Author: Myles Stedman

The British & Irish Lions stunned the world last Saturday, when they pulled off a 24-21 defeat of the world champions New Zealand in Wellington.  The victory saw the All Blacks’ immense home winning streak snapped – a streak which stretched all the way back to 2009. They now have the originally unfathomable opportunity to claim just the second series win for the Lions in NZ, after the first one came 46 years ago in 1971.  They’ll have to act as streak-busters again though, as the ABs haven’t lost in Auckland since 1994. Whilst this group is young, Steve Hansen’s…

Six months through 2017, and we’re around the halfway mark of the World Cup cycle. Some countries have fared better than others in their preparation, but there are still plenty of moons left for those lagging behind (Australia, we’re looking at you.)  As it to be expected, New Zealand is performing about as well as we thought they would. In fact, they’re probably performing better. As mentioned, halfway through the cycle, areas of the field should start to become a little clearer when thinking about Japan 2019. Could it be that the All Blacks have already found their midfield pairing…

“People care. It matters. It’s something that rugby’s been missing.” With these words, Warringah lock Cameron Treloar summed up the state of the landscape of Australian rugby in 2017, where, against all the odds, club rugby may have sensationally found it’s way to the top of the footy pyramid once again. 10-15 years ago, with Super Rugby enjoying it’s “golden age”, club rugby was thought almost superfluous to requirements in the setting of Aussie rugby. The vaunted Australian Rugby Championship was just around the corner, with ARU Chief Executive Gary Flowers believing the competition was necessary to keep pace with…

The Wallabies squad for the June test window was released this week, with one or two questionable inclusions gaining entry over a couple of notable omissions.  Ultimately, it was a very “Cheika” squad, geared highly towards attack, but still generally pleasing most in the highly disgruntled Australian rugby community. Either way, as we always do, let’s pick some holes in this baby. Who is checking their mailbox assuming their letter from Hogwarts is still on the way, and who was every so slightly lucky to be selected? The Unlucky Matt Philip Goodness gracious, as if we hadn’t whacked the poor…

After some odd stalling from World Rugby, the Rugby World Cup draw is out, and not a minute too soon. We are now a full two (2) years away from the next World Cup. Just made it in time. However, it was worth the unacceptably long wait. Each pool has its’ own integral intrigue to it, which should produce plenty of storylines from now until the World Cup, and beyond. The pools are as pictured below. Although we are two years out from the RWC, and with only a vague idea of what the rugbysphere may look like in…

Okay, let’s skip over the gushing and gnashing of teeth that Wallabies fans seem to almost be enjoying. Australian rugby is having a bad year. Perhaps the best example of this is the NSW Waratahs. Despite boasting the most internationals in their squad, the Waratahs are arguably the worst side in the conference bar the Melbourne Rebels. Feeling this pinch the most (and perhaps one of the reasons for it) is Israel Folau. Almost every other fullback in the Australian conference has at least enjoyed stretches or at least examples of good form in 2017, but not Folau. Dane Haylett-Petty…