Wednesday’s Rugby News sees a new jersey unveiled, the Force creating new rules, Phipps owning up, and Kerevi happy for Cooper.
[one_half last=”no”]
Another Year, Another Jersey
In an attempt to part fans from $159 of their hard-earned cash, the Wallabies unveiled their 2018 jersey yesterday.
I don’t know why it is a thing that every year now we have a new jersey. Just pick one and bloody stick with it.
Many fans (including myself) fell completely head over heels for the awesome indigenous jersey they played in at Suncorp last year, and for the life of me I wish that jersey would become the full time jersey.
That being said, this new jersey is a decent one. And add to that, this one will be their jersey until the World Cup next year.
This new one has an old-school feel to it, with a green trim collar that is similar to the jerseys that the Wallabies played with in the 1980s.
You can check out the jersey here.
In other jersey news, the All Blacks released a cool jersey of their own. As part of a ‘diversity is strength’ campaign, the All Blacks have showcased a promotional jersey that, when stretched, reveals a rainbow image.
The jersey was made in support of the LGBTI campaign AIG is running at the moment. However, it won’t be made into a new permanent strip.
[/one_half]
[one_half last=”yes”]
Force Them Tries!
This week World Series Rugby is upon us, and the Western Force will make their keenly awaited return to the field when they play the Fiji Warriors in the first of seven invitational games.
However, the new series of games will come with several new rule changes.
The biggest one is that seven point tries will be available. Named a ‘Power Try’, the try will be awarded if there is “no break in continuity of possession, meaning the attacking team can’t commit a penalty or turn the ball over.”
According to Fox Sports, this specific rule change is still to be approved by World Rugby. But the Force are confident it will be approved by Friday.
Other rules to speed the game up include a one minute time limit on scrums, while attacking teams can also take lineouts as fast as they want — even if the other team isn’t ready to go.
On top of that, teams will also be able to make twelve substitutions during a normal match, up from eight.
Twiggy is hopeful that the new look Force will able to get 15,000 in at NIB Stadium on Friday. Reportedly, 13,000 tickets have currently been sold.
The new squad features eight former Force players, with the Fiji Warriors still to name their squad.
Western Force Squad: Peter Grant, Rod Davies, Marcel Brache, Rodney Iona, Brad Lacey, Andrew Deegan, Ian Prior (c), Brynard Stander, Chris Alcock, Tevin Ferris, Johan Bardoul, Fergus Lee-Warner, Chris Heiberg, Heath Tessmann, Harry Lloyd. Reserves: Alifeleti Kaitu’u, Tom Sheminant, Kieran Longbottom, Leon Power, Harrison Orr, Ryan Louwrens, AJ Alatimu, Clay Uyen
[/one_half]
[one_half last=”no”]
Ya bloody goose!
What is it with the Waratahs and off-field drama this year?
Well this time, it’s Nick Phipps.
On his bucks night, Phipps pissed off the management of the Woollahra Hotel when he decided to piss on the bar.
NSW Rugby released a statement announcing that Phipps will be fined $4,000 for his actions, with the money going to the NSW Positive Rugby Foundation.
Unsurprisingly, Phipps has also had his captaincy role suspended until further notice, with the Waratahs reportedly ‘monitoring him’ closely to make sure he doesn’t piss anyone else off.
Phipps reportedly expressed a lot of regret about the night, having rung the hotel to apologise and admit that he was as pissed as a parrot.
He also admitted that he had passed the point of no return that night when he spoke to the media on Tuesday morning:
“I’m a goose, if I’m going to do the crime, I’ll pay the time,” he said.
“It’s always been in my character to stand up and accept the responsibility, I was a bloody idiot.
“It’s one of those things I wanted to front straight away and get the apology out there and make sure everyone knows how sorry I am.
“There are gong to be some sanctions handed down and I’ll accept them.
“My role at the club is something that’s pretty important and to be honest that’s not the way we should carry ourselves.
“There won’t be any fight from me. It’s something I just wanted to do and get on the front foot and get back to playing footy.
“I’ve spoken to Rugby Australia, they’ve voiced their displeasure, they’re not very happy.
“It’s something that will be shored up today and then we can move on.”
He also admitted that he had, understandably, very little memory of the incident.
[/one_half]
[one_half last=”yes”]
Happy As
First up, Samu Kerevi admitted that the Reds plan on Quade Cooper is still that he’ll be out for this year. But the big centre said that Cooper didn’t necessarily mind that at the moment, quoting that he was “happy as” playing for Souths this year.
Hamish Stewart showed that he’s got some chops on him in their win over the Lions last week, and Kerevi admitted that finding the right flyhalf was ideal for the Reds right now.
“Quade is obviously a great player. He brings a different type of pace to the game but we are still happy with the guys that we have now,” Kerevi said to Fox Sports.
“And Quade is happy as playing for Souths but I know he still has aspirations to play Super Rugby and at Test level.”
The other happy news is with the Junior Wallabies. They have been looking the goods so far in the Under 20s Oceania Tournament, are are set for a showdown with New Zealand. However, if their match against Tonga was anything to go by, that upcoming showdown will be an absolute thriller.
The Junior Wallabies thumped Tonga 91-7, which was only just behind the 97 point drubbing New Zealand dealt upon the Tongans in the tournament opener. All up, fifteen tries were scored by the men in gold.
Both the Aussies and the Kiwis have cruised against the Tongans and Fijians in the tournament, with the final match at Bond University the real indicator of where both teams are as they prepare for the U20s World Cup later this year.
“Our first two opponents – full respect to them – but that’s not the standard that we will face at the World Cup,” said U20s Coach Jason Gilmore.
“So we just have to make sure that we don’t accept that is the norm on Saturday.
“I think against any New Zealand side you have to bring that level of physicality.
“They’re a really big side right across the park but you also have to be smart against New Zealand.
“Their boys grow up playing rugby from a young age they’re very good at anticipating what’s going on on the football field.
“We have to bring that physicality and smarts to what we do.”
The U20s will play against New Zealand on Saturday at 7pm at Bond University.
[/one_half]
***
Do you like writing about rugby? You passionate about pursuing a career in writing and online sports journalism?
We’re looking for enthusiastic rugby sports writers to join us and help with doing our weekly rugby news segments, like the one you see above.
Previous writing experience desired. Opportunities include having a recognisable independent sports journal on your resume, and you may also get the chance to meet Rugby Reg. We also can pay you $20 per news day.
If you are interested/ know someone who would be interested, send an email to admin@greenandgoldrugby.com or message us on Facebook.
***
