Author: The Masked Avenger
At the end of a week full of squad announcements, prosecutions and appeals, the Hansen and Jones show and Rugby Australia facepalms, our attention turns to the last test and touring XV matches before the World Cup. FOR YOUR LATE-NIGHT VIEWING PLEASURE England v FijiTwickenham, LondonSaturday, 26 August – 15:15 in England, 00:15 (Sunday) AESTReferee: Jaco Peyper Scotland v GeorgiaMurrayfield, EdinburghSaturday, 26 August – 17:30 in Scotland, 02:30 (Sunday) AESTReferee: Christophe Ridley Italy v JapanStadio Comunale di Monigo, TrevisoSaturday, 26 August – 18:30 in Italy, 02:30 (Sunday) AESTReferee: Karl Dickson Portugal v Australia AStade Jules Ladoumegue, MassySaturday, 26 August –…
Get that plane in the air, captain – before the wheels fall off. MAN OVERBOARD The Wallabies’ departure for France on Thursday was overshadowed in the news by the departure for England (or possibly Queensland) of attack coach Brad Davis. According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Davis needs to return to England to attend to personal matters, with Eddie Jones left “desperately searching” for a replacement. On the other hand, PlanetRugby reports Jones as saying “There’s a potential candidate ready to step up so I think we’ll improve the coaching staff.” Doesn’t that sound Trumpian? We had this guy, he’s…
I didn’t see that coming. Wallabies coach Eddie Jones has announced his 33 man squad for the 2023 Rugby World Cup tournament: Props: Angus Bell (23 Tests), Pone Fa’amausili (5), Zane Nonggorr (2), Blake Schoupp (0), James Slipper (131), Taniela Tupou (48) Hookers: Matt Faessler (1), David Porecki (14), Jordan Uelese (18) Locks: Richie Arnold (4), Nick Frost (12), Matt Philip (28), Will Skelton (c) (28) Back Row: Langi Gleeson (3), Tom Hooper (3), Rob Leota (16), Fraser McReight (12), Rob Valetini (34) Halfbacks: Issak Fines-Leleiwasa (0), Tate McDermott (vc) (25), Nic White (63) Five-eighth: Carter Gordon (4) Centres: Lalakai…
Friday again, gang. Let’s get into it. IT’S NOT CHILD’S PLAY The top priority today is to acknowledge the untiring enthusiasm and contribution of my colleague Charlie Mackay, who kept this machine running for a few weeks while G&GR’s tech boffins (that is, some third world kiddies who administer the site with an old Motorola RAZR for the equivalent of 40 cents a month) tried to refresh the 2009-era WordPress installation and issue logins to the new volunteers. On behalf of the current news team, and I hope all G&GR regular readers, I say ‘thank you’ to Chucky for carrying…