Author: Dylan Langes

Thursdays Rugby News sees McCaffrey wants players picked on merit, Reds make a big call, NZRU Boss steps down, and Rebels look too mentally toughen up. [one_half last=”no”]  FOCUS ON THE FIELD NOT THE GYM Embed from Getty Images Brumbies back rower Locky McCaffrey has been a standout for his team and in the Australian competition throughout the season. Yet it appears he is still not on the radar of the Australian selectors, after failing to receive an invitation to all three Wallaby camps this year. McCaffrey has spoke to the Fox Rugby Podcast where he has implored selectors to look at what…

Tuesday’s Rugby News sees Horwill’s final match, No special treatment for Skelton, Sydney 7s new home, and Junior Wallabies kick off their campaign. [one_half last=”no”]  HORWILL SIGNS OFF IN STYLE Embed from Getty Images Former Australian second rower James Horwill signed off his professional career on the weekend, playing his final match for the Barbarians against England in front of 40,000 people  at Twickenham. Big Kev was honoured to be made captain of the BaaBaa’s as the most internationally capped player on 62 caps in a squad that consisted of players from nine different nations.  “I probably didn’t expect it to happen,…

Thursdays Rugby News sees Big names to start for the Rebels, Gibson not resting players, Nothing set in stone for Kerevi’s future and Skelton still a World Cup chance. [one_half last=”no”]  BIG INS FOR REBELS The Melbourne Rebels have named one of their strongest sides with halfback Will Genia cleared to play on Friday night. Genia was subbed off early in the second half against the Sunwolves after a knock to the head left Australian rugby fan holding their breath. Rebels coach Dave Wessels was pleased he could start Genia after he passed all his concussion protocols.  “I got a good…

Tuesdays Rugby News sees Mens Sevens win Silver, Kearns complains about the Jags, Naisarani re-signs, and new image sharing technology. [one_half last=”no”]  AUSSIE MENS TAKE SILVER IN LONDON  The Aussie Mens Sevens team had a near perfect trip to London over the weekend as they made their first final since 2015 before falling short to Fiji in the final. 43-7 was the final score. The Aussies had a strong showing in the finals defeating South Africa (29-22) and France (31-24) in the quarter finals and semi-final. Despite their best efforts they were out classed by the dominant Fijian outfit. After the…

Thursdays Rugby News sees Sio re-signs, Rodda to captain the Reds, No more Super for Pocock and a new Mens Sevens recruit. [one_half last=”no”]  SIO RE-SIGNS Wallabies and Brumbies prop Scott Sio has signed a new contract extension that will keep in Australian Rugby until the end 0f 2022. The 27 year old has been a first choice pick for the Wallabies for the past four years, picking up 55 tests so far. Sio debuted for the Brumbies in 2012, and the Wallabies a year later, and now wanted to pay it back by showing loyalty. With many big…

Tuesday’s Rugby News doesn’t have a lot of fun stories, with Folau saga likely to continue in court, Crusaders players accused of homophobic attacks, Jordan Petaia still hopeful of World Cup call up and Steve Hansen backs SBW. [one_half last=”no”]  FOLAU DECLINES TO CHALLANGE TRIBUNAL Given RA/ARU’s history with the phrase 72 hours, it is impressive that this wasn’t dragged out longer. The 72 hour window has closed on Israel Folau’s chance to appeal the tribunal ruling after Folau declined to appeal the decision. RA confirmed it had not received an appeal request on Monday. “The 72-hour window for Israel…

Thursdays Rugby News sees Cooper cleared to play, Reds see improvement, Egon Seconds Dropped, and meet the Uelese brothers. [one_half last=”no”]  COOPER CLEARED, TO’OMUA ON THE BENCH Quade Cooper has successfully recovered from his interaction with Samu Kerevi’s knee and has been named to start after passing his concussion protocols. This will mean star recruit Matt To’omua is in line to debut off the bench, probably a good thing given he has been in country less than seven days.  “As we build to the back end of the season, being able to relieve some pressure off Quade having to play every…

Tuesdays’s Rugby News sees Matt Toomua back in Australia, Internal and External attack coach candidates, Rising take on the Wolfpack and TJ Perenara speaks about generalisations. [one_half last=”no”]  NEW REBEL ON THE BLOCK Matt Toomua might have just landed back in Australia but he has already reported in at his new home, with a chance to debut this Friday night. Toomua was granted early release from his Leicester contract after the club escaped relegation but failed to make playoffs. According to Rebels coach Dave Wessels, the club wasn’t expecting Toomua until after May 20th, where he would get a week of…

Thursdays Rugby News sees Red and Rebels squads announced, Two Aussie referees named for World Cup, and Japanese officials warned about beer supply. [one_half last=”no”]  THE MEAKES SHALL INHERIT THE 12 JERSEY  Wallaby hopeful Billy Meakes has forced his way back into the Melbourne Rebels starting lineup this week after he was named on the bench the previous match. Meakes comes in at 12, pushing Reece Hodge out to 13 and Tom English gets a rest for the week, having played every Super Rugby match this season. “Tom English has played every game and he deserved a break, while I though Billy…

Tuesdays Rugby News sees Hockings suspended, Kepu heading abroad, a big payday for NZ Rugby, and a Rebels noble cause. [one_half last=”no”]  THREE WEEKS FOR HOCKINGS Reds lock Harry Hockings has a three-week stint on the sidelines ahead for him after he was found guilty of stomping on Sunwolves opponent Rahboni Warren-Vosayaco. Hockings was red carded in the dying minutes of the Reds victory over the Sunwolves when he put his boot to the head of Warren-Vosayaco, who was holding onto his leg at the bottom of the ruck. Warren-Vosayaco was yellow-carded but not cited. A SANZAAR Judicial Committee Hearing…

Thursdays Rugby News sees Reds name their squad, Larkham’s influence on U20s, Sam Whitelock re-signs, and George Smith released. [one_half last=”no”]  REDS SQUAD NAMED  Another injury to a young back has forced the Reds to make a change to their starting line up. Jock Campbell will make his run on debut for the Reds on Friday after making his debut off the bench in South Africa. Campbell comes in to the starting line up as a replacement for Jack Hardy who ruptured his ACL and will be out for a year. Long term injuries to Jordan Petaia (foot) and Filipo Daugunu (broken…

Avengers: Endgame had the biggest movie opening in history of $1.2 Billion. We took the popular Marvel characters to create the Avengers XV. Hopefully they can survive the snap and win a World Cup for the Green and Gold. The Front Row [one_third last =”no”] 1. Loosehead Prop Drax the Destroyer – Big body, not too bright but strong and tough. Never wears a shirt despite his teammates all being ripped. Will definitely say something funnier than Joe Marler [/one_third] [one_third last=”no”] 2. Hooker Doctor Strange (Stephen Strange) – Bit small to play hooker but he is a master of…

Tuesdays Rugby News sees Nic White almost home, Simon Cron exits the Tahs, Holloway suspended and a miraculous rugby return for an ex All Black. [one_half last=”no”]  NIC WHITE ALL BUT HOME It was reported last month that former Brumbies and current Exeter scrum half Nic White was in talks to return to Australia in a bid to make the World Cup squad. Well it appears that the news was all but confirmed over the weekend. Exeter coach Rob Baxter claimed he expects to be without his halfback during the World Cup period, anticipating White will be playing for…

Lest We Forget. ANZAC Days Rugby News sees Scott Johnson fronting the media, McReight named Captain, Uelese still hopeful of World Cup and Toomua a chance of early return. [one_half last=”no”]  FORM IS KING: SCOTT JOHNSON Just like every parent has their favourite child (me), Coaches have their favourite players, who will get picked whether they are worthy of selection or putting in the effort. This happens at every level of sport, even the Wallabies. With the Wallabies now having a three-man selection panel it appears some players days might be done with Director of Rugby Scott Johnson saying…

Tuesdays Rugby News sees May the Fourth is the date, Gatland to coach the Lions again, Fardy vs Skelton in the Champions Cup Final and Latu looking fit. [one_half last=”no”] MAY THE FOURTH BE WITH YOU May the fourth should bring joy to many people as Star Wars  puns, memes and unnecessary merchandise take over for the day. Just like the Skywalker saga is coming to an end this year, one hopes that this Israel Folau saga will end on May the Fourth. The date has been set, and the panelist have been named. RA confirmed on Friday morning that John West…

Thursdays Rugby News sees More Israel Folau news, Reds need to defend against Sharks, Wallabies to wear Indigenous jersey at the World Cup, Simmons warns of lethal Cooper Genia Combo. [one_half last=”no”] IZZY WANTS A HEARING Israel Folau waited until the 11th hour to respond to his breach of notice and request a Code of  Conduct hearing. Rugby Australia will now make arrangements with the Rugby Union Players’ Association (RUPA) to bring together the Code of Conduct hearing. Rugby Australia Chief Executive, Raelene Castle said: “Israel has responded formally today to request a Code of Conduct hearing which, under the…

Tuesday’s  Rugby News sees Another article regarding Israel Folau, James Horwill calls time, Pocock back for tour, another All Black injury. [one_half last=”no”] HORWILL CALLS TIME Former Wallabies and Reds captain James Horwill has called time on his 14 year rugby career, announcing via social media that he will retire at the end of the season with English side Harlequins . “The time has come for me to retire from professional rugby. I have given this great game everything I have & I feel I can no longer give what is needed to play at this elite level,” he wrote. “Rugby…

Thursdays Rugby News sees Junior Wallabies named, Rebels make 4 changes, Rugby Championship schedule confirmed and Five Aussie Women’s coaches invited to the World Rugby Academy. [one_half last=”no”]  JUNIOR WALLABIES NAMES The Junior Wallabies 32-man squad has been named and 12 Super Rugby contracted players have been included. Queensland contracted players Isaac Lucas, Fraser McReight and Harry Wilson, as well as Jack Hardy will link up with the squad after they return from the Reds tour of South Africa. NSW will be represented by Tahs players Angus Bell, Ben Donaldson, Will Harris, Pat Tafa and Will Harrison. The Melbourne Rebels…

Tuesdays Rugby News sees Rugby Australia turned a profit, Meakes cited, Rumoured new coach, Player rotations affecting the Waratahs. [one_half last=”no”]  RUGBY AUSTRALIA TURNS A PROFIT Rugby Australia announced an $5.2 million profit in 2018 at their AGM on Monday, which is an $8.9 million turn around from the previous year when they lost $3.7 million. Rugby Australia Chairman Cameron Clyne believes that the profit will help soften the financial blow that often comes during a World Cup year. Super Rugby Club cost were down significantly after the axing of the Western Force, approximately $6.4 million, with Player contracting…

Thursdays Rugby News sees Cheika opening up, Reds make some changes, Defender gets more time than attacker, and Rangi hasn’t given up on Wallabies dream. [one_half last=”no”]  CHEIKA BREAKS HIS SILENCES After making is first appearance in public via the Green and Gold Podcast, it appears Wallabies coach Michael Cheika is making up for lost time as he continues to do plenty of media during his European come back tour. Speaking as a special guest on the Off The Ball Roadshow in Dublin, Cheika had the chance to open up about many things including his Lebanese heritage, his time in fashion and…