Author: Hugh Adams

Monday’s rugby news has Super Rugby quarter finals confirmed, Kurtley Beale confident of move to Wasps, Reds sign Aussie U20 backrower and Liam Messam ineligible for Super Rugby finals. [one_half last=”no”] Finals Confirmed Following the end of the regular Super Rugby Season, the matches for the quarter finals have been confirmed. Four New Zealand franchises will feature in the finals whilst only one Australian team will play. On Friday the Brumbies will play the Highlanders in Canberra and on Saturday the Hurricanes will play the Sharks in Wellington. Over in South Africa, the Lions take on the Crusaders in Johannesburg at 12.30am and…

Friday’s rugby news has Rod Kafer calling for full time assistant coaches, Karmichael Hunt in doubt for the remainder of the season, Nick Phipps dropped and Todd Blackadder a contender for Reds job. [one_half last=”no”] Full time Assistant Coaches Former Wallaby Rod Kafer has called for full time assistant coaches for the Wallabies. Attack coach Stephen Larkham is also the head coach of the Brumbies whilst defence coach Nathan Grey is also an assistant coach at the Waratahs. “Michael Cheika’s an excellent coach, Steve Larkham, Nathan Grey, Mario Ledesma are all excellent coaches, but really only the two of them out of the four…

Thursday’s rugby news has Taniela Tupou to debut for the Reds, Albert Anae to Japan, Amy Perrett to become to first female Super Rugby match official and Stephen Donald to start for the Chiefs. [one_half last=”no”] Tupou to Debut Taniela ‘Tongan Thor’ Tupou is set to make his debut this weekend after being named on the bench for the Queensland Reds. Tupou already has a compilation of YouTube highlights but co-coach Nick Stiles is looking for more from the young prop this weekend. “I told Taniela that I don’t care about YouTube highlights this week unless it’s a 5m scrum pushover,” Stiles said. “It’s…

Wednesday’s rugby news Daryl Gibson calling for Folau to move to the centres for the Wallabies, Mike Harris to return from injury, Aussie opponents named for Rio Olympics and Charlie Ngatai still sidelined. [one_half last=”no”] Folau to Centre: Gibson Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson has called for the Wallabies to play Israel Folau in the centres as he has done for the Waratahs this season. “In Tevita Kuridrani and Israel Folau, you have two excellent players who can play No. 13, and Australia has 12 Tests to play this year, Israel will get a shot there,” Gibson said. “I think at some stage…

Tuesday’s rugby news has Zac Guildford leaving the Waratahs, Brumbies poach young Reds star, Rebels sign Jack Maddocks and New Zealand re-signs Joe Moody. [one_half last=”no”] Guildford Leaves Tahs Waratahs winger Zac Guildford has left the club to return to New Zealand following the return of Wallabies winger Taqele Naiyaravoro. Guildford played seven matches for the Waratahs this season which was interrupted by a broken toe. He has signed to play provincial rugby for Tasman in New Zealand’s NPC competition. Taqele Naiyaravoro is expected to slot in on the wing for the Waratahs after having scored a try for the Wallabies in Saturday…

Monday’s rugby news has Michael Cheika to bring back European players, Kane Douglas to debut for the Reds, ARU to seek clarification over spider cams andSteve Hansen wary of the Wallabies. [one_half last=”no”] European Players Back ​Wallabies coach Michael Cheika says he will bring back players from Europe for the Rugby Championship. Cheika confirmed the likes of Adam Ashley-Cooper, Matt Giteau, Drew Mitchell and Will Genia are all keen to play again. “everyone wants to come back,” Cheika said. “This series was a lot about that about building some as well. “That’s something we have done, with Samu Kerevi, Dane Haylett-Petty, Rory Arnold…They’ve…

Friday’s rugby news has three changes for the Wallabies, James Haskell ruled out for the third test, Kyle Godwin to the Brumbies and Eddie Jones defends England’s tactics. [one_half last=”no”] Cheika Changes Three ​Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has made three changes to the starting side for the final test against England on Saturday. Will Skelton and Rob Simmons will come into the second row whilst Matt Toomua will replace Samu Kerevi at inside centre. ”​Willy, even though he’s been playing, he’s been playing with injury, a shoulder injury, he hasn’t been able to show us his best yet this season,” Cheika said. “We…

Thursday’s rugby news has the Wallabies taking ownership, Stirling Mortlock calls for Toomua to start, Hugh Roach re-signs with the Waratahs and Steve Hansen makes big changes. [one_half last=”no”] WB’s Take Ownership Wallabies vice captain Rob Horne is under no illusions to try and avoid a 3-0 whitewash to the English. “The position we’re in today is that we have the team, we have the game to be where we want to be and we’ve let ourselves down the last couple of weeks with what we’ve put on the field,” he said. “We know what we have to do and we’re going to…

Friday’s rugby news has Michael Foley dumped as Force coach, Quade Cooper closer to returning home, George Smith rules out Wallaby return and England name George Ford at flyhalf. [one_half last=”no”] Foley Sacked Michael Foley has been sacked as coach of the Western Force following a disappointing three seasons as head coach. The decision comes following an alliance formed between the ARU with the Force to run the club amid serious financial difficulty and inability to recruit high-quality players. Assistant coach Dave Wessels will take over as coach for the remaining three games of the season. The Force were handed the wooden spoon…

Thursday’s rugby news has Sean McMahon to replace David Pocock, Henry Speight injured, Paddy Ryan re-signs with the Waratahs and Israel Dagg returns to the All Blacks starting team. [one_half last=”no”] McMahon In Sean McMahon coming in for the injured David Pocock is one of several changes Michael Cheika has made for the second test against England. Sam Carter comes in for Rob Simmons whilst Scott Sio has been dropped from the squad. “Based on last weekend’s performance, we decided that we wanted some new combinations for Saturday’s game,” Cheika said. “Sean never takes a backwards step while James and Sekope add…

Wednesday’s rugby news has Christian Lealiifano glad to be home, Rebels going chase for Quade Cooper’s signature, Wallabies to bounce back and Chiefs beat Wales. [one_half last=”no”] Lealiifano Back Home Christian Lealiifano has admitted that it is good to be back in his hometown of Melbourne as he chases the starting inside centre position for the Wallabies this weekend. “It’s always special (playing in Melbourne),” Lealiifano said. “Growing up here in Melbourne, unfortunately there was no Super Rugby here at the time. But to come back and play here is always special. You have family and friends who have seen you grow up and…

Tuesday’s rugby news has Wallabies to fix their discipline, officials confident of AAMI Park pitch, Karmichael  Hunt out for the series and huge blow for Wales. [one_half last=”no”] Wallabies to Fix Discipline The Wallabies have conceded that they need to address their discipline and play smarter rugby to beat England in Melbourne this weekend. “Discipline is a big part,” said Wallabies backrower Scott Fardy. “We need to make sure with their 50:50s, if they’re not on we’re pulling out and not making bad decisions. “I was guilty of a few of those when I thought I was doing the right thing but…

Monday’s rugby news has David Pocock ruled out for the rest of the series, England’s best still to come, no mass changes expected for the Wallabies and Eddie Jones lashed out at former Wallaby Stephen Hoiles. [one_half last=”no”] Pocock Out Wallabies backrower David Pocock has been ruled out for the rest of the Wallabies test match series with England after fracturing his eye socket. Wallabies coach Michael Cheika estimated Pocock would be out for six to eight weeks. Pocock tweeted: “Thanks for all the messages. I’ll be cheering on the @qantaswallabies over the next two weeks. #AUSvENG#StrongerAsOne” “It is a blow no doubt. We are…

Friday’s rugby news has the Wallaby and England teams announced, Jones suspicious of Hayne move and new Highlanders coach announced for next season. [one_half last=”no”] Cheika Names Team Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has named three debutants in the starting team to face England and one possible debutant on the bench in Nick Frisby. Rory Arnold is set to be the tallest ever Wallaby starting in second row; Samu Kerevi will play inside centre and Dane Haylett-Petty will start on the wing. “This team of 2016 has a great opportunity to build on the foundations in place,” Cheika said. “We have a good…

Thursday’s rugby news has Christian Lealiifano rejoining the Wallabies squad, Brisbane Broncos to thank for converts according to Wayne Bennett, Stuart Lancaster in contention to coach the Reds and All Blacks name side to face Wales. [one_half last=”no”] Hope for Lealiifano Christian Lealiifano has joined the Wallabies squad following the birth of his child yesterday. Wallabies assistant coach Stephen Larkham has reportedly been passing on backline plays to Lealiifano over the past 10 days as waited for his partner to give birth. Larkham holds Lealiifano in high regard following their six years together at the Brumbies. Bernard Foley said he would be comfortable playing…

Wednesday’s rugby news has Benn Robinson retires, Nathan Sharpe backs James Horwill, U20’s fall to Scotland and Charlie Ngatai released from the All Blacks squad. [one_half last=”no”] Robinson Retires Waratahs prop Benn Robinson has retired from rugby after failing to recover from an eye injury. Robinson’s eye injury caused blood cells to appear in the anterior chamber, or front of the lens, of the eye; a condition called microscopic hyphema. Robinson is expected to regain full eyesight but was advised to not continue playing rugby to prevent further damage. “Rugby is made me who I am here today. It has been a big…

Tuesday’s rugby news has Michael Cheika unfazed by Eddie Jones’ niggle, Jones predicts the Wallabies team, Cheika pays tribute to Muhammad Ali and Wales to Toulon secure home semi-final. [one_half last=”no”] Cheika Not Fazed Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has remained unfazed by the niggle of England coach and former clubmate Eddie Jones. “I don’t think he’s really thrown a lot of barbs. He hasn’t called me fat or anything. Or bald, or I’m getting bald or anything like that,” Cheika said. “It hasn’t been nasty but he’s just doing what he thinks his team needs. He thinks his team might need this…

Monday’s rugby news has Anthony Fainga’a going to Japan, Will Genia backs Nick Frisby, still no Lealiifano for the Wallabies and Wales to expose All Blacks. [one_half last=”no”] Fainga’a to Japan Reds centre Anthony Fainga’a has announced his will be going to Japan after the Super Rugby season. Fainga’a will be stranded on 93 caps if he plays all the Reds last matches before joining up with the Kintetsu Liners. Fainga’a tweeted: “#FTA Excited to be joining #KintetsuLiners in Osaka for their upcoming rugby season.Can’t wait to get over there to start my new adventure”. Reds winger Chris Feauai-Sautia was also announced as a Kintetsu signing but it…

Friday’s rugby news has England arriving in Australia, Andy Friend drawing the line for his Sevens Rio squad, new CEO announced at the Reds and World Rugby to crack down on diving. [one_half last=”no”] England Arrive Head coach Eddie Jones has already accused Australian’s of making England’s lives difficult after Jones’ bags were checked by immigration upon their arrival in Australia yesterday. “I just went through immigration and I got shunted through the area where everything got checked. That’s what I’m expecting mate,” Jones said. “Everything that’s done around the game is going to be coordinated. All coordinated to help Australia win. “We’ve…

Thursday’s rugby news has David Pocock warning a new England side, Michael Cheika backs Karmichael Hunt, NRL player looking to switch codes and Eddie Jones knows Wallabies weaknesses. [one_half last=”no”] Pocock’s Warning Wallabies backrower David Pocock has warned that England will be a different side to the one they defeated at the World Cup. “I’m not too sure how much you can take out of it, to be honest,” Pocock said. “That was a moment in time when our prep came together and we played well on the night. “But that’s long gone now. It’s a different squad and both teams will be looking…