Wednesday’s Rugby News has an odd rumour from World Rugby, Peter Hewat’s plans at the Brumbies, fixtures for next year and the Tahs keen for new kicks.
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No More Writing
It hasn’t been confirmed yet – we know of it because player reps were told about it at the recent World Rugby awards – but World Rugby is planning on banning writing on tape in rugby matches. Yep, writing on tape.
Stuff.co.nz reports that “Black Ferns player Niall Williams, All Blacks midfielder Sonny Bill Williams’ sister, reported players could be fined $1000 if they continued with the practice.” Loads of players have come out against the policy on social media.
One of them was Canadian 7s Star Jen Kish, who apparently said “World Rugby had a manager’s meeting yesterday. In the meeting, they were told about this new policy … I do believe every athlete will be forced to sign this agreement.”
However, last year, Kane Hames was told off after writing a message supportive of Native Americans in his NZ Maori game. That might be why World Rugby is making a stand on this – or, potentially, an explicit stand against political messages.
There doesn’t seem to much else out there, as not many news outlets are carrying this story.
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Hewat In Canberra
The Brumbies have a new backs coach, and he goes by the name of Peter Hewat. You may remember Hewat from those dog days when the Waratahs played shite rugby and lost alot…oh.
Hewat’s job is to make the Brumbies less predictable in attack.
“That’s one thing we are definitely trying to change – being a little bit less predictable in attack,” Hewat said to rugby.com.au.
“Being a bit more ad lib in the way we want to attack and be more dangerous from unstructured situations.”
Hmm. The Brumbies attack will be a bit better with Christian Leali’ifano back, as well as David Pocock, who bring his newly-learnt elephant spotting skills to Canberra.
“We’re in constant contact with (Christian) – Dan has given him all the new information we have been bringing in,” Hewat said. Leali’ifano is currently in sunny Belfast playing for Ulster.
“He can play both 10 and 12 and we had some guys come in last year that got some really good experience when he wasn’t there.
“We are going to play around with some combinations and we’re not locking anything in at the moment.”
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Fixtures Announced
The places that will get to host Wallabies games have been announced, with a rather safe and boring set of cities in the mix.
Next June, Ireland will come to these shores, playing in Brisbane, then playing in Melbourne, before playing in Sydney.
After that 3-0 series loss, the Wallabies will go back to Super Rugby. Then, after Super’s done the Rugby Championship will begin.
As always, the Wallabies will play the All Blacks in Sydney at the same time they always do – mid-August. Specifically, 18 August.
By the way, this fixture is set to stay until 2021. However, the impending rebuild of Homebush will make things interesting. New Zealand has the two Bledisloes next year, one which is going to Japan.
The Wallabies will host South Africa in Brisbane on 8 September, and then Argentina on 15 September in the Gold Coast. Wow, so inspiring. That’s 3 tests in SE Queensland. Not they don’t deserve but, couldn’t one of those games go to Adelaide or Perth?
2018 Home Wallabies:
v IRE 9 June, Brisbane
v IRE 16 June, Melbourne
v IRE 23 June, Sydney
v NZL 18 August, Sydney
v RSA 8 September, Brisbane
v ARG 15 September, Gold Coast
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Tahs Want Stadium
The NSW Waratahs have welcomed news that the State Government will pour gorillions of dollars into a new stadium for no one to attend.
If you’re not from NSW, and still reading this news piece, what’s happened is that the stadium the Tahs (and several NRL teams, and Sydney FC) play at, Allianz, is going to get rebuilt. The SCG Trust – the Allianz is literally next door – owns the land and wants the change. The stadium is only 30 years old or so, but whatever.
“CEO Andrew Hore thanked the Premier and Cabinet for the decision that will benefit the NSW Waratahs, Sydney FC and the Sydney Roosters who are the three main tenants at Allianz Stadium,” says the statement.
““This is great news for our members, our team, our commercial partners, all our supporters, our Board and our staff. And it is pleasing that that the Government has recognised the importance of having a world-class stadium in the sporting hub of Sydney,” Hore said.
““I would like to acknowledge the support of all of our Alliance of Moore Park Sports partners in the precinct, and particularly my counterparts at Sydney FC and the Sydney Roosters as well as the SCG Trust for their backing as well.””
The stadium rebuild is set to take place late in 2018, and there is yet no word on where the Waratahs will play. Probably on a floating platform in Middle Harbour right next to Mosman.
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Hey guys, Nick here. This news will be the last regular news piece I’ll do for GAGR. I’ll be ready save the day like the TMO does for England and New Zealand once in a while, but I think that’s that for me. I haven’t told the other Nick because I wanted him to find out via the “press”, it’d be poetic. On that topic actually, if you value independent media please contribute or keep contributing to the site. Donations, articles, offers to do the match reports/ratings for the midnight games, anything. Even (positive) comments. With your help, this site might rise from being tin-pot to mediocre. Anyway, thanks for the ride guys & gals. It’s been great. Ciao.
