Author: Nathan Williamson

Wednesday’s Rugby News looks at a James O’Connor injury update, the return of Michael Cheika, how Lachie Swinton is changing the Wallabies playstyle and a sudden SANZAAR change. Green And Gold Rugby · Rugby Report Card 112 – A New Hope [one_half last=”no”] JOC on LOC-down The Wallabies are set to be without flyhalf James O’Connor for this week’s clash against Argentina. O’Connor has missed the last two test matches against the All Blacks after suffering an MCL injury. However, it would be an issue from injuries past that has haunted his return, with a plantar fascia injury that he…

Monday’s Rugby News looks at the Pumas stunning victory, a new trans-Tasman competition, Vunivalu’s rugby shift and a sudden retirement at the Brumbies Green And Gold Rugby · Rugby Report Card 112 – A New Hope [one_half last=”no”] Histórico Argentina has made history, beating the All Blacks 25-15 for the first time ever at Bankwest Stadium. The Pumas have had a rough journey to Australia, with players forced to train individually in lockdown for several months before serving an extensive quarantine period. With their country in the gripes of a second/third wave, ‘Los Pumas’ gave them something to cheer about…

Wednesday’s Rugby News looks at Swinton’s suspension, Nine’s broadcast innovations, Eddie’s wild tactic and the new member of the Wallabies camp. Green And Gold Rugby · Rugby Report Card 112 – A New Hope [one_half last=”no”] Swinton draws four Australia and Waratahs flanker Lachie Swinton has had a rough time at World Rugby’s ‘Wheel of Punishment’, handed down a four-match suspension for his high tackle on Sam Whitelock. Swinton made history, becoming the first Wallaby on debut to be sent for the field for a high tackle that many believed didn’t warrant it in the first place. However, SANZAAR has…

Monday’s Rugby News looks at the Wallabies upset victory, James Slipper’s 100th test match, the Force’s new flyhalf and the Pumas finalise their preparations against the RA XV Green And Gold Rugby · Rugby Report Card 112 – Deja Vu [one_half last=”no”] Comeback The Wallabies have pulled off a massive upset, overcoming the All Blacks 24-22 in the fourth and final Bledisloe Cup test match. The first half would see both teams reduced to 14-men after All Blacks prop Ofa Tu’ungafasi and Wallabies flanker Lachie Swinton were sent off for high tackles. With the All Blacks taking the lead at…

Wednesday’s Rugby News looks at the Brumbies new assistant, Slipper reaching the century, some changes for the All Blacks and the Wallabies out for revenge. Green And Gold Rugby · Rugby Report Card 112 – Deja Vu [one_half last=”no”] Seib joins Brumbies The Brumbies have confirmed their replacement for Peter Hewat, signing Rob Seib as an assistant coach for the next two years. Seib will come into the side as their attack and backs coach, with Hewat taking a job with Japanese club Ricoh Black Rams The 45-year-old was the head coach Queensland Country in their last two National Rugby…

Monday’s Rugby News looks at the Wallabies record-breaking Bledisloe defeat, a boost to the World Cup bid, the Sydney and Brisbane club Grand Finals and Dan Palmer becomes the first Wallaby to come out as gay Green And Gold Rugby · Rugby Report Card 111 – Weekly Podcast [one_half last=”no”] House of Horrors The Bledisloe Cup is officially gone for another year after the All Blacks produced a record-breaking win over the Wallabies. The night for any Australian fan peaked at the anthem as the Kiwis dominated the first half to race out to a 26-0 win. Whilst there would…

The Bledisloe series heads back to Australia after two thrilling games in New Zealand, with the Wallabies looking for a treat not trick as they face the All Blacks on Halloween. The mission is simple for the Wallabies: if they win, it all comes down to the final test match in Brisbane on November 7. If the result is the same as game one or two, the Cup stays in New Zealand Background The first test under Dave Rennie was an incredible performance for the Wallabies as they took it to the All Blacks in Wellington. In the end, it…

Wednesday’s Rugby News looks at a possible change for the Wallabies, O’Connor’s role heading forward, the Reds lockdown Thorn and added motivation for the Wallabies to score tries during the Tri-Nations Green And Gold Rugby · Rugby Report Card 111 – Weekly Podcast [one_half last=”no”] Alaalatoa ready to go Brumbies prop Allan Alaalatoa is ready to step up as he firms for a starting role on Saturday. Wallabies coach Dave Rennie had opted to start Taniela Tupou in the opening two games, with the pair sharing a half each during the last match. However, reports from The Herald have revealed…

Monday’s Rugby News recaps an exciting round of club rugby, Irae Simone ready to jump at a Wallabies berth, Dave Rennie’s statement over kneeling and David Pocock’s retirement Green And Gold Rugby · Rugby Report Card 111 – Weekly Podcast [one_half last=”no”] Club recap With the Tri-Nations yet to commence, club rugby across the country stepped up and delivered some cracking encounters. Starting in Adelaide with the Coopers Premier and it was Southern Suburbs that would nab the minor title, defeating Woodville 51-7 thanks to a Savenaca Ronavuso hat-trick. In the main event, Brighton would claim the major championship, dominating…

Wednesday’s Rugby News looks at an injury update on Matt To’omua, the Wallabies refusing to lose confidence after Sunday’s loss, another lock heading overseas and the All Blacks name their Tri-Nations squad. Green And Gold Rugby · Rugby Report Card 111 – Weekly Podcast [one_half last=”no”] Matt set back Wallabies centre Matt To’omua has received some bad news, with his groin injury set to sideline him for the rest of the season. To’omua succumbed to the injury during the first half of Sunday’s loss, re-aggravating the injury that he picked up towards the back end of the Super Rugby Australia…

Monday’s Rugby News wraps up yesterday’s Bledisloe, club results from around the country and the withdrawal of the Springboks from The Rugby Championship. Green And Gold Rugby · GAGR Podcast 326 – That. Bloody. Kick. [one_half last=”no”] Pain The Wallabies were smacked back to reality by the All Blacks, who bounced back from last week’s draw with a convincing 27-7 victory. The ghosts of Eden Park continue to haunt the Wallabies as the Kiwis put the game to rest with three second-half tries. They scored three times in 11 minutes as Jordie Barrett, Ardie Savea and captain Sam Cane dived…

Wednesday’s Rugby News looks at Hamish McLennan, David Campese firing shots at New Zealand Rugby and the All Blacks, How the Wallabies look to break the Eden Park hoodoo and a pair of signings for the proactive Force. Green And Gold Rugby · GAGR Podcast 326 – That. Bloody. Kick. [one_half last=”no”] Resurgence RA CEO Hamish McLennan believes that the positive showing from the Wallabies proves that they can hang with their Kiwi counterparts on a domestic and international level. With the NZR looking down on Super Rugby Australia with their ‘expression of interest’ jibe, this was thrown right back…

Monday’s Rugby News celebrates and covers everything from the incredible match that was Bledisloe I, wraps up the action from clubland and the Force’s trio of re-signings. Green And Gold Rugby · GAGR Podcast 325 – "Off-The-Ball Work" [one_half last=”no”] Proud What a match! The Wallabies have shone in Dave Rennie’s first outing as coach, managing to nab a 16-all draw against the All Blacks. Flyhalf James O’Connor looked to have sealed victory, but the home side levelled through Jordie Barrett with 90-seconds left on the clock when Rob Simmons was penalised at a maul. Both sides were unable to…

It’s finally here! Friday’s Rugby News previews the Wallabies team for the first Bledisloe, the All Blacks receiving a big schedule win, two big signings for the Force and a preview of all things clubland Green And Gold Rugby · GAGR Podcast 325 – "Off-The-Ball Work" [one_half last=”no”] It’s here It’s the most wonderful time of the year! I hope everyone has dusted off their Wallaby memorabilia, polished the Bledisloe Cup-shaped hole that lives in our hearts and trophy cabinets and crash-tackled the mailman. Whilst the make-up of the Australian team has been guarded under key and lock, we do…

Wednesday’s Rugby News looks at Matt To’omua’s prediction for the Wallabies squad, an olive branch extended to New Zealand, Michael Cheika’s Puma stint hits a roadblock and the Rebels bolster their outside backs Green And Gold Rugby · GAGR Podcast 325 – "Off-The-Ball Work" [one_half last=”no”] Strike a balance Wallabies stalwart Matt To’ouma is warning fans not to expect a completely transformed side for Sunday’s first Bledisloe, predicting a mix of youth and experience. With Dave Rennie still weighing up the make-up of his side, his initial squad represented a new era in Australian rugby, with 26 players having played…

Monday’s Rugby News looks at the club action across the country, Filipo Daugunu’s Wallaby dream, James Slipper refusing to hype up Wallabies and a major boost for the women’s sevens squad Green And Gold Rugby · GAGR Podcast 325 – "Off-The-Ball Work" [one_half last=”no”] Club recap With no domestic/international rugby and finals kicking off across the country, all attention rightly turned to the club scene. Starting in Perth with the Fortescue Premier, Associates booked their spot in the next round after cruising to victory against Wests 41-20 in the qualifying final. In the match of the round, they would be…

Wednesday’s Rugby News looks at a welcoming gift for Pete Samu from the All Blacks, a Rebel exodus, the Western Force make a major signing and a homecoming for Jordan Uelese Green And Gold Rugby · GAGR Podcast 325 – "Off-The-Ball Work" [one_half last=”no”] Friendly fire Despite the intense nature of the Bledisloe Cup, the rivalry hasn’t stopped the All Blacks from making Wallabies number eight Pete Samu feel at home in New Zealand as he returned to Christchurch. Having played three years for the Crusaders, Samu returned home as the Wallabies served their mandatory isolation period in New Zealand.…

Monday’s Rugby News looks at Dave Rennie’s tight-lipped approach to the Wallabies squads, a recap of clubland, a new pay deal for the Wallabies and the appointment of Michael Cheika on the Pumas coaching staff Green And Gold Rugby · GAGR Podcast 325 – "Off-The-Ball Work" [one_half last=”no”] Tight-lipped After arriving in New Zealand ahead of the opening two Bledisloe Cup fixtures, Wallabies coach Dave Rennie is keeping his cards close to his chest, refusing to give any hints about the make-up of his side. The Wallabies arrived in Christchurch on Friday night, with the side set to be unleashed…

Wednesday’s Rugby News looks at the Wallabies first impression of Dave Rennie, the scoreline helping the young players plot a Bledisloe upset, Auckland-born Irae Simone reflects on selection and Pumas coach Mario Ledesma opens up on his positive COVID test Green And Gold Rugby · GAGR Podcast 325 – "Off-The-Ball Work" [one_half last=”no”] Rennie impressing so far As the Wallabies enter camp ahead of the first two Bledisloe test matches in October, the squad continues to sing the praises of new coach Dave Rennie. Rennie has come under fire from a number of critics after his appointment, with a certain…

Monday’s Rugby News looks at the Super Rugby Australia final, the surprise selection as the Wallabies forwards coach, Kyle Godwin’s re-signing with the Force and the search for Rugby Australia’s next permanent CEO. Green And Gold Rugby · GAGR Podcast 325 – "Off-The-Ball Work" [one_half last=”no”] Brumbies claim title The ACT Brumbies have been crowned Super Rugby Australian champions after they held off Queensland Reds 28-23. After a tense first half, the home side would manage to kick clear 28-13 thanks to the boot of 20-year-old Noah Lolesio, who contributed 10 points in his return from injury. As the Reds…