Author: Zeb Holmes

Friday’s rugby news has Cheika trying to keep Gill, the Rebels boosted by some big names, Dennis trying for Test inclusion and some changes for the French. [one_half last=”no”] Cheika holding onto Gill hope Michael Cheika will try to convince Reds flanker Liam Gill to abandon his plans to join Toulon next year and chase David Pocock’s vacated Wallaby spot instead. Stuck behind Pocock and Michael Hooper — and overlooked for the 2015 Rugby World Cup — Gill signed a two-year deal with Toulon last month. Cheika has said he will be speaking with Gill to try “to get him to change his…

Thursday’s rugby news has Pocock elaborating on his decision, Cheika hoping to keep Wallaby stars, a boost for the Force and Milner-Skudder out for the Super Rugby season. [one_half last=”no”] Pocock trying to extend career David Pocock hopes a year away from Australian rugby will ultimately extend his career until at least the 2019 World Cup. “I am really keen to continue in Australian rugby but getting away for a year will be good for me,” Pocock said, also emphasising that he had considered a sabbatical for several years. There’s speculation Pocock will head to the United States or Cambridge…

Wednesday’s rugby news has a massive Pocock announcement, Foley still injured, an NFL star joining the race for Rio and Marler questionable. [one_half last=”no”] Pocock takes sabbatical David Pocock has re-signed with the Australian Rugby Union and Brumbies for three years, but will take a sabbatical from the game in 2017. The 27-year-old will then return until at least the next World Cup in 2019, despite higher offers from overseas clubs. Pocock said the year break would allow him to study and pursue outside interests. “I really appreciate the willingness the ARU and Brumbies have shown in allowing me to weigh…

Tuesday’s rugby news has the Aussie Sevens finishing third, the Waratahs and Brumbies bringing in young replacements and Fiji on track to win the Pacific Islands challenge.  [one_half last=”no”] Sevens win third place Australia have clinched third place in the Vancouver Sevens, as they beat Fiji 19-12 in this morning’s third place playoff. In just his second World Series tournament, John Porch helped Australia turn around a 12-point deficit with two critical five-pointers late in the second half. After being run down in the final of Las Vegas installment last weekend against Fiji, Australia’s spirited fightback, despite a number of key injuries,…

Friday’s rugby news has the Tahs worried about Kurtley, the Reds putting the players first, changes for the Brumbies and a big Hurricanes injury. [one_half last=”no”] Waratahs struggling with Beale NSW Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson is still hopeful of keeping Kurtley Beale at the club but admits the sum of money being thrown at his star playmaker would be hard to turn down, something which he says will be a big issue for Australian rugby down the track. “We’ve got an environment here that we’re proud of,” Gisbson said. “We provide a very stable nurturing place for him and he’s done well and I’m…

Thursday’s rugby news has more departures at the Reds, a new-look Force team, injury troubles for the Rebels and England losing a hooker.  [one_half last=”no”] Carmichael steps down Queensland Rugby Union boss Jim Carmichael will step down in October after seven years in the job. Carmichael will not seek an extension to his current contract as chief executive after advising the QRU board before Christmas of his thinking. Clarifying the timeline comes in the wake of speculation he was going to be sacked as Reds coach Richard Graham was on Monday. “I came to a decision last year that it was time…

Wenesday’s rugby news has speculation on an overseas contract, Cooper continuing with the Sevens, a new Tahs CEO and a Welsh doping ban. [one_half last=”no”] Beale joining exodus Kurtley Beale is reportedly set to sign a record two-year deal worth $1.35 million-per-season with the London Wasps. Such a deal is unlikely to be matched by the Australian Rugby Union even if Beale enters into a flexible deal which allows him to play in Japan. It would make the Waratahs playmaker the highest-paid player in the English premiership, and the equal-highest paid Australian abroad along with Matt Giteau at Toulon. Crucially, the 27-year-old…

Tuesday’s rugby news has new Queensland coaches, a close loss for the Sevens, the Brumbies confident of retaining Larkham and Tuilagi’s return downplayed.  [one_half last=”no”] Sevens beaten by Fiji Fiji have scored a length-of-the-field try and turned the tables on Australia in the final minutes of the USA Sevens final in Las Vegas. Australian Quade Cooper looked all but certain to score with three minutes remaining and Australia one point clear, but the ball was stripped from him. Fiji’s Savenaca Rawaca then picked the ball and ran the length of the field to score the match defining five-pointer in a phase that began in Fiji’s goal line, sealing a 21-15 victory. The…

Friday’s rugby news has the Aussie Sevens progressing, the Reds off to a poor start, Latu let off and Retallick injured.  [one_half last=”no”] Sevens through to semis Australia have set up a blockbuster sevens semi-final against South Africa as the men’s team continued their undefeated run in Las Vegas. After winning 26-12 in the Cup quarter-final over Argentina on Sunday, the Thunderbolts will now face their biggest challenge yet in the shape of the Blitzboks in Monday morning’s semis. Quade Cooper, who scored his first sevens try earlier on day two of the tournament, continued his crash-course in the shortened form…

Friday’s rugby news has Hunt switching positions, Sio re-signing, McCalman back from Japan and the UK defending tackle-rugby.  [one_half last=”no”] Hunt moving to centre Karmichael Hunt’s Wallabies hopes may become clearer after being switched to inside centre for Queensland in Saturday night’s encounter with the Western Force at Lang Park. “This season give us more of an indication (of his best spot),” Test coach Michael Cheika has said. “Each week he’s just getting better because he’s learning the game.” The positional changes come after Henry Taefu was ruled out for six to eight weeks because of a high ankle sprain he sustained during the…

Thursday’s rugby news has the Rebels injury crisis, Pulver criticised, Brett Gosper confirmed for Sydney event and medical concern for school rugby. [one_half last=”no”] Rebels injuries worsen The Rebels have suffered a massive setback after it was confirmed that Mike Harris and Colby Fainga’a will return to Melbourne due to injury. Harris and Fainga’a suffered injuries in the 25-19 victory over the Western Force in the first round of the Super Rugby season on Saturday. Harris  suffering a quad strain during the warm up while Fainga’a sustained an elbow strain. The versatile back is expected to miss between ten and twelve weeks…

Wednesday’s rugby news has the Reds under pressure already, the Tahs ready for a scrum battle, a Brumby re-signing and Tuilagi back in the picture for England. [one_half last=”no”] Reds feeling the pressure Reds lock Caderyn Neville believes that a win against the Force this weekend will help relieve some of the pressure on his team after their 10-30 round one loss against the Tahs. The Brisbane-based side struggled in the past few seasons and have also lost a number of experienced players last year. However, Neville, who joined the Reds from the Melbourne Rebels, believes a win against the Force will…

Tuesday’s rugby news has the Brumbies playing down the hype, Beale backing Foley’s return, the Force’s injury trouble and an Argentinean suspension. [one_half last=”no”] Beale to give away 10 jersey Kurtley Beale expects Bernard Foley to come straight back into the number 10 jersey even if he continues to show good form at the position. “When Bernard does come back, I think he’d be slotting straight back,” he said. “He’s a quality player and I think my combination with him is working wonders.” Beale did emphasise though that he will be trying to make the Wallabies inside centre position his own for the upcoming…

Monday’s rugby news has the Tahs scrum under pressure, the Brumbies breakdown scrutinized, Skelton warned and Eddie Jones silencing himself.  [one_half last=”no”] Tahs scrum targeted The Waratahs scrum will be under pressure this week with Benn Robinson in “serious doubt” for the team’s upcoming clash against the Brumbies. “He’ll have to go through all the concussion protocols and then if he’s cleared from there we’ll look at his physical wellbeing,” coach Daryl Gibson said, with further concerns about a possible broken nose. The Brumbies destroyed the Hurricanes’ scrum on Friday, and will be looking to rekindle the form that saw the team work a scrum penalty…

Friday’s rugby news has Gill and Stirzaker injured, two Brumbies on debut and Read back for the Crusaders [one_half last=”no”] Gill injured Queensland Reds coach Richard Graham says a trip to face the NSW Waratahs without star flanker Liam Gill will be a perfect test of the new-look Super Rugby side’s resilience. In a bitter blow for the Reds on the eve of the new season, reigning club best and fairest Gill will miss the next four weeks due to a lower back stress fracture. “It’s never ideal, losing good footballers but it’s the way it’s been dealt and you’ve just got to…

Thursday’s rugby news has Pocock winning a personality contest, the Reds with a playmaker, Japan making good progress and some changes for France.  [one_half last=”no”] Pocock wins ABC award Australian rugby union star David Pocock has won the ABC Sports Personality of the Year at the AIS Sport Performance Awards. The ceremony was held at The Star casino in Sydney on Wednesday night – with Pocock winning the public vote to take out the top honour. The 27 year-old had a stand-out 2015 season, culminating in an impressive World Cup performance. Pocock has also garnered a wide public following for his strong stance on…

Wedneday’s rugby news has Cooper making his debut, the Rebel flankers ready to shine, Mumm talking mind games and the English becoming less English. [one_half last=”no”] Cooper to make Sevens debut Australian men’s sevens coach Andy Friend wants Quade Cooper to make his debut at the next World Series event in Las Vegas. This comes after Cooper was granted a release from his French club Toulon – meaning he will miss their match against La Rochelle – to compete in the fourth leg of the World Series. Friend controversially snubbed Cooper after he made the trip across for the Sydney Sevens, because it was believed the 58-Test veteran was not ready for…

Tuesday’s rugby news has Beale’s confidence, Aussie Women placing first, ARU condolences for the complicated format and a boost to the Irish team.  [one_half last=”no”] Beale confident of shift Kurtley Beale has declared he can successfully handle the chief playmaking role for the Super Rugby team in the absence of injured five-eighth Bernard Foley. Foley sustained a shoulder injury in the Waratahs’ 40-35 loss to the Highlanders last Friday and is expected to be sidelined for three to four weeks. “I’m very comfortable playing in a No.10 jersey, I’ve been playing there throughout the whole pre-season so I’ve got a really good…

Monday’s rugby news has a new Rugby 10s tournament, Foley injured, Cooper still a Kiwi and Kaino suspended.  [one_half last=”no”] Rugby 10s coming to Brisbane Plans are well advanced for a million-dollar 10-a-side rugby tournament to be launched in Brisbane from next year, with all 10 provinces from the NZRU and ARU agreeing in principle to the tournament. At this stage, South African provinces will not be involved. The remaining teams will be invitational outfits from the Asia-Pacific region, most likely from Japan, Tonga and Fiji. Matches would be 10-a-side played over 10-minute halves, and be staged at Suncorp Stadium, with the winner will…

Friday’s rugby news has reinforcements for the Tahs, the most dangerous positions revealed, an easy win for the Rebels and more concussion research.  [one_half last=”no”] Big names back for Tahs Israel Folau and Bernard Foley will take the field for the first time since last year’s World Cup as NSW Waratahs. Like the Waratahs’ previous two trials, coach Daryl Gibson has chopped and changed his starting XV for a final pre-season hit-out against the Highlanders, making it clear he would rather experiment than focus on having a concrete structure. Foley will come off the bench, with Gibson unsure if the Wallaby 10 will have enough time with the…