Author: Zeb Holmes
Wednesday’s rugby news has a Rebels re-signing, more sponsorship income for the Tahs, Burgess starting and Japan seeking advice from a soccer legend. [one_half last=”no”] Rebels re-sign Stirzaker The Melbourne Rebels have made the important move of securing the services of exciting prospect Nic Stirzaker until the end of the 2017 season. The 23-year-old has been earmarked as a future skipper after captaining Melbourne Rising in the NRC this year. “Nic continues to show that he is capable of improving his game…Keeping Nic in Melbourne for an extended period has certainly been a retention priority for us,” Melbourne coach Tony McGahan said. For his…
Tuesday’s rugby news more financial troubles for the Brumbies, rookie induction, a surprise defeat for Toulon and an angry Italian prop. [one_half last=”no”] Cheika positive about RWC Brumbies CEO Doug Edwards has left the Canberra-based franchise after just months in charge, spurred by the ill-health of a business partner in Queensland. Edwards stepped in earlier this year after Andrew Fagan suddenly left to join the ARU and subsequently Adelaide Crows in the AFL. The news comes at an unfortunate time for the Brumbies, who are still struggling to find a major sponsor for 2015, while the ARU cuts to the Super…
Monday’s rugby news has Cheika seeing progress, a second place Sevens finish, the Waratahs adding more size at lock and a new drugs in sport report. [one_half last=”no”] Cheika positive about RWC Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has expressed his optimism nine months out from the start of the Rugby World Cup, impressed by the tactical and cultural changes embraced over the Spring Tour, despite winning just one of four Tests. Similar to the developments at the Waratahs, Cheika has begun to implement a possession-based style of play in attack and add aggression to their defence with the Wallabies coach asserting, “There were a lot of…
Friday’s rugby news has Moore determined to regain captaincy, an off-field RUPA award nominated, concussion debates in the UK and Cipriani fighting for a recall. [one_half last=”no”] Moore still seeking captaincy Injured Wallaby captain Stephen Moore has emphasised that he retains strong aspirations to captain the Test team, despite new coach Michael Cheika seemingly favouring replacement skipper Michael Hooper. While Moore’s primary focus is on recovering from his knee reconstruction to display his previous Super Rugby form, the Brumbies hooker added, “I want to prove to myself and my teammates that I can play at that level for Australia.” Moore also…
Thursday’s rugby news has Weeks re-signing, more scrum analysis, a proposed Super match and Giteau injured still. [one_half last=”no”] More optimism from Cheika Rebels foundation player Laurie Weeks has signed a contract extension with the club that will see him stay to at least 2017. The experienced prop said that the club has never been in a stronger position with an unprecedented number of Wallaby representatives. Weeks also emphasised that Australians need to change their attitude towards the scrum if they are going to improve. “Spectators don’t see it as an exciting part of the game but in reality it’s integral…
Wednesday’s rugby news has Waratah optimism, Pocock supported, the Brumbies financially desperate and a ridiculous English World XV. [one_half last=”no”] More optimism from Cheika The NSW representatives within the Wallabies side have re-emphasized their faith in new Test coach Michael Cheika, commenting that the recent poor form of three consecutive losses feels similar to the early days of the Waratahs on their way to a Super Rugby Title. “I think there is more than enough time, and Cheik has promised he’ll work his butt off for 24 hours a day to get everything ready to rock and roll come World Cup,”…
Tuesday’s rugby news has the Wallaby captaincy under scrutiny, Pocock fighting the man, Cooper keeping his hopes alive and the try of the year awarded. [one_half last=”no”] Hooper still captaincy lock Despite the impending return of former captain Stephen Moore from injury, it appears that current Wallabies leader Michael Hooper will retain his position, given a vote of confidence by coach Michael Cheika. “It’s going to be about deciding what’s best for the team and right now, I’ll be truthful, I’m very happy with the job Michael Hooper is doing,” Cheika said. The Wallaby coach cited Hooper’s work rate, consistency and commitment in…
Monday’s rugby news has more scrum woes, Cheika still positive, Pocock protesting and the Springboks suffering a major RWC setback. [one_half last=”no”] Wallaby scrum dominated The disappointing European Tour has been capped off by a 26-17 loss in which the Wallaby scrum was decimated by the superior English pack. England scored both of their tries to number 8 Ben Morgan on the back of their dominant scrum work and Australian coach Michael Cheika flagged a complete overhaul of the set piece before the World Cup “We need to change some things, technique and strategy,” Cheika said, having spoken to IRB referees bosses…
Friday’s rugby news has new Wallabies, Cheika to utilise Skelton, Larkham pondering RWC role and a change at 12 for England. [one_half last=”no”] Horne and McMahon called up Waratahs winger Rob Horne and rising Melbourne Rebels flanker Sean McMahon have been promoted to the starting side for the final European tour match against England. With Tevita Kuridrani unavailable due to a low-grade ankle injury, Adam Ashley-Cooper has been selected at outside centre, which allows Horne to earn a starting position on the wing ahead of Joe Tomane. McMahon, who made his Test debut against Wales three weeks ago, will replace…
Thursday’s rugby news has broken doors, Hooper targeted, pack size issues and Burgess’ possible debut . [one_half last=”no”] Wallabies staff doing damage The Wallabies may be slapped with a repair bill of “a few thousand euros” and are prepared to pay the costs of fixing a hole in the wall at Lansdowne Road after the discovery of dressing room damage in Dublin. The Wallabies say a member of the support staff caused a hole in the wall and the team immediately notified the IRFU following the match. While the identity of the support staff member has not been revealed, it is understood not…
Wednesday’s rugby news has the Wallabies accepting the learning curve, preparations for a midfield bomb attack, RWC madness and the Samoan standoff continuing. [one_half last=”no”] Wallabies content with building Wallabies vice-captain Adam Ashley-Cooper has emphasised that the players are comfortable with the building process that the team is undergoing and believes that World Cup preparations will not be negatively affected by the dual responsibilities of Michael Cheika as both Waratahs and Wallabies coach. Speaking of the European tour, 103 test veteran AAC said, “we’ve copped a few blows to the face, but in the bigger picture we’re tracking nicely…There are few little things to…
Tuesday’s rugby news has Cheika urging patience, Kuridrani injured, Super Rugby on free-to-air and England looking to improve. [one_half last=”no”] Cheika urges players to keep faith Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has urged his players to keep the faith in their game plan transition, insisting he won’t deviate from his vision for the team despite back-to-back losses. “Both play-wise and cultural, it just takes a bit of time. On a scale of one to 10 of where I want us to be, we’re probably a six,” Cheika said. Australia will be attempting to avoid their worst spring tour of Europe since 2005 having won…
Monday’s rugby news has concerns for the Wallabies pack, Beale back to normal, Pocock back to full training and an Argentinean upset. [one_half last=”no”] Wallabies pack told to toughen up Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has emphasised that the forward pack must do more to shed the tag of being suspect in the physical contest and scrum battle. “I think most teams probably think they can out-muscle us,” Cheika said. “It’s up to use to harden right up and make sure we belie that image of us.” The new coach did say that the scrum has been improving, although a few moments of weakness…
Thursday’s rugby news has the forwards preparing for the Irish, Cheika getting tough, Burgess starting his stint at Bath and some French lineup changes. [one_half last=”no”] Wallabies expect tight forwards battle The Wallabies are looking forward to a set-piece oriented battle against Ireland, with the forward pack needing to improve on their performance against France. The Test team has also taken note of the Irish line-out tactics of disengaging immediately which nullified the Springbok rolling maul. The Wallabies will be hoping to avoid suffering back-to-back losses on their Spring Tour of Europe which hasn’t occured since 2005. The team may benefit from Michael…
Wednesday’s rugby news has Australia’s drop in the IRB rankings, Cooper talking boxing, a notable Hall of Fame inductee and some much needed returns for the Welsh team. [one_half last=”no”] Ireland pass Wallabies in rankings Losses for England and the Wallabies have seen Ireland jump to third place in the latest IRB World Rankings. Australia narrowly avoided a two-place fall to fifth after the 26-29 loss to France, now sitting just one hundredth of a point above England. Ireland coach Joe Schmidt dismissed the change in rankings in preperation for this weekend’s match, saying, “We have to be realistic and look at matters on the…
Tuesday’s rugby news has Folau possibly rested, Beale possibly on the bench, Hunt praised and some Springboks stuck in France. [one_half last=”no”] Wallabies to give Folau a break After a sub-par performance from Israel Folau during the team’s recent loss to France, Wallabies coach Michael Chieka will closely monitor the star fullback to assess whether he needs to be put under a lightened workload after a hectic year of rugby. Folau has played 26 games in five countries this year, missing hardly any minutes for the Wallabies and Waratahs. “I need to talk to [Folau], … he made a couple of uncharacteristic errors…
Monday’s rugby news has more rotation for the beaten Wallabies, Beale coming back, Cheika questioning biased replays and England losing fifth straight. [one_half last=”no”] Changes set for Ireland Test Despite the disappointing error-ridden 29-26 loss to France over the weekend, Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has emphasised that he will not alter his plans to introduce some fresh faces into the team to play Ireland on Sunday. Cheika stated that one of his main objectives from the European tour was “giving players the opportunity to play in the new system and get used to that and see how they perform,” with centre Matt Toomua, Quade…
Friday’s rugby news has Hodgson stepping up to captain, Deans weighing in on the Beale saga, Speight finally making his debut and the All Blacks named for the US. [one_half last=”no”] Hodgson named captain Michael Cheika has immediately shaken up the Test team, naming Matt Hodgson at captain in an experimental line-up to face the Barbarians. The decision to overlook more regular Test campaigners Will Genia, Quade Cooper and James Horwill has surprised some, despite the leadership qualities of Hodgson. “Matt has demonstrated exceptional leadership attributes at the Western Force for a long time now, and he deserves this opportunity being…
Thursday’s rugby news has the Wallabies focusing on the mental game, RWC hopes diminishing for the Honey Badger, Genia looking abroad and Kaino leading the Blues. [one_half last=”no”] Grey emphasises winning mentality Wallabies coach Nathan Grey believes that the recent struggles of the Test team will only change if the player’s can turn around their attitude late in games. “It’s just the close games and certain scenarios that we’ll look to get a bit of polish,” he said. “It’s between the ears, having a positive mindset about being dominant and maintain that and then being adaptable.” Michael Cheika has also emphasised his desire to…
Wednesday’s rugby news has denials of a Tah bias and Wallabies sexism, Pek Cowan re-signing and George North possibly changing positions. [one_half last=”no”] No NSW bias, say coaches New Wallabies coach Nathan Grey has emphasised that the Test team under Michael Cheika will not show any Waratahs favouritism, saying that the team will extract the most from all Australian Super Rugby Franchises. “There’s lots of great things that each of the provinces are doing and if we can pull those positives into a collective then it’s going to make the national side very strong and very dangerous,” he said. Grey also seemed to…