Author: Happyman

Great week of rugby last week and a great week ahead with the community game getting going.Vultures are circling Eddie Jones ahead of the English tourSeveral head coaches are starting to put their hand up when asked if they would be interested in the English head coaching job whenever it became available. Everyone’s favourite South African Rassie has said he would give it a go. We can now add Ronan O’Gara to the list per Rugby Pass HereHaving been given the full support of the board, which is generally the death nell for any head coach, Eddie comes to Australia…

Welcome to the 2nd month of autumn, even in God’s country north of the Tweed the weather has started to chill in the mornings. The sun rises a little bit later and sets as you drive home from work.To all of the people of Northern NSW stay safe.The Force are Playing Chess While We Are Playing Checkers – OpinionAs a so called ECE (East Coast Elite) I confess to really liking what the Force have done and continue to do in how they run their business. After the omnishambles of the totally ridiculous move to exile them from Super Rugby…

The 6 Nations Games were excellent and I am really enjoying the Super RugbyDon’t forget to pick your G&GR Wallaby Squad for Hoss tomorrow before noonVote here https://forms.gle/1zrURSY5y…Rugby Prevention Managers Having a Field DayWith my freshly-minted Tin Foil Hat on my head I lost my relatively small mind at the prospect of Taniela Tupou being cited for dangerous play in the game against the Brumbies. I was ready to rail against the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune and the rage the only those from outside the eastern suburbs of Sydney can feel at how the game seems to conspire against…

Super Saturday in the 6 Nations and a disrupted Super Rugby Pacific this week.Club Rugby is also just around the corner.Green and Gold Rugby on Superbru – Super Rugby Predictor GameJim Hamilton’s View of the Red Card in England V IrelandI listen to The Rugby Pod on my drive to work and this piece was then put onto Rugby Pass regarding the behaviours that have to change in rugby circles. His style could most charitably considered to be robust and usually to the echo of the whistle.Former Scotland second row Jim Hamilton had predicted that red-carded England lock Charlie Ewels will be on the receiving end…

Another big week of rugby awaits us this weekend with the Super Rugby, Japanese Comp and of course the 6 Nations.Thoughts go out to all of our flood-affected readers. Personally, I spent a day cleaning up a mate’s house; it’s confronting going through a suburb with the contents of every house on the footpath waiting for collection.A special mention to regular contributor Georgia Satellite, stay safe hope you get home soon.Green and Gold Rugby on Superbru – Super Rugby Predictor GameStats That MatterMany thanks to G&GR royalty Rugby Reg for allowing me to use the following stats regarding the Australian…

How good is footy welcome to my ramblings for the week. Firstly, well done France, Scotland actually played well but goodness gracious the French IMHO have stamped themselves as RWC favourites particularly if they win the Grand Slam.Green & Gold Rugby on Superbru – Super Rugby Predictor GameStats That Matter – Opinion PieceI have been watching too much rugby which is barely enough. I have been interested that the stats that would be important at lower levels are not important at the highest level. Often teams that win the possession and territory game seem to lose close games. The key…

Hi guys this week’s episode will be a lite version due to a family commitment last night and a late one.Super teams have been namedHeadlines Carter Gordan dropped to the bench. Moana Pacifica second game postponesDrew Mitchell gets deleted in the Tongan Charity MatchStan did a good job on this, I was at the game and it was great. I would recommend that if you watch it think about making a donation to this worthy cause.6 NationsMy picks Scotland because I have tartan-tinted glassed.England only because they are at home.Ireland because they are good and the Italians are not.Quick ThoughtFor…

Welcome back people and were you not entertained by the 6 Nations? Super Rugby starts this week. How good is footy and in the words of the immortal Roy and HG when too much sport is not enough.It’s just about to start baby, don’t forget to sign up to the footy tipping competition this week, tip with your heart not your head. Green and Gold Rugby on Superbru – Super Rugby Predictor Game6 Nations Preview Week 3Scotland v FranceThe Scots were poor last week and as a Scottish fan the only thing the Scots cannot do is carry the weight of…

Welcome back people and were you not entertained by the Six Nations. How good is FootyFinal trials on this weekend with the Reds in Roma playing the Tahs with a sevens comp on all day. I would love to get out there but unfortunately work at home will intervene.6 Nations Preview Week 2France v IrelandThe game of the weekend and possibly the game to decide the tourney. Ireland were magnificent last week against a disappointing Wales and I have rarely seen a 20 point test win that flattered the beaten team as it could have been much worse. (Our friends…

Second week of G&GR for me and what a week it’s turning out to be. This week’s reading will feature a preview of the 6 Nations and some other bits and pieces6 Nations PreviewFor many years the southern hemisphere has rightfully said of the 6 Nations “yes it’s a great tournament but the rugby is pretty rubbish”. Truthfully that cannot be said anymore the standard of Northern hemisphere rugby has never been higher and neither Australia or New Zealand will be thinking the tours by England or Ireland will be a walk in the park.Scotland v EnglandThe Calcutta Cup match…

Welcome back peeps after some IT issues last week which stopped me from publishing my worthless drivel.I hope you all had a safe and enjoyable pagan festival and a happy new year.Much to look forward to this year with the Soap dodgers touring and the Super Rugby season whatever that looks like going ahead.Volunteers make the world go aroundThe Australia Day honour list had many worthy recipients this year and none more deserving than the following people for their services to Rugby.Mr Peter McGrath.Mr Terrance WillisMr Peter ‘Doubles’ DaleyMr David Dunworth,Mr Brian Rudder Mr Kim BeresfordDr Jane WilsonI am sure each of…

Happy Thursday all.This will be my last Thursday Rugby News for the year and in a similar way to the other contributors I may dust off the keyboard if something grabs my attention and Sully does not change my password. This year has been a blast for me and has been a great thing to do during a year with some personal ups and downs.Special thanks to Sully and all of the other contributors who although I have not met personally seem like great blokes to eventually have a beer and red wine or two with.Considering the comments on other…

Happy Thursday all.Being a Wallabies supporter at the moment is a rollercoaster ride the enjoyment of Super Rugby AU. The disappointment of the Super TT and the Bled followed a good patch up until last weekend. What Does Everyone Who Reads This Article and Will Skelton Have in Common?We all made the same number of tackles against the English on the weekend. on a positive note he made one more carry than I did. Unfortunately he played 18 minutes..I think Dave Rennie has used the Northern Tour as a look and see mission of what we have available from those Australians…

Happy Thursday all.As today is remembrance day to all current and former serving members off the armed forces both past and present I say thank you for your service. I also say Lest We Forget to constantly question the call to arms by our political leaders. The Wallabies v Scotland – OpinionI consider myself eminently qualified to speak about the performance against Scotland as I am a proud Scottish-born Australian rugby tragic.Firstly to all of the Australian fans who say that berating Scotland is a non-negotiable here are some facts. That is Scotland’s third win in a row against Australia. In the…

This week we are going to be positive as hope springs eternal for Australian rugby fans for the final three weeks of the season with eh upcoming games against Scotland, England and Wales.What do you think is a good result for Australia in the final three games of the season. For mine I am still of the opinion that while results are important as long as we play our game for 80 minutes then the result is the result. Also the RUOK piece’s response was fantastic and some contributions were brave and heartening at the same time. it is great that…

Due to a busy week at work and too much driving around I have not been able to comment on some of the goings on in the Rugby front this week. So here goes.KB I think I speak for most GAGR fans when I say for the love of god no.I also listened to a Scotland Rugby Pod this week and they fancy their chances.This weekends Autumn Nations Series fixtures From our friends at ESPN This weekend we will naturally focus on the games that affect our teams int eh Autumn nations cup. The big games are Scotland v Tonga.Wales V New Zealandand the…

Welcome to my contribution for this week and a thank you to Yowie for Wednesdays work.We are all looking forward to the next four weeks of international Rugby and I will touch on some of the opposition this week. I also go down a bit of a rabbit hole so apologies.Scotland name 14 Uncapped players in the Autumn international training squad.As A Scottish born Australian I would warn all of those people who are talking up the Australia playing Scotland as a easy win beware. Scotland recently beat the Soap Dodgers At Twickenham last year and the Cheese Eating Surrender…

Thanks KARL for a great Hump day contributionMale Players Given Permission to Wear Tights and LeggingsCue all of the silly jokes but this is actually a serious issue. From the Scotsman Male Players have been granted permission to use tights, leggings with immediate effect by the governing body WR. This reflect the growing use of artificial pitches particularly int he Northern hemisphere. The law change will apply to all levels of the game in a bid to protect players from abrasions.Edinburgh have moved to a new stadium with artificial turf this season and Glasgow Warriors have played on a 4G surface since…

We here we are earthlings. I am sitting here on a Wednesday evening like a 20 year old Uni student preparing an assignment. This is my first draft it is very disappointing when work gets in the way of my GAGR gig.As I have been pretty much offline all week let me say firstly say congratulations to all of the players who made last weekends games so entertaining and to the Saffas, Argies and New Zealanders safe travels. It is easy to forget that most of these guys have not seen friends and family for quite a while so your…

This week we travel across the globe hopefully it makes some sense as I am a bit of a rush this week.Staring down the barrel of four wins in a row I have an unusual sense with respect to the Wallabies, surely it cannot be optimism.This weeks thoughtsThis weeks important game stats We are now 5 games in and what we see is that the NZ v SA game was a very tight affair with NZ only making 4 Clean Breaks for the game to SA’s 2. Australia defence was the real improver keeping the Argentinians to zero clean breaks. last…