Author: Hugh Adams

Wednesday’s rugby news has Nick Cummins still confident, Pat Leafa re-signs with the Rebels, Ben Tapuai signs with the Western Force and Duane Vermeulen in doubt for Rugby Championship and World Cup.  [one_half last=”no”] Cummins Still Confident Nick Cummins is still hopeful of staying in the Wallabies squad after joining the squad in place of Henry Speight. “I always say this — I haven’t heard the fat lady sing yet,” he said. “The World Cup is a biggie in my own personal book and that’s something I’ve been hustling to get to. “It comes right now to crunch time and if it is…

Tuesday’s rugby news has Stephen Moore named captain of the Wallabies, ARU chasing Kane Douglas, Karmichael Hunt’s wife tells her story and the All Blacks name their side to play Samoa .  [one_half last=”no”] Moore Named Captain Stephen Moore has been announced as the Wallabies captain for 2015 whilst Michael Hooper and Adam Ashley-Cooper have been named as vice-captains. The inclusion of Hooper as vice captain suggests he is a certain starter creating speculation as to how David Pocock will fit into the side. Moore was announced as captain of the Wallabies in 2014 but suffered a torn ACL in the opening minutes of the Wallabies…

Monday’s rugby news has Nick Cummins called into the Wallabies squad, James O’Connor to work on his speed, Naiyaravoro to still join the Warriors and countries announced for 2023 World Cup bids.  [one_half last=”no”] Cummins Called into Squad Nick Cummins has been called into the Wallabies squad to replace Henry Speight who has been granted compassionate leave following the death of his grandfather in Fiji. Speight will fly to Fiji for the funeral and it is unclear when he will rejoin the squad. Speight was already due to miss the opening two matches of the Rugby Championship because of his suspension for a…

Friday’s rugby news has Wallabies squad announced, Rugby World Cup referee’s appointed, Folau to Japan after the Rugby World Cup and teams named for the Super Rugby Final.  [one_half last=”no”] Wallabies Squad Announced Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has announced his 45 man Wallabies squad ahead of the Rugby Championship. Matt Giteau, Drew Mitchell, Dave Dennis, Dean Mumm, Rory Arnold and  Taqele Naiyavaroro were all included in the squad whilst Benn Robinson, Ben Alexander, James O’Connor, Nick Cummins, Liam Gill and Luke Jones were left out of the squad. “There’s three sets of props, three sets of locks and we’re going to go hard…

Thursday’s rugby news has Folau officially re-signing, Wallabies full training squad to be named today, Speight’s appeal unsuccessful and a sell out crowd for the Super Rugby final.  [one_half last=”no”] Folau Officially Re-signs Wallabies and NSW Waratahs fullback Israel Folau has officially signed a three-year flexible contract through until at least the end of 2018. Folau was pleased to have secured his future with the Wallabies and Waratahs. “I’ve already had so many great moments and experiences in Rugby over the past few years, but I feel like I am still just scratching the surface of what I am capable of, which is…

Wednesday’s rugby news has Gibson not worried about an all New Zealand Super Rugby final, Sydney Sevens schedule released, Penrith calling for more support and tickets for the Super Rugby final selling fast.  [one_half last=”no”] Wallabies fine: Gibson Incoming Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson has said that the Wallabies have nothing to worry about after both the remaining Australian teams were knocked out of the Super Rugby finals on the weekend. “A lot has been made of the fact two New Zealand teams are in the final, but I can recall back in 1998 when there was three teams in the semi-finals from…

Frenetic pace and missed opportunities were the order of the day at Forshaw Rugby Park, when the third placed Warringah took on fourth placed Southern Districts in a highly charged encounter. Warringah overwhelmed Southern Districts in the second half, and took the win 26-12. THE MATCH A fast paced game from the outset, Ben Volavola was the first to register a try just five minutes in to give Southern Districts an early lead. A game-ending injury to Josh Gillard saw Tyson Davies enter the game to replace him in the seventh minute, and after a short delay the teams resumed…

The Waratahs take on the Highlanders in the semi final of the 2015 Super Rugby tournament.  Here are 10 reasons to go out to Allianz Stadium and support the Waratahs. 1. The Match An obvious one to start off with – stats conclusively prove the match will be a cracker. Both teams love to attack and play wide, expansive games.  If you didn’t watch it, have a look at the Highlanders match against the Chiefs last weekend and that will definitely get you excited. 2. The Atmosphere There is nothing better than seeing Allianz Stadium at full capacity.  Last year’s Wallabies…

In the lead up to this weekend’s semi final, let’s re-live some recent matches between the Waratahs and the Highlanders. Waratahs v Highlanders Round 5 2015 Highlanders won 26-19 The Waratahs travelled to Dunedin earlier this year where they were defeated 26-19 by the Highlanders at Forsyth Barr Stadium.  The Waratahs got out to a 12-0 lead through tries to Nick Phipps and Matt Carraro.  The Highlanders then went on to score 26 unanswered points with tries to Tom Franklin, Ben Smith, Patrick Osborne and Waisake Naholo. Handling errors and impatience costed the Waratahs several opportunities but Stephen Hoiles closed the gap to…

Tuesday’s rugby news has Stephen Moore confident, Hurricanes to focus on lineouts, sevens open for Quade Cooper and Toulon to host Classic All Blacks.  [one_half last=”no”] Moore Confident Brumbies captain Stephen Moore is confident ahead of this weekend’s game against the Hurricanes after defeating the Stormers in South Africa despite travelling half way around the world and back. “There’s no way around it, you’ve just got to dig deep and find that extra little bit. There’s no avoiding the fact that it’s not ideal,” he said. “You’ve got to travel halfway across the world and then fly to New Zealand and all…

With the competition leading Hurricanes at home in their semi, this weekend’s match between the Waratahs and the Highlanders could well be the Waratahs last home game of the season.  It will also be the last home game for many Waratahs legends who are moving on next year. This could well be your last chance to see some of these Super Rugby winners in the sky blue. Let’s take a look at some of the departing Waratahs players, what we’ll miss about them and re-live some of their finest moments. Wycliff Palu Wycliff Palu has earned 105 caps for the Waratahs over 10 years since joining the Waratahs in…

Monday’s rugby news has Quade Cooper to leave the Reds, Henry Speight in doubt, Aussie U20’s finish fifth and All Blacks name 41 name squad.  [one_half last=”no”] Cooper to Leave Reds The Queensland Rugby Union announced last night that they have withdrawn their contract offer to Quade Cooper.  It is becoming increasingly likely that Cooper will move to Toulon at the end of the Rugby World Cup. The statement from the QRU read: “Although he has consistently indicated his preference to stay with Queensland and both the QRU and ARU have worked tirelessly in an attempt to accommodate the requirements of…

Friday’s rugby news has the Brumbies naming an unchanged side, the NRC draw released, England to tour Australia and Collins remembered in funeral service.  [one_half last=”no”] Brumbies Name Unchanged Side The Brumbies have named an unchanged side to face the Stormers in this weekend’s qualifying final. David Pocock will start despite suffering a concussion last week whilst Matt Toomua remains on the bench. The Brumbies are preparing for another physical game against the Stormers, to whom they lost 25-24 at Newlands in May. “It was test match intensity and that’s what’s required to beat the Stormers,” said Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham. “They’ve…

Thursday’s rugby news has Pocock and Toomua on track to play, World Rugby cracks down on rolling mauls, Stormers lose Vermeulen and De Villiers to return.  [one_half last=”no”] Pocock, Toomua on Track Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham is optimistic that both Matt Toomua and David Pocock will be able to play this weekend despite suffering injuries against the Crusaders. Pocock suffered a concussion and missed the second half of the match whilst Toomua continues to have trouble with an ankle injury. “So he’s on track to play,” coach Stephen Larkham said about Pocock. “He’ll certainly be available for selection at this stage. But…

Wednesday’s rugby news has Dean Mumm ruled out of the finals, McKibbin to tryout for Scotland, Toulon sign more stars and Sam Cane re-signs with the Chiefs.  [one_half last=”no”] Mumm Ruled Out of Finals Dean Mumm has been ruled out of the Super Rugby Finals series due to a SANZAR technicality. To be eligible for the finals a player must play at least four Super Rugby matches during the season whilst Mumm has only played three since returning from English club Exeter. “He’s obviously done well for us and I’d like to have him in the finals series from the Waratahs’ point of view because…

Tuesday’s rugby news has Cheika saying Quade wants to stay, Brumbies ready for South Africa, Aussie U20’s defeat Scotland and Australia rule out biding for the 2023 World Cup.  [one_half last=”no”] Quade Wants to Stay: Cheika Wallabies coach Michael Cheika believes Quade Cooper wants to stay in Australia after being impressed with his input in the national team. Cooper has been strongly linked with Toulon but it is understood he is still in contract negotiations with the ARU who’s offer Cheika said was good and fair. “The way he (Cooper) is investing in what we are doing and his input into the program…

Monday’s rugby news has Cheika revealing his squad, Graham under more pressure, Holmes re-signs with the Reds and Salesi Ma’afu signs with Toulon.  [one_half last=”no”] Cheika Reveals Squad Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has revealed the Wallabies squad members of the Reds, Force and Rebels whose season’s finished on the weekend. Players from the Brumbies and Waratahs will be confirmed once their Super Rugby seasons end. Rebels: Paul Alo-Emile, Scott Higginbotham, Luke Jones, Sean McMahon, Toby Smith. Reds: Quade Cooper, Saia Fainga’a, Will Genia, Liam Gill, James Hanson, James Horwill, Greg Holmes, Karmichael Hunt, Samu Kerevi, James O’Connor, Rob Simmons, James Slipper. Force:…

The Waratahs have emphatically defeated the Cheetahs 33-58 in Bloemfontein.  The Cheetahs had nothing to lose and threw everything at the Waratahs as an incredible 14 tries were scored throughout the match. The Match The Waratahs opened the match from where they left off the week before, immediately conceding a turnover to the Cheetahs. The Waratahs took advantage of some poor discipline from the Cheetahs to give them some possession in the Cheetahs 22 before Israel Folau broke through the line to score in the corner.  Foley could not add the extra points from out wide. 5-0 to the Waratahs after 5 minutes.…

Friday’s rugby news has ARU unlikely to pay for Quade, Waratahs sign Angus Ta’avao, Wallabies to train on Sunshine Coast and Steven Luatua may miss the World Cup. [one_half last=”no”] ARU Unlikely to Pay for Quade The Australian Rugby Union have spoken out in regards to Quade Cooper’s contract situation and they are unlikely to pay the fee for Cooper to stay in Australia. Reportedly, Cooper must pay a six figure sum as high as $150 000 to get out of his two year deal with Toulon. “Quade is currently under contract with the Australian Rugby Union and we have not been…

Thursday’s rugby news has Gibson calling for consistency, Polota-Nau to continue playing, Kellaway breaks try scoring record and Beauden Barrett returns for the Hurricanes. [one_half last=”no”] Gibson Calls for Consistency Waratahs assistant coach Daryl Gibson has called for consistency from SANZAR following the suspensions of three Waratah players in two weeks. Gibson compared Horne’s incident to Robbie Fruean lifting tackle on Nehe Milner-Skudder in the match between the Hurricanes and the Crusaders. “From my perspective I’m a little bit confused because we’ve got a player cited and banned, while the other player has escaped punishment entirely,” Gibson said. “In our view the two tackles are…