Author: Zeb Holmes
Friday’s rugby news has the Reds told to consider Karmichael Hunt, the Waratahs beefing up for the Lions, some Aussie conference injury updates and controversy over England Test scheduling. [one_half last=”no”] Hunt an option for Reds Israel Folau has urged the Reds to consider signing Karmichael Hunt for next season, emphasising that the the two-code player would be “a great buy”. The former Brisbane Broncos fullback has some valuable experience in Union, playing 15 games with Biarritz in 2009-10, including the Heineken Cup final when he scored a try as an outside centre. A bigger issue than any experience concerns…
Thursday’s rugby news has Mowen calling for a more stable captain, Pulver giving his two cents on NRC rules, former Wallabies in a World XV and the All-Blacks playing in the U.S. [one_half last=”no”] Mowen gives parting advice Departing Wallabies captain Ben Mowen has advised the Australian selectors to pick a long-term successor in order to “build trust” heading into the World Cup. Stephen Moore, Michael Hooper, Will Genia and James Horwill have emerged as the front-runners for the job opening, which begins with the Wallabies three-Test series against France next month. “The important thing is that the guy who captains…
Wednesday’s rugby news has an NRC rule-changes committee, Beale on the fringes, more re-signing Brumbies and an ACT mercy-rule enforced. [one_half last=”no”] Dwyer looking at NRC rule-changes The ARU has established an expert panel including former World Cup winning coach Bob Dwyer to oversee “crowd sourced” law changes for the NRC. Dwyer, along with Ewen McKenzie, Rod Kafer and former Test referee Wayne Erickson will sift through the proposals submitted by fans on social media. After narrowing down acceptable laws to a shortlist, aimed at rewarding attacking play, the public will then have the chance to vote on the most…
Tuesday’s rugby news has some Wallaby selection talk, JOC speculation, a Top 14 concussion mistake and the All Blacks squad for the England series. [one_half last=”no”] Wallabies spots wide open Bernard Foley believes that the race for the Wallabies number 10 jersey is “open slather”, with the NSW playmaker hoping to edge out top two favourites- incumbent Quade Cooper and Matt Toomua. “If you’re playing the house down, for any player, then it’s hard for them not to pick you,” said Foley, possibly helped by some inconsistent play from Quade this Super Rugby season. George Gregan has also said that Ewen…
Monday’s rugby news has Hooper in the captain mix, more ACT signings, the Tahs looking at a massive new recruit and an England re-call for Cipriani. [one_half last=”no”] Hooper next Wallaby captain? With the departure of current skipper Ben Mowen to France at the end of this year, Waratahs skipper Dave Dennis has called for young flanker Michael Hooper to be propelled into the captaincy role. Dennis named the Wallabies openside above other favourites Stephen Moore and past captains James Horwill and Will Genia. “Not only in the way he’s performed, but the way he’s supported me in my role…
Friday’s rugby news has Mortlock battling NRL poaching, the Rebels stout defence tested, the Reds revolving door of players and an English injury ahead of their NZ tour. [one_half last=”no”] Mortlock urges sabbaticals Another former Wallaby has come out in support of extending the idea of sabbaticals for Wallaby representatives. Stirling Mortlock says that the ARU needs to allow star players some leave between World Cups to combat the incoming threat posed by the NRL. The recent announcement that NRL clubs will be able to sign certain marque players with salary cap concessions has been heralded as a threat to…
Thursday’s rugby news has Bill Pulver talking, Stephen Moore talking about not talking, some key Brumbies re-signed and Thorn to go another year. [one_half last=”no”] Pulver optimisitc ARU boss Bill Pulver has said that he is optimistic about the Wallabies lead in to the World Cup, saying that the team will believe that they can win every game beforehand. The Wallabies will have a three Test series against France next month, before looking towards the Rugby Championship as an important litmus test of our RWC chances. “We’re probably higher on the ladder in Super Rugby than we’ve ever been and…
Wednesday’s rugby news has a boost to the Brumbies, three injuries for the Reds, a France tour update and Kieran Read still doubtful after his concussion. [one_half last=”no”] Brumbies stars staying put Wallaby pairing Matt Toomua and Christian Lealiifano have turned down offers from the Rebels to stay at the Brumbies, with official contracts to be made in the coming days. The news will be a massive boost to the Brumbies, who face the table-topping Sharks on Sunday, but also to the Wallabies, as there was always a chance the pair would take up overseas offers. ACT coach Stephen Larkham…
Tuesday’s rugby news has Douglas heading overseas, Slipper given three weeks, the under-20s finalised and the Hurricanes calling for a ref review. [one_half last=”no”] Kane Douglas to Leinster Wallaby second-rower Kane Douglas will join Irish province Leinster at the end of the Super Rugby season, ruling himself out of of the 2015 Rugby World Cup. Douglas’ Waratahs team-mates emphasised the massive void that the move would create. “I don’t think we can afford to lose players like that,” Waratahs back-rower Stephen Hoiles said. “I don’t know if Australian rugby can afford to lose the likes of second-rowers in particular.” The Waratahs…
Monday’s rugby news has mixed feelings about Jake White’s return, Foley praised by an All-Black great, more bad news for the Reds and the Blues suffering a midfield injury crisis. [one_half last=”no”] Brumbies facing J White return Brumbies captain Ben Mowen has admitted that some players are still furious about the former coach’s sudden departure last year. While Mowen said that he understood the decision, many “would be filthy about the process because Jake did ask players to commit to Canberra and move here.” Others such as scrumhalf Nic White were thankful that the South African coach was able to…
Friday’s rugby news has Pulver talking up the Super 18 financials, the Hurricanes weary of Folau, JOC’s World Cup aspirations challenged and a Brumbies departure. [one_half last=”no”] Pulver defends Super 18 Bill Pulver has rubbished claims that the ARU is on track to exhaust its cash reserves, with some reports claiming that professional rugby could be dead in Australia by 2020. Pulver believes that the new Super 18 model is the best chance of survival, with incremental revenue growth thought to result from the new broadcasting agreement. The alternative Australia- New Zealand model would aim to keep matches within a…
Thursday’s rugby news has the new Super Rugby format, changes to the Reds and Tahs and Jake White patting himself on the back. [one_half last=”no”] Super Rugby expansion plans ARU boss Bill Pulver has revealed that Super Rugby will move to a four-conference model in 2016, with the restructure announcement only a fortnight away. While the Australian and New Zealand conferences would stay the same, under the expansion plans the 2016 Super 18 model will include two conferences based in South Africa. With six South African teams set for inclusion, the second conference will feature an Argentinian team and another…
Wednesday’s rugby news has Cheika punished, Genia starting, more debate on the Test exclusion policy and McCaw back from injury. [one_half last=”no”] Cheika found guilty Waratahs coach Michael Cheika has pleaded guilty to verbally abusing a cameraman in Durban last month and will be placed on a suspended six month ban and forced to fork out $6000 in legal costs. If Cheika breaches SANZAR’s code of conduct between now and August 31 next year he will have the ban imposed. The NSW coach was previously fined for abusing match officials at Stade Francais and may also have been hurt by…
Tuesday’s rugby news has more Waratahs optimism, Liam Gill boosting the flailing Reds, Tom Carter returning to pro rugby and a blow for the Blues. [one_half last=”no”] Potgieter extremely optimistic South African import Jacques Potgieter has said that he is convinced that his Waratahs will win the 2014 Super Rugby title. NSW are in sixth place after a 21-13 loss to the Blues which featured 16 handling errors. But Potgieter cited the style and attitude of coach Michael Cheika as the major impetus for his belief. Although the Waratahs have a history of not delivering in the crunch, the powerful…
Monday’s rugby news has Smith warning against the French exodus, Graham under pressure, Cheika optimistic and the Heineken Cup final decided. [one_half last=”no”] Smith warns ACT stars Wallaby legend George Smith has warned Brumbies stars against signing with French clubs to “cash in” after the World Cup. The average French Top 14 salary is $250,000 compared to Australian Super Rugby franchise’s $160,000, but Smith said, “Missing the chance to play for Australia is something you will regret if you choose money over Test jerseys.” Smith also believes that the ARU should relax the Test exclusion policy for long-serving Wallabies, allowing…
Friday’s rugby news has the some Reds changes to contain Savea, Wykes back for the Force, Beale prolonging surgery, and the Heineken Cup debating neutral venues. [one_half last=”no”] Reds reshuffle Reds coach Richard Graham has made a number of changes ahead of Saturday’s clash with the Hurricanes, most notably tasking Chris Feauai-Sautia with limiting the damage of All Blacks star Julian Savea. Rod Davies has been dropped for bombing a number of tries and, with Dom Shipperly still out with a hip injury, Graham has opted to put CFS on the wing rather than expose the young Jamie-Jerry Taulagi against the in-form…
Thursday’s rugby news has positive injury news for the Brumbies and Tahs, Larkham lamenting a lack of patience towards Benji and a Bulls lock suspended. [one_half last=”no”] Brumbies reinforcements arrive Wallabies inside centre Christian Lealiifano is set to reclaim his starting 12 jersey at the Brumbies for the first time since off-season ankle surgery, pushing Pat McCabe to the bench. The Brumbies would be keen to get the soon to be off-contract Lealiifano back on the field, with the star 12 being linked to French rugby and the Rebels. Stephen Larkham’s side will also see the return of lock Sam…
Wednesday’s rugby news has a minor injury to Kurtley Beale, the Force scrum looking to redeem themselves, Deans to Japan and a number of changes for the Chiefs. [one_half last=”no”] Beale in doubt Waratahs centre Kurtley Beale sat out training on Tuesday with an ankle injury and is in doubt for the team’s match against the Blues on Friday. Beale is considered a 70-30 chance of playing and will try to complete the Tahs’ last training run before the match today. If the explosive playmaker is ruled out, coach Michael Cheika will have to look at switching Rob Horne to…
Tuesday’s rugby news has Benji calling it quits, SANZAR on notice over the ANZAC matches, Gill racing back to full fitness and a scary diagnosis for a New Zealand prop. [one_half last=”no”] Marshall leaving union Benji Marshall has instructed his manager Martin Tauber to start talks with interested NRL clubs after struggling to meet expectations at the Auckland Blues. The 29 year old was recently told by Blues coach Sir John Kirwan that he would have to play the rest of the season in the lower tiers to prepare for the 2015 Super Rugby season. “My lack of the technical…
Monday’s rugby news has the Tahs focused, the Rebels trying to develop Wallabies, some injury relief for the Brumbies and England’s Test exclusion policy under scrutiny. [one_half last=”no”] Hoiles talks up Tahs chances Veteran backrower Stephen Hoiles believes that the Waratahs have the right attitude to push for a finals spot in the next eight weeks of the competition. The fourth-placed Waratahs have managed five wins and three losses from the first half of the season that featured the dreaded South African tour. “It’s a physical team, we train hard and we’re very well-prepared for each game,” Hoiles said. “I…