Author: Hugh Adams

Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham and Waratahs defence coach Nathan Grey have been appointed assistant coaches to Michael Cheika for the Wallabies in 2015. Other appointments include Simon Roberts who has been appointed as the Wallabies Team Operations Manager, Patrick Molihan will be the Wallabies Team Manager and Dean Benton (Brumbies 2011-2013) will be in charge of the preparation of players. Wallabies coach Michael Cheika was pleased with the appointments. “At this level, it’s crucial that you have the best people and best possible high-performance program in place if you are going to deliver winning performances for the Wallabies,” Cheika said. “I am…

Queensland Reds player Karmichael Hunt has been charged for allegedly supplying Cocaine.  In recent developments it is believed that two Gold Coast Titans players were also involved in the same incident. A joint statement from the Australian Rugby Union and Queensland Rugby Union read: The Australian Rugby Union and Queensland Rugby Union are aware of reports regarding Karmichael Hunt. The ARU’s Integrity team and the Queensland Rugby Union are making enquiries into the reports. We’ll be in a position to comment in more detail once those enquiries have progressed BREAKING: Queensland sports star Karmichael Hunt has been charged for…

As like most things in life, communication in whatever form is just so important, and that is no different for Australian Deaf Rugby. So well before the players are out on the training paddock for the first training session, and the Captain is announced, the most important person in the Australian Deaf Rugby setup is selected – the Auslan sign interpreter. Hearing loss in this set up varies from mild to the profoundly deaf. For those with substantial loss, this automatically means relying greatly on the interpreter to understand what the coach is saying, right through to if the team attends…

On February 2nd the Seattle Seahawks will take on the New England Patriots in the hope of winning their second consecutive Super Bowl.  Seahawks coach, Pete Carroll, attributes much of the team’s success to rugby tackling techniques. Carroll was interested in how rugby players were able to safely and effectively tackle without helmets or pads.  Carroll focuses on the idea of leading with the shoulder and wrapping the arms rather than leading with the head.  By implementing this technique Carroll hopes to promote player welfare and prolong careers by preventing injury whilst maintaining the physicality and toughness that the NFL is…

Should Wallabies coach Michael Cheika have to justify his selections to a panel of selectors like the All Blacks do or should we keep it the way it is?  In a recent Twitter conversation a number of independent rugby commentators had their say. Here are the arguments for and against having a selection panel for the Wallabies. Why we should have a board of selectors Scott Allen (a former writer at Green and Gold Rugby) says that to eliminate the perception of state bias a selection panel should be put in place to which the coach should have to justify his…

The Wallabies came back from 17-0 to lose the match by three points and suffer back to back defeats.  But how did each individual play? Here are my ratings: [one_third last=”no”] James Slipper Not a stand out game compared to his usual standard in 2014 but was solid once again. 7 [/one_third] [one_third last=”no”] Saia Faingaa Has been playing well in recent week’s this week was no exception.  7[/one_third] [one_third last=”yes”] Sekope Kepu Like Slipper, had a solid game but not a stand out. 6[/one_third] [one_third last=”no”] Sam Carter Missed a couple of tackles and can still offer more.  4[/one_third] [one_third…

Kurtley Beale will rejoin the Wallabies after he was left out of the squad due to a disciplinary hearing.  Beale will join Reds backrower Jake Schatz as they fly to Dublin in preparation for the Wallabies test match against Ireland next weekend. Wallaby captain Michael Hooper supported Michael Cheika’s decision to recall Beale into the squad. “We’ve got France tomorrow night and then Ireland and what KB and Schatzy will do is bring some enthusiasm. KB in particular will bring competition. We’ve got guys over here who have been working hard to try to get a game and to have…

France are desperate to make amends after they were defeated in all three test matches against Australia in the June test series this year.   Where: Stade de France, Paris When: November 16, 7am (AEDT) Form France: WLLLL Wallabies: WWLLL History The Wallabies have won four out of the last five test matches against France however, France have a winning percentage of 59% against the Wallabies when they play at home.  The last time France defeated Australia was on the 2012 Spring tour where they smashed the Wallabies 33-6. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANaUQcOwkOE The Scrum There is no doubt the Wallabies scrum will be under pressure this…

Friday’s rugby news has James Horwill to start for the Wallabies, Rooster’s coach observing the Wallabies, Dan Carter returns for the All Blacks and Springboks team announced. [one_half last=”no”] Horwill to Start Former Wallabies captain James Horwill has replaced Sam Carter in the Wallabies starting team to face France this weekend.  Horwill is the only change in the starting side to the one that played Wales last weekend.   Cheika has been impressed with Horwill’s performance against the Barbarians and his performance off the bench against Wales.  He is yet to name the reserves. Sekope Kepu will also start to make…

Sydney Stars winger James Dargaville is the latest NRC star to have signed with a Super Rugby Franchise after signing with the Brumbies for the 2015 season. The signing follows a number of other NRC players to be signed to Super Rugby teams after the first year of the NRC competition. Dargaville was excited about the move to Canberra. “I’m hoping this move to Canberra and the Brumbies will also provide some positive outcomes for me and my rugby over the next couple of years” he said.“To be coached by someone like Stephen Larkham is incredibly exciting, not to mention getting…

Thursday’s rugby news has Josh Mann-Rea wanting more test caps, Ioane and O’Connor give advice to Wallabies, IRB nominations announced and All Blacks switch up their midfield. [one_half last=”no”] Mann-Rea Pushing for Starting Spot 33 year old Wallabies journeyman Josh Mann-Rea says he is wanting to push for more game time.  Mann-Rea became the oldest Wallaby to debut in 56 years when he made his debut this year and he is looking to add to his 2 caps which he has earned so far in 2014.  Despite being low in the pecking order of Australian hookers he says he is not there as a…

Wednesday’s rugby news has the Wallabies preparing for more scrum battles, Wallabies wary of a dangerous French side, Nonu signs with Toulon and Giteau backs O’Connor for successful return. [one_half last=”no”] Wallabies Prepare for More Scrums After their scrum was penalised on several occasions against the Welsh, the Wallabies are preparing for a fired up French scrum.   Wallabies hooker Saia Fainga’a is wary of the challenge which lies ahead. “We know that the French team primarily base their game around the scrum.” he said. “We’ve got a lot of work to do but it’s all about making sure we don’t have…

Tuesday’s rugby news has the French wanting revenge, room for improvement for Wallabies, Williams dedicates win and Hook called up for Wales. [one_half last=”no”] France Want Revenge French coach Philippe Saint-Andre has called for “ a triple revenge” ahead of this weekend’s clash with the Wallabies after his side was defeated in all three matches against the Wallabies earlier this year.   “What struck me was the third Test (in June) where we collapsed too quickly. That’s unacceptable when you represent a country, a history, an identity.” Saint-Andre said. “Yesterday (Saturday) they won a lot of turnovers. They have individuals who are capable of…

Monday’s rugby news has Scrum woes for Wallabies, players return for Wales, Hansen unhappy with big screens and Conrad Smith and Brodie Retallick ruled out. [one_half last=”no”] Scrum Woes Continue for Wallabies Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has said that the Wallabies must “learn to love scrums” after they were heavily penalised against Wales.   Cheika also said “Sometimes they go good, sometimes they don’t. That’s for all teams. You’ve just got to do your best, enjoy it and get stuck into it.” “I didn’t think we were dominated.  I think we had one poor scrum in the middle of the field where…

As the NRC comes to an end this week we’ve decided to let you vote for your favourite photo of the competition. Ranker – Top 10 Lists and More

The Australian Rugby Union have announced this afternoon that Kurtley Beale will not join the Wallabies on their Spring tour just yet. Wallabies coach Michael Cheika said he did not require Beale for the Spring tour. “The first thing he has to do is start training. He’s been under a fair bit of pressure as you can imagine. He hasn’t done any training the last couple of weeks. He has to get into some condition first of all and then we’ll see what happens. “I’m confident with the guys we’ve got here. There’s no desperation or anything. “I’m not even…

The John Eales Medal is set to be very close this year.  Will it be Michael Hooper, James Slipper, Adam-Ashley Cooper, Tevita Kuridrani? The night has started off with the introduction of Wylie Breckenridge, Greg Davis & Simon Poidevin into the Wallabies hall of fame. Chris Hicks is named Rugby volunteer of the year. Referee of the year goes to Amy Perrett. The Nick Farr-Jones Spirit of Rugby Award goes to Bingham Cup President – Andrew Purchas. Under 20s Player of the Year goes to Sean McMahon. Congratulations Shaun McMahon the Buildcorp NRC Player of the Year #JEM2014 pic.twitter.com/EiVP0XefEd — Buildcorp (@buildcorpgroup)…

Along with the announcement of Michael Cheika as new Wallabies coach, the Wallabies have also named the squad for the upcoming Spring tour. Five uncapped players have been included in the squad which include Tetera Faulkner, Henry Speight, Kyle Godwin, Tom English and Sean McMahon. Wallabies Squad Ben Alexander Adam Ashley-Cooper Sam Carter Quade Cooper Tom English Saia Fainga’a Tetera Faulkner Israel Folau Bernard Foley Will Genia Kyle Godwin James Hanson Scott Higginbotham Matt Hodgson Michael Hooper (c) Rob Horne James Horwill Luke Jones Sekope Kepu Tevita Kuridrani Christian Leali’ifano Josh Mann-Rea Ben McCalman Sean McMahon Nick Phipps Benn Robinson Rob…

After days of speculation Michael Cheika has officially been named as the new coach of the Wallabies. Cheika will continue coaching the Waratahs in 2015 and Nathan Grey will be Wallabies defence coach, Andrew Blades will stay as forwards coach while Jim McKay and Nick Scrivener have been let go.   Cheika did not wish to comment on Kurtley Beale and said he would let the ARU investigation run its course. ARU CEO Bill Pulver said “Michael Cheika was a standout candidate” Michael Cheika was excited about the opportunity to coach the Wallabies “I’m so lucky and blessed to be able to…

By Patrick I’m not the first to wonder how to review a Rising match! But as was noted in the comments to the preview, at least with Melbourne you have an Australian team that consistently wins and that shed itself of Beale long ago! The Match There were plenty of good passages of play, albeit they were generally short, and some moments of skill, but overall the Rising were never in doubt and there were plenty of moments of park-intensity footy too. QLD Country ran a good line-out, made some solid defensive hits and had some real spark both through…