Author: Zeb Holmes

Tuesday’s rugby news has the Wallabies sizing up the dangerous Italians, Fardy out with concussion, World Cup worries and Sir Clive chiming in again.  [one_half last=”no”] Wallabies move on to Italian challenge Adam Ashley-Cooper has said that, although Italy are ranked 12th in the world, the Wallabies will be ready for a tough and closely-fought contest. Last year’s match in Italy saw Australia barely hold onto a second-half lead to win 22-19, and the players believe that the home side will be ‘licking their lips’ in anticipation of an upset. ‘We do (see them as a threat), given the circumstances…

Monday’s rugby news has Link’s measured referee criticism, scrum dramas again, Fardy’s injury highlighting concussion concerns and a startling revelation from Sam Warburton.  [one_half last=”no”] Link bemoans referee blunders Ewen McKenzie has condemned the refereeing in the Wallabies’ match against England, unequivocally asserting that a few controversial decisions influenced the result. In particular, Link was critical of the the assistant referee’s failure to spot that England fullback Mike Brown’s feet were in touch when fielding a kick in the 48th minute. ‘That was a 90 metre turnaround…We should have been having a line-out five metres out (from England’s line). You…

Tuesday’s Rugby News has Genia praising McKenzie’s discipline, Mortlock criticising backline tinkering, another England injury and Benji feeling the pressure of the code-switch.  [one_half last=”no”] Genia backs McKenzie’s discipline Will Genia has told reporters that the hardline approach of coach Ewen McKenzie has transformed the Wallabies into the most disciplined squad he has played with. ‘When he came in as the Wallaby coach, one of the first things he did was put in place the protocols and procedures for doing the right thing and the wrong thing and he was very hard on the group,’ the 50-Test halfback said. While…

Wednesday’s Rugby News has senior Wallabies admitting culture failure, more O’Connor news, South Africa demanding a 6th s15 team and a Wilkinson tell-all interview. [one_half last=”no”] Senior Wallabies unable to mould culture In the wake of the James O’Connor departure, Wallabies hooker Stephen Moore has conceded that older players did not do enough to preserve a professional culture under Robbie Deans. ‘As senior players we could have done better. That’s something I will probably look back [at] and regret,’ said Moore. But the 86-Test veteran also emphasised that the primary responsibility for the off-field incidents involving O’Connor, Quade Cooper and…

Tuesday’s Rugby News has O’Connor to London Irish, a Wallaby selection dilemma, English injuries and Mike Phillips sacked. [one_half last=”no”] O’Connor set to join London Irish London Irish are set to announce the signing of former Wallaby back James O’Connor in a news conference later today (9pm AEDT). O’Connor was previously told that the ARU would not offer him a 2014 contract following a disciplinary investigation which found that he had ‘failed to uphold the behavioural and cultural standards expected within the team.’ While the 23-year-old also considered Japanese or French rugby, it appears that London Irish have secured his…

Monday’s Rugby News has the Wallaby pack with a lot to prove, Folau motivated for the English, Gatland trying to shake off Lions critics and All Blacks squad news.  [one_half last=”no”] Aussie forwards feel the pressure James Horwill has publically recognised the scrutiny that will follow the forward pack during their northern hemisphere tour, but the Wallaby captain is viewing the upcoming five Tests as an opportunity to gain some respect on the world stage. ‘The northern hemisphere is always a big-forward-oriented game, and if you can set the platform for our backs then that goes a long way to…

Friday’s Rugby News has Hooper voted Wallabies best, Pocock working his way back, more struggles for the Welsh and Eddie Jones recovering well as Japan prepares. [one_half last=”no”] Hooper wins John Eales Medal Michael Hooper has been named the Wallabies’ best player for the 2013 season, winning the John Eales Medal by an astounding 120 votes. Hooper finished on a total of 297 votes with Wycliff Palu tallying 185 and Israel Folau rounding out the top three on 177. ‘It’s good to be recognised on the field and to have guys to play out there and to go through the hard yards…

Thursday’s Rugby News has the incoming ARU cuts, O’ Connor’s departure, the Heineken Cup possibly losing the Welsh and recreational drug use in English rugby. [one_half last=”no”] ARU confirm cuts to player payments As expected, the new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) will include a cut in player payments from $13,000 to $10,000 per Test. The new CBA will operate from 2014 to 2017 and, in the face of the financial pressure of this year’s $8.3 million deficit, will save the ARU 12 per cent of its player costs. ‘The players have made significant concessions in this deal to ensure that rugby will…

Wednesday’s Rugby News has the Wallaby forwards feeling the heat, a health scare for a Welsh hooker, a Puma coach resigning and Bismark du Plessis a free man. [one_half last=”no”] Aussie scrum under pressure Wallabies hooker Stephen Moore believes that European opponents will look to target the Australian scrum, long regarded as a weak point. This perception of vulnerability would have been perpetuated by the performances of the Rugby Championship, and the 86-Test international believes that the Wallabies need to adapt to the new laws and scrummage more consistently. Moore also said the performance of the forwards at the breakdown…

Tuesday’s Rugby News has some more pressure on Link, the IRB in the sand, Mike Phillips drunk and Nonu speculation finally over. [one_half last=”no”] European tour ‘incredibly important’ After a shambolic home season where the Wallabies failed to defeat either New Zealand or South Africa for the first time since 2005, ARU boss Bill Pulver has labelled the upcoming northern tour as ‘incredibly important’ and a ‘key milestone.’ The three wins from 10 Tests in 2013 have further highlighted the game’s precarious financial position, and Pulver believes that success in the coming matches would renew public interest in the code,…

Monday’s Rugby News has Link committed to running rugby, Jake White speaking about his sudden move, the NRL looking at JOC and reports of Nonu going to the Blues. [one_half last=”no”] Link to stay on the attack Despite the disappointing 41-33 loss to the All Blacks on Saturday, Wallabies coach Ewen Mckenzie has backed the team’s adoption of a more expansive style since the axing of Robbie Deans. ‘The players are really enjoying the way they’re going about it,’ McKenzie said after the loss. ‘We’re not going to depart from the fact that we want to express ourselves,’ Link emphasised, believing that…

Friday’s Rugby News has some Wallaby and All Black changes, Genia accepting of pay cuts and the Honey Badger staying at the Force.  [one_half last=”no”] Wallabies look to back up against champs Coach Ewen Mckenzie has challenged the Wallabies  to reproduce their performance against Argentina in this weekend’s match against the All Blacks. While Link was pleased with Australia’s 54-17 win over the Pumas, he knows that defeating the world champions at home, a feat not achieved since mid 2009, will be a completely different degree of difficulty. McKenzie has made a few changes, most notably promoting Matt Toomua to…

Friday’s Rugby News has JOC released, Farr-Jones condemning current  contracts, Larkham calling for a quick Brumbies decision and Henry in hot water over referee criticism.  [one_half last=”no”] O’Connor axed James O’Connor has been released from the remainder of his 2013 contract by the ARU in light of his latest off-field controversy. The Wallabies playmaker was in line for a lucrative top-up contract in 2014 and his release will now cost him $500,000. ‘James must make some changes with respect to his off-field responsibilities and ensure that this approach is consistent with the values of our game,’ chief executive Bill Pulver said,…

Thursday’s Rugby News has Genia back, the Springboks and Pumas making some line-up changes, Folau allowed to play from instinct and Toulon making some questionable signing moves.  [one_half last=”no”] Genia starting again Will Genia will return to the starting halfback position as Ewen McKenzie looks to utilise his dynamic running game this weekend. The relegation of Nic White to the bench is the only change to the starting line-up. Bernard Foley could also make his Test debut, with the versatile back coming onto the bench in place of Chris Feauai-Sautia. Meanwhile, The Pumas have made two changes to their backline…

Wednesday’s Rugby News sees the Brumbies confident in keeping Mowen, McCaw set to return, the RFU possibly holding the English Test team hostage and a proposed World Club final.  [one_half last=”no”] Mowen reportedly staying put In reaction to yesterday’s reports, The ACT Brumbies and Ben Mowen’s management are confident that the recent Wallabies captain will not be taking an overseas offer. The loose forward was previously said to be considering walking out on his ARU deal due to a pay dispute. The ARU remain steadfast in their denial of Mowen’s request for a top-up, seeing that, while some exceptions are…

Tuesday’s Rugby News has Mowen wanting more money, Larkham reported as Brumbies frontrunner, a switch at lock for the Springboks and more Heineken Cup news.  [one_half last=”no”] Mowen to walk? After filling in as Wallabies captain just three weeks ago, Ben Mowen is considering leaving Australian rugby due to a payment dispute. Mowen is said to be angry over not receiving a top-up contract despite being a regular Wallabies starter and recent captain. The backrower’s Super contract extends to 2015, but on the proviso that he were to receive an ARU top-up. ARU policy is that players will only get…

Monday’s Rugby News has McKenzie calling for maturity, De Villiers sinking the boot in, Cooper trying to keep the faith and Welsh Rugby in disarray.  [one_half last=”no”] Immature Wallabies crushed Ewen McKenzie has cited a lack of maturity as the major factor behind the Wallabies devastating 28-8 loss against the Springboks on Saturday. The Wallabies stuck to their ‘kick first’ gameplan even when the Boks started to dominate field position and pour on points. ‘We had opportunities to attack and we were probably still a bit too conservative …  We were a bit slow off the mark in making that…

Friday’s Rugby News has more Jake White speculation, the Wallabies trying to play it smart, the Champions Cup unsupported and the All Blacks official lineup.  [one_half last=”no”] Reaction to Jake White’s exit ARU boss Bill Pulver has attempted to set the record straight on the Jake White affair, publically asserting that White was never promised the Wallabies head coaching job, and that his South African nationality was not a factor in his rejection. The Brumbies coach has been quite transparent about his desire to return to the international arena, almost leaving the job for a chance to coach England in…

Thursday’s Rugby News has Jake White’s shock departure, the Wallabies trying to beef up, the Boks rotating and Nonu trying to have his cake and eat it too.  [one_half last=”no”] Jake White quits Brumbies Just two months after leading his team into the Super Rugby grand final, Jake White has suddenly quit as Brumbies head coach. White had asked for a release from the last two years of his contract after being overlooked for the Wallabies top job. The Brumbies will now look to assistant coaches Stephen Larkham and Laurie Fisher as the obvious candidates just two weeks before the…

Wednesday’s rugby news has some more pre-Test banter, a GPS bombshell, All Blacks injury update and a tribute to Wallaby legend John Hipwell. [one_half last=”no”] Wallabies ‘still learning’ Wallabies hooker Stephen Moore believes that the team is yet to adapt to Ewen McKenzie’s style, but will be in a better position than their last match against the Springboks. ‘It’s still pretty early in Ewen’s tenure, we are still finding the best game-plan he wants us to play,’ Moore said. The Brumbies hooker also reckons the Wallabies are in prime position to improve upon their confidence-boosting win over the Pumas in Perth. Springboks hooker…