Author: Hugh Adams

Friday’s rugby news has Scott Sio returning to the starting side, Pocock criticising Abbott, All Blacks name team and Sam Burgess a step closer to returning to the NRL.   [one_half last=”no”] Sio Returns Wallaby prop Scott Sio has been named in the starting team to face the All Blacks in the World Cup final this weekend. The inclusion of Sio is a huge boost for the Wallabies scrum which struggled at times against Argentina. Meanwhile, Cheika has backed Israel Folau at fullback despite his questionable fitness and form. Team: Israel Folau, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Tevita Kuridrani, Matt Giteau, Drew Mitchell, Bernard Foley, Will…

Thursday’s rugby news has Matt Giteau’s financial sacrifice, Eddie Jones tipping an All Black win, Prince Harry to present the World Cup and Victor Matfield to skipper Springboks in his last test.   [one_half last=”no”] Giteau’s Sacrifice The amount of money that Matt Giteau and Drew Mitchell have left behind to play for the Wallabies again has been revealed. Matt Giteau has sacrificed $250 000 whilst Drew Mitchell has sacrificed $150 000 after their payments from their French club side Toulon stopped 14 weeks ago. It is understood each player has made approximately $100 000 in match payments since then but it is…

Wednesday’s rugby news has Bill Pulver keen to keep coaching team together, Cheika defending Folau, Scott Sio returning to training and De Villiers signs with Tigers.   [one_half last=”no”] Pulver to Keep Coaches ARU CEO Bill Pulver is keen to keep Michael Cheika’s coaching team together after the World Cup to steer the Wallabies into a new successful era. Defence coach Nathan Grey is going back to the Waratahs next season and Stephen Larkham will return as coach of the Brumbies, undecided about remaining with the Wallabies.  Meanwhile, scrum coach Mario Ledesma is off contract. “My sense is this combination has worked incredibly…

Tuesday’s rugby news has Michael Cheika not satisfied by runners up, ARU betting on Wallabies, no regrets for Lobbe and McCaw cleared.   [one_half last=”no”] Cheika unsatisfied with Final Spot Wallabies coach Michael Cheika says that he will not be satisfied with the runner up position if Australia lose to the All Blacks this weekend. “That means we came here just happy to be in the final, that’s the thing,” he said. “If you want to be happy with just (that and say), ‘Yeah okay that’s good,’ and we can go home and everyone will pat you on the back and say well…

Monday’s rugby news has Wallabies into the World Cup final, Cheika looking to All Blacks, Argentina content with their tactics and McCaw’s alleged elbowing incident.   [one_half last=”no”] Wallabies into Final The Wallabies have set up a final with the All Blacks after defeating Argentina 15-29. Adam Ashley-Cooper scored a hat-trick in front of 80, 025 fans at Twickenham. “I think what we did we let the game become open which suited them,” coach Michael Cheika said. “I am really happy with the lads defence, Argentina put a big score on Ireland last week and we had to work hard to stop them from scoring a…

Friday’s rugby news has Wallabies trio still in doubt, Foley defending Slipper’s intercept pass, Kelly Slater to visit the Wallabies and All Blacks announce team for semi final.   [one_half last=”no”] Trio Still in Doubt Wallabies trio David Pocock, Israel Folau and Scott Sio are all still in doubt to play Argentina after failing to complete a training session. Pocock (calf strain) sat out training and rode an exercise bike instead, while Folau ran for a short while but was unable to complete the training as he iced his injured ankle again. Sio (elbow) also participated briefly but appears most likely out of the three…

Thursday’s rugby news has Wallabies taking lessons from Scotland game, Genia calling for defence to improve, South Africa name side and Christian Cullen talking up the All Blacks.   [one_half last=”no”] Wallabies learn from Scotland Wallabies assistant coach Stephen Larkham has said that the team has learnt from the mistakes they made against Scotland.  James Slipper was left devastated after throwing an intercept pass in the 73rd minute which put Scotland in the lead. “He thought he’d lost it for us. That’s what happens in games, you make mistakes,” Larkham said. “We had the review this morning but I didn’t bring the clip…

Wednesday’s rugby news has Scott Sio’s injury revealed, Cheika taking ownership over his team’s performance, Cheika standing up for Joubert and Barbarians team announced.   [one_half last=”no”] Sio Injury Revealed Wallabies prop Scott Sio has suffered a haematoma on his Elbow and is a possibility to play this weekend. “He’s got a massive haematoma on his elbow, he’s got no range at all,” Cheika said. “The haematoma will go down and that will give him more range. It will all be about has there been damage done to his elbow and will he be able to perform his job.” Meanwhile, Israel Folau and…

It has been announced this morning that World Rugby has admitted that Craig Joubert got the last penalty decision wrong in the Scots match against Australia.  The Scots were livid with the decision and their blood is now boiling after it was confirmed that it should not have been a penalty.  Here’s why they shouldn’t be angry. Wallabies Played all the Rugby Yes, Scotland were up for the challenge but they didn’t have much attacking flair.  As highlighted in depth by Brian Smith in his article, the Wallabies were effective and Scotland pounced on the Wallabies mistakes but didn’t do…

Queensland Country have defeated the New South Wales Country Eagles 16-24 in wet and rainy conditions in Newcastle. First Half The match started as an arm wrestle but the opening score came after 10 minutes when a fortunate cross field kick saw Maclean Jones go over.  Dion Taumata handled the wind with his conversion to put Queensland Country ahead by 8 points. A break in the midfield by Mitch Short saw the Eagles go hot on attack.  Queensland Country held them out but couldn’t stop Dave Faeo from 1 metre.  Jono Lance converted to tie the score up at 8-8. A few half…

This page will be updated with all the latest action from tonight’s John Eales Medal. John Eales has arrived! Who will take home the John Eales Medal tonight? #JEM2015pic.twitter.com/bYRNeHzU4T — Wallabies (@Wallabies) August 27, 2015 To kick off the night John “Jock” Blackwood, Cyril Burke & Tim Horan were all inducted into the Wallaby Hall of Fame. Andrew Ellem from the Gosford Rugby Club is named volunteer of the year. Anthony Moyes is awarded the Roger Vanderfield Referee of the Year. Michael Gunn is named Australian U20s Player of the Year. Ted Vinson from Charters Towers Bulls is awarded the Asteron Life Community Coach of the…

Friday’s rugby news has Cheika changes up side, Wallabies fought not to play Wales in Cardiff, Shute Shield final to be broadcast on Channel 7 and Wales cut big names from World Cup squad.  [one_half last=”no”] Cheika Makes Changes Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has made several changes to the starting side to face the All Blacks this weekend. Quade Cooper will start at five-eight, Wycliff Palu goes to number 8 and Henry Speight will move onto the wing. “We know this week will be another huge challenge for the team and our biggest test to date, and we need to improve again…

Thursday’s rugby news has Stephen Moore staying grounded, no golf clubs for Cheika, All Blacks make changes and New Zealand to build an All Black themed tourist attraction.  [one_half last=”no”] Moore Staying Grounded Wallabies captain Stephen Moore is not getting carried away with the hype as the Wallabies take on the All Blacks in the Bledisloe decider this weekend. “There’s obviously a lot positivity around the win on the weekend and we want our supporters … people on the street to be happy about it,” Moore said. “That’s a real positive for the game in Australia, but that can’t cross over into our thinking…

Wednesday’s rugby news has Matt Toomua looking to start, Guildford reconsidering Waratahs deal, Dean Mumm wary of Eden Park and Changes set for the Wallabies.  [one_half last=”no”] Toomua Looking to Start After a strong performance off the bench last weekend, Matt Toomua is looking to start this weekend against the All Blacks at Eden Park. “I never thought I’d be someone who comes on and tries to change a game,” said Toomua, who has come off the bench in two of Australia’s three Tests this year. “I’m not used to coming on and bringing a bit of spark because usually I always…

Tuesday’s rugby news has Wallabies focusing on lineouts, Samu Kerevi and Dave Dennis join the Wallabies squad, New Zealand media slam the All Blacks and Ireland move to second in the World Rankings.  [one_half last=”no”] Wallabies to Focus on Lineout Wallabies flanker Scott Fardy has said the Wallabies will work to improve their lineout before the Bledisloe decider this weekend at Eden Park. The All Blacks won three turnovers from the Wallabies lineout in Sydney. “There was a couple of lost balls which was a bit disappointing, but we’ll go back and look at that,” Fardy said. “We’ve got to make sure we…

Monday’s rugby news has Cheika keeping a lid on excitement, Steve Hansen confident the All Blacks will win at Eden Park, Pumas shock South Africa and Sonny Bill Williams in doubt for Bledisloe II.  [one_half last=”no”] Nothing Special Yet: Cheika Michael Cheika is attempting to keep a lid on the excitement after the Wallabies defeated New Zealand. Cheika said that the real challenge begins now as the Wallabies take on the All Blacks at Eden Park where they were smashed 50-21 last year. “You might think we are a bit down but the reality is we have only beaten New Zealand once in a long…

The Wallabies have defeated the All Blacks 27-19 in Sydney to win the Rugby Championship and to set up a decider for the Bledisloe Cup next week. The Match The match began with an uncharacteristic drop ball by the All Blacks off the kick off which gave the Wallabies an early opportunity to attack. The All Blacks did not take long to make an impact after they made a big break down the right hand side through Nehe Milner-Skudder.  The All Blacks were then awarded a penalty which was taken quickly by Aaron Smith.  Sekope Kepu was yellow carded for tackling…

Friday’s rugby news has Michael Hooper and David Pocock starting for the Wallabies, New Zealand to exploit Wallabies weaknesses, Matt Giteau to handle Sonny Bill Williams and Stephen Moore praises Dean Mumm.  [one_half last=”no”] Hooper, Pocock to Start Michael Hooper and David Pocock have both been named to start for the Wallabies for their match against the All Blacks.  Pocock will start at Number 8 whilst Hooper will start at openside flanker. “Both players have been in outstanding form for club and country this season and have shown their class in sharing the spot in the first two matches,” Wallabies coach Michael Cheika…

Thursday’s rugby news has Will Skelton ready for All Blacks challenge, Aussies named in World XV, All Blacks preparing for Hooper and Pocock and Jean De Villiers to return to test rugby.  [one_half last=”no”] Skelton Ready Wallaby lock Will Skelton is ready for the challenge of playing the All Blacks in Sydney and says the Wallabies will have to be on top of their game to have any chance of beating them. “We try and build our game around physicality and having a power game through the forwards and being creative in the backs,” he said. “Always when you play the All…

Wednesday’s rugby news has Daryl Gibson calling for physicality against the All Blacks, James Slipper confident about the Wallabies scrum, Melbourne Rebels sign Reece Hodge and Fiji win Pacific Nations Cup.  [one_half last=”no”] Physicality Key: Gibson Waratahs coach and former All Black Daryl Gibson has said that the Wallabies must by physical against the All Blacks this weekend if they are any chance of beating them. “I think the South Africans showed some of the All Blacks’ vulnerabilities around being very physical and stopping their go forward,” Gibson said. “We know that the All Blacks are very good with ball in hand,…