Author: Happyman

The Rugby Championship offered up two great games on the weekend with both in genuine jeopardy. The Saffas caught fire in the last 20 and put the New Zealanders to the sword. The Australians fought back hard nearly stole another one. The gratifying part of their games is that they stay in the fight till the end.No Skelton or O’Connor for the BledisloeThe problem with players playing for overseas clubs and being off RA’s books outside of the test windows is that they might actually want the players whose salaries they pay to play for them on their terms. It…

The Rugby Championship is getting to the pointy end with all teams in with a chance to win it from here.What makes rugby the greatest game to watchAs much as it may puzzle outsiders or even irritate fans of other sports, rugby union is a game unlike any other – rich in nuance, layered in complexity, and fuelled by a kind of beautiful chaos that makes it endlessly compelling. Critics often argue it’s difficult to watch and harder still to officiate, and even loyal supporters must admit that sometimes referees’ decisions seem like a mystery. The game flows not from clarity…

Well, everyone, we’re in a test week where according to some we should be favourites. To be clear, we are now a competent rugby nation, again. But, here’s a news flash for those who’ve just come back to the fold after some time in the wilderness: the Argentinians are a very good rugby team who in the last year have beaten the Lions, Springboks and New Zealand, and in their last start against us gave us an absolute hiding. It will be close. The weather in Townsville will be a balmy 28 degrees at kick off which could be a…

It’s a fallow week and there’s much to ponder for rugby fans in general and Wallaby fans in particular. Local rugby is getting to the pointy end so get down to your local ground and watch some grassroots footy.Discipline and suddenly we’re competitiveIs it true the Wallabies have been squeaky clean under Joe Schmidt this season?Yes. The Wallabies haven’t copped a card of any colour in 2025. Given the calibre of the opposition they’ve played, that statistic is testament to their discipline under the steely gaze of Schmidt.The Wallabies have played six tests in 2025. In the last five games…

On a greasy day in Cape Town the Wallabies take on the Springboks. Early on it’s clear that South Africa are going to be very South African in their approach today, kicking the daylights out of the ball. I believe that the greasy conditions are advantage South Africa.First halfAn early penalty to Pollard shows the respect that the Australians have earnt. The first half was scrappy and attritional. With a lovely try to Corey Toole on debut from a smart piece of work from a free kick.Australia were denied by the TMO fairly early which looked tough. Australia turned down…

With the first Rugby Championship games on this weekend and the women’s RWC about to start. Let’s look at the quiet big news running around the rugby world ATM.Breakaway R360 leagueR360 want to produce ‘generational change’ by creating a league made up of eight new franchise teams who will play around the world starting next year. Let’s look at some of the economics. Rugby is between the second and fifth most followed sports in the world. The largest is obviously soccer (or football, for some), the next tier is rugby, NFL, basketball and baseball.The average EPL player is paid $4,7…

To all the Lions supporters who’ve been in Australia for the last six weeks, thanks for coming and I hope you have a safe and enjoyable trip home. We’ve enjoyed having you.Why the Lions will be backIt’s the economy, stupid.Probably my biggest annoyance from the Lions tour was the British press questioning if there should be another Lions tour to Australia after this one. In my view questioning it during the tour was extremely disrespectful and showed a lack of class. The narrative being run was that Australia was not up to it.  I thought I’d challenge the numbers to…

To all of the Lions supporters who’ve been in Australia for the last six weeks, thanks for coming and I hope you have a safe and enjoyable trip home. We’ve enjoyed having you. One of my favourite quotes is ‘rugby is far too trivial a thing to lose friends over’.The wash up – opinionThe results are in, the disagreements have been had but, ultimately, the Lions won the third test. Here are some of my takeaways from the aftermath.The Lions press came out for Carlo Tizzano this week which in my view just shows how myopic they have been in…

Hi all, I’m back. Unfortunately, life intervened and I’ve been unable to do my bit over the last couple of weeks. Fortunately, everything is now sorted, and I am back on deck.This will be short and sharp.Lions’ Second Test WeekLoved the first Test. The Lions were excellent in the first 20 but I thought the Australians fought back into proceedings nicely and while 8 points was probably closer than the relative performances it certainly bodes well for an entertaining remainder of the series. I love the BIL fans, they’re good craic and are here to have a good time. So to…

It will be short and sharp this week as real work has intervened. It does raise the point that if you have something to contribute, we are a fan site and reach out through the contact us tab on the page. We would love to hear from a tourist.Australia have been told they must release players for the British & Irish Lions’ warm-up matches.Lions CEO Ben Calveley has revealed failing to do so would breach their tour agreement. It comes after Wallabies head coach Joe Schmidt suggested his stars would only be available for the Western Force this weekend. However,…

Grand final weekend this week between the Chiefs and the Crusaders. Firstly, apologies to all the G&GR faithful from everyone here. We’ve had some hosting and general issues with the site’s back end which has caused quite some disruption this week. In unrelated news the Prime Minister has revealed an unexplained uptick in GDP so far this week; cause or causation?Rest assured the powers that be have addressed them and we’re back on track. The Wallabies squad is expected to be announced today and the first BIL game is on Friday in Dublin against the Argentinians.Super Rugby grand finalTwo great teams…

Week two semi-finals weekend, and after a great first week I’m fizzing for the semi-finals. Should be two great games with narrow margins. It will be easier to enjoy without a dog in the fight.Referees and our perception of themThe Crusaders offside 9 makes tackle, play on.After the Reds game on Friday, it’s fair to say the craperazzi were popping off. I was leading the charge with some intemperate language (thankfully in a safe space and won’t be made public). I looked around social media after the game and without exception the losing team’s fans say the referee caused the…

The three-week finals season starts on Friday. I thought I’d review the season of each team from seventh to eleventh. I have graded the teams on a curve based on expectations v performance.Moana PasifikaSeason score 6.5Record 2025 6 wins 8 losses, 2024 4 wins 10 losses.Season high – the win against the Blues.Season low – the next two weeks losing by a combined 130 points and finishing with a whimper.I would’ve graded the Moana boys higher if they hadn’t blown chunks against the Canes and Chiefs in the last two games.WaratahsSeason score 7Record 2025 6 wins 8 losses, 2024 2…

A Brumbies a Hurricanes and a Reds Supporters walk into a bar. This could get feisty.Thank you for all of your support, please download subscribe rate and review on all of your platforms. Get down to your local club buy a beer or become a member.

It’s starting to get real with the top three just about finalised and teams currently in fourth to ninth still having a chance at finals. Featured photo is Melrose, the home rugby sevens which was played in the past couple of weeks.Super Rugby travel: excuse or reason?Simon Cron of the Western Force has said that travel has contributed to the demise of the Force this year. Is this an excuse or a reason? I thought I’d follow on from Hoss’s fine work last week and look at the travel this year in some granular detail. Let’s have a look at two…

KARL Sully and Happy discuss Round 16 and some views on finals for this weekThank you for all of your support, please download subscribe rate and review on all of your platforms. Get down to your local club buy a beer or become a member.

It’s starting to get real with a couple the top three just about finalised with teams from 4 to 9 still in with a chance to make the finals. This week the European Champions league final will be played between Peter Samu’s UBB and Sam Scott-Young’s Northampton Saints.Happy’s First Nations Pasifika Team Given that the First Nations Pasifika game is to be played between the first and second test I thought I’d go down a different path for potential team selection. I’d pick a group who are big and horrible to beat the living daylights out of the BILs and leave a…

Happy, KARL and Sully talk a bit of code.

How good is rugby across the world. The European competitions are heading towards their finals, Super Rugby is intriguing on many levels and community rugby is up and running across the country. The British & Irish Lions have been named and I can honestly say I fancy our chances against them. After my chat with Nick W and JB on the pod earlier in the week I can see a path to victory that does not include just hope and heart.Mason Gordon retiresOur thoughts are with the Gordon family who have had a tough year with both boys suffering career defining…

How good is rugby across the world? The European competitions are heading towards their finals. Super Rugby is intriguing on many levels and community rugby is up and running across the country. The British & Irish Lions will be announced tomorrow and that will be interesting.Back in Business: Ellia Green shocks rugby world with powerful comeback in men’s leagueIn 2022 I wrote the following for G&GR here. I’ve copied and pasted it for ease of reading.Much has been made of the exclusion of transgender women in sport over the past few months, so I’ve done a little research. Firstly, I’d like to…