All posts tagged "richard brown"

Below is the Australia team to play Italy in Padova this weekend. Why we’re announcing teams later than any other team in the world, I’m not sure, because this squad of 22 has been leaked accurately over the past 3 days. On the positive side, it’ll be fascinating to see Barnes at...

Here are my thoughts on the Australia player ratings from the fourth Bledisloe test in Honkers. Tally...

With all the leaking that happened this week in Hong Kong it wasn’t really a surprise when the Australian Bledisoe team sheet hit. A few thoughts on it: Some call it a “get Carter” ploy, but I reckon Mortlock at 12 is more of a necessity. Barnes’ kicking game is going to...

When three out of the five John Eales Medal finalists are from the back row, it gives...

Wallabies 24 – All Blacks 28. Fahhk. I’m going to need some time to write anything semi-objective about this game, as today Australia managed to excite and infuriate in almost equal measure in a loss that handed the Tri Nations to New Zealand for the umpteenth friggen time. So I’ll try and...

With the Australian and New Zealand teams being announced, the Aussie Robbie Deans selection policy seems pretty straight forward so far: stuff up and you go, no risks come big game time. So as per this ethos he’s made 5 changes for the Brisbane Tri-Nations decider this Saturday. Everyone’s favourite scapegoat and...

OK, I’m a little late on the 28 man squad for the South African tour, but hey, everything works a bit slower in rural France. The big upsets are:1 – Luke Burgess is out with a small tear in his miniscus (knee), sustained in training. While Burgo hasn’t yet fully aclimatised to...

By Chook. I think we need to rate the players that will face off for the Tri...

Below is the Australia Tri-Nations squad for the 2008 Tri-Nations. A few comments on the changes from the last few weeks: INTimana Tahu – Has been impossible not to notice for Australia and brings a real different option to Barnes at 12, where I hope they aim him and his ball skillsDrew...

The 30 man train on squad for the Wallabies 2008 (list below) was announced by Aussie Robbie Deans earlier today. Apparently he had no hand in selection (due to his NZ contract still being in place), but having taken note of our Poll, there aren’t that many contentious decisions that weren’t forced...

Hurricanes 21 – Force 10 Despite having nothing really to play for, solid defence from the Force managed to restrict the Canes to 2 tries, which could well prove important from a Waratahs home semi perspective. In only his second match in Super 14, the 17 year old James O’Connor had his...

Western Force 22 – Chiefs 21 This game was the one highlight in an otherwise pretty dismal super 14 weekend for Aussie teams, losing 3 out of 4 games. Having watched the game, no one really blew me away from the Force’s point of view. It was a pretty solid team effort,...

Reds 29 – Force 12.Despite sleeping on it to try and come up with some inspiration, I can’t find any glowing words about this Reds performance – unlike their showing away at the Bulls. Defense held firm, but otherwise this match was more about what the Force couldn’t do, than what the...

Western Force 12 – Waratahs 17 With this hard fought win the Waratahs have taken an unconvincing season start and turned it into the foundations of a serious charge at the 2008 Super 14 semi-finals. Thanks to Sky only showing two matches this weekend, I’ve been able to see diddly-squat of this...

Western Force 16 – Stormers 32 During the week John Mitchell said “Last year we got our pants pulled down in the middle stages of the competition, so it is important we keep our focus on what we have got to improve on” That Fremantle doctor must be a-whistling around John’s kiwi...

Highlanders 28 – Western Force 36 Another impressive win from the Force who, with a second victory in a row over on the Shaky Isles, are now definitely Australia’s brightest looking chance in the 2008 Super 14 comp. Yet again they came from behind being 28-20 down with...

Blues 17 – Force 27 Here are brief highlights from the Blues vs Force game in round...

Western Force 24 –Canterbury Crusaders 29 Despite conceding 17 unanswered points in the second half to lose the match, the Force stepped up to the plate today and in many ways outplayed this champion Crusader outfit. Gone were the dropped passes and turnovers. Back was the pace and width on the ball....

By christ it was good to have Super rugby back on the idiot box, even if there was a week where a combination of rustiness and ELV naivety created some pretty headless chicken rugby at times (more on that in another post). But here’s a run down on the games. Waratahs 20...