Author: Hugh Adams

Thursday’s rugby news has Daryl Gibson blaming Eddie Jones, Pocock apologising, Michael O’Connor tipping Aussie Sevens to win at Rio and the Western Force announce their team. [one_half last=”no”] Gibson Blames Jones Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson has said that the philosophy that Eddie Jones instilled within Australian rugby is still having a detrimental effect today. Gibson believes that a heavily structured game is hindering players decision making abilities. “It’s a structural thing,” he said. “The difficulty for us is I think the Eddie Jones era of playing A, B, C-certain type of rugby, that lack of decision making has had an…

Wednesday’s rugby news has David Pocock suspended, Wallabies to play first ever Rugby Championship match in the Northern Hemisphere, Wallabies preparing for upcoming test season and Joe Marler banned. [one_half last=”no”] Pocock Suspended Brumbies backrower David Pocock has pleaded guilty to a neck grab on Chiefs number 8 Michael Leitch. Pocock accepted a three week suspension but will only miss two games due to the Brumbies bye week. Duty judicial officer Adam Cassleden accepted Pocock’s admission of foul play. “However, taking into account mitigating factors including the player’s early plea, his good character, his genuine remorse and his excellent disciplinary record I reduced…

Tuesday’s rugby news has Cheika unconcerned about the form of Australian Super Rugby teams, Waratahs lacking confidence, George Smith praised and Israel Dagg returns to Super Rugby. [one_half last=”no”] Cheika Unconcerned Wallabies coach Michael Cheika is unconcerned about performance of Australian Super Rugby teams and particularly their performance against New Zealand teams. “That seems to be the consensus that our teams are well behind theirs (New Zealand’s),” said Cheika. “I think for me, I’m not looking at how a team performs. It’s their coaches’ responsibility to do that. “What I need to do is see who is going well within our teams,…

Monday’s rugby news has Pocock cited, Waratahs reeling after losing to the Rebels, New Zealand teams dominating Super Rugby and Queensland win inaugural Super Rugby U20’s competition. [one_half last=”no”] Pocock Cited Brumbies backrower David Pocock has been cited for a neck grab on Chiefs number 8 Michael Lietch in the Brumbies 48-23 loss in Canberra on Saturday night. The incident went unpunished by referee Angus Gardiner but a review from the governing body’s citing commissioner believed that the incident had met the red card threshold. Pocock will now front a judicial officer hearing where his fate will be determined. [/one_half] [one_half last=”yes”] Waratahs Reeling Waratahs…

Friday’s rugby news has Ritchie McCaw retiring, Barbarians squad for Argentina announced, Aussies react to McCaw’s retirement and Eddie Jones to become the new England coach.   [one_half last=”no”] McCaw Retires All Blacks captain Ritchie McCaw has confirmed that he will retire from rugby effective immediately. “I’m hanging up my boots having accomplished everything I could have ever dreamed about in the game,” McCaw said. “Knowing that I was able to end my career by helping the All Blacks win the Rugby World Cup final is a hugely satisfying feeling.” McCaw is now set to pursue a career in commercial helicopter piloting. “I…

Thursday’s rugby news has the passing of Jonah Lomu, Tributes for Lomu, Cheika not giving on overseas players and Australian Rugby mourns the loss of Lomu.   [one_half last=”no”] Lomu Passes Away All Blacks legend Jonah Lomu has passed away in Auckland at the age of 40. Lomu had just returned back from Dubai on his way back from the World Cup in England. Former All Blacks doctor John Mayhew confirmed Lomu had passed away due to complications with his kidneys. Lomu had a long running battle with his kidneys which forced him into early retirement.  Lomu had a life saving kidney transplant in…

Wednesday’s rugby news has the Barbarians easing the pain of Paris,  Barbarians smash Gloucester, Jones looking likely to coach England and All Blacks retain assistant coaches.   [one_half last=”no”] Barbarians to Ease Pain Wallaby captain Stephen Moore is hopeful the Barbarians match against Argentina will help ease the pain of the Paris terror attacks. “Sport is one of those vehicles where people who might be doing it tough can come out and see a different side of life and, even if it is only for an hour or two, it can help,” he said. “If there is an opportunity for people to do…

Tuesday’s rugby news has Cheika not interested in coaching England,  Ed Jenkins relieved, Reds to resist playing Brad Thorn and Wasps smash Leinster.   [one_half last=”no”] Cheika Staying Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has asserted that he is committed to Australian rugby and has no interest in coaching England. Cheika is currently back in the UK to coach the Barbarians who will play Argentina and Gloucester this week. “No-one from England Rugby has contacted me and they know they can’t contact me because I’m committed to Australia and that’s where I want to be coaching,” he said. “I’m Australian coaching Australia. It’s like ‘the dream’.…

Monday’s rugby news has Matt Toomua going to England,  Mens Sevens team qualify for Rio Olympics, McCaw to announce playing future and All Blacks to play Ireland in the US next year.   [one_half last=”no”] Toomua to Tigers Wallaby Matt Toomua will leave Australian Rugby at the end of 2016 after signing a three year deal with English club Leicester Tigers. French sports publication, L’Equipe, reported over the weekend that Matt Toomua would join English Premiership club Wasps as their marquee signing, however, it was revealed overnight he would be going to Leicester. Toomua is contracted to the Brumbies until the end of 2017 after resigning with the…

The Australian Rugby Union have today announced the schedule for the Wallabies 2016 Spring tour which includes a shot of completing a ‘Grand Slam’. The Wallabies will play Wales, Scotland, Ireland, England and France throughout November and December next year. The last time the Wallabies were able to defeat all four home nations of Britain was in 1984. The Wallabies came close to completing a grand slam in 2013 after they defeated Italy, Ireland, Scotland and Wales however, they fell short against England. “The Grand Slam is one of the rarest achievements in the game and has been a notoriously difficult one…

Friday’s rugby news has Genia Injured, Jones touted to take England top job, Quade’s tribute to his grandmother and Burgess not to blame for Lancaster downfall.   [one_half last=”no”] Genia Injured Will Genia has been left out of Stade Francais side to face Leicester Tigers in the European Rugby Champions Cup-opening fixture due to a knee injury. Genia reportedly sustained the injury in the World Cup semi final against Argentina. “It’s nothing serious,” said Stade Francais coach Gonzalo Quesada. “He will continue his recovery and he will be available to train with the squad from next week.” “I am a competitor – I am not here…

Thursday’s rugby news has Foley to play in Japan, Israel Folau to undergo surgery, Japan being considered for Rugby Championship expansion and Mike Brown slams England teammates.   [one_half last=”no”] Foley to Japan Wallabies flyhalf Bernard Foley has become the first player to utilise his flexible contract to play in Japan. Foley has gone to Japanese club Ricoh Black Rams before returning to the NSW Waratahs ahead of the 2016 Super Rugby season. “Flexible contracting is taken into consideration for exceptional circumstances, and I am confident that he will put his own well-being at the front of his priorities and thinking.” said Wallabies coach…

Wednesday’s rugby news has David Pocock staying in Australian rugby until at least the end of 2016, challenges for Henry Speight, USA launch a new rugby competition and the All Blacks heartwarming visit.   [one_half last=”no”] Pocock Staying in 2016 David Pocock’s manager has asserted that he is committed to the Brumbies and the Australian Rugby Union until the end of his contract in 2016. His manager also confirmed that a number of offers had been made but they were not being considered just yet. “There are a number of offers that have landed,” said manager Brian Levin Levine told Reuters. “None are being…

Tuesday’s rugby news has England chasing Michael Cheika, Aussie Sevens squad announced, French clubs chasing Pocock and Sam Burgess’ failed investment.   [one_half last=”no”] England Chasing Cheika Reports have emerged that England are chasing current Wallabies coach Michael Cheika to be the next head coach of England. RFU president and former England prop Jason Leonard have reportedly sought out Cheika about his interest in coaching England. England coach Stuart Lancaster’s position is currently under review by the RFU after his side was knocked out during the pool stages of the 2015 World Cup. Cheika was recently named coach of the year after the Wallabies made it…

Monday’s rugby news has Quade Cooper making his debut for Toulon, James Slipper to have surgery, Will Greenwood commenting on Sam Burgess’ return to Rugby League and Gatland to leave Wales after 2019.   [one_half last=”no”] Quade debuts for Toulon Quade Cooper has made his debut for Toulon as they smashed Montpellier 52-8. Toulon managed to do the job despite missing star players Bryan Habana, Matt Giteau, Drew Mitchell, Ma’a Nonu, Leigh Halfpenny, Duane Vermuelen, Paul O’Connell, Frederic Michalak and James O’Connor. Cooper set up a try for former Wallaby Lachie Turner with a no look grubber but also forced a one-handed sling pass leading to Montpellier’s…

Friday’s rugby news has Kane Douglas to undergo surgery, Sam Burgess leaves Bath, All Blacks visit the gravesite of Jerry Collins and Habana switches to Sevens.   [one_half last=”no”] Douglas Out Wallabies lock Kan Douglas is set to undergo surgery later this week after scans confirmed he ruptured his ACL during the World Cup final against New Zealand. Douglas sustained the injury 15 minutes into the match after he fell awkwardly on his knee. Douglas will continue his rehabilitation and return to play under the Queensland Reds Medical and High Performance Staff. He is expected to miss a substantial amount of the Super…

Thursday’s rugby news has Quade Cooper confirming his Toulon move, Queensland Reds sign Goromaru, Cheika calling for the Wallabies to improve and All Blacks return home.   [one_half last=”no”] Quade Confirms Toulon Move Quade Cooper has officially joined Toulon amid speculation he was going to remain with the Australian Rugby Union. Cooper’s new contract, however, includes a clause which will allow him to play for the Australian Sevens team if he is called up for next year’s Olympics. “If he (Cooper) is called he will be immediately freed,” said Toulon owner Mourad Boudjellal. “He knew how excited I was about coming to Toulon and representing my country at…

Wednesday’s rugby news has Quade Cooper still on Cheika’s radar, Folau staying put, Sam Burgess returns to Bath training and Heyneke Meyer under pressure.   [one_half last=”no”] Quade Still on Radar Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has expressed a desire to keep Quade Cooper playing for Australia despite his likely move to Toulon. “You can’t be playing with that type of stuff, that’s not what it’s designed for,” Cheika said when asked if Cooper’s Test target had been a factor at the selection table. “But we’ll be doing everything we can to keep Quade playing in Australia. I want him to be playing here.…

Tuesday’s rugby news has Michael Cheika awarded coach of the year, Folau uncertain about playing in the next World Cup, Cheika commenting on Dan Carter’s “lay down” and Dan Carter’s right footed kick.   [one_half last=”no”] Cheika Coach of the Year Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has been awarded coach of the year at the World Rugby Awards in London. Cheika claimed the award over World Cup winning coach Steve Hansen and became the first Wallabies coach to win the award since Rod Macqueen in 2001. In other awards, Dan Carter was named player of the year, Nehe Milner-Skudder was named World Rugby’s breakthrough player…

Monday’s rugby news has the All Blacks winning the Rugby World Cup, Wallabies disappointed, South Africa claim 3rd position and Sonny Bill Williams hands off his World Cup medal.   [one_half last=”no”] All Blacks Win WC The All Blacks have become the first team to successfully defend a World Cup and the first team to have won three Rugby World Cups after they defeated the Wallabies 34-17 at Twickenham. The Wallabies trailed by 21-3 but fought their way back to 21-17 before a Dan Carter masterclass brought home the All Blacks for a 17 point win. All Blacks captain Ritchie McCaw was extremely proud…