Author: Nick Hartman

Wednesday’s Rugby News has nothin’ doin’ at the ARU, Quade hatin’ on haters, Karmichael chatting NRL schoolboys and Owen Finegan speaks! [one_half last=”no”] Wasn’t Very Emergency So remember that EGM the ARU was supposed to have? Well yeah, it went down like a wet fart. Which, come to think about it, is probably the loudest noise the ARU comms team has made in the last 48-72 hours 3 months. The gist of it is this – Bill Pulver wasn’t challenged as CEO; the majority of votes were to go to a four team conference (reminder: the ARU controls the Force’s vote);…

Tuesday’s Rugby News has Cheika thinking the Wallabies aren’t fit enough, the u20s need more time, and ringing random angry blokes. It also has Simon Cron news and Force news. [one_half last=”no”] Fitba After the Wallabies lost a game of rugby union fitba against the Scottish, Michael Cheika has surmised that the team isn’t fit enough. “We spoke about it at the coaches meeting and we spoke about it in general that we need to lift the standard of our fitness level across the board – from the start of Super Rugby right through to us as well,” Cheika told…

The lads from the Rugby Report Card politely pontificate on Scotland’s win and the second round of the June internationals. Warning: contains a few bad words

Monday’s Rugby News has an Australian rugby superhero giving up the cape, Will Genia admitting it was his fault, an unhappy (who else?) Cheika and the Wallaroos suck. [one_half last=”no”] My Work Here Is Done Western Force legend, all-round good guy and Juggernaut Matt Hodgson has announced his retirement at season’s end. Hodgson, who rumour has it has a diet of concrete and glass, announced the sad sad news on Friday. Hodgson, 35 but going on 21, has been at the Western Force since the start. “It was actually pretty tough decision. I was thinking about it most of the…

Thursday’s Rugby News has Kyle Sinckler upset at scrum time, Mysterious Michael’s secret ways, a happy Simon Cron and a wise Karmichael Hunt. [one_half last=”no”] Sinckler Sulk Lions prop Kyle Sinckler is an unhappy chappy, as he reckons there were unfair decisions at scrum time during his star-studded team’s 23-22 loss against the half-strength, Marty Banks-led, Highlanders on Tuesday night. Well, it is a tricky one isn’t it? At the end of the day there are no penalties conceded for the scrums – and an all new front row comes on and the scrum just collapses,” Sinckler said, according to…

Wednesday’s Rugby News has more ARU shenanigans, an Aussie coaching summit, a Wallaroos moral victory, and a Will Genia’s return [one_half last=”no”] (a)ruh-roh Wayne Smith is back in The Australian, dropping his usual truth bombs, this time saying that the Melbourne Rebels lodged legal action against the ARU late last week. Smith writes that the damages is claim is “well massive, innit” “measured in the millions”, as the Rebels lawyers will argue that “the club believes the ARU has mounted a virtual constructive dismissal campaign against it by undermining its financial viability and then questioning its solvency.”. With the Western Force…

Tuesday’s Rugby News has two whole bits of Scotland chat, the Wallaroos squad for their NZ game, and Matt Lucas might be going and Rob Simmons might be coming. [one_half last=”no”] Pre Scotland 1 Lots is being said after the Wallabies win over Fiji on the weekend, so a quick wrap-up is in order. Scotland beat Italy in Singapore(!) 34-13 on Saturday night. Scotland’s defence coach, Australian Matt Taylor, is very impressed with Karmichael Hunt (rugby.com.au): “I’ve been really impressed with his competition over the ball,” he said. “For someone to be that committed around the breakdown, we’re going to have…

The boys are back! James, Blake and Richard are in better spirits this week, because there’s more to talk about that Super Rugby. Warning: May contain some naughty words

Tuesday’s Rugby News has Genia pining for Queensland, a super scared Super Sefa, a fired up Fiji and an ex Lion dropping elite truth bombs. [one_half last=”no”] Genia Only Wants Qld Will Genia is back in Australia, currently in camp with the Wallabies, but the only way he’s going to stay in the country is with the Reds. That’s all a bit tricky considering the Reds already have 3 halfbacks locked in for next year (Frisby, Tuttle and Sorovi) and the cash-strapped ARU would have to put in a Wallabies top-up. “I think for me if I’m to come home…

Monday’s Rugby News has Rob Horne and Jake Gordon in the Wallabies, a lot of Cheika chat, a new CEO for the Rebels and a new coach for the Brumbies. [one_half last=”no”] Replacements With Nick Phipps and Samu Kerevi injured, Michael Cheika has called up Jake Gordon and Rob Horne in their place. Phipps and Kerevi have been sidelined with sydnesmosis. “Jake was involved in our camp in Canberra earlier this year and has really stepped up for the Waratahs in Super Rugby. He’s another uncapped player but it will be good to expose him to the Test environment,” Cheika…

Thursday’s Rugby News has Nick Stiles making changes (again), the u20s squad, a Happy Richard Hardwick, and a lawyer’s picnic. [one_half last=”no”] Stiles Makes Changes After the Queensland Reds lost to the Western Force, Nick Stiles, for like the 4th time this year, got really mad at his players and said he’d drop the lot of ’em. So it’s come to pass again, with Stiles making 4 changes for the Reds team who’ll face the Blues in Samoa this weekend. Andrew Ready, Izack Rodda, Taniela Tupou and James Tuttle are the 4 in question. Rob Simmons has been dropped altogether, Stephen…

Wednesday’s Rugby News has the Wallabies squad, Stephen Moore and Adam Coleman BFFs, Hansen on Gatland and former AB Jeremy Thrush on the Lions tour. [one_half last=”no”] WBs Squad The Cheikmeister General has named his 34-man squad for the June series, with a lot of big stars missing, a lot of debutants and whole lot of pizzazz. There’s 8 debutants, while big names like Scott Fardy, Rob Simmons, Kane Douglas, Rob Horne and Will Skelton have all missed out. Kurtley Beale, who’s slated to return to the Waratahs/Australian rugby before the end of the Super season, was set off to…

Michael Cheika has named his 34-man Wallabies squad for the June series, with a lot of big stars missing and a lot of debutants Big names like Scott Fardy, Rob Simmons, Kane Douglas, Rob Horne and Will Skelton have all missed out. Meanwhile, Ned Hanigan, Marika Koroibete, Richard Hardwick, Joe Powell, Jack Dempsey, Eto Nabuli, Lukhan Tui and Karmichael Hunt are new to the Wallaby set up. Kurtley Beale, who’s slated to return to the Waratahs/Australian rugby before the end of the Super season, is being rested. The squad features just 10 players from the 23-man Wallabies squad for the 2015…

Tuesday’s Rugby News is all ARU news, baby! We’ve Cameron Clyne talking about cutting teams, we’ve got Clyne and Ross Xenos talking no more contract ban, and we’ve got an EGM date. [one_half last=”no”] ~4-5 teams, Pt. 1 Clyne has also not totally ruled out a cut to the number of Super teams, but has reiterated his support of the culling idea. “We’ve made it quite clear that we think the game is not financially sustainable,” Clyne told the Daily Telegraph. “There has been a long-term trend over the last couple of years of declines in crowds. That has continued this year,…

Monday’s Rugby News has injuries before the June series, Tom Banks being good and stuff, Michael Cheika being wise and stuff, and the preliminary results from the Canada 7s. [one_half last=”no”] Injuries, Sminjuries Michael Cheika is set to announce the Wallabies squad on Tuesday night, but his announcement might be impacted by some injuries to some key players. Well, one key player, and one bloke who gets into the squad cos Cheika really respects a scrumhalf who can lob an opponent’s shoe more than 10 meters. Sean McMahon, only 3 games back from an long injury layoff, dislocated his wrist and…

The pulsating back row of James, Blake and Richard express their fatigue in the length and predictability of the current Super Rugby competition whilst polishing a few rocks along the way. Who’s your bum of the week? WARNING – may contain effin’ and jeffin’

Thursday’s Rugby News has an old favourite retiring, a postponed meeting, a determined Reds and an injured maddog McCalman. [one_half last=”no”] Mumm Out Dean Mumm has announced this season will be his last, with the veteran lock stepping down to a) go into insurance and b) walk to the North Pole for charity. Men and women up and down the country whose humour purely relies on making fun of other people, and running those jokes into the ground, are said to be devastated. Mumm, who has played 124 times for the Waratahs and 57 times for the Wallabies, made the announcement…

Wednesday’s Rugby News has Sean McMahon leaving at any minute, Warren Gatland expecting wounded Lions, a 7s Extravaganza in Sydney next year, and ready Reds. [one_half last=”no”] Losing McMinutes As reported last week, Sean “McMinutes” McMahon is rumoured to be unhappy with his current career sitch and is thinking of leaving Super Rugby. The Age now reports that old mate will make his mind up soon. Apparently, he’s currently weighing up a $1m contract offer from a club in Japan. The Melbourne Rebels star plans to decide on his future in the next few weeks. The out-of-contract Wallabies flanker has reportedly…

Tuesday’s Rugby News has the results from the London Sevens, Shannon Parry’s thoughts on development pathways, Israel Folau confident and George Smith reluctant. [one_half last=”no”] Sevens Heaven Scotland won the London Sevens overnight, beating old foes England 12-7 in the final. This is Scotland’s second successive London Sevens’ title. “[Och aye] I’m absolutely elated,” said Scotland captain Scott Riddell (via Fox Sports). “This [wee] sport is something that just grips you. It’s so special and I’m so proud of the boys. I’m lost for words. “We were under the pump and we just keep fighting and we took our chances.…

Monday’s Rugby News has the Wallaroos squad, the Rebels confident they’re getting cut, an embarrassed Dave Wessels, and injury forecasts. [one_half last=”no”] Wallaroos Squad Named Wallaroos coach Paul Verrell has named 7s stars Shannon Parry and Sharni Williams as co-captains ahead of the Wallaroos’ upcoming three-test tour of New Zealand. Joining Parry and Williams in the 28-woman squad will be mostly rookies, with 17 players either making their debut or having debuted only one year ago. “We have been monitoring players in training and in matches since we returned from New Zealand last year, and the players named in this squad…