Author: Hugh Adams

Monday’s rugby news has Michael Cheika slamming player agents, Quade Cooper a better player, Michael Hooper still hurting from the World Cup final loss and Steve Hansen fires shots at Michael Cheika. [one_half last=”no”] Cheika Slams Agents Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has slammed agents who sign players to overseas deals whilst still under contract with the ARU. The ARU has granted the early release of Liam Gill and Greg Holmes from their ARU contracts to take up overseas deals with Toulon and Exeter respectively. “They were put in awkward situations because they had two contracts, and one would have been put in…

Friday’s rugby news has Brad Thorn coming out of retirement, Wallabies to channel the 2011 Reds, Men’s Sevens team to play off for 7th and Anton Lienert-Brown called up to the All Blacks. [one_half last=”no”] Thorn to Return Brad Thorn is set to be named in the Queensland Country NRC squad and come out of retirement at the age of 41. Thorn has already been named as an assistant coach of Queensland Country be is expected to be announced as a player as well sometime next week. “I didn’t actually retire because of my body,” Thorn said earlier this year. “I retired because…

Thursday’s rugby news has Men’s Sevens team knocked out, ARU launch university Sevens competition, Henry Speight to return in the NRC and New Zealand Sevens team out of Rio. [one_half last=”no”] Men’s Sevens Knocked Out The Aussie Men’s team have been knocked out of the Olympics after they were beaten by South Africa 22-5 in the quarter final. Australia had beaten South Africa earlier in the day 12-5 in their last pool game but were unable to repeat it for the quarter final. South Africa scored two early tries before Tom Cusack crashed over for Australia just before half time to bring the score to…

Wednesday’s rugby news has Lewis Holland’s Olympics over, Sonny Bill Williams injured, Wallabies inspired by Women’s Sevens team and Sydney rugby club found cheating. [one_half last=”no”] Holland Out Aussie Sevens star playmaker Lewis Holland has been ruled out for the remainder of the Olympics with a hamstring injury. Holland will be replaced by Tom Kingston in the squad. Australia opened their Olympic campaign with a loss against France 31-14 but then defeated Spain 26-12. Australia will face unbeaten South Africa in their final group game tomorrow and even if they lose there is still a chance they can reach the quarter finals. [/one_half] [one_half…

Tuesday’s rugby news has the Women’s Sevens team winning gold, Wallaby youngsters impressing, Toutai Kefu coaching Queensland Country in the NRC and Lewis Holland fit and firing. [one_half last=”no”] Women’s 7s Win Gold The Australian Women’s Sevens team has defeated New Zealand 24-7  to win the Gold medal at the Rio Olympics. Australia led 10-5 at half time but tries to Emma Tonegato, Evania Pelite, Ellia Green and Charlotte Caslick along with two conversions from Chloe Dalton put the game out of reach for New Zealand. “THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT! #GOLD  #Olympics,” tweeted the Aussies 7s account. “Huge congratulations but…

Monday’s rugby news has rugby community supporting Christian Lealiifano, Wallabies to change it up, perfect start for Aussie women’s sevens team in Rio and Samu Kerevi receives his Australian citizenship. [one_half last=”no”] Support for Lealiifano Support from the Rugby community has flown for Christian Lealiifano following the news that he has been diagnosed with leukaemia. The likes of Tim Horan, James Horwill, Andy Friend, Liam Messam, David Pocock and Matt Giteau are just some of the people who have expressed their support for Lealiifano via social media. “Really tough 24 hours trying to come to terms with news about Christian. One of the most respected…

Friday’s rugby news has Matt Giteau shelving his retirement, Global Tens announced, Dane Coles in doubt for final and Steve Hansen calls to end ‘mad monday’ celebrations. [one_half last=”no”] Giteau Shelves Retirement Matt Giteau has revealed that he still has the desire to play for the Wallabies and see them succeed after considering retiring from international rugby after the World Cup final. “I thought the World Cup was probably my last game for my country but just the way it ended for me, it left a bit of a bitter taste,” Giteau said. “Not that we lost but just the fact that…

Thursday’s rugby news has Will Genia settling in, Club coaches challenging the idea of gate fees, Angus Cottrell re-signs with the Western Force and Angus Gardner appointed assistant referee for the Super Rugby final. [one_half last=”no”] Genia Settling In Will Genia is determined to stick with French rugby rather than giving it up and returning to Super Rugby. Other Wallabies such as Sekope Kepu and Quade Cooper have returned back to Super Rugby prematurely due to inability to settle in Europe. “I don’t see myself leaving at all (this contract),” he said. “Living over there’s amazing. “From a rugby point of view,…

Wednesday’s rugby news has the Wallabies running against the Roosters, Dan McKellar fined, Melbourne Rebels sign U20’s hooker and England squad announced. [one_half last=”no”] Cross-Code Training The Wallabies have taken part in a cross-code training session, running an opposed session against the Sydney Roosters on Tuesday. Broncos fan Nick Frisby revealed it was an exciting training session. “I’m a massive rugby league fan, I am a Broncos supporter but it was a huge thrill to see some of those guys up close and then to actually train with them and against them was awesome,” he said. “I just tried to stay away…

Tuesday’s rugby news has Matt Giteau arriving in Sydney, Pat McCutcheon fit for Olympics, Steve Hansen ready for the Rugby Championship and Victor Vito set to play his last match for the Hurricanes. [one_half last=”no”] Giteau Joins Camp Matt Giteau has joined the Wallabies in camp in Sydney in preparation for the Rugby Championship. It is understood that Giteau could be sacrificing a six-figure amount to make himself available for the Wallabies rather than staying in France and training with Toulon. Team officials said Giteau was in good spirits when he entered the camp after arriving back in Australia early on Monday morning. The Brumbies…

Monday’s rugby news has the Super Rugby final confirmed, Drew Mitchell’s homecoming, Europe not for everyone and All Blacks squad named for the Rugby Championship. [one_half last=”no”] Final Confirmed The Super Rugby final has been confirmed with the Lions taking on the Hurricanes this weekend in Wellington. It will be the second year in a row where the Super Rugby final has been held in Wellington. The Lions knocked out last year’s Super Rugby winners the Highlanders 42-30 in Johannesburg in front of 51,000 fans. The Lions were without captain Warren Whiteley but still got the job done thanks to 22 points and a masterful performance…

Friday’s rugby news has Digby Ioane signs with the Crusaders, Will Genia praises Mike Byrne, Tom Robertson re-signs with the Waratahs and Dane Coles named in Hurricanes team. [one_half last=”no”] Ioane to Crusaders The Crusaders have confirmed the signing of former Queensland Red and Wallabies winger Digby Ioane. Ioane is expected to replace departing winger Nemani Nadolo. “I have had a great time playing in France and Japan, but the opportunity to be part of a New Zealand Super Rugby team is too good to pass up,” he said. “I love the intensity and tempo of Super Rugby and the New Zealand…

Thursday’s rugby news has no Matt Giteau at Wallabies training, Hayne reacts to no offer from the Waratahs, Laurie Mains slams the Springboks and the Chiefs receive a boost. [one_half last=”no”] Giteau Still Missing Matt Giteau is the only main overseas based player yet to join the Wallabies ahead of the Rugby Championship. Toulon have reportedly threatened to not honour contract payments if he goes and plays for the Wallabies Drew Mitchell, Will Genia, Quade Cooper and Adam Ashley-Cooper are among 40 squad members already training with the Wallabies in Sydney. Uncapped players in the squad include Waratahs prop Tom Robertson, Rebels forward Lopeti Timani…

Wednesday’s rugby news has no offer for Hayne at Waratahs, Cheika approving the appointment of Nick Stiles, Bill Meakes into Wallabies squad and Angus Gardner to referee semi-finals. [one_half last=”no”] Hayne Plane Grounded The Waratahs have announced that they will not pursue Jarrad Hayne despite Hayne’s interest in switching codes once again. “We’re not going to pursue Jarryd at this present point in time, and I think it’s a bit of a watershed moment for the organisation,” said chief executive Andrew Hore. “We feel with the fact that we’ve combined both NSW and Waratahs rugby that our first priority has got to be…

Tuesday’s rugby news has Nick Stiles set to take Reds top job, Stephen Larkham deciding his future, Digby Ioane linked to the Crusaders and Steve Hansen re-signs with the All Blacks. [one_half last=”no”] Stiles Likely Queensland Reds co-coach Nick Stiles is likely to become the sole head coach of the Queensland Reds for next season. Stiles is set to be announced as the coach this week following a worldwide search for a new coach. It is understood Stiles beat kiwi candidate Todd Blackadder for the head coach position. The panel that spend four months deciding on the coach had their preferred choice…

Monday’s rugby news has Super Rugby Semi-finals confirmed, Mick Byrne signs with the ARU, Melbourne Rebels sign Pama Fou and Dane Coles injured. [one_half last=”no”] Semi-Finals Confirmed Following wins to the Lions, Chiefs, Highlanders and Hurricanes over the weekend, the Super Rugby semi-finals have been confirmed. All Australian teams have been knocked out of the competition after the Brumbies lost on Friday night whilst three New Zealand teams and one South African team remains. The Highlanders will once again play away from home taking on the Lions in Johannesburg after they beat the Crusaders 42-25 on the weekend. The Hurricanes will play the…

Friday’s rugby news has Waratahs weighing up Hayne decision, Brumbies wary of Highlanders tactics, Home ground advantage for Brumbies and Julian Savea dropped from Hurricanes starting team. [one_half last=”no”] Tahs Hesitant Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson and Waratahs CEO Andrew Hore are cautious about jumping into a decision surrounding Jarrad Hayne joining the Waratahs. It is understood if Hayne were to switch to rugby he would only be interested in playing for the Waratahs. “I found it a little bit premature for anyone to be going out and saying what we’d be doing with him at the moment,” Hore said. “There’s still a lot of water to…

Thursday’s rugby news hasDavid Pocock named for the Brumbies, Quade Cooper signs with the ARU, Jarrad Hayne in talks with the ARU and Ben Matwijow signs with the Force. [one_half last=”no”] Pocock Returns David Pocock has been named at openside flanker for this weekend’s quarter final against the Highlanders. It will be Pocock’s first match since fracturing his eye socket in the Wallabies first test against England in June. Wallaby lock Rory Arnold has been ruled out with an elbow injury and Blake Enever will take his place in the starting side. Meanwhile, Robbie Coleman replaces James Dargaville on the left wing whilst Leslie Leulua’iali’i-Makin…

Wednesday’s rugby news has overseas Wallabies returning home, Tomas Cubelli calling for Brumbies to match Highlanders pace, Rebels sign Aussie U20’s prop and Pat Lambie ineligible for finals. [one_half last=”no”] Overseas Players Home A number of overseas based Wallabies have returned to Australia ahead of the Rugby Championship next month. Drew Mitchell has been in Sydney for a few weeks as he recovers from a groin injury whilst Adam Ashley-Cooper has also returned to Australia after a European holiday. Will Genia and Quade Cooper have also been spotted together at Ballymore but Cooper has since come down to Sydney to continue training.…

Tuesday’s rugby news has the Waratahs rebuilding, David Pocock on track to return, Brumbies to lift for Highlanders game and Crusaders players injured. [one_half last=”no”] Tahs Rebuilding Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson is confident the Waratahs are heading in the right direction after blooding several new players in 2016. “If we look at next year’s team, it is going to be youthful and those players are going to benefit from this year: Tom Robertson, Ned Hanigan, Jack Dempsey, Jed Holloway, Andrew Kellaway, David Horwitz, Jim Stewart,” Gibson said. “Every team has to plan for those departures. NSW was a very stable team form 2014-15,…