Author: Zeb Holmes
Tuesday’s rugby news has the Tahs going without a CEO, the Sevens without a coach, Fiji closing the door on World Cup applications and England moving down the rankings. [one_half last=”no”] Harris leaves Tahs The Waratahs will have to find their third CEO in seven months after Greg Harris announced that he will not apply for an extension to his contract which expires on December 31. Harris took over from Jason Allen in February, having previously headed Australia’s rugby players’ union RUPA. It was thought that the restructure of the Waratahs and NSW Rugby caused much conflict between the entities and predicated…
Monday’s rugby news has Cheika gambling with two hookers, the NRC Horan-Little shield retained, Nic White on standby and a surprising French exclusion. [one_half last=”no”] Hooker selection questioned England has questioned the legitimacy of Michael Cheika’s World Cup squad, after the Wallabies coach picked just two specialist hookers. Without a recognised third hooker in the squad, if skipper Stephen Moore or back-up hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau were to suffer a one-match or more injury, they could have to send them home in order to bring in replacement James Hanson. “I suppose you could say there is a bit of a risk, but we feel we…
Friday’s rugby news has at least one big exclusion, the Brumbies looking for stadium inspiration, The Pool of Death getting more morbid and a former Welsh skipper retiring. [one_half last=”no”] Nic White to be left out Nic White will reportedly miss out on a World Cup spot, as Michael Cheika seems poised to name just two specialists in the position with Matt Giteau covering in the event of injury. This will mean that Nick Phipps and Will Genia will have won the two halfback slots in the 31-man squad. Meanwhile, Wallaby great George Smith has emphasised that he remains available for consideration, while conceding…
Thursday’s rugby news has Gill supporting Graham, Eddie Jones coaching rumours, SBW joining the Sevens and McCaw reconsidering retirement. [one_half last=”no”] Reds stand behind Graham Reds flanker Liam Gill insists that the Brisbane-based franchise’s players are backing the reappointment of Richard Graham as the team’s coach. There has been plenty of criticism of Graham’s reappointment with former Wallaby full-back Greg Martin saying the Reds were ‘accepting mediocrity’, predicting one of the worst crowd seasons ever. Despite finishing in 13th position in 2015 and 12th in 2014 under Graham’s guidance, Gill emphasised that the players must support their coach. ‘Richard Graham is our coach next year and…
Wednesday’s rugby news has a devastating coaching move, selection difficulties, a Folau hypothetical and a Scottish leadership change. [one_half last=”no”] Reds keep Graham The Queensland Reds have controversially reappointed Richard Graham as coach for the next Super Rugby season. Graham, who will be on a one-year contract, has just a 28 per cent winning record as a Super Rugby head coach but has been given another chance to steer the Reds following their disastrous four-win season this year. Former Wallabies centre Daniel Herbert has now been appointed as executive general manager, effectively making John Connolly’s position as coaching advisor redundant. Graham will also serve as Queensland’s…
Tuesday’s rugby news has Cheika approaching his final RWC squad, McCutcheon joining the Sevens effort, Cooper finding an unlikely ally and the Argentine squad named. [one_half last=”no”] Cheika closing in Michael Cheika says that he is yet to make around half a dozen big selection decisions before his 31-man World Cup squad is announced on Friday. ‘I believe we’re getting close to knowing exactly who we’re liking in what roles… but we’ve got until Friday,’ he said. The Wallaby coach also asserted that he did not regret the slew of changes introduced prior to the second Bledisloe Cup defeat. ‘That was…
Monday’s rugby news has Cooper questioned, the Wallabies reacting to their huge loss and Burgess impressive for England. [one_half last=”no”] Cooper happy with performance Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has defended his five-eighth selection after Saturday’s crushing Bledisloe Cup loss, reassuring Quade Cooper that he would remain an essential part of the squad in the lead up to the World Cup. ‘I thought he put us in good position early on and made some good plays and led us around the park well,’ Cheika said. The 27-year-old made several errors in the first-half, but it was his sin-binning early in the second-half…
Tuesday’s rugby news has calls for Hunt to be sacked, the Force dropping Ebersohn, some major Hurricanes setbacks and Du Preez injured. [one_half last=”no”] Hunt still available New information about Karmichael Hunt’s heavy drug use have made his position in the Wallabies squad questionable. Former Wallaby Sam Scott-Young has slammed Queenland’s support of Hunt, saying that Australian rugby is “lowering its standards” by allowing the code-hopper to remain in the game. “What Australian rugby doesn’t need is any more negative press,” Scott-Yound said. “What they do need is strong leadership, people with guts and fortitude.” While the criteria of ‘bringing the game into disrepute’ is…
Monday’s rugby news has some disappointing Super Rugby results, Folau reportedly re-signing, Hunt detailing his drug use and England talking up their home-field advantage. [one_half last=”no”] Aussie teams out of finals Australia’s top two Super Rugby sides have been dealt heavy defeats in the semi-finals to their New Zealand counterparts, raising concerns over the Wallabies’ Rugby Championship and World Cup campaigns. The Tahs lost at home 35-17 to the Highlanders, with the Brumbies defeated 29-9 by Wellington over the weekend. Although both matches highlighted the gap between the top sides for each nation, Wallabies veteran Adam Ashley-Cooper said that the Test side were better…
Friday’s rugby news has Beale injured, Speight appealing his suspension, the QRU delaying their review and an RFU betting scandal. [one_half last=”no”] Beale ruled out The Waratahs will be without star Wallaby midfielder Kurtley Beale for their Super Rugby semifinal against the Highlanders on Saturday. Beale failed to complete training on Thursday due to a quadricep injury and will be replaced by utility back Matt Carraro who will reprise the role he took at short notice against the Reds a couple of weeks ago. Jono Lance has been included into the reserves, with Tahs halfback Nick Phipps emphasising that the team was confident…
Thursday’s rugby news has Speight missing the finals, Cooper suffering more shoulder issues, AAC riding into the sunset and Ireland ready for the World Cup. [one_half last=”no”] Speight suspended Henry Speight has been suspended for five weeks up to Saturday 25 July 2015 for a lifting tackle which occurred in the 74th minute of last week’s match between the Stormers and Brumbies.This would mean that Speight will miss Saturday’s semi-final against the Hurricanes in Wellington and the final if the Brumbies progress, as well as the first two Rugby Championship games. Speight was given a red-card during the match and judicial officer Robert Stelzner SC emphasised, “An…
Friday’s rugby news has a major ARU re-signing, more Reds drama, some discontent with the kicking squad and SBW back with the Chiefs. [one_half last=”no”] Hooper re-signs Wallabies flanker Michael Hooper has re-signed with the ARU and Waratahs until the end of 2018. The 23-year-old back-rower led the Wallabies throughout the 2014 Test season after hooker Stephen Moore was injured just five minutes into his first Test as skipper. He also led the Waratahs to a maiden Super Rugby title with Dave Dennis injured. “I am just stoked to be in this position,” he said. “To be able to stay here in Australia allows…
Thursday’s rugby news has Cheika discussing the RWC captaincy, overseas stars available for the Rugby Championship, Skelton returning and disciplinary concerns for England. [one_half last=”no”] Cheika narrows captaincy field With the International season looming, Australia head coach Michael Cheika has seemingly already decided on his Wallaby captain. Cheika made it clear at the launch of the new Australian World Cup jersey that the two contenders for the captain role are Michael Hooper and Stephen Moore. “We will pick a captain who will go the distance… [there is] no point chopping and changing,” Cheika said. The Australian coach also said he would name the captain…
Wednesday’s rugby news has key Brumbies returning, a new Wallaby jersey, three Sharks departing and the highest paid players named. [one_half last=”no”] Speight and Toomua back The Brumbies have announced that they expect to have Wallabies duo Matt Toomua and Henry Speight available for this weekend’s crucial Super Rugby match against the Crusaders. Toomua missed last week’s match against the Western Force with an ankle injury while Speight rolled his ankle during the match and had to come off in the second half. Half-back Nic White said that Stephen Larkham will most likely play Toomua at inside centre and keep Christian Lealiifano at flyhalf, adding,…
Tuesday’s rugby news has McCalman out, the Brumbies confident, Folau responding to the weekend’s foul play and a major injury concern for the Springboks. [one_half last=”no”] McCalman fractures cheekbone Western Force star Ben McCalman will miss the team’s last game of the season after fracturing his cheekbone in the Force’s 33-20 loss to the Brumbies on Friday. McCalman, who has played 38 tests for the Wallabies, will face a nervous rehabilitation period as he tries to prove his fitness in time for the Rugby World Cup in September. Force coach Michael Foley nevertheless expressed his optimism for the back-rower’s World Cup prospects. “He will…
Monday’s rugby news has the Reds disappointed, the Tahs moving ahead of the conference, the Brumbies sweating on backline stars and tributes for Collins. [one_half last=”no”] Chiefs spoil Reds send-off The Chiefs have ruined James Horwill and Will Genia’s Suncorp Stadium farewell with a 24-3 win over the Reds on Saturday. In the veteran pair’s final home game with the team ahead of overseas switches next year, the Chiefs crossed three times and but for a sixth minute Quade Cooper penalty goal, held the hosts scoreless in a dominant display. “I broke down talking in the huddle (post-match),” Genia said, “I knew I…
Thursday’s rugby news has Cooper still out, Toomua touch-and-go, rugby growing in the US and the English squad named. [one_half last=”no”] Cooper’s return delayed Quade Cooper’s comeback from a shoulder injury has been pushed back another week after failing to recover for the Sharks game this weekend. The Reds star will now target next week’s clash with the Western Force, but he will need to prove his fitness by completing the necessary contact work beforehand. Cooper’s absence will give rookie Jake McIntyre another chance in the starting 10 position, with Will Genia praising the fly-half’s performance already in directing the Reds team. Winger…
Wednesday’s rugby news has a possible referee change, a new Force playmaker, concussion fears for TPN and the French squad named. [one_half last=”no”] Larkham open to two refs Stephen Larkham has thrown his support behind new initiatives designed to improve the standards of Super Rugby refereeing, including calls to implement a two-referee system similar to the NRL. “There’s merit in having two referees on the field and providing assistance to the [main referee] in other ways,” he said, adding that the such initiatives should be investigated after the World Cup. Brumbies playmaker Matt Toomua was more critical of the proposed changes, saying…
Tuesday’s rugby news has Gill looking at his options, the Tahs told to toughen up, SAZAR axing referees and a French coaching vacancy. [one_half last=”no”] Rebels looking to sign Gill Richard Graham believes that openside flanker Liam Gill will remain at the club next year. Gill said after this weekend’s win that the possibility of a switch to the Rebels was a “real thing”, with his dissatisfaction reported to stem from his lack of confidence in Graham as the head coach. The Reds are believed set to re-sign Graham as head coach, who said, “I am confident he [Gill] will be…
Monday’s rugby news has Toomua injured again, the female 7s side heading to Rio, Naiyaravoro staying for a Test jersey only and an English star banned from the RWC. [one_half last=”no”] Toomua injury marrs ACT win The Brumbies are hopeful this weekend’s bye is all the rest Matt Toomua needs to get back on the field after re-injuring his ankle in Johannesburg. The Wallabies playmaker will likely have scans on the sidelines when the Brumbies return to Canberra early this week. “It’s definitely not as bad as my right ankle – hopefully I won’t miss any games,” Toomua said. “It’s frustrating, but it’s the other ankle so I know…