Author: Yowie

Len Ikitau re-signs until 2023 Len Ikitau breaks the line for Brisbane Boys College in 2016- Image courtesy of Holly Hope Photography 22-year-old centre and Brisbane boy Len Ikitau has been quickly locked into a contract extension by the Brumbies and Rugby Australia until the 2023 Rugby World Cup after his two-try rampage against then World No 1 South Africa last Saturday. Nathan “True Blue” Williamson reports that Ikitau was quick to deflect praise when speaking to media on Tuesday. “I scored two tries but they were team tries, I guess I was just there in the right place,” Ikitau…

Wednesday’s Rugby News sees Cooper and Rodda return from the wilderness, the Welsh study into rugby brain injury, the Seppos learning rugby via reality television and Rassie not touring to Australia. Cooper & Rodda dare to dream GAGR’s own Nathan “True Blue” Williamson reports that Queensland refugees Quade Cooper and Izack Rodda could play on Sunday in the third Bledisloe Cup Test in Perth, after centre Hunter Paisami and second-rower Lukhan Salakaia-Loto both left camp to be with their expecting partners. 70-Test Cooper has not played for Australia in four years and will soon depart for another season in Japan.…

Wednesday’s Rugby News sees the Argies shift the Wallabies to 7th in the world, Referee treatment chat, Tim Walsh sticking up for the Sevens program, former Wallaroos coach Dwayne Nestor’s response and some recruitment gap-filler. Green And Gold Rugby · Rugby Report Card 130 – The Old Familiar Sting [one_half last=”no”] Wallabies slip to 7th in meaningless arbitrary rankings Australia have slipped below Argentina in World Rugby’s global rankings (shut up rankings you’re not my real dad!) following nothing in particular on the last two Saturday nights. Rugbypass reports that this is the joint lowest position the Wallabies have occupied since…

Wednesday’s Rugby News sees Kerevi (potentially) back in gold, the deep insights of Aaron Smith, Sydney making history and Olympic Sevens fallout. [one_half last=”no”] Samu Kerevi in squad for Perth Bledisloe Channel Nine reports that wrecking ball centre Samu Kerevi will return to the Test squad for the third Bledisloe Cup Test in Perth on August 28. Kerevi has not played for the Wallabies since the 2019 Rugby World Cup after taking up a contract in Japan with Suntory Sungoliath. But the 27-year-old is in Sydney in hotel quarantine after representing Australia in sevens at the Tokyo Olympics. “The big thinking for us around…

Wednesday’s Rugby News sees Bledisloe anticipation, Giteau, Ashley-Cooper & Darren Coleman clean-up for Los Angeles, the Lions Series race to the bottom and Shannon Frizell controversy. Green And Gold Rugby · The Dropped Kick-Off 25 – Knee’den Park [one_half last=”no”] Bledisloe 1 GAGR’s own Nathan Williamson reports that Matt To’omua has enjoyed the change in positions and responsibility as he allows Lolesio to take control of the side in James O’Connor’s (groin) absence. “It’s been good playing for Noah,” To’omua said on Tuesday. “We’ve seen him develop across those three Tests and I think he did really well to close out…

Thursday’s Rugby News sees the Bledisloe back on, a men’s Sevens wrap-up, Rassie Erasmus’ multiple Twitter personalities and the on going Super Rugby format arm-wrestle. Green And Gold Rugby · The Dropped Kick-Off 24 – Paying The Rent [one_half last=”no”] Bledisloe back on New Zealand closed the quarantine-free travel bubble with Australia last week, despite NSW’s gold standard contact tracing. However New Zealand Sports Minister Grant Robertson said the Wallabies had been granted entry under a clause allowing exemptions for events that have a “sugnuficant economuc umpect” according to Rugby.com.au. “This is important economically,” Robertson said, putting a…

Thursday’s Rugby News sees Jesse Mogg back in Canberra, Tah signings, the Lions Tour limping along, TJ Perenara back in black and no main image due to technical gremlins. [one_half last=”no”] Jesse Mogg returns to Brumbies Embed from Getty ImagesBrumby & Wallaby fullback and Brisbane boy Jesse Mogg has returned to the Brumbies for the next two seasons after six years playing in France according to the Brumbies website. The 32-year-old made 60 appearances for the Brumbies from 2012 to 2015 and made his Wallabies debut against the British and Irish Lions in 2013. Mogg spent three years at French club Montpellier, winning…

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…