Author: Zeb Holmes
Tuesday’s rugby news has the Beale saga wrap-up, Moore signing an extension and some Springbok additions. [one_half last=”no”] Patston breaks silence In the wake of the remarkably lenient judgment handed down, Di Patston has broken her silence, saying that she was too embarrassed and humiliated to tell anyone about the offensive photos at the time. A leaked copy of Beale’s statement reveals that he lied to Patston when he initially apologised to her, putting a damper on the whole “vindicated by the truth” narrative. Beale promised that he had not sent the offensive text to others when he had distributed them to some Waratahs mates…
Monday’s rugby news has Beale found guilty, some new additions against the Barbarians, Horwill off to England post-RWC and Toulon face Giteau injury. Update In Di Patston’s first public interview, with The Australian, she has revealed that she is devastated by the fact that by his own admission, Kurtley Beale sent the offensive text not once, but twice. First of all to “some Waratahs mates” via Whatsapp on the 3rd June, before then mistakenly sending the same image to Patston instead of Wallaby squad member James Hanson on the 9th by text. Beale has refused to name who those Waratah team…
Friday’s rugby news has Cheika’s Wallabies plan, Folau winning the John Eales medal, Andrew Walker on the Beale affair and record RWC interest. [one_half last=”no”] Cheika outlines plans New Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has immediately outlined his plans for success in the lead in to the 2015 World Cup. Emphasising the need to execute a certain identity on the field, Cheika will adopt a number of the successful elements of the Waratahs approach. He said he would focus on instilling “hard work, physicality and creating our style of play exactly how we want our supporters to see us.” Meanwhile, the ARU…
Thursday’s rugby news has Cheika finally named Wallabies coach, a number of new faces in the Test squad, the John Eales award nominees revealed and Tuilagi injured. [one_half last=”no”] Cheika named Test coach Michael Cheika has finally been officially named as the new Wallabies coach after some brief contract dramas. Cheika has signed a three year deal and, as expected, he will be coaching both the Waratahs and the Test team in 2015. “Everyone needs to clear their heads and remember what we are here to do,” he said. “I am going to have to work hard and learn quickly but…
Wednesday’s rugby news has ripped out any positive signs from yesterday’s news, with Cheika talks stalled, Larkham refusing the Test gig, doubts over Cheika’s coaching workload and also, the Welsh squad named. [one_half last=”no”] Cheika talks stall Negotiations between Michael Cheika and the ARU have hit a roadblock over the degree of administrative autonomy that will be given to any new Wallabies coach. Cheika reportedly will not agree to a contract before he can bring in his own coaching support staff, a measure which Bill Pulver regretted during McKenzie’s tenure. The stalled discussions throw a spanner in the plans of the Wallabies, who depart at…
Tuesday’s rugby news has Cheika set for the top job, new assistant coaches, Hunt happy at the Reds and two major additions to the All Blacks squad. [one_half last=”no”] Cheika accepts Wallabies job Waratahs coach Michael Cheika has confirmed that he will take up the head coaching role at the Wallabies, characterising the offer as “a humbling experience.” The sudden nature of the opening did complicate matters, as Cheika still has one year on his Tahs contract, meaning that any ARU appointment would need NSW approval. “We would want him to coach us next season, so we are willing to work with the…
Monday’s rugby news has all the fallout from Link’s departure, with comments by Hooper, Pulver and Kafer, plus some injuries in the English squad. [one_half last=”no”] Link had players’ respect Wallabies captain Michael Hooper insists that former coach Ewen McKenzie retained the players’ respect throughout his tenure. Link announced his resignation after Australia’s narrow defeat to the All Blacks on Saturday. “He’s been great for us as a playing group. He’s put a lot of things in place,” Hooper said, while emphasising that the Test team would need to move on very quickly ahead of their departure on Friday for…
Friday’s rugby news has James Slipper taking responsibility, McKenzie defending his team, Barrett ahead at 10 and new concussion guidelines for the RFU. [one_half last=”no”] Players take responsibility Wallabies vice-captain James Slipper has backed his coach and said that the players must feel responsible for much of the pressure heaped on Ewen McKenzie through recent poor performances. “Results put any coach under pressure … but the players have the utmost respect for Link (McKenzie),” he said. Slipper has also previously emphasised that the support of Michael Hooper and Adam Ashley-Cooper for their team-mate should not be confused with condoning Beale’s actions. [/one_half] [one_half last=”yes”]…
Thursday’s rugby news has the ARU calling in an SOS, Toomua protected from himself, Phil Waugh thinking positively and Toulouse with some injury relief. [one_half last=”no”] ARU calls in consultants The ARU have finally sought out the assistance of an external media management consultant to help deal with the Kurtley Beale crisis that has dominated the headlines recently. After consulting with injured captain Stephen Moore, ARU figureheads are understood to have resolved on appointing an interim team manager as an objective figure of authority within the team. ARU boss Bill Pulver confirmed the use of an external management firm at a…
Wednesday’s rugby news has Cooper back in the team, Jake White staking his claim, more support for Patston and Burgess trying to squeeze into the English squad. [one_half last=”no”] Cooper among changes Quade Cooper will make his return to the Wallabies team, included on the bench for Saturday’s third Bledisloe Cup Test. Cooper has been called in to cover the five-eighth position with Matt Toomua feeling the effects of concussion and Kurtley Beale indefinitely suspended, both of whom could have shifted to 10 in the case of injury. “Quade has had a lot of great memories at Suncorp Stadium, and we’ll…
Tuesday’s rugby news has the ARU and players split over the Beale controversy, some call-ups for the Wallabies and Jake White heading to Tonga. [one_half last=”no”] ARU backing McKenzie Now that the offending Kurtley Beale text messages have finally come to light, it would seem that any public support for the Waratahs centre will be tested. ARU boss Bill Pulver has quickly come out in support of Test coach Ewen McKenzie, saying that Link’s job was not in jeopardy prior to the World Cup. “Ewen is coaching the team this weekend and next Friday he will board the plane with the…
Monday’s rugby news has Hooper supporting Beale, AAC making plans for Europe, a disappointing Sevens result and another Frenchman injured. [one_half last=”no”] Hooper backs KB Michael Hooper has made the definitive move of publicly supporting Kurtley Beale as a representation of the Test playing group amid speculation over the future of Ewen McKenzie as Wallabies coach. “I hope KB stays with Australian Rugby Union,” Hooper said. “We are backing Kurtley. I enjoy having him around the team and he is quality on the field.” Hooper and his vice captains approached McKenzie in Argentina asking that Beale not be sent home for his argument with…
Friday’s rugby news has all the Kurtley Beale drama, a Honey Badger reflection and a Dan Carter injury update. [one_half last=”no”] Beale in trouble for texts Kurtley Beale’s future in Australian rugby is under threat as a number of “deeply offensive” texts he sent about an ARU staffer have come to light. Pulver was tight-lipped about the exact nature of the messages but it is known that there is an image denigrating Di Patston and that Beale is facing a charge of breaching the ARU’s cyber bullying and harassment policy. The on-air argument issue has taken a back seat to these new allegations…
Thursday’s rugby news has Quade ready, Kafer’s criticism, Japan leading the S15 bid and SBW making his return to rugby. [one_half last=”no”] Quade ready for All Blacks Quade Cooper has commented that he would be physically ready to play if called up for the third Bledisloe Cup Test against the All Blacks next week. Cooper is aiming to play 80 minutes for the first time since his shoulder and hip surgery, lining up for his third match with the Brisbane City tonight. Cooper’s chances to impress Wallaby selectors may be assisted by the question-marks surrounding Test playmakers Matt Toomua and…
Wednesday’s rugby news has more on the Beale saga, another rugby biography, Giteau winning French player of the year and Burgess’ rugby switch delayed. [one_half last=”no”] ARU investigating Beale saga With the ARU’s integrity unit looking to finalise its investigation into the in-flight argument by the end of this week, both Kurtley Beale and Ewen McKenzie will be interviewed today. The ARU will hope to make its final findings before McKenzie names his squad on Thursday or Friday this week for the third Test against the All-Blacks. While Beale has not performed well during the Rugby Championships, McKenzie is running…
Tuesday’s rugby news has the new TV deal, some much-needed support for Link, Sevens recruitment and a streaker story. [one_half last=”no”] TV deal offers more bad news Australian rugby has been dealt another blow this week, this time off the field as the figures for the new SANZAR broadcasting deal come to light. While the deal is reportedly increasing from $175 million to $200 million over five years, little of this change will be felt at the level of domestic rights. The ARU also failed to attract any free-to-air interest in broadcasting the Super Rugby, with Fox Sports and Ten retaining the rights. This…
Monday’s rugby news has the Wallabies upset loss, Link under pressure, the laser controversy and the All-Blacks finally defeated. [one_half last=”no”] Wallabies become first Pumas scalp The Wallabies have claimed the dubious distinction of being the first team to lose to Argentina in the Rugby Championship. The Australian side squandered a 14-0 lead to cap off a disappointing competition, defeated 21-17 by the Pumas on Sunday. Captain Michael Hooper refused to make any excuses for the Wallabies’average performance. “There’s going to be distractions wherever you go, we do a lot of travelling, you have to turn up on the night and be able to do…
Friday’s rugby news has Beale dropped, some speculation about Wallaby relations, Cooper starting again and more injuries for the English side. [one_half last=”no”] Beale axed Kurtley Beale has been dropped for the Wallabies’ final Rugby Championship match against Argentina, just after an internal investigation was launched concerning an in-flight argument with a member of team management. Ewen McKenzie has put six forwards on the bench, with scrumhalf Nic White and winger Rob Horne as the only two replacement backs. Horne was said to be preferred due to the expected physicality of the match but the Wallabies will miss the versatility that…
Thursday’s rugby news has Beale drama, the fallout from Robbie Deans’ book, Foley confident of keeping his spot and some changes to the Argentinean team. [one_half last=”no”] Beale in trouble again The ARU’s integrity unit is reportedly investigating an incident involving Kurtley Beale on the team’s flight from Johannesburg to Brazil. Beale allegedly abused a member of the team management, who has since left the team to return to Australia. Although the Waratahs centre is expected to play on Sunday, with the investigation unlikely to conclude by then, his future in Australian rugby could be in jeopardy if the allegations are confirmed.…
Wednesday’s rugby news has the unpredictable Pumas, Wallaby travel dramas, Cummins on the comeback and Sheridan retiring. [one_half last=”no”] Wallabies wary of Pumas Wallabies defence coach Nick Scrivener has warned against any complacency against Argentina this weekend, saying that the unpredictability of the Pumas makes them a harder side to defend than the Springboks in many ways. “Their halfbacks are very good, [five-eighth Nicolas Sanchez] is very good, they go from one side of the ruck to the other, they offload, and they have some pace on them,” Scrivener said. After escaping with a nail-biting 24-23 win three weeks ago,…