Author: Ned Stevens
Ned Stevens
A self diagnosed rugby snuff who loves wet weather footy and still can't figure out how to put a photo up of myself
Monday’s Rugby News sees coaching speculation on Cheika continue, Uelese returning from injury, classic Eddie Jones and the Shute Shield competition finalize its schedule for 2019. [one_half last=”no”] Coaching speculation continues Questions of whether or not Michael Cheika is still the right man for the job have continued long into the night after Australia’s 30-13 loss to England on Saturday night at Twickenham. It was same old same old for the Wallabies as their inconsistency rang true with some stunning moments, including Israel Folau’s blistering try and some ugly ones too, including every time Jonny May had the ball. According…
Monday’s Rugby News sees the Wallabies result provide slight optimism, Twiggy’s competition continue to develop, changes to the Waratahs coaching set up and the Classic Wallabies continue their great work. Brought to you by the master of Monday News, Ned Stevens [one_half last=”no”] Better than Nothing? In the second match of the Spring Tour, the Wallabies have walked away with a 26-7 win over the Italians. In a game where everyone expected an Australian victory against the 13th ranked nation (only 6 spots worse than us), Cheika’s men continued to show both positives and negatives that continue to frustrate all…
Monday’s Rugby News sees the Wallabies squad selected, an Alan Jones outburst, Sydney University claiming the Shut Shield and SA Rugby in financial trouble. [one_half last=”no”] Wallabies Chosen Michael Cheika has recalled June series debutants Caleb Timu and Brandon Paenga-Amosa to his 31-man squad for Tests against South Africa and Argentina. Paenga-Amosa was a strange omission from the squad which travelled across New Zealand for the Bledisloe, with Folau Faingaa being thrown into the deep end for his first cap. The Reds hooker had a decent enough hit out for Brisbane City on Sunday afternoon and headed straight to Wallabies…
Monday’s Rugby News sees the issues around neck rolling, cross code combinations, the Pumas strike back and the Premiership preview. [one_half last=”no”] Neck-Roll Issues Wallabies flanker David Pocock admits he has concerns for his long-term health after another night of being heavily targeted in Auckland, rugby.com.au reports. Poey was absolutely enormous on Saturday night, leading the tackle count with 18, pinching a few turnovers and 25 metres with the ball. New Zealand clearly had a plan for the Wallabies star and went at lengths in an effort to stop his immovable body going over the ball. Owen Franks was penalised…
Monday’s Rugby News sees a quick recap of the Wallabies, some rugby news from an unexpected place, GPS finally ending their drought and Shute Shield race continues. [one_half last=”no”] Wallabies Recap Well as we all know the Wallabies went down 38-13 to the All Blacks on Saturday night in what was a depressing 50 minutes for all Australian fans. (and any non-New Zealand fans) The Wallabies started like a house on fire and brought that same offensive-defence mindset which brought them success in the first test of the Ireland series, but failed to capitalize on their dominance. In fact,…
Monday’s Rugby News sees the Wallabies squad cut down, Steve Hansen playing mind games, Reds changes continue and QPR comes to a finale. [one_half last=”no”] Squad Cut Well the final squad is in and Michael Cheika has gone against his natural instincts and only named to uncapped players in the 28 player Bledisloe Cup squad ahead of next week’s opening Test. That’s right, just two! Tom Banks and Jack Maddocks (who have both been chosen in previous training squads) have survived the cut alongside experienced trio Scott Sio, Michael Hooper and Dane Haylett-Petty who all passed fitness tests to…
Monday’s Rugby News sees the Wallabies Squad named, rumours around the Reds, a Super Rugby triumph and the Aussie Steelers on a recruitment drive. [one_half last=”no”] Wallabies Squad named After Friday nights trial match, Michael Cheika has finally named his squad for the upcoming Rugby Championship. England-based stars Tatafu Polota-Nau and soon to be Melbourne Rebel Matt Toomua were named, along with six uncapped players in Australia’s extended 36-man training squad. Both Tatafu Polota-Nau give Cheika some much needed depth in both the hooking and playmaking stocks, something Australia has been lacking over the last few years.…
Monday’s Rugby News sees two Aussies make the Super Final, the Waratahs size issues, the Sio siblings and a new Aussie 7’s player from an unlikely place. [one_half last=”no”] Referee in the Spotlight It’s only taken almost every game of the season, but Angus Gardner has finally cracked the code. That we all want to be able to remember a game of rugby for what it is, a game of rugby. (And to not notice that there was even a referee there at all). Along with the G.O.A.T Pete Samu (The legendary Wallabies flanker), our Aussie representation will be…
Monday’s Rugby News sees more issues with Amanaki Mafi, the Brumbies hopeful of retaining Christian Lealiifano, an early knockout for the Men’s 7’s and a Bronze medal for the Women. [one_half last=”no”] Mafi Mayhem More news of the Amanaki Mafi case has come to light after night fresh allegations about his assault on teammate Lopeti Timani. Timani claims Mafi and his brother engaged in a vicious assault in two different locations before pushing him into a car in a suburb in Dunedin. He told the Sydney Morning Herald he fled on foot when the car stopped at…
Monday’s Rugby News sees Rebels fighting fit, Israel Folau contract news, 7’s World Cup lead up and Australian Schools squad announced. [one_half last=”no”] FIGHTING FIT Amanaki Mafi has continued to barnstorm his way through opposition defences this season and now through his own teammates, after the Rebels star was arrested for allegedly assaulting teammate Lopeti Timani during the early hours of a chilly Dunedin morning. Rumours had been swirling that Mafi was going to return to the Rebels next year despite his two year marquee spot finishing up but surely after this there is no return for the Cherry Blossoms number…
Monday’s Rugby News sees the weekends Super Rugby results, K.Hunt’s return to rugby, the World Cup 7’s format questioned and the Australian School Competition [one_half last=”no”] Super Rugby Results Super Rugby provided some interesting results over the weekend, particularly the all Australian, Reds v Rebels match at Suncorp on Friday night. The Reds, who have struggled to string wins together this year, recorded their 5th win of the season, defeating Melbourne 37-23. The win all but finishes the Rebel’s chances of securing a maiden finals berth in 2018. Queensland kept to their strengths, with their powerful scrum forcing 6 first…
Monday’s Rugby News sees a return to Super Rugby, a change to the Brisbane Tens for 2019, a possibility to lose a 7’s star and a review for the Australian U20’s. [one_half last=”no”] Super Rugby is Back After a tasty June Test Series, it was good to finally see our Super Rugby sides back in action. On Friday, the Reds travelled to Auckland to play New Zealand strugglers the Blues and went down 39-16. I caught this game myself and it was a miracle to the lord that my eyes didn’t start bleeding. The games highlights included…
Monday’s Rugby News sees the June Test Series come to an end, problems with officiating, World Series Rugby gets a big tick of approval and Chance Peni is well, Chance Peni. [one_half last=”no”] JUNE FINALES Well the June Test Series have been finished off, with some varying results across the nations. For Australia, unfortunately we lost the series decider to Ireland 20-16 in Sydney. Once again the Wallabies showed promise in patches, but lacked the tactical nous in both recognizing when we can’t make reach the gain line and in being able to manage our discipline (despite the fact some…
Monday’s Rugby News sees a ton of international rugby, a not so magic weekend, a junior Wallaby victory and Aussie Super Rugby sides travel to Japan. [one_half last=”no”] TEST MATCH FOOTY This weekend saw so much international rugby that if you blinked for a second, you would’ve missed a game. For Australia, the stage is set for a blockbuster finale next weekend after going down to Ireland 26-21 at AAMI Park on Saturday night. Australia started well once again, but was dogged but their own ill-discipline, an issue which has always haunted Michael Cheika’s Wallaby sides. In fact Australia…
Monday’s Rugby News sees the Wallabies victorious, International rugby results, another 7’s victory for our women and old fashioned derby. [one_half last=”no”] THE (UNLUCK) OF THE IRISH After much anticipation and hype for the first test of the Wallabies v Ireland series, we saw a gutsy Wallabies side win 18-9. The Irish themselves had won 12 straight test matches in the lead up to the clash at Suncorp Stadium, no mean feat by the reigning 6 Nations champions. The Wallabies came out with a clear game plan and although not everything came off, there were signs of an improving…
Monday’s Rugby News sees the prodigal son return, good form and injury woes in Super Rugby, Australian representatives abroad and some international spice. [one_half last=”no”] THE PRODIGAL SON RETURNS *Insert Hallelujah Chorus Hymm* Well it’s finally been settled. The chosen one aka the saviour aka the Melbourne born Crusader aka Pete Samu has finally been given the greenlight by those lovely chaps over at NZRU to selected in the squad for the Wallabies upcoming 3 Test series that starts this week. Much of the issue was relating to his contract with Tasman but according to the Sydney Morning Herald,…
Monday’s Rugby News sees a review of our hot and cold super rugby performances, the Irish squad for the upcoming series, illicit drug policy changes and nipples. [one_half last=”no”] THE COMEBACK CONTINUES (sort of) After last weekend’s historic victory over the Highlanders, the light has shone through a little more in our Super Rugby results from this round. First up it was the Rebels who dusted up a Sunwolves side (albeit understrength) in a 40-13 win. In a typical Sunwolves encounter, the points margins were high and they game was free flowing, with the flying Fijian Marika Koroibete dotting down…
Monday’s Rugby News sees the hapless days come to an end in super rugby, Raelene Castle’s plans for Australian Rugby, changes to the All Blacks squad and the return of the Barbarians. Written by Edward Stevens [one_half last=”no”] The Day of Redemption Well, after what felt like an eternity, or 722 days to be exact, we finally beaten a Kiwi super rugby side. On Saturday night, the Waratahs began the process of restoring hope in our Austrian super rugby franchises with a 41-12 victory over the Highlanders. After going down to the Blues by 3 points in what was supposed…