Author: Yowie

Wednesday’s rugby news see’s the ABs devolve towards League, Olympic Sevens selections, Reds talent retention and a grab-bag of other news items. [one_half last=”no”] ABs train with 14, Nic White available Rugby.com.au report that New Zealand have been training to play with 14 men ahead of Tests against Australia to prepare for the loss of red-carded players. The All Blacks lost 24-22 in Brisbane last year when both sides received a red card, and were also defeated by the Wallabies in Perth in 2019 when lock Scott Barrett was sent-off for a high tackle during the 47-26 clash. NZ coach Ian Foster…

Wednesday’s Rugby News, compiled by a bloody champion three beers and one whiskey in on the night of a Wallabies test, sees the soufflé rise, Lions tour dramas, the Reds firm-up their 2022 squad and Quade Cooper’s passport problems. [one_half last=”no”] Pressure on non-Queensland stadia to justify hosting rugby tests Barely more 20,000 fans at AAMI Park (Melbourne) last night witnessed the French win 28-26  as another chapter in the ground’s reputation as a graveyard for the Wallabies. Australia has lost the three inbound Tests played there against Tier One nations (England, Ireland and France) since 2016. Newcastle also has much for which to…

Wednesday’s Rugby News sees anticipation of the French test series reach fever pitch, John Kirwan’s Pacific solution, Wallaroos PONI list announced and Coleman’s plan to turn the Tahs around quickly. [one_half last=”no”] Aust v France – 1st test tonight! The so-called second-string French side have come out of  stifling quarantine conditions and are anticipated to playing without fear off the back of low expectations. But according to Kurtley Beale “It’s an exciting bunch. They always play an unpredictable style that if you are lazy, not focused or not switched on they will pounce and create opportunities that leave you 15-20 points behind,” “You can’t blink an eye against…

Wednesday’s Rugby News sees Haylett-Petty’s new direction, non-whinging Poms, American Rugby keen to hose a World Cup and “thank you linesmen” getting a rest after a recent event. [one_half last=”no”] Haylett-Petty looks to Japan Wallaby, Force player and  Rebel  Dane Haylett-Petty, 31, is off-contract with the Rebels at the end of the season and is poised to reignite his career in Perth club rugby before taking up a new contract in Japan, according to the Sydney Morning Herald. Concussion has caused Haylett-Petty to not play a professional game for more than seven months since a Bledisloe Cup match on 31 October 2020 in Sydney. DHP is…

Wednesday’s Rugby News sees Dan McKellar appointed Wallabies forwards coach, the surprising effects of throwing petrol on a fire, the official Super W season launch and some soap-dodger push & shove. [one_half last=”no”] Rennie signs McKellar Snow Mexicans’ coach Dan McKellar has been appointed Wallabies forwards coach, commencing at the end of the Trans-Tasman season. The Sydney Morning Herald notes that McKellar was set to join Wallabies coach Dave Rennie’s staff in 2020, but opted to stay at the Brumbies when his assistant, Peter Hewat, left to take a job in Japan’s Top League. Geoff Parling (Rebels assistant coach) was rushed into…

Wednesday’s Rugby News sees justice for high-shot merchants, reports on the latest ball technology, reports on Brumbies musical chairs and some special moments for the Reds this Friday bring a tear to the eye. [one_half last=”no”] McKenzie’s trans-tasman series over Embed from Getty Images GAGR alumni Nathan Williamson reports that Damian McKenzie’s red card has turned into a three-week suspension. Foul Play Review Committee Chairman Adam Casselden: “With respect to sanction the Foul Play Review Committee deemed the act of foul play merited a mid-range entry point of 6 weeks due to the World Rugby instructions that dictate any incident of foul…

Wednesday’s Rugby News looks at a possible Liam Gill return, Western Australia’s Asian ambitions, Rebels’ quarantine uncertainty and discussion of a World Cup Final venue in Australia. [one_half last=”no”] Liam Gill says return to Wallabies “always on my mind” Reds champion, 15 tests Wallaby, 2017-2019 Lyon player and 2020 Japanese Top League signing Liam Gill has shed light on his last brush with returning to Australia in 2019. Wallabies coach Dave Rennie approached Gill in 2019 about returning home after four seasons in France. Defence coach Matt Taylor and attack coach Scott Wisemantel thought highly of the 28-year-old and he was…

Wednesday’s Rugby News looks at a Frenchman backing France, appeals for calm after Trans-Tasman week 1, England losing its assistant coaches, and Nick Frost re-signing with the Brumbies Green And Gold Rugby · The Dropped Kick-Off 23 – Sugar High (Q&A VI) [one_half last=”no”] Michalak talks-up French squad and O’Connor, is half-right GAGR’s own Nathan Williamson reports that Frédéric Michalak backs the French to be more effective than the Maginot Line in the upcoming three-test series against the Wallabies. “I think the French squad are very good at the moment. It’s a young squad but as we can see, the…

Wednesday’s Rugby News looks at a Waratah recruitment near-miss, July internationals, changes at the Rebels, and Lions tour strategy. [one_half last=”no”] Crusaders recruit Matera after Tahs decline The Crusaders have recruited abrasive Argentinian loose forward Pablo Matera after the Waratahs rebuffed Matera’s interest in playing for NSW. The Sydney Morning Herald has revealed that Michael Cheika (2020 assistant coach to the Pumas) informed the Waratahs that they could recruit the back rower to Sydney. Mario Ledesma first revealed in 2019 that Matera is keen to play for NSW and is a massive fan of Sydney (for some reason). Waratahs chief executive Paul Doorn confirmed they’d been…