Author: Zeb Holmes
Tuesday’s rugby news has the Wallabies unwinding, Test hopefuls staking their claim in the NRC, SBW given a free pass and Welsh rugby back on the agenda. [one_half last=”no”] Wallabies look to relax The Wallabies will be given plenty of down-time over the next week to “mentally relax” after their huge loss to the All-Blacks. Captain Michael Hooper was bitterly disappointed in the performance but also emphasised, “we can rebuild, we get away for a week and mentally, really recover” ready to take on the Springboks in two weeks. While asserting the requirement of taking stock after any poor showing, Hooper also…
Monday’s rugby news has Link signalling change, McCabe among the wounded Wallabies, O’Connor finally back and the Springboks with a close win. [one_half last=”no”] Wallabies set for shake-up Coach Ewen McKenzie has revealed that there will be some major changes to the team which was devastatingly beaten 50-21 in Saturday’s second Bledisloe Cup Test. “I said it last week, there are some good players who aren’t playing so we’ll revisit that,” McKenzie said on Sunday, emphasising, “Selection is a one-game contract.” Along with some injury-enforced changes, McKenzie will be looking very closely at the under-performing halves combination of Nic White…
Friday’s rugby news has the Wallabies having to improve, the Refs taking on the All Blacks, Folau dismissing Hansen’s mind-games and SARU corruption investigations. [one_half last=”no”] Wallabies need to ‘learn quickly’ Wallabies inside centre Matt Toomua has said that the Australian team will need improve on last week’s performance after failing to capitalise on their strong field position. “The All Blacks will shine a light on any mistakes in our game, so we have to learn quickly,” Toomua said. The All Blacks will be hindered in this pursuit by three changes to the line-up. Liam Messam rejoins the starting 15 at blindside flanker…
Thursday’s rugby news has the NRC ready to develop Australian rugby, more Eden park talk, McKenzie praising Horwill and Brad Thorn going overseas. [one_half last=”no”] NRC ready for kick-off Australia’s new third-tier competition kicks off this week with Brisbane City and Sydney Stars commencing the competition on Thursday night. The ARU will be hoping that the NRC will develop the next generation of Wallaby superstars, emulating the short-lived but prolific ARC. 77 players involved in the ARC made their Super Rugby debuts in 2007 or shortly afterwards, including a whopping 35 Test debuts for the Wallabies. The NRC, as a more financially sustainable prospect, is…
Wednesday’s rugby news has the Wallabies unchanged, the All Blacks vulnerable, extra time dismissed and Matfield injured. [one_half last=”no”] McKenzie names unchanged side Ewen McKenzie has demonstrated his faith in the starters from the first Bledisloe Cup match, naming an unchanged side for Saturday’s rematch. The Wallabies coach said that most of the mistakes from last week’s 12-all draw were easily fixed, owing to the poor conditions or continuity issues. “We’ve got the right group of guys and I think they’ll be better for the experience, so that’s why we didn’t change anything,” McKenzie said. McKenzie also said that the team…
Tuesday’s rugby news has Sam Carter urging on the forward pack, Burke siding with Foley, the All Blacks with a large gap in the centres and the IRB promising to grow women’s rugby. [one_half last=”no”] Carter says forwards must lift Despite a strong showing last weekend, Sam Carter has said that the Wallabies forward pack will have to lift again if the team is to claim Saturday’s second Bledisloe Cup match in Eden Park. Carter, who has now played two Test matches, said that the lineout, scrum and breakdown work could all improve. “If we can get one or two per cent…
Monday’s rugby news has Link emphasizing running rugby, Beale sweating his starting spot, some injured All Blacks and a close win for the Springboks. [one_half last=”no”] Link keeps faith in running rugby Wallaby coach Ewen McKenzie has emphasised that the team will retain their attacking focus in the second Bledisloe Cup Test after being stifled by poor conditions and scrambling New Zealand defence in Saturday’s scoreless 12-all draw. The Wallabies still need to win the remaining two games to take the Bledisloe Cup, but will take some confidence out of running for almost double the metres of the All Blacks, forcing…
Friday’s rugby news has Hansen playing mind games, Israel Dagg dropped, Moore demanding perfection and Pienaar feeling the pressure. [one_half last=”no”] Hansen doubts Beale selection All Blacks coach Steve Hansen was “dumbfounded” by the selection of Kurtley Beale at five-eighth, questioning whether it had anything to do with the NSW playmaker’s contract situation. “The other guy (Beale) is under contract and league are chasing him so you might start to think maybe the ARU has told him he’s got to pick him,” Hansen said. Fellow Wallaby inside backs have supported Beale, with halfback Nic White calling Hansen’s statement a “conspiracy…
Wednesday’s rugby news has more Beale discussion, the new NRC laws, AAC’s word of warning and the Springboks team selected. [one_half last=”no”] Beale ready for playmaker role New Wallabies five-eighth Kurtley Beale has insisted that he will be ready for the responsibilities of the position in Saturday’s opening Bledisloe Cup Test. Emphasising that he will not try to overplay his hand, the Waratahs playmaker said, “I’ve got some really good players in and around me, so my key role is to try and give them the ball as much as I can, and try and direct the play.” With Foley out of the team,…
Wednesday’s rugby news has the massive change at 10, McCabe starting again, the Rebels building the NRC and Warburton forced out with contract drama. [one_half last=”no”] Beale at 10 Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie has incredibly chosen to start Kurtley Beale at five-eighth for the opening Bledisloe Cup match. Explaining the switch, McKenzie said that incumbent 10 Bernard Foley has been playing well, before adding, “Kurtley has really stepped up his game over the past few months and he’s consistently been one of the Waratahs best players every week.” “He’ll bring some additional x-factor to our game,” Link added. Foley, who played well…
Tuesday’s rugby news has another front-row injury, the All Blacks fit and healthy, Australia crowned wheelchair rugby champs and Hosea Gear back in NZ. [one_half last=”no”] More front-row changes Waratahs hooker Tolu Latu has broken his arm playing for Sydney Uni in the team’s Shute Shield semi-final loss on Sunday, joining fellow front-rowers Laurie Weeks (hamstring), Tatafu Polota-Nau (knee) and Stephen Moore (knee) on the sidelines. Queensland Reds hooker Saia Fainga’a has been called into the Wallabies squad but Test prop Sekope Kepu believes that Australia’s front-row depth will hold up. “It’s not like you’re pulling guys that haven’t played at Super Rugby…
Monday’s rugby news has McKenzie’s Wallabies ready to entertain, Mortlock skeptical, some injury-enforced changes and the Wallaroos out of the World Cup. [one_half last=”no”] McKenzie confident Ewen McKenzie believes that the Wallabies will be able to showcase their improvement this Saturday against the All Blacks, after one year under his leadership. Emphasising that the upcoming match would be a completely different affair to the 47-29 loss last year, McKenzie said, “It’s different because we have a base game that everyone knows, respects and we know works.” Link also said that, in the wake of the success of Australian teams during the…
Friday’s rugby news has McKenzie relying on incumbents, talking down the Bledisloe record, McCabe set for an amazing comeback and Juan Smith finally back with the Boks. [one_half last=”no”] Wallabies dismiss record The Wallabies have emphasised that they are unconcerned with the All-Blacks recent record, with the Kiwis potentially claiming the longest ever Test-match winning streak if they defeat Australia next weekend. Australia’s vice-captain James Slipper said the team was focusing on their own preparation rather than hyping the aura of the All-Blacks. “The cue for us is just to train hard,” he said. “They are the best team in the world…
Thursday’s rugby news has a tough scrum battle, some selection headaches, Burgess tipped for union success and another win for the Wallaroos . [one_half last=”no”] Aussie scrum talks tough Despite the Wallabies scrum being thoroughly dominated during last year’s Bledisloe Cup campaign, prop James Slipper believes that the pack have improved to the extent that they are ready to match it with the Kiwis. After a number of good performances against France, Slipper commented, “I feel like we’re starting to play at a level where we can put them (NZ) under pressure.” The Australian front-row will have their depth tested though, with first…
Wednesday’s rugby news has the Waratahs victory parade, a surprising front-row call-up, Beale signalling his new deal and Dan Carter injured. [one_half last=”no”] Tahs thank fans The Waratahs have taken the chance to thank their supporters during Tuesday’s victory parade, where over 5,000 fans spent their lunch break cheering on the team at Martin Place. After 62,000 people attended Saturday’s Super Rugby final, the NSW franchise has finally reinvigorated their fan base after a few disillusioning seasons. Coach Michael Cheika emphasised the difference that the home fans made in the ANZ final. “It is something that is absolutely indescribable and it pushes you…
Tuesday’s rugby news has the next test for Australian rugby, some injuries to the front-row, Alcock re-signing and some dangerous women at the World Cup. [one_half last=”no”] All Blacks are another story While Australian Super Rugby fans are on a high from Saturday’s victory, Brumbies playmaker Matt Toomua has warned that success in the Test arena will require another step up, asserting that the Wallabies have “a lot of ground to make up” against New Zealand before the first Bledisloe Cup match. While the Tahs win may have put Kurtley Beale in public favour, Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie has stuck…
Monday’s rugby news Foley’s mind-set, McCaw shattered, Cheika looking ahead and TPN in doubt for the Wallabies. [one_half last=”no”] Hero Foley explains that goal NSW five-eighth Bernard Foley has revealed what was going through his head as he approached what would be the match-winning penalty shot on Saturday night. Although the 43-metre kick was right on the brink of his range, Foley asserted that he had no hesitation. “Normally I let ‘KB’ [Kurtley Beale] take the long ones … but I had been kicking them well tonight,” Foley said. “That’s why you kick goals, to take that responsibility.” NSW coach Michael…
Friday’s rugby news has another Cheika outburst, a bold claim from the Crusaders, the Brumbies looking for US talent and the Toulon Springboks building. [one_half last=”no”] Cheika goes after cameras Michael Cheika has lashed out at photographers at his team’s final practice session before Saturday’s Super Rugby final. The Waratahs coach became irate when the photographer starting taking pictures of NSW lineout practice, shouting, “What if I come to your work and start f…king photographing you?” Cheika is already on the equivalent of a good behaviour bond after SANZAR gave him a suspended six-month ban for abusing a cameraman during the Waratahs’…
Thursday’s rugby news has Cheika’s long-term plan, some hometown bias calling the final, Speight with an untimely injury and some All Blacks considered for Rio. [one_half last=”no”] Cheika aiming for ‘dynasty’ Waratahs coach Michael Cheika has laid out his plan for building a NSW dynasty approaching the Super Rugby final this weekend. Cheika said that the team’s attacking spirit and winning culture will breed success long into the future. “We need to go through another couple of years of being competitive, so our young players in our Under-20 team are seeing the sacrifices you have to make playing for the Waratahs going forward,” Cheika…
Wednesday’s rugby news has Cheika trying for the underdog tag, the Brumbies starting contract talks already, the 122kg challenge for the Tahs and positive signs for Fijian rugby. [one_half last=”no”] Cheika content with underdog tag Waratahs coach Michael Cheika has embraced any favouritism towards the Crusaders, saying that he understood that many were doubtful that the NSW franchise could overcome their dismal historical record against the New Zealand side. “Everyone thought we’d fall over at some stage,” he said, adding, “We’ll just go out there and play as we have all season, the best we possibly can.” As expected, with no injury…