Author: Nick Hartman

Tuesday’s Rugby News has all the Rebels owner wagging his finger, Bernard Foley out indefinitely, what Cheika reckons, and the Boks introduce a Giteau Law [one_half last=”no”] Cox Takes Stand Melbourne Rebels boss Andrew Cox is rather bullish about his team’s chances of sticking around, telling the SMH that the ARU can’t afford to cut the team. Cox’s Imperium Capital Group bought the Rebels from the ARU in 2015, and are the only privately-owned Australian team. Coincidentally or not, the Rebels also have a points difference of -103 after two games. “Economically I doubt the ARU could afford to do it,”…

Monday’s Rugby News has Tony McGahan being sad, Beale may come back, Laurie Fisher’s tweet history, and results from Las Vegas Sevens [one_half last=”no”] “Second Best” Rebels coach Tony McGahan is a sad, sad man. He didn’t quite know what to do with himself post-match. “It’s hard to know where to start, really,” rugby.com.au (sick URL, btw) said he said. “Too much turnover ball from set piece, too much turnover ball from breakdown and they did some pretty special things out there but a lot of it was off the back of us. “Second best in pretty much everything – we tried hard…

James, Blake and Richard chat everything to do with the 2nd round of Super Rugby, preview next weekend and Richard also says a bit about the Six Nations. Includes a long chat about whether coaches or players are to fault for Australian rugby being crap. WARNING – May contain explicit language.

1. Ban Line Breaks 2. Ban Smart Thinking 3. Ban Scrumhalves 4. Ban Bum Slaps 5. Ban Refs Who Distract You By Calling An Advantage 6. Ban Players Who Force You To Mistackle Them 7. Ban James Tuttle 8. Ban People Who Hurt Sharpey (RIP Jerry Collins)

Friday’s Rugby News has Fardy dogging the boys, Dylan Hartley slowly learning, a debut for Marika Koroibete, and Bernard Foley ruled out again. [one_half last=”no”] Fardy Gone Scott Fardy is gonna be leaving the Brumbies at the end of the season, with Irish side Leinster being his destination, reports the Canberra Times. The much-loved 33-year-old has signed a two year deal with the Dublin-based team, which take him to early 2019. With 39 caps to his name, Fardy wouldn’t be eligible to be called up as an overseas Wallaby (as the policy stands). The poor man’s Dean Mumm had this to say:…

Thursday’s Rugby News has Dan’s memorial, no new coach for the Boks, Shute Shield goss, and warm up games for the Wallaroos. [one_half last=”no”] RIP Dan Dan Vickerman has been remembered as many great things at the memorial service, held yesterday at Sydney University. Most pertinently, a crowd of a thousand was reported to have attended the service. Grendan Cannon, Phil Waugh, Stirling Mortlock, Nathan Sharpe, Owen Finegan, Berrick Barnes, Rocky Elsom and Adam Freier were among the crowd, as were Brumbies captain Sam Carter and coach Stephen Larkham, who had flown into Sydney.  Wallabies coach Michael Cheika and ARU…

Super Rugby’s back and the verdict is already in – Australian rugby sucks. But uh, don’t lose heart; listen to the pod! This week Reg, Matt and Hugh discuss:  Did the Reds live up to the hype?  Best Aussie performance of the weekend?  Should the sunwolves be cut (crowd v performance)?  Will the head high tackle rulings just cause frustration (general rules and Eng v Italy)?  Is JO’C’s career over?

Wednesday’s Rugby News has all the latest ruck rules, James O’Connor (and what Cheika thinks), Shute Shield News and most importantly – info about Dan Vickerman’s memorial. [one_half last=”no”] Changes To Ruck Laws World Rugby has been forced to put out a statement after Italy’s unoriginal tactics embarrassed England on the weekend. As reported yesterday, Eddie Jones attempted to matador the media by making a fuss about them. “There is a formal process for unions to request law clarifications, if they wish to do so,” said a World Rugby spokesman, with the they referring to the RFU. Referee Romain Poite also…

Tuesday’s Rugby News has Eddie pulling the strings, James O’Connor teaching crims about how to be a thug, Reece Robinson kicking more, and Force players doing what they can. [one_half last=”no”] Media Matador England coach Eddie Jones has successfully drawn attention away from his side’s rather mediocre 36-15 win over Italy on the weekend by complaining about Italy’s tactics. As you might have seen on GAGR’s Facebook, Italy pulled off the Chiefs’ tactic from last year of not contesting rucks. In short, this meant there was technically no offside and the Italians could interfere with the English scrumhalf. “That wasn’t rugby today,…

Monday’s Rugby News has bad news for lovers of rugby players who look like Annie Lennox, Eastwood to be rolling in the dosh, hype from the Scottish camp, and what the Rebels owner reckons should happen to Super. [one_half last=”no”] O’Connor A Goner Annie Lennox James O’Connor has been done for attempting to buy cocaine in Paris, the Daily Telegraph reports. Ol’ mate spent Satdi night in a frog slammer after coppers cuffed O’Connor, who was arrested along with teammate, former All Black Ali Williams (who plays for Racing 92). According to the popo, the two were arrested while buying cocaine from two suspected…

New year, new Super Rugby season. Hear what James, Blake and Richard have to say about the opening round game, including updated opinions about Ryan Crotty WARNING – May contain explicit language.

As you might have noticed, there’s been a season preview for every Super Rugby team. Here’s a big ol’ list of every preview, including a key line from each. Take note: The Australian conference is playing Africa 2, with the Kiwis taking on Africa 1. There’s also a special preview for the Australian conference as a whole. Australia (PeterK) “If you thought last year was a struggle for Australian teams then be prepared for it to get worse.” Brumbies (Steve Lenthall) “There has been over 500 games worth of Super Rugby experience depart the side in some key positions, leaving them in…

1.Boost Joost 2.Up The Guts 3. Dead 4. Right In The Kisser 5. Thundering Thor 6. Radike vs child 7. Pococku 8. Bloody Idiot!!

Friday’s Rugby News has Tahs & Force squad news, an apology from TPN, stuff on Norths vs Brothers, and Georgia wants in on the Six Nations. [one_half last=”no”] Foley Out Bernard Foley has been ruled out of Saturday’s game againt the Force, after being ruled unfit due to a concussion he suffered in the Highlanders trial game. In his place will step Bryce Hegarty. David Horwitz will take Hegarty’s place on the bench. Regarding Foley, Tahs coach Daryl Gibson said this: “He’s still suffering some dizziness and so forth,” Gibson said. “Then obviously his cognitive tests that they do on…

Thursday’s Rugby News has young & brash Rebels, old & brash Karmichaels, homegrown & brash Forces, and stupid & silly Johan Goosen. [one_half last=”no”] Rebels Confident Rebels coach Tony McGahan has put on a brave face when talking to News Ltd., telling the Daily Telegraph that’s he’s confident his unexpectedly youthful side can beat the Blues TONIGHT SUPER RUGBY STARTS TONIGHT YEAH BABY WOOOOO Several Rebels stars have been ruled out of this game, meaning several youngster have to fill the gaps in the squad. Sean McMahon, James Hanson, Toby Smith, Sefa Naivalu and Marika Koroibete have all been scratched from the teamsheet,…

Wednesday’s Rugby News has a new contract for DHP, a new scrumhalf for the Brumbies and praise for the 2nd-choice one, a happy Samu Kerevi and an expanding rugby competition. [one_half last=”no”] DHP Re-Signs Mike Brown better not go near Perth for at least another two-and-a-half years, because his bully Dane Haylett-Petty has signed with the Force until then. This signing is a boon for the Force, who fended off French clubs for the outside back’s signature. It’s also a handy statement of intent, as the Force seek to also fend off Sanzaar. “I really enjoyed last year, the challenges week in…

Tuesday’s Rugby News has no answer from the ARU over Super’s future, RUPA worried over any changes, Simon Poidevin’s opinion, and good news for Canberrans. [one_half last=”no”] ARU Clueless The ARU had a big meeting yesterday to figure out if they should cut an Australian Super team or not. Haven’t got an answer. To be fair, for any cutting to happen, there has to be a unaminous vote at SANZAAR. That fact does sort of hamstring the ARU. “No one likes uncertainty, you’re absolutely right,” ARU chairman Cameron Clyne said, according to the Venerable Geerob. “It’s not necessarily a helpful…

Monday’s Rugby News just wants to give you a big bear hug. [one_half last=”no”] RIP Dan Vickerman Wallaby Dan Vickerman passed away over the weekend. He was 37. Capped 63 times for the Wallabies, Vickerman retired in 2011 after suffering persistent knee injuries. Since retirement, he had been working in the real estate industry. He had also remained in rugby via his work with the players’ association. “The rugby world is in shock today after news of the tragic passing of Dan Vickerman,” Bill Pulver said to the media yesterday. “Dan was an uncompromising competitor who forged a wonderful international rugby…

When the idea of a Rugby State of Origin was announced late last year, it received a shrug of the shoulders. At best, it received conditional support. Whatever the reception, the idea seems to be going full-steam ahead. Ballymore’s been booked, a date set, and meetings planned. Weird, huh. It’s like a disaster’s incoming, and all we can do is somehow make it less worse. In saying that, let’s see what this State of Origin’s all about, and what we can do about it. It cuts states out It doesn’t take much brain power to come up with cons to…

Let’s try making a rugby team out of Star Wars characters, that’s a good trick! The Front Row [one_third last =”no”] 1. Loosehead Prop Jek Porkins – This bloke isn’t notable at all, but he’s one of the few Star Wars characters who has a sweet prop body. If that approach is good enough for Australian rugby, it’s good enough for me. [/one_third] [one_third last=”no”] 2. Hooker Jabba the Hutt – The bald, fatty, gormless slug look is something that rugby coaches the world over look for when they’re picking a hooker. His little arms won’t help at lineout time,…