Author: Tim Hoar
Friday’s top rugby news has Pulver’s ‘Southern Lions’, Kuridrani re-signing, more Wallabies coaching scuttlebutt and Quade Cooper opening up. [one_half last=”no”] Southern Lions? As mentioned by a couple of readers in the comments to yesterday’s news, Bill Pulver has this week been floating the idea of a ‘Southern Lions’ team to tour the Northern Hemisphere. The side would feature all the best players from the four Rugby Championship nations. Pulver believes there is room for it in the crowded international schedule as well. Currently three years out of each four year cycle are occupied by the World Cup, existing Lions tour and…
Thursday’s top rugby news has the reaction to the O’Driscoll and Smith selection bombshells, the Lions pleading innocence and White free to coach the Wallabies. [one_half last=”no”] Reaction to O’Driscoll axing Unsurprisingly there have been plenty of reactions from around the world regarding the shock axing of Irish legend Brian O’Driscoll. Former Lions hooker Keith Wood was one of the most vocal, labelling the call a “terrible mistake” when speaking with the BBC. Also speaking to the BBC, another former Lion Willie John McBride rubbished the XV selected and the “absolutely amazing” decision to drop BOD, which he said Robbie…
Wednesday’s top rugby news has the fallout from the Horwill appeal, George Smith’s availability, Nonu suspended and a wrap up of signing news [one_half last=”no”] More fallout from Horwill drama Even though justice has finally been served, the James Horwill appeal issue will continue to be discussed for a little while yet. Following the announcement of the verdict yesterday, the ARU opened up on its thoughts on how the process had played out. ARU boss Bill Pulver is intending on writing to the IRB, urging them to review rule that allowed them to appeal their own decision and drag the…
Friday’s top rugby news has the ARU reacting to the Horwill investigation, changes at the Rebels, Robinson re-signs and Eddie Jones’ thoughts on the Wallabies side. [one_half last=”no”] ARU reacts to new Horwill investigation The big news of the last 24 hours has been that the IRB will be re-opening the James Horwill stamping charge after Saturday’s second Test. The game’s governing body has pointed to their “duty to preserve player welfare” to appeal Horwill’s original not-guilty verdict. In response, the ARU is, perhaps predictably, none too pleased. Speaking yesterday, Bill Pulver stated “we are surprised and disappointed that the…
With Super Rugby taking a break for DHL Australia 2013 Lions tour, this weekend’s Shute Shield teams will again be laden with HSBC Waratahs, with eight lining up in Sunday’s final Round 12 clash between Eastern Suburbs and Sydney University. Vying to cement their places in the top eight, fifth-placed Eastern Suburbs will be relying on the presence of Brendan McKibbin and John Ulugia when they attempt to claim back-to-back wins over second-placed Sydney University, to add to their surprise upset over leaders Eastwood in round eight. According to Beasties’ coach Mark Bakewell, confidence is high on the back of…
Thursday’s top rugby news has Finegan backing Smith, McCabe out for the season, two Wallabies out on the town and a ban for a Rebels winger. [one_half last=”no”] Finegan wants Smith to start Fox Sports have done the rounds of former Wallabies flankers, and Owen Finegan believes that George Smith should be starting on Saturday night. He is alone though with David Wilson, Simon Poidevin and David Croft all backing incumbent Michael Hooper to start with Smith on the bench. Finegan likened the impact of a Smith starting berth to the explosive influence that Israel Folau’s x-factor and big game…
Wednesday’s top rugby news has Pulver’s thoughts on Ioane, British response to Horwill reprieve, JOC wants the number 10 again and the first test’s referee giving thoughts on his own performance. [one_half last=”no”] JOC Yearns for another shot After a less than happy outing on Saturday night, James O’Connor is dead keen to get his hands on the Wallabies number 10 jersey again. O’Connor went into a fair bit of detail concerning his performance in discussions with the press yesterday. In regards to his poor goalkicking, O’Connor revealed that a slight hamstrng injury had prevented him from doing much practice…
Friday’s top rugby news sees Gatland discussing Corbisiero, Palmer injury blow for the Brumbies, a new Force signing and plenty of changes for the All Blacks and France. [one_half last=”no”] Gatland explains Corbisiero choice One of the surprise selections in Warren Gatland’s starting XV for the first Lions Test was the choice of English prop Alex Corbisiero over Mako Vunipola in the front row. This despite the fact that Vunipola was a member of the original squad, whilst Corbisiero is one of the raft of injury reinforcements that have been called upon since the tour started. Speaking yesterday, Gatland explained…
Seven days after battling for his state against The British & Irish Lions, Will Skelton will return to club action this Saturday, as Sydney University looks to down the West Harbour Pirates. Fast making a name for himself after last weekend’s monstrous performance against the tourists in front of a sold-out Allianz Stadium, the mighty lock is one of six players from the NSW team to line up for Sydney Uni in this weekend’s Shute Shield Round 11 match. Also running on in the gold and blue are props Jeremy Tilse and Paddy Ryan, fellow lock Ollie Atkins, centre and…
Thursday’s top rugby news has Woodward’s thoughts on the Brumbies, Lions injury update, Gerrard aiming at Olympics and the home unions wanting Lions cash. [one_half last=”no”] Lions injury update Another day, another barnstorming winger ruled fit for the first test, this time the Lions’ George North. The Welsh winger has not played since injuring a hamstring in the tourists’ 64-0 drubbing of the combined Country side in Newcastle. Yesterday though, Lions backs coach Rob Howley confirmed that North was ready to go, even going as far as saying that he has “never seen him in better shape”. Unfortunately for the…
Wednesday’s top rugby news sees Ioane fit, Canberra Stadium issues, Larkham backing Toomua and England to face Wales in Junior World Cup [one_half last=”no”] Ioane fit for first Test It appears that if picked, Digby Ioane will be ready to go for the Wallabies this weekend. The Queensland winger has managed to recover just in time after undergoing an arthroscopy following flying home early during the Reds South African tour. While Ioane’s availability will be music to the ears of Robbie Deans, there will be question marks over his match fitness and sharpness given he’s been out for five weeks.…
Friday’s top rugby news sees another new Lion, O’Connor under fire, Wallabies squad members released and Ranger’s contract dilemma [one_half last=”no”] Twelvetrees the latest Lion Injury concerns hanging over the heads of a number of key Lions has forced coach Warren Gatland to call up another player, this time English centre Billy Twelvetrees. There are currently concerns around the fitness of Tommy Bowe, George North, Brian O’Driscoll, Manu Tuilagi and Owen Farrell. Except for Bowe’s broken hand, none of the injuries are particularly serious. However with so many backs in the wars, it is understandable that Gatland wouldn’t mind an…
Thursday’s top rugby news sees Ioane officially ruled out, Chieka talking up the Tahs and Heyneke Meyer talking up the Wallabies
Wednesday’s top news sees a major Force coup, Beale speaking out, Morahan called up and France conquering the Blues [one_half last=”no”] Beale speaks out Yesterday Kurtley Beale spoke to the media for the first time since his alcohol related issues began to flare on the Rebels’ ill-fated trip to South Africa. The recalled Wallaby was extremely grateful for the opportunity that has been extended to him by Robbie Deans and the rest of the Wallabies hierarchy. Speaking from the Wallabies Sunshine Coast training base Beale said “I’m feeling really good and really positive. It’s great to be back in the…
Shute Shield Round 9B Preview: Easts wary of Preston brothers causing Woollahra upset
Friday’s rugby news sees JOC being a pirate, Lions defensive concerns, Gregan’s inspirational words and new faces for the All Blacks & Boks [one_half last=”no”] In tight defence a concern for Lions The British and Irish Lions well and truly drubbed the Western Force on Wednesday night. But that does not mean there were not some defensive issues raised for the touring side. Lions defence coach Andy Farrell highlighted the gains that the Force were able to make around the ruck as cause for concern. ”They had quite a bit of success in tight with the pick-and-goes around the ruck,…
Thursday’s rugby news has injury concerns for both the Lions & Wallabies, a biting allegation & new Super captains [one_half last=”no”] Healy cited over Sheehan bite After initially looking like there would not be any issue, it now appears Cian Healy is in some trouble over his alleged bite of the Force’s Brett Sheehan. The complaint from Sheehan against Healy was made on the field during the first half of last night’s match to the referee. In a half time media interview though, Sheehan had calmed somewhat, not sure if it was an accident or intentional on the part of…
Wednesday’s rugby news has plenty on Force vs the Lions, Noddy expressing doubts about our chances & a Foley backflip [one_half last=”no”] Foley defends Force squad Western Force coach Michael Foley has hit back at critics of the side he has named to face the British and Irish Lions tonight. The squad features seven players with no Super Rugby Caps, balanced by five former Wallabies – Brett Sheehan, Salesi Ma’afu, Richard Brown, Matt Hodgson and Sam Norton-Knight. Foley claims it is “pretty insulting to the guys taking the field” to question the quality of the side selected with the coach…
Friday’s rugby news has a Wallabies Grand Slam, Mowen compared to Matfield, Foley defects to the Rebels & the Reds focused [one_half last=”no”] Wallabies Grand Slam Tour I know we are all getting ourselves psyched up for the Lions tour, but looking further ahead, this year’s Wallabies spring tour will be a rare Grand Slam outing. So in addition to a confirmed Test against Italy, the Wallabies will also play the four traditional Grand Slam nations – England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. This will be only the third such tour since the famous 1984 one in which the Wallabies coached…
Previews and full teams for Shute Shield round 9