Author: Shane Sullivan

Fridays Rugby News sees The best rugby no one’s talking about, news from the semi-finals and, Japan the real winner [one_half last=”no”]  The NRC Final Is Here The NRC was always on a hiding to nothing this year with the Rugby World cup scheduled at the same time. It’s a pity because this year’s competition has been the best yet. It all culminates this weekend with the Vikings heading over to Perth to take on the Force. Canberra Vikings Head Coach Nick Scrivener has made one change to the starting XV for the National Rugby Championship Grand Final against…

Fridays Rugby News sees Wallabies and England named, the eleventh ban of RWC19, Clarky gets a double ton and, more Junior Wallabies for the Waratahs. [one_half last=”no”]  Wallabies Named For England. Wallabies team to play England at Oita Stadium, Oita on Saturday 19 October 1. Scott Sio (62 Tests) 2. Tolu Latu (18 Tests) 3. Allan Alaalatoa (36 Tests) 4. Izack Rodda (24 Tests) 5. Rory Arnold (25 Tests) 6. David Pocock (82 Tests) 7. Michael Hooper (c) (98 Tests) 8. Isi Naisarani (7 Tests) 9. Will Genia (109 Tests) 10. Christian Lealiifano (25 Tests) 11. Marika Koroibete (27 Tests) 12. Samu Kerevi (vc) (32…

Fridays Rugby News sees two games cancelled, Tahs sign Gamble, changes for the Wallabies and, bye-bye Ma’a Nonu [one_half last=”no”]  Two World Cup Games Cancelled Typhoon Hagibis could wreak havoc on the Rugby World Cup finals. With New Zealands match against Italy and England’s game against France already cancelled attention now moves to Japan versus Scotland for a spot in the finals. But while Australia sat tight in Shizuoka – their Friday night game against Georgia unaffected – all eyes quickly turned to Sunday’s games, which included the blockbuster Pool A decider between Japan and Scotland in Yokohama, plus…

Monday’s Rugby News looks at Japan surging, too much Petaia hype, that spear tackle and, a call for a longer world cup. [one_half last=”no”] Japan Lead Pool A Embed from Getty Images There have been great games at this World Cup. Inspirational moments. But there’s only one side, besides the Wallabies, that I have on my must-watch list and that’s Japan! I can’t tell you exactly why but I can tell you some of the parts that fuel my admiration. The player’s attitudes. There’s no bullshit, no agro, they’re just here to play. They’re the underdogs. Their fans are amazing.…

Friday’s Rugby News sees Uraguay slaying giants, Hodge having no framework, Aon 7s and, the next generation on show! [one_half last=”no”]  The Biggest Upset In RWC History Just when everyone thought week one of RWC 2019 was going to follow the script. Just when punters had started to say ‘Rugby’s boring every game just goes with whoever is seeded highest. Fiji coach John McKee thought it was safe to change 13 of the starting side that played against Australia. And Rugby minow Uruguay spotted their chance and grabbed it with both hands sneaking past Fiji 30 points to 27 yesterday…

Friday’s Rugby News looks at the Wallabies, Fiji, Tonga at the World Cup and, Castle on the next Wallabies Coach! [one_half last=”no”] A Couple Of Surprises For The Wallabies By now you would have laid eyes on the Wallaby side to face Fiji tomorrow and either be quietly happy with the return of the Pooper or seething with anger with the return of the Pooper. I find myself, slightly, in the second group I guess. I can see the dual openside working against Fiji but come the time we face up against a top-flight lineout or a muscled up back…

Friday’s Rugby News has Smith on the pooper, Foketi signing, another O’Connor late and, what to do with fringe Wallabies. [one_half last=”no”] King George Poops on the Pooper Hot on the heals of Phill Kearns’ ‘insights’ yesterday comes a missive from his royal awesomness King George Smith. While Kearns is happy to give up size and height to have two opensides on the park George isn’t so sure. Smith started alongside Phil Waugh in the 2003 Rugby World Cup but the 111-Test great said while there were ‘pros’ and ‘cons’ to the dual open side tactic, he would stick with…

Friday’s Rugby News sees Ledesma rating the Wallabies, a big day out at Bond Uni, Toomua’s dads divided loyalties and, praise from Buck for Squires [one_half last=”no”]  Mario Reckons We’re Alright! Usually, when an opposition coach tells the media just how good your team is you know there’s some sort of ambush on the way. But when that guy was the long term forwards coach with the Wobs and we may or may not play them in the World Cup, for me, it gets a little more confusing. For what it’s worth I reckon he rates us. Here’s what he…

Fridays Rugby News sees Latu revived, Kolesi in, the nationality of the next Wallaby coach, and Foley handling selection snub. [one_half last=”no”]  Tolu Latu Clears The Air Tolu Latu tends to polarise peoples opinions. What not in doubt is his talent as a footballer. What put people off was the penalties and off-field partying that came with it. It all came to a head about four months ago when Latu was found drunk, groggy and unlicensed behind the wheel of his still-running car at a set of traffic lights on a busy Sydney road. The moment news broke of the…

Big Brother vs Little Brother is how most punters are talking about this game but I reckon Dad’s Army vs Young Bucks is probably a more apt description for this game. I jest, I jest, but seriously, how many of the Waratahs outfit declared their retirement after last season’s win? I reckon it was at LEAST 10 of them!! But they’re back on deck again. Don’t take that commitment lightly, while these blokes are definitely still carrying a few pounds and there might even be some grey hairs there, they won’t want to have played another entire season to get…

Fridays Rugby News sees Kafer on the Wallabies, Will Skelton, Wales and the pop gun and a Pocock gamble. [one_half last=”no”]  Kafer: Wallabies need playmaker at 13 Personally, I’ve been calling for it for years but, it’s great to Kaf has finally caught up. For Australia’s first two tests this year the Wallabies went with two power runners in the midfield. But for the last two, they played the more skilful James O’Connor at out centre. And for the most part, it seemed to work. Back in the Wallabies fold after almost six years out, O’Connor shone in the upset win…

Friday’s Rugby News looks at a Reds appointment, The Wallabies and Wallaroos, and changes for Wales. [one_half last=”no”] Rod Seib appointed St.George Queensland Reds Academy head coach Queensland Country and Brothers Premier grade coach has joined the Reds academy as head coach. He joins Imho one of the legends of Queensland rugby, Paul Carrozza who will continue in his role in talent identification and management. This from the QRU’s media release Seib, who has nine years of Queensland Premier Rugby coaching experience, is currently preparing Brothers for Sunday’s Hospital Challenge Cup grand final against University of Queensland at Ballymore. QRU CEO…

Friday’s Rugby News sees Wallaroos named, Wallabies named, All Black muscle, and a baby Black Fern. [one_half last=”no”]  Wallaroo’s Named For Ferns. The Wallaroos have named their side for their first ever test match in Western Australia. The team is revelling in a proper test season for the first time ever. Rather than coming together a couple of days before a test match with our cousins across the ditch, they had two tests against Japan and a decent amount of time together. And that, for me, makes this interesting as all… Let’s just say I’m interested. This from Rugby Australia’s…

Friday’s Rugby News looks at the Poey’s Calf again, Wallabies attack woes, All Black news and, Thor staying home. [one_half last=”no”] Poey’s Out Again It’s the Wallabies training camp gift that just keeps giving! A plethora of players reeled out of the camp with injuries but Pocock and to a lesser extent, Coleman seem to be the worst affected. coleman’s season seemed to be clearly affected but Pococks has been non-existent. Yesterday’s news that Poey’s cameo in Canberra’s club rugby comp has been put on hold just adds to a long list of ‘delays’ in his comeback. This from the…

Thursday’s Rugby News looks at the NRC draw, the NSW Rugby Awards, rocket in Sevens and, Poey in the Shute. [one_half last=”no”] 2019 NRC Draw Announced Building on last years triumph which saw the Fiji Drua take out the top prize RA has released the draw of 2019’s version of the competition. This year sees some early kick-offs to accommodate the Wallabies World Cup campaign and a couple of rule variations just to keep things interesting. Law variations I hear you say? Seriously they don’t seem that bad. Firstly there’s a 50/22 kick. Basically, any general play kick (including free kicks)…

Fridays Rugby News sees the return of the Hair Bear, CTE, Changes to the Wallabies and Coach Campo. [one_half last=”no”]  The Hair Bear Is Back The Hair Bear is my daughter’s pet name for her favourite player Tatafu Polota-Nau. TPN was minding his own business in Leicester when an unknown number turned up on his phone. Tatafu had figured his days in gold were over so he hadn’t bothered to give his number to the Wallabies coach. But that didn’t stop Cheika hunting down his man. Even though TPN wasn’t keen on a farewell tour he was a bit peeved…

The Australian girls racked up a big win last week built on the huge work rates of Millie Boyle and Grace Hamilton. But the Wallaroos didn’t have it all their own way with big games from Fujimoto and hooker and 31 tackles from Suzuki in the centres keeping them in check.  Embed from Getty Images The Match After a beautiful welcome to country by Uncle Ray Davison and the national anthems play got underway with both teams lining up as advertised. Japan fumbled the kick-off and handed the Wallaroos an early chance to work into their patterns, and that exactly…

Thursday’s Rugby News Looks at The Wallabies path to the final, Bok B team, John I Dent Cup Brumbies and, Nic White to start. [one_half last=”no”] Wallabies Can Follow Same Path Former Wallaby skipper Stephan Moore reckons we can just do what we did last time to come second in the World Cup. Moore says that even though the Wallabies are coming off their worst season since 1958 that should just stick with what they were doing and not bring in new players. Moore believes that experience is vital and that his successor Michael Hooper needs all the support from…

Friday’s Rugby News sees the Wallaby squad announced, young guns included, Brumbies lineout break down, and the Super Final [one_half last=”no”]  Wallabies Named! First the big news. Christian Leali’ifano is back in gold for the first time since 2016. Lilo, in this reporters opinion, has been the best flyhalf in the country this year it only remains to be seen if that form can translate to test rugby. Hopefully, we’ll have a better idea after he plays his 20 test, this time against the Springboks, in a couple of weeks. Lilo’s inclusion probably comes at Quade Cooper’s expense but that’s probably…

Friday’s Rugby News has a milestone for Lilo, redemption for Slips, a return for JOC, and new faces for women’s Sevens. [one_half last=”no”] 150 for Liali’ifano It’s been a rare pleasure to watch Christian Leali’ifano, affectionately known as Lilo by just about everyone, clock up 149 games. And no matter what the result of this Saturday’s semi-final against the Jaguares it’ll be an honour to watch his 150th. What’s particularly surprising is the lack of test matches to compliment his Super Rugby appearances. There’s no doubt he had the class to be a long term Wallaby but a Knee injury,…