Author: Nathan Williamson

Wednesday’s Rugby News looks at the battle for the starting halfback job, a Welsh legend labels a current Wallaby as the best of his generation, the special bond of two hookers and the local customs that the Wallabies have embraced [one_half last=”no”] Half the battle Scrumhalves Nic White and Will Genia will continue their battle onto the training ground as they tussle out for the starting halfback position. Both players are in the rare position of having their spot in the matchday squad guaranteed, with coach Michael Cheika opting to select just two halfbacks in the 31-man squad. Genia, who…

The long wait is nearly over as we are just under a week before the start of the Rugby World Cup. Over the next four days, we will breakdown the four pools leading into the start of the tournament on Friday. Today, we look at Pool B, arguably one of the toughest in the competition. It’s headlined by defending champions New Zealand and 2007 champions South Africa, along with Italy, Canada and Namibia seemingly fighting for third position. New Zealand The reigning, defending, undisputed champions are looking to make history by becoming the first team to win three consecutive World…

The long wait is finally over as we are just under a week before the start of the Rugby World Cup. This week, we will breakdown the four pools leading into the start of the tournament on Friday. We start off today with Pool A, headlined by a hungry Irish team looking to vanquish ghosts of World Cup’s past, along with hosts Japan, wildcards Scotland, the physical Samoans and the emerging Russians. Ireland Ireland comes into the tournament as the number one ranked nation for the first time in history after victory over Wales in their last warm-up game. They…

Monday’s Rugby News looks at a calm Cheika, wraps up an incredible round of NRC, a Wallaby turning to Sevens and a unique partnership between an Australian and Japanese team [one_half last=”no”] Calm Cheika ahead of Cup opener Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has praised his side’s ideal preparations as they get set to begin their World Cup campaign on Saturday against Fiji. Cheika was uncharacteristically laidback and relaxed during his first official press conference, reaffirming that everything has gone perfectly so far in their build-up to the big event. “Things have been going really well, perfect actually (with) no distractions,”…

Wednesday’s Rugby News looks at the Wallabies touch down in Japan, a legendary Wallaby raises concerns after their Samoan win, the 2020 Super Rugby draw and the Fijians hunting for Wallaby blood. [one_half last=”no”] Wallabies take Japan The Wallabies have finally landed in Japan after suffering through a 16-hour delay due to Mother Nature. The delay was caused by Typhoon Faxai, which has shut down airports and trains in Toyko and cut power to more than 900,000 homes. The full squad started their departure on Monday afternoon along with outside backs Tom Banks and Jack Maddocks, who will stay and…

Monday’s Rugby News looks at the Wallabies, the NRC, international rugby from home and abroad and the retirement of a hero. [one_half last=”no”] Samoan Scare The Wallabies have survived a scare from Samoa before running out 34-15 winners at Bankwest Stadium. The Aussies would race out to a 19 point lead before a pair of tries to Dwayne Polataivao brought the margin back to just seven points. However, the Wallabies would secure the result, with tries to Dane Haylett-Petty and Matt Toomua securing the victory in the final home test of 2019. For a more in-depth breakdown of the game,…

The Wallabies will be looking to finalise their World Cup preparations with a strong performance against 16th ranked Samoa in their final match before heading to Japan. The Aussies will be looking to regain some of the confidence and momentum lost after their crushing 36-0 loss to the All Blacks last month. However, they will be wary of Manu Samoa, who will be looking to repeat their famous 32-23 boilover win over Australia in 2011 when they head further down the Parramatta Road for the first international at the newly built Bankwest stadium. Background The Wallabies got off to a…

Wednesday’s Rugby News looks at the fresh players in the Wallabies squad, the forgotten flyhalf in the Wallabies squad, a raid on a trio of the West’s finest talent and the last hurrah for a dual-code superstar [one_half last=”no”] Fresh Meat With the Wallabies finishing off their final days in (World Cup) Survivor: Noumea, Michael Chieka is set to deploy the freshest legs in and out of his squad against Samoa at Bankwest Stadium. It was reported in yesterday’s news that Jack Maddocks and Rob Valentini have been drafted into the side with the expectation of playing on Saturday, with…

Monday’s Rugby News recaps the opening round of the NRC, looks at the special connection of a number of Wallabies, scouts the results of our pool D opponents over the weekend and reveals the shocking suspension that is facing a Springbok flyer. [one_half last=”no”] NRC starts with a bang The opening round of the National Rugby Championship has thrown up some thrilling results across the country. Whilst Rugby Australia could be criticised for a lack of advertising, the games this week certaintly talked for themselves, with 283 points scored in the opening round. The competition kicked off with the battle…

The Canberra Vikings have put the NRC on notice with an impressive 47-22 win over the Melbourne Rising in windy conditions at Box Hill Rugby Club. The Vikings dominated the opening half with four tries that put them ahead 28-3 at halftime. Whilst the Rising showed some promise when they were able to hold onto the ball, the Vikings today established themselves as favourites for this year’s competition. The chief destroyers were playmaker Noah Lolesio and centres Irae Simone and Tom Wright, who opened up the Rising backline and caused havoc in the 25 point victory. The Match The Rising…

Wednesday’s Rugby News details the review of a controversial law, examines the transformation of Jame O’Connor, explores the new laws being trialled in the NRC and looks at a young gun ready to lead his team back to NRC glory. [one_half last=”no”] Reviewing Giteau’s law Rugby Australia CEO Raelene Castle has confirmed that the infamous ‘Giteau’s Law’ will be reviewed at the end of the year. Giteau’s law states that overseas players must have accrued 60 Test caps for Australia or have played seven years professionally in the country if they wish to be eligible for selection in the Wallabies.…

Monday’s Rugby News outlines the World Cup squad, looks at past Wallaby captains throwing their support behind the team, recaps the rugby home and abroad and explores a strange career change for a former international [one_half last=”no”] World Cup squad confirmed Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has announced the 31 men that will represent Australia at the 2019 Rugby World Cup. Eighteen players will be playing in their first World Cup, which will contain 1406 combined appearances for the Wallabies, 399 more than the side that went to England in 2015. The squad is highlighted by the mix of youth and…

Monday’s Rugby News looks at the race for the Wallabies fly-half position, the call to axe Giteau’s law, the re-singing of two young Reds and the hot potato of the ‘favourites’ tag heading into the World Cup. [one_half last=”no”] Keeping faith Christian Lealiifano is still the leading man for the Wallabies flyhalf position according to coach Michael Cheika. Lealiifano had a less than impressive showing against the All Blacks last Saturday, missing two early penalties before being hooked in the early moments of the second half. Despite that, Cheika has said that the 31-year-old has his ‘nose in front’ in…

Monday’s Rugby News picks up the scraps from disappointing losses for both national teams, looks at two key re-signings for the Reds and recaps a new world number 1 and a pair of club rugby grand finals in the rugby wrap. [one_half last=”no”] Black Out ‘The fact that the All Blacks have had three sub-par games has me waiting for that big statement performance and with the Bledisloe Cup in danger, this seems like the perfect stage for it’ I wrote this in the preview for the second Bledisloe match and they certainly delivered this in spades. The All Blacks…

The biggest rivalry in southern hemisphere sport has exploded, with the Wallabies travelling to Eden Park to face the All Blacks in game two of the Bledisloe Cup. The Wallabies head into the contest with renewed confidence and optimism after handing the All Blacks their largest loss in history after a 47-26 win in Perth last Saturday. In order to retain the Bledisloe Cup for the first time since 2002, they must travel to the fortress that is Eden Park to face an All Blacks team looking to avenge the loss and re-establish themselves as the premier team in world…

Thursday’s Rugby News looks at an injury to a key Wallaby forward, SBW getting ready to take on Kerevi, a push for consistency at selection time from a pair of ex-Wallabies and the Melbourne Rising’s side for the upcoming NRC season. [one_half last=”no”] Bledisloe Blow The Wallabies have been hit with an injury blow, with lock Rory Arnold in grave danger of missing Saturday’s clash with the All Blacks at Eden Park. Arnold hurt his hand during the 47-26 win last Saturday and had to be substituted after 55 minutes of the contest. He did not train with the squad…

Wednesday’s Rugby News reveals the punishment for Scott Barrett, examines how Shaun Berne has re-sparked the Wallaby backline, tracks David Pocock’s race to be fit and explores the quest for the next Sevens superstar. [one_half last=”no”] Barrett Banned All Blacks lock Scott Barrett has been suspended for three weeks after his shoulder charge on Wallabies captain Michael Hooper during the All Blacks loss last Saturday at Optus Stadium. Barrett pleaded guilty to the offence under Law 9:16, which states that a player must not charge or knock down an opponent without attempting to grasp the player. “Having conducted a detailed…

Monday’s Rugby News is hyped up about the Wallabies win, marvelling at the class of the Black Ferns, breaking down the contentious red carding of Scott Barrett and looking at rugby around the country (and pacific) as it reaches finals time. [one_half last=”no”] What A Performance The Wallabies have produced one of the best performances in recent memories, defeating the All Blacks 47-26 in a match that I’m still trying to figure out whether I dreamt it. They would run in six tries to four to record their largest win in Bledisloe history and the highest points scored against the…

The biggest rivalry in southern hemisphere sport kicks off this week when the Wallabies host the All Blacks in Perth on Saturday night for game one of the Bledisloe Cup (Oh and also round three of the Rugby Championship. For Australians, winning memories associated with the Bledisloe is like the pub: only for those over 18. But like any year the optimism is built back up after a scrappy win over the Pumas and enough time to forget what happened last year when we played the All Blacks, who swept the Aussies in convincing fashion. Background The Wallabies are coming…

Wednesday’s Rugby News looks at praise from one front-rower to another, the All Blacks preparing for a big inclusion, Stephen Holies calls for the recall of a forgotten Wallaby and how the growing professionalism in women’s rugby has helped transform the Wallaroos preparation. [one_half last=”no”] From Calf to Bull Wallaby prop Sekope Kepu has praised the growth of fellow front-rower Taniela Tupou along with expressing tempered optimism about the strength of the front row ahead of the first Bledisloe contest this Saturday. The veteran prop is likely in his final year for the Wallabies, having signed for Aussie London Irish…