Author: Lee Grant

The Aussies won their second game in the World Under 20 Championships in Parma Italy, by beating the local side 31-15 and earning a four-try bonus point in the process. It was an evening game, but muggy, and the handling of a wet ball compromised both sides, often at key moments. First half After an Italy penalty goal ricocheted of the post, the ball was knocked on by the young Aussies; but the second attempt from the scrum penalty was successful. Italy 3-0. Italy was getting into strong positions early at the breakdown to earn the favour of the referee…

The Waratahs’ season will be on the line when they play the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Saturday night. They have to stay ahead of the Brumbies in the Australian Conference and whatever that team does in the last two games, the Tahs have to do also—at least. The Waratahs are level on season points with the Brumbies, but are ahead of them in the standings because of a count back—the number of games won. The Brumbies are on the same step of the ladder because they have scored four more bonus points than the Sydney mob. And a mob is…

Combined High Schools played  Combined Associated Schools in a NSW Schools trial at Cranbrook yesterday and shocked them by winning the main game. CAS surrendered a 14-0 lead and CHS, who could not earn a point in their dominant opening period, won the match when they scored 26 unanswered points and held on. Earlier the CAS beat CHS in the 2nd XV match. Rod Skellet reports on the contests. Ist XV –   CHS 31 – CAS 26 The size of the run-on teams looked evenly matched in the forwards but with the fitness and athleticism in favour…

. Australia opened their campaign in the World Rugby Under 20 Championship with an indifferent 34-22 win against a feisty Samoan side in Parma, Italy. The game was in the balance with six minutes to go and Australia just five points to the good; but when winger and captain Andrew Kellaway got his first chance in space he took it to clinch the game and earn a bonus point for his country. First Half Australia got in a handy position after a cracking run from fullback Jonah Placid, and when Samoa infringed flyhalf Andrew Deegan was in a good spot…

The first round of the 2015 NSW GPS competition started yesterday on a dull day with rain sprinkles at some grounds. The bookies had last year’s undefeated champions, Scots, in the pole position, although Kings’ beat them in their last trial game to give hope to the other teams. Newington caused some cheek also, overcoming Riverview in their last trial, and Joeys was rampant against Shore. But they were trial matches; the first round would give the best indication of where the teams were at. Joeys v Riverview Riverview had the wood on Joeys beating them in both games…

Round 5 of the CAS competition was held yesterday and at the halfway mark before the break, teams sorted themselves out.   In the process there was a thriller at Trinity and nobody could guess the result until the final whistle after a long injury time. Knox v Cranbrook     .by “Elfster” On a cold day the current competition leaders Knox hosted last year champions Cranbrook. However this year sees Cranbrook winless whilst Knox is undefeated. Cranbrook’s season has been marred by injury and bad luck. Knox also have injury issues and have not been playing as well…

The much-awaited 2015 GPS season is about to start. Fearless new “Green and Gold Rugby” writer “George Grant” tells us what to expect from the teams this year and rates the contenders. Tell him what you think of his predictions in “Discussion” below.   by “George Grant” After a blockbuster 2014 GPS First XV season, the 2015 edition that begins on May 30th has a lot to live up to. Many former Year 11 First XV players have returned to their respective schools to try to win the most prestigious schoolboy competition. The Scots and Joeys current Year 12…

The Australian Under 20s had their last hit-out at Chatswood Oval in Sydney last night out before traveling to the World Under 20s Championship to be held in Italy next month. In wet conditions they played an Australian Barbarians team of senior players from regional NSW and club sides from Sydney, Canberra and Queensland. First Half After a willing five minutes flyhalf Andrew Deegan got the Under 20s close to the 5-metre line with a scrum penalty kick. From the lineout 7 Michael Gunn took the ball and, running as he landed, got over the line to score. Deegan converted…

As the CAS competition settled into its third week there were some changes of form and some scorelines were unexpected. Aloys v Barker by “rod skellet” There were perfect ground conditions for this intriguing CAS Round 3 match. Both sides had a win and a loss from their opening games; so there was plenty at stake in this 1st XV clash. First Half The run-on teams looked fairly matched with the exception of the Aloys no 11 (Alex Diamond) who was, without doubt, the biggest unit on the field. The question posed by both Aloys and Barker parents in…

Two teams had thrashed opponents in Round 1 and would meet at Death Valley.  Two other teams were looking to open their account at Barker, and St. Aloysius wanted a repeat win when they travelled to Trinity. Knox v Waverley by “Elfster” The two dominant sides from Round 1 of the CAS competition met at Waverley for a game that many thought would reveal the winner of the 2015 Plume Shield. Waverley always provide stiff competition at Queen’s Park and Knox would remember the same game last year in which Waverley pulled off a surprising and memorable victory over Knox…

A lethal New Zealand Under 20 team threatened to thrash the young Aussies in the first half but the home team was able to hold their own after the break and return a more respectable score. Both teams were undefeated and the winner would win the inaugural Oceania Junior Rugby Championship. First Half The first quarter hour was like an album of greatest hits as both teams bashed each other with good line speed on attack or defence, as though they had a joy of contact. The Aussies took the lead when 10 Andrew Deegan kicked an early penalty goal.…

The Australian Under 20s struggled against an impressive Japan side in the Oceania Rugby Junior Championship at at Bond University yesterday. The lead changed eight times before some timely replacements turned the tide. First Half Captain of the day and flyhalf, James Dalgleish opened the scoring with a penalty but Japan started a series of pick and goes and they crept up the field like robust ants and threatened the Aussie goal line. When they were held up the bigger locals would have fancied themselves in the scrum but as they showed several times later. the visitors had their measure…

The first round of the 2015 Combined Associated Schools competition started yesterday with some heavy weather and ground conditions. Knox v Barker by “Elfster” “Miserable” would be understating the the weather conditions in the of first round of the 2015 CAS competition. At Wahroonga Knox hosted Barker amidst driving rain and a constant, strong breeze. It was also Gala Day at Knox and those festivities added some light and colour to the gloom. A good and spirited crowd had turned up and made for a decent atmosphere. Knox were favourites not only for the game, but also for…

Two French teams locked horns in the European Rugby Champions Cup Final held, ironically, at Twickenham in England. Toulon were aiming to be the first team to win the trophy for the third year in a row. Clermont had never won the Championship and were known as the chokers. They wanted it so badly that they had been resting their good players for the semi and final—and lost three club games on the trot. Toulon 24 – Clermont 18 Clermont also lost flyhalf Brock James in the warm-up but his replacement, France no. 10 Camille Lopez, was no slouch. The…

The Australian Under 20s started the Oceania Rugby Junior Championship with a 33-10 win against Samoa at Bond University today. After being impressive in parts in the first half they petered out after the break. First Half Australia took a scrum option for a penalty close to the Samoan line and when they dominated it, big no.8 Lolo Fakaosilea bashed his way over the line to score. Although 10 Andrew Deegan hit the upright with the conversion, he kicked a penalty goal from 42 metes soon afterwards for the Aussies to lead 8-0 at ten minutes. Lock Ned Hanigan took…

In a match where the Western Force had to have everything go their way, they were rocked when scrumhalf Ian Prior received a red card in the 29th minute. They fought bravely in a stirring comeback but it was a bridge too far. Chiefs 35 – Western Force 27 The Chiefs chose this game to rest several of their All Blacks, as prescribed by the NZRFU. The Force were heading to equal their worst-ever run of nine losses in a row, but they had high hopes of an upset because their iconic captain, Matt Hodgson, was returning from injury.…

The Semi-Finals of the European Rugby Champions Cup were held on the weekend. Two French teams remained in the hunt and for both they were virtual home games. Clermont played Saracens in the nearby football city of St. Etienne, and Toulon played Leinster in Marseilles, where they sometimes play important fixtures. Clermont 13 – Saracens 9 Clermont had been thrashed by Saracens at Twickenham in the same fixture in 2014 but they got their revenge with a masterful stroke after half-time. Saracens were in good form after dominating Leicester the week before, whereas Clermont rested their best players against…

The Waratahs got some of their mojo back in Wellington today by prevailing over the previously unbeaten Hurricanes 29-24 in a top game of rugby. The score was tied at half-time but the visitors took their chances better after the break and won the game with the Hurricanes struggling to get out of their own half at the end to score a converted try to win. Waratahs 29 – Hurricanes 24 The Waratahs were desperate for an away win to keep in touch with the Brumbies in the Australian Conference, but the Chiefs and Highlanders were on the trail of…

  The Stormers arrived in Sydney without their skipper and no. 8 Duane Vermeulen who is taking one of the rest periods ordered by the South African Rugby Union in a Rugby World Cup year. The Stormers scheduled this but they didn’t plan to lose three games in a row to Kiwi teams after starting with four wins. They would like to have him running on at Allianz Stadium on Saturday night but he will be watching at home eating his cornflakes.  Duane Vermeulen – will be eating cornflakes             . View image | gettyimages.com The Waratahs were obliged by…

The Quarter-Finals of the European Rugby Championsip Cup were held on the weekend with teams from England (4), France (3) and Ireland in the hunt to advance to the Semi-Finals. Leinster 18 – Bath 15. Leinster had a fine record “in Europe” winning three times in the last six seasons, but they were not tracking well in the Pro12. Bath were lucky to be in the Quarters at all after losing the first two pool games, but they won the remaining four. First half Bath’s discipline was poor in the first half and 12 Ian Madigan took points…