Author: Happyman

Well, we Australian Rugby Fans are an interesting bunch. A short three months ago everyone was saying how we are looking like we are turning a corner and now everyone is banging on about how rubbish we are. This weeks thoughts The Light at the end of the tunnel may not be an oncoming train This week as part of my looking around the Interwebs I came across the Stat’s page on the SANZAR Website. The Stats revealed two things to me, firstly anyone expecting a festival of running rugby watching South Africa and Argentina play are in for a…

As a Brisbanite Grand Final Week is always a special time of the year even though I do not have a horse in the big race. The TRC is warming up where we will welcome our friends from the shaky isles to WA for a rumble in Perth. As you are probably aware GAGR has had an upgrade and I am still on my L plates. The presentation will be better next week. This weeks thoughts New Zealand Rugby signs sponsorship deal with Altrad Last week New Zealand Rugby (NZR) revealed a multi-million dollar kit sponsorship deal with Altrad, the…

Well that was an interesting week in the world of rugby I have taken a different tack for this weeks offering enjoy This weeks thoughts Eddie Jones Carousel of Coaching Eddie jones has done it again this time losing another analyst Joe Lewis after he decided to re-join Welsh region Scarlets rather than stay on longer than a four-year stint with England. It was late July, amid reports that the England boss had been sounding out Richard Cockerill as a potential new coaching assistant, that speculation emerged that Lewis was leaving the Test team set-up he had joined in 2017.  For…

Covid corner in South East Queensland officially finishes on Friday at 4pm unless some of those pesky Mexicans come over the border to spoil the party. Community sport starts on tthe weekend so all is good with he world. This weeks thoughts The Giteau Law for and against  This is my opinion. For It widens the pool available of players to pick from.  It makes overseas clubs pay market rates for our best players and we can redistribute the funds to areas of need. it would improve results. Against It would weaken the Super Rugby Teams even further as all of…

Thursdays News this week coming from Covid Corner all eyes are on on NZ for Bled 2 the ambush at Eden Park. This weeks thoughts The Rugby Championship  The Rugby Championship this year will be a drawn out affair. Round one starts this weekend as Bled 2 serves as Round one with the Saffas playing Argentina in Gqeberha (Formerly Port Elizebeth) on the 14th followed by Round two seven days later on the 21st. One can only assume they will then travel to NZ to serve quarantine before matches against Australia and New Zealand culminating in the final matches…

What can be better than the first week of a Bledisloe cup encounter. We are still level pegging with the forces of Mordor and hope is springing eternal. This weeks thoughts Both Teams to play at Eden Park when announced Over the last couple of seasons the it has felt like we we are getting close. I am now at the point where I look at our bench and think we are better in some positions than the Kiwis. Unfortunately in the modern day it is a 23 man game and in my view this is where we have been…

Back this week after a some “IT “ Issues thanks to Yowie for stepping into the breach last week to provide the content. This weeks thoughts Three changes to the Lions XV for second Test Warren Gatland has named three changes for the British and Irish Lions to play the Bokke this weekend. Hopefully a game of Rugby breaks out after the Aerial ping pong of last week. 15. Stuart Hogg (Exeter Chiefs, Scotland) #783 14. Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby, England) #816 13. Chris Harris (Gloucester Rugby, Scotland) #844 12. Robbie Henshaw (Leinster Rugby, Ireland) #824 11. Duhan van der Merwe (Worcester Warriors, Scotland) #841 10. Dan…

Much to ponder this week as I sit here overlooking the water sipping coffee. My thought of the Day was a comment by the lads at Eggchasers Rugby Podcast “Is Australia the Canada of Tier one.” We were good once, but our best days are behind us. Want to contribute reach out to Sully shane@greenandgoldrugby.com.au The BIL Tour of SA The British and Irish Lions Tour of South Africa is still going ahead. They should rename whatever cup they are playing for the balance sheet bowl as they way Civid is hitting South Africa this tour is only making sense…

Happy Thursday everyone everyone as I have to get up early tomorrow and with he test match on I have had a crack at both things tonight. It is weird watching a test without the benefit of red wine (not a fan). My breakdown of the test from a fans perspective and a couple of news items follow. Want to contribute reach out to Sully shane@greenandgoldrugby.com.au The Game I am going to write this in a linear fashion while watching the game as a fan. The First 20 Minutes were an OMNI Shambles. The French don’t look that good but…

Happy Monday everyone there is a lot of good content to attack for today and due to a lack of decent options and a day off I am having a crack. Pre coffee so be kind. My discussion points in no particular order. Want to contribute reach out to Sully shane@greenandgoldrugby.com.au NSW win the Super W Title Congratulations to the NSW women’s team on doing the exact opposite of what the men did. They won the competition undefeated beating the Qld 45 – 12 in Coffs. NSW have been the dominant team throughout the competition winning all games…

Happy New Financial Year from Covid Corner. This week will be News lite as my real job has gotten in the way of the important things in life. My discussion points in no particular order. Want to contribute reach out to Sully shane@greenandgoldrugby.com.au Western Force Super W team withdraws from the Comp From the Western Force Site. Due to the current COVID-19 situation in NSW, the Western Force has finished its 2021 Super W season early, returning to Perth to complete the mandatory two weeks quarantine. This decision ensures players and staff can return to their families and fulfil employment obligations without further impact. Force CEO…

Week Six of my GAGR adventure My discussion points in no particular order. Want to contribute, reach out to Sully sully@greenandgoldrugby.com.au Fiji team to play NZ The Fiji coach Vern Cotter has named  his extended squad to play the New Zealand in July. It must be said it is a fairly handy team made up of many locally and European based players. Everyone’s second favourite team is as follows Loosehead Prop Peni Ravai, Eroni Mawi, Haereiti Hetet Hookers Sam Matavesi, Peniami Narisia, Mesulame Dolokoto Tighthead Prop Luke Tagi, Mesake Doge, Leeroy Atalifo Locks Tevita Ratuva, Temo Mayanavanua, Leone Nakarawa, Albert…

Week Five of my GAGR adventure My discussion points in no particular order. Want to contribute reach out to Sully I am sure we would love one of our Western Australian friends. Email: shane@greenandgoldrugby.com.au Townsville 7’s Pre Olympic Tournament The three-day tournament is scheduled to occur at Townsville Stadium between June 25-27th, replicating the Tokyo Games format. A unique new tournament under the Oceania Rugby Sevens brand, the 2021 tournament provides much needed high-performance preparation for pre-qualified Rugby teams ahead of the Tokyo Olympics Games. In an added boost following Australia’s recent matches against New Zealand, the Department of…

Week Four of my GAGR adventure My discussion points in no particular order. The way to early Wallaby 23 starting team Here is my early picks for the Wallaby starting team for the first test against France, assuming they come. I have gone a little left field with some picks. 1 James Slipper 2 Feleti Kaitu’u 3 Taniela Tupou 4 Trevor Hosea 5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto 6 Rob Valetini 7 Fraser McReight 8 Harry Wilson 9 Nic White 10 James O’Çonnor 11 Toni Pulu 12 Matt To’omua 13 Hunter Paisami 14 Tom Wright 15 Tom Banks The Bench BPA, Angus…

Week Three of my GAGR adventure “a bit of clickbait in here”  so feel free to bring your opinions to table. My discussion points in no particular order. Want to contribute reach out to Sully shane@greenandgoldrugby.com.au Trans Tasman My Opinion Two Things Can Be True At the Same Time I thought I would put two cents in here. We are good they are better I do not buy into the narrative that Australian Rugby is terrible just because the New Zealanders are winning.. The facts are we are comparing ourselves against the very best. The Crusaders would beat most test…

Week two of my GAGR adventure My discussion points in no particular order. World Rugby Have Confirmed That the RWC 7’s will be played in South Africa From rugby.com.au World Rugby have announced that the RWC 7’s will be held in South Africa from the 9th to the 11 September. Whilst this means the women’s team gain automatic qualification after their third-place finish, the men will have to go through regional tournaments to secure their place, with 16 places up for grabs. World Rugby Chairman Sir Bill Beaumont said: “We are delighted to announce the tournament dates for Rugby…

Well here goes in the nothing welcome to my first Thursday Rugby News. Special thanks to Sully for the seeing me through the gruelling interview process and letting me have a go anyway. What a week it has been in Aus Rugby a great game on the weekend and hope springing eternal as we look to storm the gates of Mordor once more. My discussion points in no particular order. Want to contribute reach out to Sully shane@greenandgoldrugby.com  July Schedule confirmed for Pacific Rugby Nations With Ireland and Italy not touring Fiji and New Zealand respectively travelling due to COVID-19…