Author: Zeb Holmes
Friday’s rugby news has Moore switching clubs, the Brumbies disappointed, a breakdown of the ARU deal and new laws trialed in NZ. [one_half last=”no”] Moore signs with Reds Australia captain Stephen Moore will join the Reds at the end of the 2016 season. Moore, who has 102 Wallabies caps to his name, was linked with at least five clubs overseas, including Gloucester and Munster, but he has opted to stay in Australia and has re-joined the franchise he played for from 2003 to 2008. Moore was eligible under new ARU rules to play abroad without sacrificing the right to play for Australia. Brumbies head…
Thursday’s rugby news has a massive ARU TV agreement, the Argentinean Super Rugby team named, an ex-Wallaby dropped from Toulon and George Ford signing a new deal. [one_half last=”no”] ARU sign new TV deal The ARU has secured a new broadcast rights deal worth more than $285 million, which will see all Super Rugby matches live on Fox Sports and a Sunday morning replay on Ten. The $57 million plus per year deal, up from the current agreement worth around $25 million per season, runs from next year until 2020. The deal has taken more than a year to complete because the…
Wednesday’s rugby news has an ACT rugby rift, a major Sevens injury blow, Slipper’s recovery on track and extra funding for the Springboks. [one_half last=”no”] Slipper’s surgery successful The Reds will enjoy the return of their captain James Slipper earlier than expected after the 117kg prop underwent successful shoulder surgery. It was initially feared the Wallabies prop could miss the entire Super Rugby season but the 81-cap veteran is now targeting an April return. Meanwhile, Reds players have emphasised the change in philosophy that they have worked on in pre-season before the Christmas break. Chris Kuridrani said new attack coach Matt O’Connor…
Tuesday’s rugby news has the Aussie Sevens knocked out, Moore close to re-signing with the ARU, Armitage putting his hand up for Test duties and a former Test prop calling for regulated contact training. [one_half last=”no”] Sevens knocked out in quarters Defending champions South Africa have defeated Argentina 29-14 to win the Cape Town Sevens for a third successive time at their home event. Meanwhile, Australia lost to South Africa (25-5) in the quarter-final and then fell well short against Fiji (38-19) in the Plate semi-final to finish a disappointing seventh. “The errors we made against South Africa were repeated against Fiji,”…
Monday’s rugby news has the Aussie Sevens progressing, Beale given a new role, Eddie Jones cleaning house and Dan Carter with a dream start at Racing 92. [one_half last=”no”] Sevens through to quarters Australia will play hosts South Africa in the quarter-finals of the Cape Town leg of the Rugby Sevens after going undefeated on the opening day. Australia downed Portugal (45-0), Wales (21-14) and an in-form United States (26-21) on Saturday to top Pool C and set up the clash with South Africa, who have won the past two events in their home country. “We had three good performances today,” Australian…
Friday’s rugby news has a pair of wingers on the comeback trail, SBW looking set for Sevens and the English lamenting player salary rises. [one_half last=”no”] Sefa primed for return Sefanaia Naivalu will rejoin the Rebels this year with some added bulk, with the 23 year old reportedly working hard in the gym after he suffered a broken leg last season. “He’s put a lot of effort in in the gym and made a significant improvement on his size and leg and upper body strength,” Rebels general manager Baden Stephenson said. “He’ll certainly be a very explosive player when he returns.”…
Thursday’s rugby news has Pocock picking up a RUPA honour, the ARU desperate to re-sign him, the NFL looking to poach rugby players and Faletau changing teams. [one_half last=”no”] Pocock wins RUPA award David Pocock has crowned an outstanding 2015 season by taking out The Rugby Union Players’ Association (RUPA) Medal for Excellence as well as the People’s Choice Award, at Wednesday’s Awards Lunch. The award is Australia’s highest player-voted individual honour which Pocock also won in 2010. “It’s always an honour to be recognised by your peers,” he said. “They are the ones you play alongside and against, and at…
Wednesday’s rugby news has the Reds trials sorted, the Tahs back on the paddock, changes to the Aussie Sevens side and a Six Nations blow for England. [one_half last=”no”] Reds trials organised The Reds have announced that they will play back to back Super Rugby warm up matches at Ballymore in 2016, facing seven-time Super Rugby champions the Crusaders and Australian conference rivals the Brumbies. The Brumbies were dominant in the 2015 Super Rugby season, recording a 47-3 victory in round one, followed by a 29-0 win in round five. Queensland Rugby Executive General Manager Reds, Daniel Herbert, said, “It will be good…
Tuesday’s rugby news has another flexible contract, the Brumbies building around Cubeli, the NZ Sevens calling reinforcements and a massive deal for Tuilagi. [one_half last=”no”] Lealiifano offered flexible contract Brumbies playmaker Christian Lealiifano is set to receive a flexible contract from the Canberra-based outfit in a bid to keep him in Australia. Fellow utility back Matt Toomua has already signed on to join the Leicester Tigers at the end of the 2016 Super Rugby campaign and the Brumbies are determined to hold on to Lealiifano, who is being chased by French and Japanese teams. Waratahs stalwarts Israel Folau and Bernard Foley have…
Monday’s rugby news has a disappointing Sevens result, Cooper hoping to join the team, an embarrassing VISA setback resolved and Thierry Dusatoir retiring. [one_half last=”no”] Sevens team finish 6th World champions Fiji have won the season-opening Dubai Sevens with a 28-17 victory over England after earlier beating Australia by seven points in the quarter-finals. Australia’s interim coach Scott Bowen admits his side aren’t where they should be eight months out from the Rio Olympics. “We had a plan on how we wanted to play the game which worked well but we couldn’t execute at crucial times,” Bowen said. “Being the side they are, Fiji…
Friday’s rugby news has the Aussie Sevens going strong, Ashley-Cooper wooed by France, David Pocock’s unconventional off-season and the Springboks without a coach. [one_half last=”no”] Sevens team on the up Michael O’Connor has emphasised that the Australian Sevens team has remained focused in the wake of the shock resignation of coach Geraint John. O’Connor, a former coach, said that John’s departure had actually helped the push for the Rio Olympics by forcing the players to take on more responsibility in preparations. “It’s brought more leaders out and players are a lot more vocal,” O’Connor said.”This is the best preparation the boys have…
Thursday’s rugby news has an exiting Sevens addition, the Waratahs again contemplating a Folau position-switch, Mike Phillips retiring and Eddie Jones suffering visa issues. [one_half last=”no”] Speight named in sevens Wallaby speedster Henry Speight is one of three debutants in Australia’s squad for the opening round of the 2015/16 World Rugby Sevens Series, with interim coach Scott Bowen also selecting 24-year-old back Tom Kingston and Stephan van der Walt. Pat McCutcheon (hamstring) and Nick Malouf (knee) are unavailable for the Dubai Sevens due to injury. Australia head to Dubai on the back of some fine form having won the Central Coast Sevens…
Wednesday’s rugby news a clean World Cup, Butler aiming high, Goromaru immortalised and a touching Lomu tribute. [one_half last=”no”] No positive drug tests at RWC There were no positive drug tests detected before or during the 2015 World Cup in England, the sport’s global governing body, World Rugby, has announced. 200 tests of both urine and blood samples were carried out during the tournament by UK Anti-Doping (UKAD), with 268 out-of-competition samples collected as well. More than 600 players and 500 team officials also undertook mandatory education programs before the tournament. World Rugby chairman Bernard Lapasset said: “World Rugby is committed to…
Tuesday’s rugby news has more defectors to French rugby, the Force looking for a fresh start, sporting codes coordinating in Canberra and Halfpenny in demand. [one_half last=”no”] Tomane bound for France The ACT Brumbies look set to lose another Wallabies representative, with winger Joe Tomane reported to be linking with former Brumbies coach Jake White at French Top 14 club Montpellier. French regional newspaper Midi Libre is reporting Tomane and Canterbury Crusaders winger Nemani Nadolo will move to France at the end of the 2016 Super Rugby season. It would be a huge blow for the Brumbies after Wallaby Matt Toomua signed a three-year deal with Leicester. Tomane would join former Brumbies…
Monday’s rugby news has a huge Pacific Island farewell to Jonah Lomu, Wallabies returning to Toulon duties, Eddie Jones warned of central contracts and a recap of Australia’s flair during the RWC. [one_half last=”no”] Pacific communities mourn Lomu Thousands of people gathered in Auckland on Saturday for a Pacific island farewell for late rugby legend Jonah Lomu. The 40-year-old Lomu died suddenly on November 18, prompting a huge outpouring of messages from around the world for the All Black great. Former All Blacks Tana Umaga and Michael Jones led mourners at the service which Queen Elizabeth II’s representative in New Zealand, Governor General Jerry…
Friday’s rugby news has Super Rugby open to more teams, Thorn weighing up a return, returning Brumbies and a bidding war for Tuilagi. [one_half last=”no”] Further expansion contemplated With the introduction of teams from Argentina and Japan, SANZAR boss Andy Marinos has forecast further expansion to the Super Rugby format, saying that there were no geographical limits to possible further inclusions. “Besides the rugby strength that you must look at, it’s also got to be in good markets from a commercial point of view because at the end of the day you’ve got to generate sufficient revenue to stay in the…
Thursday’s rugby news has the Sunwolves given the all clear, high praise for Giteau, the Reds turning to their young playmaker and a huge ban for a Welsh international. [one_half last=”no”] Japanese team locked in New SANZAR chief executive Andy Marinos says he is 100 per cent certain new Japanese team the Sunwolves will be able to field a team in 2016’s expanded Super Rugby competition. A week after Australia’s five Super Rugby clubs went back to pre-season training, the Sunwolves are yet to announce a head coach and a playing roster. But Marinos, who previously served as SANZAR boss from 2008 to…
Wednesday’s rugby news has Kepu moving to France, Guildford addressing his alcoholism at the Tahs, Hunt getting his confidence back and a major doping problem in Wales. [one_half last=”no”] Kepu joins French rugby Bordeaux-Begles have unveiled their new signing as Wallaby Sekope Kepu, who has signed a three-year deal from the Waratahs. “For me part of the decision to come was to play in French competition and test myself against some of the best props in the world – to be in scrums every weekend against French internationals,” Kepu said. Australia’s scrum was a revelation at the World Cup, with Kepu featuring in the huge turnaround…
Monday’s rugby news has Andrew Mehrtens defending McCaw, the Reds looking to emulate the Wallabies’ intensity, support for Graham and Eddie Jones trying to lift tier-two nations. [one_half last=”no”] McCaw no cheat, says Mehrtens Andrew Mehrtens has hit back at accusations that All Blacks legend Richie McCaw was a cheat, claiming his former team-mate was simply “too good” for the opposition. McCaw confirmed his retirement last week, leading to both the recognition of his legendary career and questions on his breakdown tactics. “As flankers, that’s their responsibility to push it as far as the referee will let them take it,” Mehrtens emphasised, adding…
Monday’s rugby news has the Reds emphasizing their depth, Cheika keen to face England under Eddie Jones, Chris Robshaw’s place under question and a Barbarians loss. [one_half last=”no”] Reds coping without Slipper Queensland Reds forwards coach Nick Stiles has backed the squad to cope without Australia prop James Slipper. The experienced Test prop is set to miss the start of the 2016 Super Rugby season after undergoing surgery. Looking within the squad, Stiles spoke highly about the potential of young props Sef Fa’agase and Sam Talakai. There is also good news for the Reds in that Ben Daley, a Super Rugby winner with the side back…