Author: Hugh Adams

This week we will have a closer look at Melbourne Rising as we continue our series previewing teams for this year’s inaugural National Rugby Championship. Melbourne Rising will play their home games at AAMI park – the same home venue as the Melbourne Rebels.  Sean Hedger will coach the side and he will be joined by assistant coach Craig McGrath. Melbourne Rising was officially launched last Friday which also featured the unveiling of their jersey.  The Melbourne Rising will wear a Pink and Blue jersey which also features the Pink Heath – the floral emblem of Victoria, a half star…

Over 50 000 tickets have been sold for this weekend’s final between the Waratahs and the Crusaders since they went on sale to the general public on Tuesday.  With 3 more days remaining until the final, the crowd is expected to challenge the Super Rugby crowd attendance record which was set in Pretoria, South Africa when the Bulls played the Chiefs in front of 55 000 fans in 2009. Waratahs coach Michael Cheika emphasised the importance of the crowd for the historic match. “I know that the importance of the crowd is infinite,” said Cheika. “They can provide you with the energy,…

Injured Waratahs captain Dave Dennis has revealed some of the secrets which have helped the Waratahs make the grand final this year.   Dennis gave an insight into the Waratahs unique strength and conditioning programme as well as the culture which Michael Cheika has created. “We have been challenged probably physically more than we ever have as a playing group by Cheik.  I think it’s well documented the work we did in the pre season running up hills around Coogee or running around Centennial Park. “He was very adamant of building a mantra or a mindset of being comfortable with being…

In the lead up to this weekend’s Super Rugby final, here are 10 things you need to know about the Waratahs v. Crusaders. 1. The Crusaders and the Waratahs have played each other 18 times.  The Crusaders have won 16 times whilst the Waratahs have won just twice.  The last time the Waratahs defeated the Crusaders was when they won 19-43 back in 2004. 2. The Waratahs have met the Crusaders in a Super Rugby grand final on two previous occasions.  The Crusaders defeated the Waratahs 35-25 in 2005 and then defeated them again 20-13 in 2008. 3. The Crusaders…

The Waratahs have defeated the Brumbies 26-8 in a thrilling encounter at Allianz Stadium.  The Waratahs will play the Crusaders in their first grand final since 2008 next weekend at ANZ Stadium.   The Match The game started at a rapid pace with the Brumbies making their way up field with some effective kicking.  The Waratahs put on some big defence before Alofa Alofa scooped up a loose ball to score the opening try of the match.  Foley missed the conversion but the Waratahs were ahead 5-0 after 3 minutes. A few minutes later Jacques Potgieter made a big break…

In the lead up to Saturday night’s clash between the Waratahs and the Brumbies, we have a closer look at the key players from each team.   Henry Speight Key Stats 37 defenders beaten (10th in competition) Form Despite sitting out of Super Rugby for six weeks with a broken jaw, Speight has been in exhilarating form and is definitely a player the Waratahs will want to shut down.  Speight’s speed and ability to make metres and break tackles with such little space make him a constant danger. Israel Folau Key Stats 25 clean line breaks (1st in the competition)…

The Greater Sydney Rams have begun their charge for this year’s National Rugby Championship.  The fans are already showing strong support and the social media sites have been highly adopted. It’s all systems go at the Greater Sydney Rams. All the players, management, marketing and operations teams, are all on board, and excited to be rolling out a fun-filled event calendar. The Motto for Greater Sydney Rams is “ One Family”.  The Rams welcome all supporters from any background, age group, culture or location. The team are working towards bringing the “festival” of Rugby to the Greater Sydney catchment area.…

Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie has announced his 32 man squad for the Bledisloe Cup and Rugby Championship.  The Wallabies will attempt to win the Bledisloe Cup for the first time since 2002 when they take on the All Blacks in Sydney on August 16. McKenzie has named a similar squad to the one that took on the French in June.  Nick Cummins has been left out of the squad after he made the decision to play play in Japan.  He has been replaced by Brumbies winger Joe Tomane. Henry Speight comes into the squad as the only uncapped player as he becomes…

After over 600 suggestions and then over 6000 votes, the NRC law variation committee has narrowed it down to 12 possible law variations.   A list of 12 proposed laws variations for this year’s National Rugby Championship will be discussed with the 9 NRC clubs over the coming weeks.  The final law variations will be confirmed soon afterwards. Comment below what laws you would like to see included in this year’s competition.  I like the idea of having a time limit on scrums as I find that a lot of time is wasted setting and re-setting scrums which people are not really…

The NRC have announced the fixtures, venues and dates for this season’s inaugural National Rugby Championship.  Buildcorp have also been announced as the major sponsor of the competition.  The competition will include nine regular season rounds running from the 21st of August – 19th of October.  Games played on a Thursday night will be the broadcasted games.  The Thursday night games for Rounds 6-9 will be announced in due course and will move from their scheduled time currently listed in the draw to the broadcast slot of 7.30pm on Thursday. “The inaugural year of the Buildcorp National Rugby Championship promises…

Following the premier of ‘The Call of the Wallaby’ last night, the Gold Brigade are looking to form a group of passionate Wallaby supporters for the Bledisloe I showdown against the All Blacks in Sydney. The Gold Brigade was born out of a desire to see the Wallabies return to their former glories.  They are a grass roots supporters group designed by the rugby fan, for the rugby fan and they want you! They’re sick of quiet stadiums, long queues and a lack of atmosphere pre/during and post game. They have 3,000 tickets to sell behind the posts for Bledisloe 1 in Sydney…

The votes have been counted up.  Here is the GAGR Allstars forward pack in the last 30 years as voted by you. It does come in $1 over, but hey – it’s an average. 1. Richard Harry Votes: 22 Test Caps: 37 Played: 1996 – 2000 Price: $2 – great value for this golden era prop Richard Harry was an integral member of the Wallabies during their ‘golden era’ of success surrounding the 1999 Rugby World Cup win.  The former backrower brought a strong running game to the Wallabies that was an important cog in their dominant run up to and after their World…

Friday’s rugby news has Kurtley Beale considering his options, Sevens to work closer with Super Rugby, Tamati Ellison re-signs with the Rebels and Carter and Read to return on the bench for the Crusaders.  Lord Laurie to leave Brumbies It’s been reported today that Laurie Fisher is set to leave the Brumbies to become head coach of English club Gloucester. He’s neither confirmed or denied it, but for such talent to leave Australia would surely be a big blow. [one_half last=”no”] Beale Considering Options Kurtley Beale has admitted that he is considering his options as he attempts to negotiate…

Thursday’s rugby news has Skelton backing up for the Waratahs on the bench, Phipps focused on a win, North Harbour Rays to play at Brookvale Oval and Matt Toomua ruled out.  [one_half last=”no”] Skelton to Back up on the Bench After an impressive debut for the Wallabies, Will Skelton has been selected on the bench after Michael Cheika favoured Kane Douglas and Jacques Potgieter to start in the second row.  Cheika challenged Skelton to back up his performance from last Saturday. “Still very new on the circuit and … he knows that himself … That’s the best part. You don’t have to…

Green and Gold Rugby can exclusively reveal that Medicare expenses will no longer be covered by Medicare and will have to be paid for by super rugby franchises

Wednesday’s rugby news has Folau warning Brumbies of Waratahs backs, Turner at fullback, Waratahs seek revenge on Brumbies and McCaw ruled out of Super Rugby.  [one_half last=”no”] Folau: Beware of Waratahs Wallabies and Waratahs fullback Israel Folau has warned the Brumbies that there are more attacking dangers in the Waratahs than just him and Kurtley Beale. “We are not even worried about it. There are plenty of other guys in the team that they have to worry about. It’s not just us two. We will find our ways to contribute to the team with our performances, but it’s nothing that myself or…

Tuesday’s rugby news has injury concerns over Matt Toomua, Gill and McMahon in Sevens squad, McKenzie makes his stance on sabbaticals and Blues win the World Club 10’s.  [one_half last=”no”] Toomua Injury Concern Brumbies playmaker Matt Toomua underwent scans on Monday due to a groin niggle which he suffered during the Wallabies final test against the French on Saturday.  Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham said is not willing to risk Toomua against the Waratahs this weekend. “If there’s any chance of making the injury worse we will not be playing him … You wouldn’t run that risk” Larkham said. Toomua is one of…

Monday’s rugby news has the Wallabies taking confidence into Bledisloe, the French warn the Wallabies, Springboks deny Wales and Julian Savea and Cory Jane fire for the All Blacks.  [one_half last=”no”] Wallabies to Take Confidence into Bledisloe After completing and series win over the French, Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie is now turning his attention to the Wallabies next match against the All Blacks in Sydney on August 16.  McKenzie conceded that he has not looked at the All Blacks yet but he will be eager to maintain the Wallabies winning streak. “Now we’ll obviously have to look at the All Blacks technically, tactically…

Friday’s rugby news has Pulver saying no to sabbaticals, a new and improved Rob Horne, Rebels sign Dom Shipperley and England and All Blacks name their teams.  [one_half last=”no”] Pulver Says No to Sabbaticals ARU CEO Bill Pulver has made it clear that the ARU will not change their policy on allowing players to have a sabbatical.  There have been calls from several ex Wallabies and others within the rugby community to allow players to have a sabbatical to prevent a mass exodus at the end of next year’s World Cup. “There is a lot of discussion around this but I…

Using our GAGR Allstars budget sheet, you the cognoscenti of Australian rugby chose your most balanced Wallaby backline from the past 30 years.  The votes have been counted up and here are the Wallaby back line All Stars as voted by you. The backline boasts a combined 593 test caps including 3 centurions and features a mixture of players from different eras. It was also damned close to hitting the salary cap, coming in at $23! 9. George Gregan Votes: 57 Cost: $4 – quality costs, as does running a huge chain of coffee stores Test Caps: 139 Played: 1994 – 2007 George Gregan is…