Author: Hugh Adams

Tuesday’s rugby news has Rob Simmons ruled out, Brumbies to sign Argentinian halfback, Sevens star moves to League and Dan Carter pumper for the All Blacks clash with the Wallabies.  [one_half last=”no”] Simmons Ruled Out Wallabies lock Rob Simmons has been ruled out of both tests with the All Blacks after suffering a scaphoid injury against Argentina. Simmons will undergo surgery and is expected to make a full recovery before the Wallabies play the USA. “Obviously we’re all disappointed to lose Rob,” said Wallabies coach Michael Cheika. “However, we’re confident he will make a full recovery ahead of Rugby World Cup.”   “We’ve…

Monday’s rugby news has the Super Rugby awards, Michael Hooper cleared to play, Lachie Turner signing with Toulon and All Blacks announce their squad for the Bledisloe Cup.  [one_half last=”no”] Super Rugby Players Awarded David Pocock, Michael Hooper and Liam Gill were amongst the players who received awards at their club’s presentation night’s over the weekend. David Pocock picked up three awards after he was named the Brett Robinson’s Players’ Player, along with Best Forward and fan’s choice, the Stallion of the Year. Gill was awarded the Stan Pilecki Medal for players’ player of the year whilst Sean McMahon has been named…

Friday’s rugby news has Michael Hooper free to play in the Bledisloe Cup, Quade Cooper unwanted by his club side, Albert Anae joins the Brumbies and England presented social media guidelines.  [one_half last=”no”] Hooper Free for Bledisloe Michael Hooper has been suspended for one week but will be available to play the All Blacks on August 8. Hooper will serve his suspension for Manly in their quarter-final against Randwick on Saturday after the Wallabies flanker was named on the bench for Manly earlier this week. “He hasn’t been cleared, he has been found guilty and I know that Michael from the moment he…

Thursday’s rugby news has Michael Hooper’s hearing adjourned, Western Force sign Peter Grant, Queensland Reds sign youngsters for 2016 and some injured Springboks to return.  [one_half last=”no”] Hooper’s Hearing Adjourned Michael Hooper’s hearing has been adjourned after three hours.  Hooper will now have to wait until Thursday afternoon for a result. A reason was not given for the adjournment but in the case of Henry Speight it was to determine the suspension based on Speight’s playing schedule. The Wallabies were confident earlier in the week that Hooper would escape suspension. If Hooper is found guilty, he would not able to claim a Shute…

Wednesday’s rugby news has Cheika slamming Toulon owner Mourad Boudjellal, Waratahs to sign Zac Guildford, Pocock eyeing off Bledisloe challenge and Rob Simmons plays down injury.  [one_half last=”no”] Cheika Slams Boudjellal Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has responded to Toulon owner Mourad Boudjellal claim that Quade Cooper will be as broke as Greece if he backs out of his contract with Toulon. “I don’t think it’s necessary to have that type of language,” Cheika said. “(I’m told) he said they’re going to be as broke as Greece. Well, I don’t think that’s an issue to be joking about, to be honest. There’s a lot of people…

Tuesday’s rugby news has the 2016 Rugby Championship schedule released, Michael Cheika supporting Quade Cooper, marquee players announced for NRC and Toulon sign Sireli Bobo.  [one_half last=”no”] Wallabies Release Schedule The ARU have announced the schedule for the home games of The Rugby Championship next year. In 2016 the Wallabies will play the All Blacks in Sydney, the Springboks in Brisbane and then the Puma’s in Perth. nib Stadium will also host the Wallabies match against South Africa in the 2017 Rugby Championship. “nib Stadium is a wonderful venue for Rugby and certainly delivers a fantastic atmosphere when the ‘Sea of Blue’ fill…

The Australian Rugby Union have announced the marquee player alignments for the 2015 NRC. Rob Clarke, General Manager – Professional Rugby, said: “Everybody involved in Australian Rugby cannot wait until the second Buildcorp National Rugby Championship gets underway. The announcement of the allocation of our star Wallabies players to clubs in the NRC whets the appetite still further. “Last year, without the NRC, Quade Cooper may well not have had the game-time to impress the Wallabies’ management ahead of the 2014 Spring Tour had it not been for his starring role playing for Brisbane City in the competition. This gives a…

Monday’s rugby news has the Wallabies sitting on top of the Rugby Championship ladder, Cheika saying All Blacks are still on top, Quade Cooper’s twitter tirade and All Blacks steal win.  [one_half last=”no”] Wallabies Top Table The Wallabies currently sit on top of the Rugby Championship ladder after defeating Argentina in Mendoza with a bonus point. The All Blacks and Wallabies both sit on 9 points but the Wallabies are ahead by one point on points differential. Two quick tries in the last three minutes from Adam Ashley-Cooper and Tevita Kuridrani pushed the score out to 34-9. Dean Mumm also marked his test…

Friday’s rugby news has Henry Speight re-signing, ARU unfazed by by Toulon’s threat to sue, Bernard Foley to start at five-eight and Lima Sopoaga and James Broadhurst to make their debut for the All Blacks.  [one_half last=”no”] Speight Re-signs Wallabies winger Henry Speight has signed a three year extension with the ARU with the hope of playing Sevens and Super Rugby next year. Under the terms of the contract, Speight will be available for the Sydney Sevens  on February 6-7 and also the Hong Kong and London legs of the World Rugby Sevens series in April and May respectively. Speight would return to…

Thursday’s rugby news has the Reds looking for a new coach, Toulon owner threatens to sue the ARU, Rebels sign Irish prop and Heinrich Brussow returns for South Africa.  [one_half last=”no”] Reds Looking for Coach The Queensland Reds will advertise the position of head coach following a poor Super Rugby season. A two-month high performance review also recommended that a high performance general manager should be appointed to sit above the head coach and an attack and defence coach should also be advertised. Richard Graham intends to reapply for the role of head coach. “I’m fully across the review findings and intend to be part of the…

Wednesday’s rugby news has the Reds searching for a five eight, Rebels sign Culum Retallick, Wallabies move to 5th on the World rankings and positional change for Burgess.  [one_half last=”no”] Reds search for a 10 It is understood that the Queensland Reds have begun their search for an experienced five-eight following the departure of Quade Cooper and their marquee signing Adam Thomson. Queenslander Jake McIntyre showed promise this year but may still need time to grow into the role. French international Frederic Michalak is being viewed as a potential option having played Super Rugby with the Sharks in 2008, 2011-2012.  He also…

Tuesday’s rugby news has Matt Giteau ruled out, Adam Thomson leaves the Reds, playing Hooper and Pocock together is no risk and Clever released by USA Eagles.  [one_half last=”no”] Giteau Ruled Out Matt Giteau has been ruled out of the Wallabies match against Argentina with a sternum injury. Christian Lealiifano will take his place in the squad which flew to Argentina on Monday morning. “I know how desperate Matthew was to play and continue to contribute to this group over the next week, his leadership and presence off the field will be missed,” said Wallabies coach Michael Cheika. “He’s one of the…

Monday’s rugby news has the All Blacks and Wallabies winning the opening matches of the Rugby Championship, Will Genia and Rob Horne injured, Quade Cooper to stay in Australia and All Blacks drop big names for South African tour.  [one_half last=”no”] Wallabies, All Blacks Win Both the Wallabies and the All Blacks have opened their Rugby Championship campaigns with a win after defeating South Africa and Argentina respectively. The All Blacks defeated the Puma’s in Christchurch with a four try bonus point winning 39-18 whilst the Wallabies came from behind to steal the win from the Springboks 24-20 in Brisbane. Despite the…

Friday’s rugby news has Graham Henry saying Michael Cheika got selections right, Michael Cheika pleased with the Wallabies preparation, Larkham saying Pocock and Hooper can play together and Ruan Pienaar warns Matt Giteau and Drew Mitchell.  [one_half last=”no”] Cheika Got it Right: Henry Former All Blacks coach Graham Henry has said Michael Cheika has made the right decision in choosing Quade Cooper to start at five-eight for the Wallabies. “Quade always had the ability to play on the game line and put players through holes. I haven’t seen him play for a while but I think they were a very good combination at…

Thursday’s rugby news has Will Skelton re-signing, Genia and Cooper to start, South Africa name their side to take on the Wallabies and Waisake Naholo to start for the All Blacks.  [one_half last=”no”] Skelton Re-signs Wallabies and Waratahs lock Will Skelton has re-signed with the Australian Rugby Union and the Waratahs until the end of 2017. The 22 year old already has 8 test caps and 39 Super Rugby caps which he hopes to add to. “I’ve been blessed to have had an opportunity to play for the Wallabies and to win a Super Rugby title, but I still feel I have…

Wednesday’s rugby news has Hooper wanting to start with Pocock, Folau praises Giteau, Wallabies forming their identity and Concern over Victor Matfield.  [one_half last=”no”] Hooper Wants to Start With Pocock Michael Hooper has expressed a desire to start alongside David Pocock in this weekend’s clash against the Springboks. There has been a lot of debate surrounding who will start in the number seven jersey and whether the Wallabies lineout can afford to have both Hooper and Pocock starting together. “I don’t see why not,” Hooper said. “[I] really enjoy playing with David – the times a couple of years ago when we…

Tuesday’s rugby news has Quade’s future still uncertain, the ARU awarded a $1.7 million grant, Duane Vermeulen to be ready for the World Cup and Sonny Bill Williams praises Sam Burgess.  [one_half last=”no”] Quade’s Future Uncertain Quade Cooper’s future is still a mystery after he told reporters on Monday that he was solely focused on the Wallabies at the moment. “I’m very focused on the Wallabies right now,” Cooper said. “The future is the future and the past is the past. The preparation for this week is all I’m going to focus on – getting out there, doing the right thing, contributing…

Monday’s rugby news has Ben McCalman awarded the Nathan Sharpe medal, the ARU open to a Pacific test, South Africa hammer the World XV and the Maori All Blacks defeat Fiji.  [one_half last=”no”] McCalman Awarded Medal Western Force backrower Ben McCalman has been awarded the Nathan Sharpe medal for 2015 for his outstanding season with the Force this year. McCalman was also awarded the Geoff Stooke Award for a second successive season for his efforts both on and off the field. The Western Force’s team of the decade was also revealed as apart of their 10 year celebration. Team of the Decade: Pek…

Friday’s rugby news has Wallabies squad to be cut, Genia to backflip of French deal, Pocock saying the Wallabies should playing the Pacific and Hansen warning players need to perform.  [one_half last=”no”] Wallabies Squad to be Cut Members of the Wallabies squad are still unclear as to who will make the final squad when Michael Cheika cuts the squad down from 40 to 30 players today. “It’s very unclear what the final make-up will be,” said Ben McCalman. “I’m sure Cheik and the coaches have some ideas but it’s just [about] competing hard at the moment. They’re certainly giving nothing away but I guess…

Thursday’s rugby news has Nathan Grey saying South Africa will be tough, a big compensation fee for Kane Douglas, Wallaroos squad announced and All Blacks scrape past Samoa.  [one_half last=”no”] SA Will Be Tough: Grey Wallabies assistant coach Nathan Grey has said that South Africa will still be a tough opposition despite the poor performances of South African teams during the Super Rugby season. “History clearly shows that Super Rugby form is important and it assists in your national side’s preparations,” Grey said. “But it’s certainly not a clear indicator of how they’re going to go. “To say (South Africa) didn’t…