Author: Reg Roberts

Not since Taniela Tupou burst onto the world stage on the back of a YouTube highlights clip has a social media emergence been so eagerly awaited. This weekend will see the debut of the Red Hot Chilli Steppers (RHCS) at the Brisvegas 7s, taking that rare leap from a Instagram ‘meme’ to an on-field power. A quick scan through their Instagram feed gives an insight as to what to expect from this team. Sure there is talent aplenty, including founder and Queensland Reds player Nat Wright. But if there is a singular commonality amongst the squad, it’s the predominant prevalence…

After the release of the Super Rugby Australia draw for 2021 earlier this week, which itself was on the back of Rugby Australia’s exciting new broadcast deal, RA and NZ Rugby have confirmed that a Trans-Tasman competition will also kick off in 2021. With Super Rugby AU kicking off on 19 February and delivering 22 games over 12 weekends, the Trans-Tasman Tournament (TTT) will feature an additional 26 games over six weeks, commencing 14 May with the final being on 19 June. The competition will feature all 10 Super Rugby teams with each Australian team to play each New Zealand…

Coach Dave Rennie has chosen three more debutants (one of which from the bench) and thrown Reece Hodge into the flyhalf jersey for the final Bledisloe Cup match of the year at Suncorp this weekend. Your Wallaby 23 is: 1 James Slipper (Brumbies) 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa (Reds) 3 Allan Alaalatoa (Brumbies) 4 Rob Simmons (Waratahs) 5 Matt Philip (Rebels) 6 Lachlan Swinton (Waratahs) 7 Michael Hooper (Waratahs) – captain 8 Harry Wilson (Reds) 9 Nic White (Brumbies) 10 Reece Hodge (Rebels) 11 Marika Koroibete (Rebels) 12 Hunter Paisami (Reds) 13 Jordan Petaia (Reds) 14 Tom Wright (Brumbies) 15 Tom Banks (Brumbies) 16 Folau Faimnga’a…

Coach Dave Rennie has refused to rest on the laurels of an impressive Wellington performance and made four squad changes for the second Bledisloe test. Your Wallaby 23 is: 1 James Slipper (Brumbies) 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa (Reds) 3 Taniela Tupou (Reds) 4 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (Reds) 5 Matt Philip (Rebels) 6 Ned Hanigan  (Waratahs) 7 Michael Hooper (Waratahs) – captain 8 Harry Wilson (Reds) 9 Nic White (Brumbies) 10 James O’Connor (Reds) 11 Marika Koroibete (Rebels) 12 Matt To’omua (Rebels) 13 Hunter Paisami (Reds) 14 Filipo Daugunu (Reds) 15 Tom Banks (Brumbies) 16 Jordan Uelese (Rebels) 17 Scott Sio (Brumbies) 18 Allan Alaalatoa (Brumbies)…

The first Wallaby team of the Dave Rennie era has been announced as they set themselves to break an almost 20 year New Zealand hoodoo. Your Wallaby 23 is: 1 James Slipper (Brumbies) 2 Folau Fainga’a (Brumbies) 3 Taniela Tupou (Reds) 4 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (Reds) 5 Matt Philip (Rebels) 6 Harry Wilson (Reds) 7 Michael Hooper (Waratahs) – captain 8 Pete Samu (Brumbies) 9 Nic White (Brumbies) 10 James O’Connor (Reds) 11 Marika Koroibete (Rebels) 12 Matt To’omua (Rebels) 13 Hunter Paisami (Reds) 14 Filipo Daugunu (Reds) 15 Tom Banks (Brumbies) 16 Jordan Uelese (Rebels) 17 Scott Sio (Brumbies) 18 Allan…

SANZAAR have confirmed the draw for this year’s new-look Rugby Championship, to be wholly played in Australia. Exactly as the media speculation suggested, the tournament will be run as a series of double headers over a condensed six-week period. The majority of the games will be played in NSW, however the event will kick off with a double header at Suncorp Stadium on 7 November when the World Champion Springboks will take on the Pumas prior to the third Bledisloe Cup match of the season. From there, all teams will relocate to NSW where matches will be played at Bankwest Stadium…

Let’s cut the crap about this being the Rebels first Super Rugby finals appearance, or the Reds’ first since 2015.  This is Super Rugby AU and it has no history.  Now that should not diminish on the significance of this game for either team. The Rebels are perhaps the team under the most pressure in Australian Rugby considering the resources sunk their way and without too much to really show for it.  The Reds are the up and comers, but is their substance to their play? Can they perform under the pressure of finals footy? A perfect Brisbane night at…

Even before the Rebels’ final minute win over the Force earlier in the day, the Reds’ clash with the Brumbies was, on paper, meaningless.  The Brumbies were guaranteed the week off having finished clear enough on top of the ladder, whilst the Reds 2nd place spot could not be usurped. Beyond paper, however, there was plenty to play for.  For the very reason that the two teams are expected to play off again in two weeks time in the Grand Final.  For the very reason that the last time these teams met it was an epic encounter, culminating in a…

As the rain swept across Suncorp Stadium during, the PSTD of Super Rugby fans would have been clicking into overdrive.  The last time these two sides met was on another wet windy day, this time at Brookvale Oval in Sydney, for one of the more forgettable clashes of this season. The result was an underwhelming extra time draw and both teams withdrew into a ‘don’t lose mentality’ rather than seek the win. A little over a month later and the competition has risen beyond that grim encounter and each team entered the game looking to consolidate or eradicate the previous…

It’s a clash that, despite not having been played for about four years, still is one of the most intense clashes in Super Rugby – at least off the field. There are some single-minded Reds fans who still haven’t forgiven the ‘newcomers’ of the West for poaching many of our key players.  Like Nathan Sharpe. And Digby Ioane. And Luke Doherty. And Junior Pelesasa. And Scott Daruda. And Rudi Vedelago. And Tai McIsaacs. And Dave Te Moana. And Tajhon Mailata. And Josh Graham. And Vitori Buatava. And Matt Windle. And Brett Stapelton. And Richard Brown. And Josh Fuimaono. And Ben…

The first game of the revamped Super Rugby AU competition could have no more fitting opener with the Reds hosting the Waratahs at Suncorp Stadium. With the crowd socially distanced, the footies hygienically cleaned and the players appropriately temperatured, it was game on in the new world of live sports. First Half The game started in an earie silence as the crowd not only seemingly adapted to, well, a crowd but also to actual rugby.  The action was predictable from the kick-off with a couple of dropped balls giving the Reds the first feed to a scrum. And a dominant scrum…

Live professional rugby is back in Australia and what better way to kick start this revamped Super Rugby season than with the clash of the traditional rivals.  Queensland and New South Wales have quite the history dating back to 1882, when they first clashed at the Sydney Cricket Ground.  On that occasion the Waratahs would come away with a 26-4 victory. Almost 140 years almost feels as long as its been since the Reds were able to finish on top of the Waratahs in the modern era. And in fact, you have to go back to the era of Ewen…

Kangaroo Coach Mal Meninga has come out and discussed “secret” discussions taking place with the New Zealand Rugby Union about a proposed hyrid game of something between the rugby league Kangaroos and the New Zealand All Blackzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. Meninga was quoted as saying “This would take the Kangaroos to the world. There will be global recognition.” Seriously….zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz This is of course not the first time such a hybrid game has been proposed or in fact been played howeverzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz Tip: It won’t happen.

Super Rugby returned to (some of) our screens this weekend gone as the New Zealand version, Aotearoa Super Rugby, returned with two cracking games played in front of two pumping crowds.  The Australian version is a few weeks behind, as we have with most things throughout this COVID19 period, with a new domestic competition incorporating some intriguing new laws, enough to build the anticipation among Aussie rugby fans. With the tournament still weeks away there’s a lot of time for new developments to play out before that first game, but why not take a look at the current status of…

Hamish McLennan is the most recent addition to the Rugby Australia this week, and as Chairman-elect, he came out last week to float a few ideas for the sport in this country.  Most seem to focus on that troubling middle tier of the sport, but it’s early days, so let’s not judge things yet. One of the concepts he suggested was a State of Origin series, stating that he had pushed for this back when he was CEO and Managing Director of Network 10, back in 2013-2015.  It’s obviously not the first time the concept has been mooted, usually as…

Trans-Tasman – Asian Pacific – National Club Comp – Global Rapid Rugby expansion – State of Origin – expanded NRC.  There has been a lot of models of competition being put out there of late as proposed answers to rugby’s current problems in Australia.   Unfortunately, each of them has problems. Or are largely based on what can only be described as ‘straw-clutching’ assumptions. Can we assume that New Zealand will be happy to play only Australian teams? Can we assume that Twiggy would offer an olive branch after he was rejected previously? Can we assume that any broadcaster is prepared…

The Super W preliminary season peaks this Saturday afternoon as the undefeated Reds host the Waratahs at Ballymore for their round 4 clash.  Now in it’s third season under the current format, there is no doubting that these match ups have been the highlights of their respective season. In 2018, the season launched the Waratahs staking their claims early on the back of an 18-0 victory at Suncorp Stadium. It was a win that was some sort of retribution for the Reds victory over NSW in the Grand Final of the Brisbane Global Tens tournament last minute victory earlier in…

Surprise, surprise – the Reds big win over the Sunwolves a couple of rounds ago meant absolutely nothing the following week when they hosted the Sharks.  Only an idiot (me) would think otherwise.  The Reds (and their fans) were bought back to earth big time with a resounding Sharks defeat, placing the South Africans now atop their conference ladder. Unfortunately it now means that the Reds now have to travel away from the cracked ‘fortress’ that is Suncorp Stadium and face the Crusaders, who sit atop their conference and have had little difficulty accounting for this Queensland team over recent…

The Reds were under immense pressure as they entered their Round 5 clash against the Sharks.  Firstly they needed to back-up after their thrashing against the Sunwolves last weekend and to prove they were more than flat track bullies.  Second, they needed to follow the Aussie path of success this weekend on the back of Rebels and Waratahs upset victories.  Finally they had to follow in the footsteps of their red-hot Women’s team who smashed the visiting Rebels 104-3 in the curtain raiser. For the Sharks, they were on their way home from a tour that saw them drop just…

For those who have clicked on this headline expecting another detailed analysis of statistics, ala our hometown reffing article earlier this week, to discover who is definitively Australia’s most creative player, then my apologies.  Although I must admit that article inspired this one. After numerous laborious hours of spread-sheeting and formulating, I needed a break.  And thankfully that break came in the form of a direct message to the GAGR facebook page.  Make no mistake, we get plenty of those and most of them are asking for support in promoting certain clubs or activities.  We can’t support them all but…