Author: Zeb Holmes
Thursday’s rugby news has the Wallabies pushing for RWC bonuses, the Reds not panicking, calls for the ARU to chase Inglis and a healthy Chiefs side. [one_half last=”no”] RWC bonuses debated The ARU are being pressed for millions in World Cup bonuses to be given to participants in a Wallaby team to win a semi-final or final. Using the 2011 World Cup figures as an estimate, players will stand to earn $25,000 for making the final and another $85,000 each if they win. In lieu of the tradition of bonuses, there has been some talk that ARU boss Bill Pulver is considering scrapping the payments…
Wednesday’s rugby news has the Brumbies waiting to re-sign Pocock, important injuries for the Force, a Rebel re-signing and a massive blow to the Scottish side. [one_half last=”no”] Pocock re-signing delayed The ACT Brumbies have emphasised that David Pocock’s recent injury is unlikely to be recurring, but that the former Wallaby captain will have to prove that his play will not be affected by his second knee reconstruction before the club re-signs him. “We’re not rushing into at this stage, we want to see how he recovers from this,” said Brumbies chief executive Michael Jones, “We couldn’t sign him up on pre-season form.” Pocock will…
Tuesday’s rugby news has more Pocock injury dramas, Higginbotham innocent, Beale trying to win back fans and Scotland criticising the Six Nations refereeing. [one_half last=”no”] Pocock injury troubling David Pocock will not be available for selection for the Brumbies match against the Chiefs on Friday after receiving a grade-one syndesmosis to his ankle during their win over the Reds. “Obviously it’s a disappointing outcome and not what I wanted, having spent a long time out,” Pocock said. Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham added that the injury was in no way connected to the former Wallaby’s recurrent knee issues, while asserting that…
Monday’s rugby news has the aftermath of the Tahs loss , suspensions for the Rebels, another high-profile convert on the horizon and Six Nations news. [one_half last=”no”] Cheika shoulders blame Michel Cheika has taken responsibility for the Waratah’s shock 25-13 home loss to the Western Force. While he conceded that he may have botched the team’s preparation, Cheika dismissed the suggestion he was distracted by Wallabies duties. “I think I’ve got the leadup wrong obviously because we didn’t have any zip at the ruck,” Cheika said. The Wallaby coach added that his team was not angry enough, with their passivity allowing the…
Friday’s rugby news has Foley leaving, Kuridrani (and possibly Folau) staying, Douglas on the agenda and SBW back with the Cheifs. [one_half last=”no”] Foley heading to Japan Test five-eighth Bernard Foley has signed a two-year deal to play in Japan after the World Cup, joining a number of Wallabies opting for lucrative foreign contracts. The signing does have a silver lining though, as it is understood that Foley will still be able to represent Australia in sevens at the Rio Olympics, currently negotiating a short-term deal to leave his Japanese Rugby club during this period. The 18-cap Wallaby is also believed to be…
Thursday’s rugby news has Wallaby coaching discussions, the Rebels panned, a new look Reds team and old heads available for the Crusaders. [one_half last=”no”] Cheika to meet with Foley Michael Chieka will discuss the vacant position of Wallabies set-piece coach with Michael Foley before Sunday’s Super Rugby season opener between the Waratahs and Force. Cheika pursued Foley for the job during the end-of-year tour last season, with Foley declining the offer due to commitments with the Force. The Waratahs coach once again emphasised that he was able to divide his national and Super Rugby duties, stating that the meeting would not disrupt…
Tuesday’s rugby news has the Tahs and Force captaincy situations, Larkham hesitant to praise Hunt and no punishment for the George North incident. [one_half last=”no”] Hooper content without captaincy Despite leading the Test side last year, Michael Hooper has said that he is content to leave the Waratah’s leadership to Dave Dennis, who suffered a season ending knee injury last year. “Dave does such a huge job there and such a good job, it’s fantastic to play with him and to play under him,” Hooper said. In other Tahs news, giant winger Taqele Naiyaravoro is poised to fill one of the spots vacated…
Tuesday’s rugby news has some big names returning for the Brumbies, Hunt given the nod at 10, a second place finish for the Women’s Sevens team and Wales criticised for their concussion protocols. [one_half last=”no”] Pocock and Moore set for comeback The Brumbies will be boosted in their Super Rugby season opener as coach Stephen Larkham has announced that “everyone is available for selection,” including former Wallaby captains Stephen Moore and Davis Pocock. Moore was surprisingly named fit to make his long-awaited return from an ACL injury suffered in his first Test as captain against France in June last year. Moore…
Monday’s rugby news has a disappointing Sevens result, overseas rumours following Foley, Melbourne naming a pair of captains and England defeating Wales. [one_half last=”no”] Sevens finish in sixth The Australian Sevens side has recorded a sixth place finish in the Wellington leg of the world series after losing to New Zealand 26-7 in the quarter-finals and then Fiji 24-0 in the Plate final. Coach Geraint John tried to shift his focus to next week’s tournament in Las Vegas but did comment, “We made far too many errors in the games against New Zealand and Fiji. Errors you can’t make at this level.” Australia are now…
Friday’s rugby news has Hunt moving to 10, Dennis returning from another knee injury, the Rebels in a tight win and some new faces in the Scottish line-up. [one_half last=”no”] Reds starting Hunt at 10 Karmichael Hunt will start at five-eighth for the Reds’ final pre-season trial against the Crusaders, replacing the injured Quade Cooper (collar bone). While coach Richard Graham conceded that he would have preferred to keep Hunt at full-back he was confident in the Reds vice-captain, moving him ahead of rookie Duncan Paia’aua at the position with James O’Connor also out with tonsillitis. Meanwhile, former Wallabies coach…
Wednesday’s rugby news has the Honey Badger’s return set and a salary cap debate brewing in the UK. [one_half last=”no”] Cummins signing confirmed The Honey Badger has now definitively signed a contract with the Force, putting him in line for the Wallabies 2015 Rugby World Cup plans. “I’m stoked to be back on the burst and returning to Australian rugby in 2015,” he said. “Gonna be a huge year. Can’t wait to get amongst it!” Cummins played five months of rugby with the Coca-Cola West Red Sparks after being allowed a release from his Force contract for compassionate reasons, heading overseas so that he…
Tuesday’s rugby news has the Honey Badger returning to Aus, SBW facing off against Paul Gallen, Ita Veae repaying the Brumbies and more discipline issues for Dylan Hartley. [one_half last=”no”] Cummins back for RWC The Honey Badger will return to the Western Force this week and will be available for the Wallabies’ 2015 World Cup campaign after his Japanese club Coca-Cola West Red Sparks reportedly agreed to a release. Test coach Michael Cheika indicated on the tour of Europe that Cummins would be a welcome addition. “He’s showing he wants to play for Australia if he comes back and plays,” Cheika said.…
Monday’s rugby news has big Kev’s disdain for farewell tours, SBW on sport-hopping, salary cap debate in the UK and another big signing for Toulon. [one_half last=”no”] Horwill dismisses farewell tour With the announcement that former Wallaby captain James Horwill will be leaving the Reds after the World Cup, the 29-year-old has specifically requested that his Super Rugby franchise minimize any element of a farewell tour. “It’s about the team doing well and that’s the greatest thing I could want,” said Horwill, having signed a three-year deal with Harlequins. “That’s the best farewell I could ask for.” Coach Richard Graham emphasised the second-rowers’ professionalism,…
Friday’s rugby news has more French departures, Cheika not worried, Hunt given high praise and Carter to Racing Metro. [one_half last=”no”] Kepu to join France departures Wallabies prop Sekope Kepu is set to join the growing list of Test players to commit to contracts in French rugby after the 2015 World Cup. Yesterday’s news confirmed that Test veterans Adam Ashley-Cooper and James Horwill were both set to head overseas and sources in Europe believe a deal is all-but done between Kepu and Bordeaux. The loss of the 52 Test prop compounds the lack of depth at the tight-head position in Australian rugby. Australia…
Thursday’s rugby news has AAC off to France, Horwill possibly relinquishing the captaincy, the Brumbies talking about capping interstate players, and consideration for a ban on NZ alcohol sponsorship. [one_half last=”no”] Ashley-Cooper joins French rugby Veteran Wallabies utility back Adam Ashley-Cooper has ended the chase for his signature, announcing he will join French team Bordeaux on a two-year deal after 2016. The 30-year-old Wallabies centre or wing has won 104 caps for Australia and is still expected to play a leading role in their World Cup campaign in England next October. “I am extremely grateful for my career in Australia, and I want…
Wednesday’s rugby news has Brumbies board changes, Super Rugby 10s talks, funding reallocation and Hansen contracted past the RWC. [one_half last=”no”] Brumbies board shake-up In response to the well publicized financial losses of the club this year, the Brumbies have opted to make four changes to the board at the annual general meeting, the largest of which was ousting chairman Sean Hammond and replacing him with new board member Rob Kennedy. The massive shake-up at board level continues the recent period of instability at the Brumbies. In the past 15 months, the club has seen head coaches Jake White and Laurie Fisher quit,…
Tuesday’s rugby news has the latest Sevens series results, Cheika’s RWC briefings, Somoa still in crisis and refreshing honesty from a dropped English number 8. [one_half last=”no”] SA defend Sevens title South Africa have won their second consecutive Sevens series, defending their title on home soil by defeating New Zealand 26-17 in the final of the third round of the Sevens series. “It was an awesome game of rugby and physical to the death,” said South Africa skipper Kyle Brown. “You couldn’t ask for anything more than to fight to victory on home soil.” Australia beat Argentina 34-19 for third place…
Monday’s rugby news has Wallaby re-signings, the Brumbies unconcerned with off-field issues, a disappointing result for the Australian Sevens and academy concerns in England. [one_half last=”no”] Cooper and Beale re-sign The Wallabies have ensured that both Quade Cooper and Kurtley Beale will be available for World Cup consideration. Cooper has signed a one-year extension with the ARU while Beale is understood to have agreed to contract terms, with a press conference scheduled for next week. Cooper was presented with enticing offers from wealthy French rugby clubs but was said to be swayed by the chance at redemption following a disappointing 2011…
Friday’s rugby news has a new levy for ACT clubs, an important Sevens Series, a massive injury verdict for the English captain and an NZ awards ceremony . [one_half last=”no”] ACT clubs fear new levy A number of ACT clubs have been forced to increase junior registration fees from $150 to $200 next year, prompting fears that many young players will defect to rival sports such as rugby league. The increased fees were in response to a $250,000 reduction in ARU annual funding, but Royals junior rugby president Keiran Larnach has criticised the relative distribution of funds. “It just seems like…
Thursday’s rugby news has Slipper winning the RUPA award, criticism of the English scrum, Castrogiovanni suspended and Lydiate signing on with Welsh rugby. [one_half last=”no”] Slipper wins RUPA medal Wallabies prop James Slipper has taken out the RUPA Medal for Excellence, an award voted on by all Australian Super Rugby players, for on and off field performance based on the criteria of leadership, performance, consistency and discipline. Other winners include Matt Hodgson for RUPA People’s Choice Award, having led the Western Force to a franchise-record nine Super Rugby wins in 2014 and earning a Wallaby recall in the process. There was further good news for Sean…