josh Canham joins Salakaia-Loto as the lock pairing.The match (which…

In a heartwarming gesture, Queensland Reds props Jeffery Toomaga-Allen and Matt Gibbon recently teamed up with the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital (RBWH) Foundation to commemorate its 40th anniversary. The duo took time out from their rigorous training schedules to acknowledge and appreciate the dedication of the hospital’s staff.Donning their Reds attire, Toomaga-Allen and Gibbon distributed dozens of donuts to the hardworking teams at RBWH and the Surgical Treatment and Rehabilitation Service (STARS). This act of kindness was part of the RBWH Foundation’s “40 Years Strong” campaign, celebrating four decades of life-saving research, exceptional patient care, and healthcare innovation.For Toomaga-Allen,…

The Western Force ramped up their preparations for the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season with an internal trial match at Scotch College on Friday. The game featured the ‘Probables’ donning gold jerseys against the ‘Possibles’ in blue, played over three 25-minute periods. The Probables secured a 42-0 victory, though the primary focus was on assessing player performances and combinations, with several athletes switching sides as the match progressed.Key Highlights:Despite the 32-degree heat, the players demonstrated commendable effort and competitiveness, vying for spots in the Round 1 lineup. The coaching staff will be encouraged by the depth and talent on display…

The Crusaders are set to launch their 2025 pre-season campaign with a fiery showdown against the Blues this Friday in Kirwee. With preparations for Super Rugby Pacific heating up, this match offers a golden opportunity for the squad to fine-tune combinations and shake off the off-season rust.Set to take place at the Kirwee Rugby Football Club, about 40 minutes west of Christchurch, the game isn’t just about on-field performance—it’s about taking rugby back to its roots. The Crusaders have a long history of engaging with their rural fan base, and with over 3,000 fans expected to descend on the ground,…

The Gallagher Chiefs are set to showcase fresh faces in their upcoming pre-season match against the Hurricanes at Yarrow Stadium in Taranaki. This fixture not only serves as a preparatory game but also celebrates the deep-rooted connections both franchises share with the Taranaki region.Notable Inclusions:Taranaki Representatives:The squad boasts strong local representation, with players such as Bradley Slater, Jared Proffit, Josh Lord, Kaylum Boshier, and Daniel Rona donning the Chiefs jersey, highlighting the province’s significant contribution to the franchise.Match Details:Tickets are available starting from $20 and can be purchased through the Chiefs’ official website. For those unable to attend in person,…

Brandon Paenga-Amosa, the dynamic hooker who recently joined the Western Force, is already making waves in the west. After a stint with Montpellier in France’s Top 14, Paenga-Amosa returned to Australian rugby, bringing with him a wealth of experience and a renewed sense of purpose.Reflecting on his time abroad, the 29-year-old father-of-two noted that playing in France had honed his skills and broadened his perspective on the game. However, the pull of home and the opportunity to contribute to Australian rugby’s resurgence were too strong to ignore.”France was an incredible experience, both on and off the field,” Paenga-Amosa shared. “But…

The Highlanders are set to kick off their pre-season with a match against Moana Pasifika at North Harbour Stadium’s outer oval this Friday, January 31st, at 1:00 pm. Head Coach Jamie Joseph has selected a 32-man squad for this encounter, aiming to provide ample game time across three 30-minute halves.Starting XV:Reserves:Coach Joseph emphasized the importance of this match in assessing team cohesion and individual performances:”We’re really looking forward to seeing how the squad gels in game conditions. We’ve got a lot of exciting talent and competition for spots this season, and this match will be a great opportunity to fine-tune…

The NSW Waratahs have announced a dynamic 33-player squad as they gear up to defend their title in the 2025 Super Rugby Women’s season. Head Coach, Mike Ruthven, has masterfully blended seasoned campaigners with fresh talent, signalling the team’s intent to remain at the pinnacle of women’s rugby.Key Inclusions:2025 NSW Waratahs Women’s Squad:Props:Hookers:Locks:Back Row:Halfbacks:Flyhalves:Centres:Outside Backs:Aus 7s:(*Denotes potential debutantes)With a blend of resilience, emerging talent, and strategic additions, the Waratahs are poised to make a significant impact in the upcoming season. The rugby community will be keenly watching how this squad performs as they embark on their title defence.Read more: https://waratahs.rugby/news/squad-announced-for-2025-super-rugby-womens-season-2025129

In a significant boost for the Hurricanes’ forward pack, formidable prop Xavier Numia has extended his contract with the team until the end of 2027. Since his debut in 2019 against the Waratahs, Numia has been a pivotal figure in the Hurricanes’ front row. The Wellington-born prop reached his 50th match milestone in 2024 before a torn calf muscle in the quarterfinals cut his campaign short.The 26-year-old expressed his excitement about re-signing:”It’s been my dream for as long as I can remember to play for the Hurricanes. Committing to a few more years is an epic feeling. The team is…

The Western Force will tune up for the upcoming 2025 Super Rugby Women’s season with three pre-season trial games including two in Perth hosting by Fortescue Premier Grade clubs.The Force’s 2025 Super W campaign commences on Saturday 1 March against the ACT Brumbies at HBF Park, with plenty of excitement and optimism after their last season’s first semi-finals appearance coupled with an excellent off-season recruitment drive and Japan tour. Prior to that, the Force will kick off their pre-season with a trial game against Rugby Victoria at Wanneroo Rugby Club on Sunday 9 February.The Force will then travel to Brisbane…

The 2025 Super Rugby Women’s Squads are locked in ahead of the opening game on February 28.The NSW Waratahs are the team to beat after their title success in 2024, however, there has been plenty of player movements in the off-season.Watch every match of Super Rugby Women’s live and on-demand exclusively on Stan Sport.The Western Force has led the way for big signings, recruiting the likes of Ash Marsters, Cecilia Smith and Sera Naiqama for 2025. “We are really excited by the squad that’s been put together by the club this year. Retaining the performing players from last season and…

NSW Waratahs Head Coach Dan McKellar has named Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii among 13 Wallabies in a 27 strong team to play the ACT Brumbies on Saturday in their last trial match at Eridge Park in Bowral.10 of the starting XV selected by McKellar are Wallabies, and seven of them have returned from Wallabies Spring tour duties, including Suaalii who has been named as fullback for what will be his NSW Waratahs debut. The Wallabies in the starting side with Suaalii are prop Angus Bell, hooker David Porecki, flanker Rob Leota, number eight Langi Gleeson, scrumhalf and captain Jake Gordon, flyhalf Tane…

ENGLAND SQUADHead coach Steve Borthwick has named a 36-player squad, appointing Maro Itoje as captain. The squad features a mix of experience and youth, with notable inclusions such as uncapped winger Cadan Murley.ForwardsBacksFRANCE SQUADCoach Fabien Galthié has announced a 42-man squad, welcoming back star half-back duo Antoine Dupont and Romain Ntamack. The squad also features promising talents like Gaël Dréan and Marko Gazzotti.ForwardsBacksITALY SQUADItaly’s golden generation continues to develop, led by the electric Ange Capuozzo. Paolo Garbisi remains the general in the backline, while their forward pack, driven by Michele Lamaro, brings muscle. Alessandro Izekor, an emerging flanker, could be…

England’s head coach, Steve Borthwick, has unveiled a dynamic lineup for the Six Nations opener against Ireland at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium. Notably, Harlequins winger Cadan Murley is set to earn his first cap, starting on the left wing. Murley’s inclusion comes after a series of impressive performances at the club level, where he has been a consistent try-scorer.In a historic move, twin brothers Tom and Ben Curry will start together in the back row, marking the first time male twins have achieved this feat for England. Their selection underscores Borthwick’s emphasis on athleticism and work rate in the forward pack.Maro…

Josh Canham’s debut for the Wallabies against Argentina in September 2024 was far from ideal. Plagued by food poisoning on game day, he entered the match with 15 minutes remaining, unable to prevent a significant turnaround as the Wallabies fell 67-27. Reflecting on the experience, Canham remarked, “Woke up with food poisoning, didn’t eat anything all day… wasn’t the best.”Despite this challenging start, Canham remains undeterred in his pursuit of a Wallabies recall. His move to the Queensland Reds has placed him in a highly competitive environment with seasoned locks like Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and Angus Blyth also vying for positions.…

Moana Pasifika is gearing up for their inaugural pre-season match of 2025 against the Highlanders, scheduled for Friday, January 31st, at North Harbour Stadium. The game will feature a modified format consisting of three 30-minute periods, allowing both teams to experiment with player combinations and strategies.Head Coach Fa’alogo Tana Umaga has announced a squad that blends seasoned players with fresh talent, reflecting the team’s recent recruitment of 14 new signings, including several elevated to full-time contracts.Umaga emphasized the significance of this match in the team’s preparation:”We’ve welcomed new players with valuable experience, as well as some fresh young talent who…

The Safeguard Global ACT Brumbies are gearing up for their first match of 2025, facing off against the New South Wales Waratahs in Bowral this Saturday at 3pm. This game marks a significant moment as head coach Stephen Larkham evaluates his 32-man squad in preparation for the upcoming Super Rugby Pacific season. Among the squad, six new players will don the Brumbies jersey for the first time. Notable new signings Feao Fotuaika, Tuaina Taii-Tualima, and David Feliuai are set to start, bringing fresh energy to the team. Returning from a tour in England with Australia A, players like Lachlan Lonergan…

In a strategic move ahead of the highly anticipated British & Irish Lions series, the Wallabies have scheduled a Test match against Fiji on July 6 at Newcastle’s McDonald Jones Stadium. This encounter will serve as Australia’s sole warm-up before the Lions tour.The upcoming match marks the first meeting between the Wallabies and the Flying Fijians since Fiji’s surprising 22-15 victory during the 2023 Rugby World Cup in Saint Étienne. Reflecting on Fiji’s recent performances, Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt noted, “In their bid to make the semi-finals, Fiji were just six points shy of beating England at the last World…

As the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season approaches, the NSW Waratahs are focusing on fortifying their tight five—a critical component for any championship-aspiring team. Head Coach Dan McKellar has expressed confidence in the development and readiness of this group, especially with the pre-season culminating in a trial match against the ACT Brumbies at Eridge Park in Bowral.McKellar highlighted the impressive work of the medical and rehabilitation staff, noting that 42 players were fit and available for training, a significant improvement from the 16 players in rehab at the start of the pre-season. This robust health status provides the team with…

As the 2025 Guinness Men’s Six Nations approaches, a new wave of talent is poised to make their mark on the international stage. Drawing from the article “Could these be the breakout stars of 2025?” on the Six Nations Rugby website, here are some emerging players to watch:Sam Prendergast (Ireland)Ireland’s fly-half legacy, dominated by Ronan O’Gara and Johnny Sexton, faces a new chapter. While Jack Crowley initially stepped into the void post-Sexton, Leinster’s Sam Prendergast has showcased his prowess, especially during the Autumn Nations Series. In just 154 minutes, he delivered seven break assist passes, nearly double that of any…