Author: Nick Hartman

The lads serve up the latest critique on all things rugby, the likelihood of them attending the next Tahs game and the detriments of a high calcium diet. WARNING – may contain swearing

Tuesday’s Rugby News has Brad Thorn loving scrums, Tom Banks signing a new Brumbies contract, everyone out to get Eddie Jones in England, and the results from the Vancouver 7s. [one_half last=”no”] Thorn Loves Scrum WE ARE RED coach Brad Thorn has revealed to the Courier Mail why scrums hold a special place in his heart as a coach – it’s because they helped him settle in when he first converted from loigue to union. “When I first crossed to play rugby I was frustrated with the rules and different things,” Thorn said. “One of the first things I fell in…

A review of round 4 of the super rugby, the six nations and Jim’s dog. May contain swearing.

1. Overhead 2. Backhand bullets 3. In Hindsight, They Really Shouldn’t Have Coloured The Pads Red and White As Well 4. Auld Enemy 5. Flyin Folau 6. The Stupidest Lineout of All Time

Blake, James and Richard are back at it for the 2018 Super Rugby season and all things rugby. Please join them in their initial thoughts for the exciting season ahead. Also leave nice comments and good questions, it keeps them going. Rah! WARNING – may contain swearing

1. Look at the scoreboard 2. One-hand lineout 3. Low Budget French Flair 4. He’s Already Dead 5. No Need To Pass 6. The Fat Man Finds Some Space… 7. Sound On

Australian rugby fans are well aware of the challenges that rugby union faces. Professionalism, viewership numbers and finding an alternative to Bernard Foley are struggles not only affecting the game in Australia, but also right across the world. Ok, maybe except the Bernard Foley thing. However, Geoff Parkes has a bit of good news for us all: it’s out of our hands. In his new book, World in Conflict: The Global Battle for Rugby Supremacy, Geoff, like Indiana Jones raiding an Amazonian temple, ducks and weaves through a gauntlet of trials to deliver the blame at French and English clubs’…

Wednesday’s Rugby News has an odd rumour from World Rugby, Peter Hewat’s plans at the Brumbies, fixtures for next year and the Tahs keen for new kicks. [one_half last=”no”] No More Writing It hasn’t been confirmed yet – we know of it because player reps were told about it at the recent World Rugby awards – but World Rugby is planning on banning writing on tape in rugby matches. Yep, writing on tape. Stuff.co.nz reports that “Black Ferns player Niall Williams, All Blacks midfielder Sonny Bill Williams’ sister, reported players could be fined $1000 if they continued with the practice.”…

Tuesday’s Rugby News has the two stooges getting up to mischief, Tongan Thor teary at his debut,World Rugby awards and Will Genia saying something or other. [one_half last=”no”] To BCC or not to BCC Everyone had suspicions that the ARU were a club of bungling boys who may or may not have made a decision and possibly drawn out that decision in the most depressing and distressing way, but now we have proof that they are actually a club of bungling boys who made a decision that was drawn out in the most depressing and distressing way. News has emerged…

Monday’s Rugby News Sekope Kepu is an idiot Sekope Kepu is an idiot Sekope Kepu is an idiot Sekope Kepu is an idiot Sekope Kepu is an idiot. [one_half last=”no”] Kepu is an idiot Sekope Kepu, officially the world’s dumbest footballer, after overtaking Sonny Bill Williams with his red card on the weekend, may miss out on a few Waratahs games next season. It may be a while until Kepu learns how long he’s suspended for, as the Wallabies planned to fly out from Scotland today. So, neither can Kepu go to the disciplinary panel in person, or say hi…

Wednesday’s Rugby News has revenge on Hunt’s mind, Uelese signing on, World Rugby refuting claims Samoa is broke, and Warren Gatland looking for revenge. [one_half last=”no”] Revenge The Wallabies got done by Scotland in June, and so the upcoming game this weekend is a chance for revenge. Karmichael Hunt, someone always eager for revenge, is eager for revenge. And some other things too. Back in June, if you don’t remember, Michael Cheika flogged the Wallabies with loads of fitness and hill sprints and so on. “We were playing probably two or three Test matches a week in June in the…

Tuesday’s Rugby News has Clive Woodward on the Wallabies, Cameron Clyne inclined to speak, Cheika potentially in trouble, and Foley upset about the Wallabies fade in the last 10. [one_half last=”no”] Woodward Would World Cup-winning coach Clive Woodward has written in his Daily Mail column that he sympathises with Cheika’s reaction to the Hooper no try. “I can think of no reason why Michael Hooper’s try wasn’t allowed,” Woodward or his ghost writer wrote. “Let’s face it, that was a huge decision and I’m not surprised Michael Cheika was very upset and animated about it – I would be. “My…

Monday’s Rugby News has Cheika saying nothing, the ARU saying I didn’t do it, more Rebels joining from the Force and all the results from  the weekend. [one_half last=”no”] Poor Old Cheik Michael Cheika has insisted that he ain’t said nothing about the refereeing decisions on the weekend, saying so post-game. First of all there was a BeIN Sports interview, which Cheika walked out of after being repeatedly probed about his effin’ and jeffin’. Armchair lip reader think he said “fucking cheat”, but really it could have been “fucking shit” or “fucking sheep”. It’s as if they don’t know the…

Wednesday’s Rugby News has Beale doing what he wants, Danny Care praising Genia, World Cup voting gossip and Ollie le Roux getting himself into a mess. [one_half last=”no”] Beale Deale Kurtley Beale is happy to keep doing what he’s doing for the Wallabies, which may or may not include taking half-naked photos with the future King. “It’s a bit of a roving role and I’ll play wherever the coaches see fit and think I play my best rugby, whatever’s the best for the team,” Beale said, according to rugby.com.au. “As a back line we all have a good understanding of what…

Tuesday’s Rugby News has a Senate report to be handed down, a hopeful TPN, a wise Mako Vunipola, and Allister Coetzee facing the chop. [one_half last=”no”] 48-72 Weeks Later Finally, at long last, there’s a sequel to 28 Wees Later. Except this time it isn’t about a zombie virus decimating Britain, it’s about about rugby and stars Val Kilmer as Bill Pulver, Michael Douglas as Cameron Clyne, and Brendan Fraser as Matt Hodgson. More to the point, the Senate – yes, the Senate. them – are going to finally do what they’re supposed to, and talk about rugby. Specifically, their findings into…

Monday’s Rugby News has Genia looking forward to England, Cheika also looking forward to England, QC winning the NRC and the scores from the November intls [one_half last=”no”] Genia Wants More The Wallabies lost to England four (4) times last year, but this time it’s going to be different. Mick Bynre’s skills coaching has had another year. Nathan Grey and Michael Cheika got a scare about the whole defending thing. Cheika might have figured out that Reece Hodge can do some of the kicking. The game in Australia has been possibly irreparably damaged by the whole Force thing. But most…

Wednesday’s Rugby News has a really cool Welsh assistant coach, a sagely Sio, the Rebels signing two and the Aussie men’s 7s rack up another tournament. [one_half last=”no”] Wales Assistant Coach Tells Truth Wales assistant coach Shaun Edwards is a really really cool guy, who also believes that the Wallabies’ attack is the best in the world. He thinks it’s even better than the All Blacks’ attack! Aw shucks. “They have immense attacking weapons, they have the most potent attacking force in the first three phases in world rugby — even more than the All Blacks,” Edwards said, who doubles…

Tuesday’s Rugby News has a happy Samu Kerevi, a possible McMahon return, Robbie Deans critical of the Poms and the Kookaburras back in their kolours. [one_half last=”no”] Kerevi Happy After belting the living daylights out of blokes a foot shorter than himself last week, in the Japanese romp, Samu Kerevi has happily announced to the press that he thinks he has his rugby mojo back. What’s more, Kerevi reckons that a chat from Will Genia turned his perspective around. Remember when Kerevi got pilloried in the first All Blacks game? “He said, first get a haircut that makes you look…

Monday’s Rugby News has Reece Hodge reactions, Tatafu Polota-Nau without a contract, new news on the IPRC and NRC semi-finals losing their semi. [one_half last=”no”] Hodge Ain’t Podge The big news coming out of the Wallabies-Japan game is Reece Hodge. Specifically, is he good or is he whack? Paul Cully over at the SMH reckons he’s not whack, even going so far as to say the ABs have a bigger flyhalf conundrum than the Wallabies. “Hodge is by no means the finished article but it was evident that the hat fits when it comes to directing a football team,” writes…

Wednesday’s Rugby News has Matt Philip (one L) looking forward to being a Wallaby, the boyyys looking forward to Japan, the Baa Baas squad to crush NZ, and a Ben Whittaker interview. [one_half last=”no”] Philip Unfazed He was born into this world with only one ‘L’ in Philip, so since day dot it’s been an uphil struggle for the Force’s Matt Philip. So it’s no surprise to learn that the man lacking an L isn’t lacking fight for the Wallabies jersey. “Training against ‘Adsy’ [Adam Coleman] al year, it’s been awesome,” the 23-year-old told rugby.com.au. “If you can pick a…