Author: Yowie

Wednesday’s Rugby News sees Scott “Stanley Knife” Robertson get the Nearlies gig post World Cup, a new global tournament from 2026, the Tahs reflect on their start to the season and Paul Smith expects more diving in rugby. NZR appoint Robertson as next coachBloody Everyone Reports that New Zealand Rugby has named Scott Robertson as Ian Foster’s successor, with the 48 year old to take charge of the All Blacks after the Rugby World Cup later this year. The Crusaders coach has signed a four year contract which will run from the start of 2024 and take him through to…

Eddie Jones dips toe into League water with defence coach Brett HodgsonRugbypass reports that Eddie Jones has named his Wallabies new defence coach, appointing Brett Hodgson on a two year deal through to the end of 2024. The former NRL player had been due to start working as the England defence coach for the 2023 Guinness Six Nations. With Anthony Seibold having signalled his intention in October to quit that role, Jones picked Hodgson as Seibold’s successor and he spent the Autumn Nations Series shadowing his fellow Australian. However, after Jones was dismissed in early December as the England head…

Today’s rugby news sees new law variations for a faster game with less TMO delay (or fewer delays), women players getting paid (a bit), Louis Lynagh recovering & still available for Australia and Welsh Rugby’s Tom Jones trouble is not unusual. The Laws, They Are A-Changin’The Brett Lee of Rugby Australia press conference Dorothy Dixers, Nathan Williamson, reports that Super Rugby Pacific law variations are set to be implemented for the 2023 season. Referees will enforce 90 second time limits on conversions, 60 for penalty kicks, 30 for scrums and lineouts and 5 seconds for the ball to be used…

Today’s rugby news sees lower tackle height controversy, tough luck for the Tahs, Welsh rugby admin drama and we check in on some familiar names in the Japanese competition. We are indeed staying away from all the long bows being drawn from Eddie Jones’ press conference by various media outlets. Watch the presser for yourself in the comments section of Tuesday’s post. UK controversy over new lower tackle heightsSky Sports reports that the Rugby Football Union could face a no-confidence vote from grassroots clubs amid growing opposition to plans for a radical tackle-height change. It was announced last week tackling…

Today’s rugby news sees Eddie Jones getting the coke & sars, Scott “Razor” Robertson intrigue, missing Springboks winger found and World Series Sevens programme skups New Zealand bro. Eddie Jones & Poms part ways.The RFU have released a statement confirming that lovable larrikin Eddie Jones will get to enjoy some more family time. “Following a review of the autumn, Eddie Jones has been dismissed from the position of England Men’s Head Coach. The Rugby Football Union (RFU) will now conclude the long-term work it has been undertaking on coach succession planning with changes set to be announced in the near…

Today’s Rugby News sees South Africans reach their limit of Rassie nonsense, World Rugby Awards, the Western Force 2023 squad and the Wallabies’ run of injury and unavailability. South Africans starting to tire of Rassie’s BSNews 24 reports that SA Rugby and local coaches are believed to be irate at Erasmus over his conduct.Rassie was on Thursday banned for two matches by World Rugby after he posted several tweets highlighting refereeing errors. It followed South Africa’s narrow defeats to Ireland (19-16) in Dublin and France (30-26) in Marseille. SA Rugby president Mark Alexander, was furious after the latest debacle. When…

On this solemn “9-11” day, Dave Rennie comments on key France game moments, women’s World Cup final fever, concussion shenanigans and England coaching changes & criticism. Rennie addresses France frustration Tom Decent of the SMH reports Dave Rennie’s comments on the France game. Rennie had benched starting five-eighth Bernard Foley in the 72nd minute to bring on Reece Hodge. Former Wallaby Drew Mitchell said during Stan Sport’s coverage the decision to hook Foley was “interesting”. “I think it was a poor substitution taking Bernard Foley off. You’ve got seven minutes to play and you take your key decision-maker off? [It…

In today’s rugby news the Wallaroos have their work cut out when facing the Red Roses, Lord Laurie gives “lazy” Wallabies both barrels, Nigel Owens has had enough TMO and Suzie the waitress strikes again.Red Roses might be alrightEmbed from Getty ImagesSam Worthington at Nine reports that England’s women’s rugby team might be OK (or, to quote the article, “might just be the best sporting side you have never heard of”). Since losing to New Zealand in 2019, the Red Roses have peeled off a remarkable 28 straight wins – a tier one Test rugby world record for men or…

Today’s rugby news sees Wallaroo Scotland prep, head impact damage, New Fiji Drua facility and the multiple demands on Michael Cheika.Tight-budget Wallaroos prepare for Scotland (Sat, Oct 15, 2022, 12:00 PM NZ time)Embed from Getty ImagesNathan Williamson reports in Pravda that the Wallaroos will face Scotland and Wales to round out their group stages, needing to win at least one to book their place in the quarter-finals.The Wallaroos lasts played Scotland in 2002 (which is not that long ago if you’ve been shaving for more than five minutes, so back off Nathan!).It’s a challenge the Wallaroos and assistant Scott “Beans”…

The Hunter Valley Crips held their memorial service for Coolio on Thursday night, rendering Hoss unavailable to do today’s news. When asked if he wanted to put anything up for Friday’s news, Hoss replied: “Tell me why are we so blind to see? That the ones we hurt are you and me.”Indeed. Please be nice to Hoss at this time of grief. It won’t be long until the old Hoss is back to being in the top seven regular above-the-line G&GR contributors. In the meantime here’s some proper news on a Friday.BLACK FERNS v WALLAROOS Sat 8 Oct, 5:05 pm…

Today’s rugby news sees Mathieu Raynal take ze responsibilitee, Michael Hooper set to return to Wallaby training, a new independent referee selectors panel and Tupou set to re-sign with Rugby Australia…but not necessarily for the Reds. Raynal ‘I take total responsibility for what I did’Embed from Getty ImagesRugbypass reports that referee Mathieu Raynal has addressed his controversial decision to penalise Bernard Foley in the first Bledisloe Cup Test against the All Blacks, saying “I try to do what is the most fair.”After being crowned French rugby’s referee of the season yesterday, Raynal discussed the entire affair.“I take total responsibility for…

Today’s rugby news sees Dave Rennie explain his changes, Koroibete about brutality, the RFU issue fresh guidance on disrespect and SBW IQ shocker. Dave Rennie explains sweeping changes to WallabiesWallabies coach Dave Rennie has turned over almost half of his run-on side ahead of Thursday night’s Bledisloe Cup encounter against New Zealand, with quiet-type Nic White the highest profile casualty.Rugbypass reports that Rennie has made seven changes to his starting XV for the Marvel Stadium match following the disappointing 24-8 loss to South Africa in Sydney earlier this month. Bernard Foley returns to the side for the first time since…

Wednesday’s Rugby News sees Wallaby routine adjustments, Bok changes for the Sydney game, pressure on the ABs, French mischief and the Force bulking-up.This Wednesday’s Rugby News is brought to you by a weird, re-gifted, bootleg Scotch. It turns out that really good whiskies are aged in oak for a reason. Proper distilleries looking to sponsor G&GR news should contact G&GR admin with their proposal. Wallabies bounce-back methodsEmbed from Getty ImagesThe SMH reports that centre Len Ikitau and fullback Reece Hodge have opened up on the tweaks the group made to their preparations leading into the Adelaide match.“Probably a big element…

Today’s rugby news discusses the “drinks break” head-scratcher, the Fiji back office, the Wallaby injury toll and NZ under 9s crowd carry-on.Front Rower confusedNine reports that Wallabies prop Scott Sio says he is “confused” by World Rugby’s new water break directive that is stopping play for hydration at the 20 and 60 minute mark in Tests.The water break concept is that both teams have a clearly defined drink break window while at the same time clamping-down on the trend of water boys and trainers taking the field clutching bottles.But on Stan Sport’s Between Two Posts, Sio agreed with Andrew Mehrtens…

Today’s rugby news sees Kerevi out with an ACL (dammit!), the Brumbies confirm their 2023 coaching setup, Wallaroos confirm squad for O’Reilly Cup and All Blacks players being a bit rubbish apparently.Kerevi out with ACL from Commonwealth Games gameEmbed from Getty ImagesFox reports that Samu Kerevi is expected to miss the rest of the year due to a knee injury.It’s understood Kerevi, 28, suffered an ACL injury during Australia’s narrow 7-5 victory over Kenya in their Commonwealth Games pool match over the weekend. Kerevi took no further part in Australia’s campaign, where John Manenti’s side lost in the semi-finals to…

Today’s Rugby News has Twiggy backing an Aussie Super Rugby comp, Eddie “come here and say it”, Jones sounded-out for post-2023 return, Reds signings (and Force goodbyes) and Joe Marler talks concussion. Twiggy prepared to back Aussie-only Super CompRugby Australia has received the backing of its broadcaster and billionaire mining magnate Twiggy “Andrew” Forrest to go it alone in Super Rugby next year according to the SMH. RA and NZR are renegotiating their agreement to play in Super Rugby together beyond next season, with Australia after a bigger share of the broadcast rights revenue. As it stands, Sky pays NZR…

With the international season back on there is more rugby news than you can poke a forky stick at. Reece Hodge comes into the Wallaby squad, Cooper looking shaky, Kerevi called-up up for Commonwealth Sevens and the Brisbane First Nations game. Reece Hodge summoned from Australia A to cover for Tom BanksRugbypass reports that the Wallabies have called experienced utility back Reece Hodge into their squad as injury cover for Tom Banks ahead of this week’s second test against England in Brisbane.Banks was taken from the field during the first half of Australia’s series-opening win over the English in Perth…

It’s not Hoss today. Deal with it. Hoss has Covid and it’s a risk factor to be a heavy-drinking misanthropic fat pr!ck. Please use those same thoughts & prayers that have been so effective at stopping Seppo one-way shootouts. Today’s news sees possible Wallaby back-row combinations, Sir Clive Woodward’s opinion on Eddie Jones and more on brain injury. Wallaby back rowWayne Smith of the SMH has opined on Australia’s back row options. The Reds have presented Harry Wilson with the Stan Pilecki Medal for the peer-voted best player of the season while Rob Valetini is well in line for his…

Wednesday’s Rugby News sees Eddie Jones mischief, reactions to McLennan’s sabre rattling and a concussion protocol rejig.England TourThe SMH reports that Sydney University centre Guy Porter is on the cusp of an England debut after being named in Eddie Jones’ 36-player squad to tour Australia next month. Porter was a fringe Brumbies player when the COVID-19 pandemic hit two years ago, but took a chance in the English Premiership to kick-start his career abroad. Porter graduated from The Scots College alongside Angus Crichton and Jack Maddocks. Eddie Jones also celebrated the 45 years since the release of “Never Mind the…

Today’s rugby news sees Brumbies bracing for the Blues semi-final, Wallaroos win the first half against NZ, NSW consider bringing back Latu and a bizarre peek under the bonnet of the South African psyche. Today’s news brought to you by Jura “Journey” single malt. Distilleries can contact Yowie@GAGR for more news sponsorship opportunities. Brumbies Brumbies Brumbies Brumbies (Brumbies)Embed from Getty ImagesG&GR graduate Nathan Williamson reports that the Brumbies will attempt the “Chewbacca defence” at SANZAAR’s Judicial Committee on Tuesday night (last night your time) in a bid to get Len Ikitau’s red card reversed and ensure he is free to…