Search results

Yeah, a few unclear time frames and the locks aren't ideal, but only really an issue if another one goes down or Neville's time frame gets pushed out. Good opportunity for Sankey though, I had figured the Reds were going to snap him up before they grabbed Cormac Daly and he went down to Canberra...

Mostly locks, with a few others littered about the squad: Locks: - Frost ready for the trial this weekend - Neville picked up a minor hamstring against the Drua, expected to be fit for round 1 - Darcy Swain recovering from a knee injury, unlikely to play the trial and in doubt for round 1...

Eddie did talk a bit about wanting to shift him to 12, but it hasn't come up since he left. And with Annan coming through in that mould for the Reds I can't see us throwing Petaia at yet another position and trying him their without significant interest from on high (or Petaia himself, but that...

Only way I think we could start any earlier is by playing a Super AU pre-season comp, likely without the Wallabies, with super rugby pushed back a bit further. I'm not sure there would be much of a product in that though, particularly with the conditions at the moment. Don't get me wrong, I'd...

I think it comes down to play style too, Lynagh has the sort of game that can translate really well to professional rugby straight off the bat, particularly his control and kicking game, something most young playmakers struggle with early on. For a guy like McLaughlin-Phillips whose strengths...

I'd probably only take one of Creighton or O'Connor on the bench. Probably Grealy the other back, but maybe Henry or Annan with Creighton if we're looking for more centre coverage.

https://www.theroar.com.au/2024/02/06/brumbies-shut-down-talk-of-following-rebels-into-voluntary-administration-merger-off-the-table/ Not unexpected, but the Australians dig at the Brumbies solvency seems to have been wildly exaggerated:

Can't really see Gleeson as a Wallaby 7 option, he's still only played a couple of 80 minute games at super Rugby level and Coleman has mentioned that fitness as something he's still working on. He'll likely get there in time, but I think that's going to take a season or two more at least.

I'm guessing with BPA signed for next year the focus is on a short term 3rd string they can rely on right now. Given most teams end up using 4 hookers there will probably still be time for the younger fringe players. Most surprising part of this for me is that there were only 2 hookers in the...

John Eales medal and the rest of the awards are set to be announced on Wednesday: https://www.rugby.com.au/news/nominees-confirmed-for-john-eales-medal-wallaroos-sevens-poty-ahead-of-ra-awards-202424 RA have announced a series of "nominees" for each, which I don't remember them ever doing...

Jackson Pugh has been released to pursue overseas opportunities: https://westernforce.rugby/news/jackson-pugh-granted-early-release-from-contract-202425 A bit surprising given he looked to be full of potential a few years ago.

I think it might just be confirmation of the rumoured signing with the tahs for next year. If he were to get an early release I think it might cause all sorts of problems for keeping the rest of the squad for the 2024 season.

https://www.afr.com/companies/sport/how-to-maul-a-rugby-team-to-death-slowly-at-first-and-then-suddenly-20240130-p5f15u Mostly a wrap up of everything that's happened, but seeing it all spelled out in one place paints a very grim picture of Docherty's involvement in this whole saga, and of the...

Depends on who you talk to - ground announcer had it as 3 halves, offering 50% bonus rugby for those in attendance. Great to see them bucking the trend of shrinkflation and offering more rugby for your money instead of less.

Donaldson was not bad at all and the change will probably suit him well this year. As much as he had an ordinary season for the tahs last year, part of that was his form dipping at the same time as Gordon's and that connection really falling apart. Getting to reset and having a stronger set of...

To be clear I'm not trying to discount the Force's performance. I thought there were plenty of positives for them to take way from that game, probably headlined by Harry Potter showing well at exactly the time they need a winger. Some things to worry about too, particularly around the set piece...

The result itself is of no consequence, what matters is the how the team and individuals played and how well the systems are working. In a proper season game a result might be relatively indicative of that but that's not the case for a trial. For example a blow out can easily happen in the final...

Nope, still doesn't matter. This game was played as three 30 minute with almost full squads used and unlimited interchange. The decision each coach makes are not as motivated by result as they are season preparation and that flows through to on field - some teams will take the 3 in trials others...

Few more thoughts from the ground yesterday: - Aside from a good late play Creighton was disappointing. He'll likely get more time next week and hopefully turns it around, but I'd be leaning to Lynagh for his control for round 1. - Aubrey doesn't really look to have progressed from last year, I...

Trial results do not matter. Never have, never will.