Author: Hoss

Greetings all and welcome to the first ever RWC edition of ‘Green & Gold and Nearly All Black Rugby’ or ‘GAGANABR’ (pronounced ‘gag-en-aber’). I said a few weeks back we all needed to embrace our inner Kiwi as our own side looked destined for the dung heap of RWC oblivion. With only a few more sleeps before our dear ol’ pet Wallaby is finally laid to rest and shot in the head at close range by Fijian hunters, today we look at the games that still matter for those nations who can actually play rugby. Let’s start today with a…

Monday, October 2: Australia v Portugal, Stade Geoffroy Guichard, Saint-Étienne (2:45 AM) Australia (15-1): Andrew Kellaway; Mark Nawaqanitawase, Izaia Perese, Lalakai Foketi, Marika Koroibete; Ben Donaldson, Tate McDermott; Rob Valetini, Fraser McReight, Tom Hooper; Richie Arnold, Nick Frost; James Slipper, David Porecki (capt), Angus Bell Replacements: Matt Faessler, Blake Schoupp, Pone Fa’amausili, Rob Leota, Josh Kemeny, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Carter Gordon, Suli Vunivalu Portugal (15-1): Nuno Sousa Guedes, Raffaele Storti, Pedro Bettencourt, Tomás Appleton (c), Rodrigo Marta, Jerónimo Portela, Samuel Marques, Thibault de Freitas, Nicolas Martins, David Wallis, Martim Belo, José Madeira, Diogo Hasse Ferreira, Mike Tadjer, David Costa Replacements: Francisco Fernandes, Duarte Diniz, Francisco…

Well, to steal a quote from Mrs Hoss on my birthday: ‘thank fudge that’s over’. Today let’s confine the past to the past and free ourselves of the depressing shadow of that match featuring those seafaring mammals and a group of underperforming marsupials. It’s time to turn our attention to the future with ‘The People’s Champion’. Jump into Round #4 RWC action with ‘Who Cares Anyway?’. Investigate a whisper growing to a rumble in ‘Not Again’. Jump on the Nippon Express with Eddie in ‘Wax Off!’. Hum a ditty with ‘The Brian Side of Strife’. And take us home in…

Live Chat. Monday, 25 September: Wales v Australia, OL Stadium, Lyon (5:00 AM) Wales (15-1): Liam Williams, Louis Rees-Zammit, George North, Nick Tompkins, Josh Adams, Dan Biggar, Gareth Davies, Taulupe Daletau, Jac Morgan (c), Aaron Wainwright, Adam Beard, Will Rowlands, Tomas Francis, Ryan Elias, Gareth Thomas Replacements: Elliot Dee, Corey Domachowski, Henry Thomas, Dafydd Jenkins, Taine Basham, Tomos Williams, Gareth Anscombe, Rio Dyer. Australia (15-1): Andrew Kellaway; Mark Nawaqanitawase, Jordan Petaia, Samu Kerevi, Marika Koroibete; Ben Donaldson, Tate McDermott; Rob Valetini, Tom Hooper, Rob Leota; Richie Arnold, Nick Frost; James Slipper, David Porecki (capt), Angus Bell Replacements: Matt Faessler, Blake Schoupp, Pone Fa’amausili, Matt Philip,…

Sunday, September 24: South Africa v Ireland, Stade de France, Paris (5:00 AM) South Africa (15-1): Damian Willemse,; Kurt-Lee Arendse, Jesse Kriel, Damian De Allende, Cheslin Kolbe; Manie Libbok, Faf de Klerk; Jasper Wiese, Pieter-Steph Du Toit, Siya Kolisi (capt); Franco Mostert, Eben Etzebeth; Frans Malherbe, Bongi Mbonambi, Steven Kitshoff Replacements: Deon Fourie, Ox Nche, Trevor Nyakane, Jean Kleyn, RG Snyman, Marco van Staden, Kwagga Smith, Cobus Reinach Ireland (15-1): Hugo Keenan; Mack Hansen, Garry Ringrose, Bundee Aki, James Lowe; Johnny Sexton (capt), Jamison Gibson-Park; Caelan Doris, Josh van der Flier, Peter O’Mahony; James Ryan, Tadhg Beirne; Tadhg Furlong, Ronan Kelleher, Andrew Porter…

Bonjour & welcome one, welcome all to another RWC edition of Friday’s Rugby News. Today come with me on an adventure of whimsical nonsense and kick off with ‘Building A Better Future’. Preview the Wallabies v Wales match in ‘Last Chance Saloon!’ Hedge our bets with another team to follow just in case, with ‘Welcome Home Cuz’. Preview round three RWC in ‘Troisième tour.’ And put an exclamation mark on the rugby week with another bumper ‘Friday’s Goss With Hoss’, also available for selection should Eddie call. And let’s face it, with some of the bat-poo crazy calls so far,…

Monday, September 18: England v Japan, Stade de Nice, Nice (5:00 AM) England (15-1): Freddie Steward; Jonny May, Joe Marchant, Manu Tuilagi, Elliot Daly; George Ford, Alex Mitchell; Lewis Ludlam, Ben Earl, Courtney Lawes (capt); Ollie Chessum, Maro Itoje; Kyle Sinckler, Jamie George, Joe Marler Replacements: Theo Dan, Ellis Genge, Will Stuart, George Martin, Billy Vunipola, Ben Youngs, Marcus Smith, Ollie Lawrence Japan (15-1): Semisi Masirewa; Kotaro Matsushima, Tomoki Osada, Ryoto Nakamura, Jone Naikabula; Rikiya Matsuda, Yutaka Nagare; Kazuki Himeno (capt), Pieter Labuschagne, Michael Leitch; Amato Fakatava, Jack Cornelsen; Jiwon Gu, Shota Horie, Keita Inagaki Replacements: Atsushi Sakate, Craig Millar, Asaeli Ai Valu,…

Sunday, September 17: Ireland v Tonga, Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes (5:00 AM AEST) Ireland (15-1): Hugo Keenan; Mack Hansen, Garry Ringrose, Bundee Aki, James Lowe; Johnny Sexton (capt), Conor Murray; Andrew Porter, Rónan Kelleher, Tadhg Furlong; Tadhg Beirne, James Ryan; Peter O’Mahony, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris. Replacements: Rob Herring, Dave Kilcoyne, Finlay Bealham, Iain Henderson, Ryan Baird, Craig Casey, Ross Byrne, Robbie Henshaw. Tonga (15-1): Charles Piutau; Afusipa Taumoepeau, Malakai Fekitoa, Pita Ahki, Solomone Kata; William Havili, Augustine Pulu; Vaea Fifita; Sione Talitui, Tanginoa Halaifonua; Halaleva Fifita, Sam Lousi; Ben Tameifuna (capt), Paula Ngauamo, Siegfried Fisi’ihoi Replacements: Sam Moli, Tau Koloamatangi,…

Welcome to another Friday, Gaggers, and what a week it was! We had great games, terrific skills, incredible fitness, wonderful sportsmanship, controversies, disappointments, injuries & suspensions. Week #2 certainly has a lot to live up to, so let’s hook in. We kick off today with ‘Pain in the Grass?’. Preview the Wallaby v The Flying Fijians in ‘Depends Who’s Driving!’. Dive into all other week #2 matches with ‘Deuxième Round’. Ponder an interesting perspective in ‘Oh Lord It’s Hard To Be Humble’. Hide your lunch boxes for ‘Born When Meat Was Cheap’. And wrap up another epic RWC week with…

Monday, September 11: Wales v Fiji, Stade de Bordeaux, Bordeaux (5:00 AM) STAN sport. Wales (15-1): Liam Williams, Louis Rees-Zammit, George North, Nick Tompkins, Josh Adams, Dan Biggar, Gareth Davies, Taulupe Daletau, Jac Morgan (c), Aaron Wainwright, Adam Beard, Will Rowlands, Tomas Francis, Ryan Elias, Gareth Thomas Replacements: Elliot Dee, Corey Domachowski, Dillon Lewis, Dafydd Jenkins, Tommy Reffell, Tomos Williams, Sam Costelow, Rio Dyer. Fiji (15-1): Ilaisa Droasese; Selesitino Ravutaumada, Waisea Nayacalevu (capt), Semi Radradra, Vinaya Habosi; Teti Tela, Frank Lomani; Viliame Mata; Lekima Tagitagivalu, Albert Tuisue; Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, Isoa Nasilasila; Luke Tagi, Samuel Matavesi, Eroni Mawi Replacements: Tevita Ikanivere, Peni Ravai, Mesake…

Monday, September 11: South Africa v Scotland, Stade Vélodrome, Marseille (1:45 AM) STAN Sport. South Africa (15-1): Damian Willemse, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Cheslin Kolbe, Manie Libbok, Faf de Klerk, Jasper Wiese, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi (capt), Franco Mostert, Eben Etzebeth, Frans Malherbe, Malcolm Marx, Steven Kitshoff. Replacements: Bongi Mbonambi, Ox Nche, Trevor Nyakane, RG Snyman, Marco van Staden, Duane Vermeulen, Grant Williams, Willie le Roux. Scotland (15-1): Blair Kinghorn; Darcy Graham, Huw Jones, Sione Tuipulotu, Duhan van der Merwe; Finn Russell, Ben White; Jack Dempsey, Rory Darge, Jamie Ritchie (capt); Grant Gilchrist, Richie Gray; Zander Fagerson, George…

We’ll open the comments section for some of the key matches of the RWC for those keen to participate. Enjoy & go you Wallabies! WALLABIES (15-1): Ben Donaldson; Mark Nawaqanitawase, Jordan Petaia, Samu Kerevi, Marika Koroibete; Carter Gordon, Tate McDermott; Rob Valetini, Fraser McReight, Tom Hooper; Will Skelton, Richie Arnold; Taniela Tupou, David Porecki, Angus Bell Replacements: Matt Faessler, Blake Schoupp, Zane Nonggorr, Matt Philip, Rob Leota, Langi Gleeson, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Ben Donaldson Georgia (15-1): Davit Niniashvili, Akaki Tabutsadze, Demur Tapladze, Merab Sharikadze (capt), Mirian Modebadze, Luka Matkava, Vaso Lobzhanidze, Beka Gorgadze, Luka Ivanishvili, Tornike Jalaghonia, Kote Mikautadze, Nodar Cheishvili, Guram Papidze, Shalva Mamukashvili,…

Well Gaggers, like my GP constantly tells me: ‘your wait is over’. That’s right, after four years, two coaches, 16 CEOs, 3 GMs, COVID, Super Rugby Oz, SRP, loving NZR, hating NZR, winning hosting rights to our own world cups and a partridge in a pear tree, finally we are just one sleep away from the greatest sporting spectacle of the year. The 2023 Rugby World Cup. Today let’s have a closer look at three matches across the weekend. Starting with ‘NZ Hates France’. Preview our Wallabies first up match with ‘Those Grizzly Georgians’. Stoke the flickering embers of bitterness…

Now where was I before I rudely interrupted myself? Oh yes, hello and welcome to Friday’s Rugby News on whatever site I am on this week (is ‘The Roar’ for sale?). Today let’s slip the straight jacket back on with ‘Sympathy for The Devils’. Look at the Wallabies first up game in ‘Georgia On My Mind’. Try not to gloat in ‘The Kiwis are Stuffed’. Then I invite to to exercise your upcoming votes thoughtfully in ‘You’re The Voice’. And wrap up the news week with ‘Friday’s Goss with Hoss’ now officially with more credibility than QANTAS! ‘Worst press conference…

Greetings Rudders & welcome to the one after the penultimate Friday’s Rugby News on rugbydownunder.com. From Monday next week you will find the RDU team & some exciting new writers on Green & Gold Rugby. Never fear, should you type RDU into your search engine, our resident basement dweller, porn addict, Dorito bandit & IT extraordinaire promised us you will land at G&GR or a site with some interesting goat ‘wrestling’ techniques, so best not open at work. Now to Rugby. I don’t know if it’s quite ‘Hoss off the long run’ today as Happyman likes to close his usual…

Welcome to the holiest day on the Rugby calendar peoples. Time to set aside petty, trivial matters, like paid employment, childcare, or running of the nation and any of the drudgery of your day-to-day life and dive into what makes life truly bearable: Rugby! Today we first look at ‘balance’ and start off with ‘Guilty Until Proven Guiltier’. Ask ‘is it me you’re looking for’ in ‘Hello?’ Look for hidden meanings with ‘A Sign?’ Partake in the first ever, exclusive rugbydownunder.com interview in’He’s ‘Armless’. And finish with a whimper in ‘Friday’s Goss’ with Hoss’, the most trusted Goss with any…

Thanks to RA for the Thursday night announcement to capitalise on Australia’s best* Friday Rugby News coverage (* based on Gallop poll of one Hunter based resident). There’s no bigger news to kick off Friday than with our RWC squad announcement with ‘Holy Grail Part 1: The Search’. Take a respectful look at what should be our one national sporting chant in: ‘Holy Grail Part II: Shut-up Stupid’. Scour the Rugby cosmos for opinion & comment on our squad in ‘Holy Grail Part III: Who said what?’ And wrap up a fantastic week of Rugby excitement with ‘Friday’s Goss with…

Hello one and all and welcome to another Friday’s Rugby News on Green & rugbydownunder.com home for all your half-true rugby stuff on a Friday. Today we are ‘pre-Bledisloe’ again so let’s all inhale and dive into the aftermath of Bledisloe #1 with ‘Patience’. Dust ourselves off and look at our chances in ‘Dead Rubber Is It? Then prove once & for all that size really matters in ‘That’s not a Boomerang’. RDU issues an unreserved apology in ‘Unreserved Apology’. And we wrap it all up with ‘Friday’s Goss with Hoss’, now really enjoying the excellent quality, craftsmanship and at…

As if Friday’s Rugby News on rugbydownunder.com aren’t special in their own right! But the day before a Bledisloe and another Melbourne Bledisloe at that has got to be special, don’t it, you can almost taste the excitement! First up today let’s kick off the weekend buzz with ‘The Hope That Kills You’. Witness history and the probable end of ‘The Governors Curse’. Have some fun at Kiwi’s expense in ‘And Another Thing’. Put a price tag on your sole in ‘R.M.R.U.O.K?’ And take it all home with ‘Fridays Goss with Hoss’ now no chance of any free kit from…

Welcome one, welcome all to another Fridays Rugby News on rugbydownunder.com, the highest rating rugby fan site called rugbydownunder.com in Australia. Kudos to rugby bodies for taking the week off to let the lesser known codes like Women’s Football World Cup, The 4th Ashes test & some royal & ancient Scottish game called ‘whack-fudge’ have their moment in the sun. No rugby this week? No worries, today lets snuggle up with Fraser Mac on the couch with ‘Be a Goldfish’. Drink the Cool-Aid in ‘Cadbury Favourites’. Lock the doors of the car as we cross the northern border for ‘Kiss…