Close Menu
  • Home
  • Forum
  • Shop
    • Jerseys
    • Training
    • Men
    • Women
    • Kids
    • Headwear
    • Gifts & Accessories
      • Babywear
      • Balls
      • Collectibles & Memorabilia
      • Home & Office
      • Keyrings
      • Pet Accessories
      • Scarves
      • Souvenirs
      • Toys & Games
    • Super Rugby
    • Clearance
  • Wallabies
  • Super Rugby
    • ACT Brumbies
    • Blues
    • Chiefs
    • Crusaders
    • Fijian Drua
    • Highlanders
    • Hurricanes
    • Moana Pasifika
    • NSW Waratahs
    • Queensland Reds
    • Western Force
  • Six Nations
  • Women’s
  • Sevens
  • Podcast

Subscribe to Updates

Get the latest creative news from FooBar about art, design and business.

What's Hot

The Dropped Kick-Off 154 – Finals Perms

May 23, 2025

Friday’s Rugby News.

May 23, 2025

Thursday’s Rugby News – the pointy end

May 22, 2025
Facebook Instagram YouTube X (Twitter)
Latest News
  • The Dropped Kick-Off 154 – Finals Perms
  • Friday’s Rugby News.
  • Thursday’s Rugby News – the pointy end
  • Hump Day News – in from the side
  • Tuesday’s Rugby News
  • Mad Monday with Brisneyland Local #70: Can Super Rugby get any better?
  • Friday’s Rugby News.
  • Talking Teams Pod Round 14
  • Thursday’s Rugby News – the pointy end
  • Collab Special – Talking Teams x The Dropped Kick-Off – discussing the Lions with The Eggchasers Rugby Podcast
  • Hump Day News – in from the side
  • Tuesday’s Rugby News
  • Mad Monday with Brisneyland Local #69: great rugby, big injuries, spectacular results.
  • Friday’s Rugby News.
  • Lions squad named tonight.
  • Thursday’s Rugby News – the final countdown
  • Yowie on the Loose: almost too much rugby news
  • Dementia and CTE: differences, similarities and impact
  • Tuesday’s Rugby News
  • Mad Monday with Brisneyland Local #68: that was certainly unpredictable.
Green & Gold Rugby
0 Shopping Cart
Facebook Instagram YouTube X (Twitter)
  • Home
  • Forum
  • Shop
    • Jerseys
    • Training
    • Men
    • Women
    • Kids
    • Headwear
    • Gifts & Accessories
      • Babywear
      • Balls
      • Collectibles & Memorabilia
      • Home & Office
      • Keyrings
      • Pet Accessories
      • Scarves
      • Souvenirs
      • Toys & Games
    • Super Rugby
    • Clearance
  • Wallabies

    Tuesday’s Rugby News

    February 25, 2025

    G&GR readers hate Australians?

    February 23, 2025

    Schmidt extends Wallabies tenure through TRC as search for head coach successor begins

    February 6, 2025

    Tickets on sale for blockbuster Wallaroos and Wallabies home Tests

    February 5, 2025

    Tuesday’s Rugby News, 4 February 2025

    February 4, 2025
  • Super Rugby
    1. ACT Brumbies
    2. Blues
    3. Chiefs
    4. Crusaders
    5. Fijian Drua
    6. Highlanders
    7. Hurricanes
    8. Moana Pasifika
    9. NSW Waratahs
    10. Queensland Reds
    11. Western Force
    12. View All

    Brumbies lob first grenade.

    March 19, 2025

    Hoodoo Gurus: Brumbies beat Blues.

    March 8, 2025

    Super Rugby Women’s Team List: Trial Match v Queensland Reds

    February 5, 2025

    Brumbies and Raiders combine for ANZAC weekend fixtures

    February 4, 2025

    Sotutu Returns to Boost Blues for Highlanders Clash

    February 19, 2025

    MG Motor Joins Blues as Official Vehicle Partner

    February 13, 2025

    Tu’ungafasi Celebrates 150th Cap as Blues Unleash Star-Studded Line-Up at Eden Park Opener

    February 12, 2025

    Blues Team Up with Gerard Roofs for a Strong 2025 Season Partnership

    February 11, 2025

    Chiefs Prepare for Crusaders Clash: Brown’s Debut and Tupaea’s Milestone

    February 19, 2025

    Chiefs’ All Blacks Set for Pre-Season Action Against Moana Pasifika

    February 6, 2025

    Chiefs Unveil New Talent Ahead of Taranaki Pre-Season Clash

    January 30, 2025

    Chiefs’ Rising Star Wallace Sititi Sidelined After Knee Surgery

    January 25, 2025

    Crusaders Ready to Kick Off Pre-Season with Blues Battle in Kirwee

    January 30, 2025

    Crusaders Partner with Moa Brewing Company to Elevate Fan Experience

    January 23, 2025

    Jamie Hannah Commits to Crusaders Until 2028

    January 23, 2025

    Crusaders 2025 Tickets Now Available!

    January 23, 2025

    Fijian Drua to Host Rugby FCLA in Historic Fiji Showdown

    January 20, 2025

    Highlanders Set for Home Opener Against Blues

    February 19, 2025

    Waratahs edge Highlanders in thrilling season opener

    February 16, 2025

    Highlanders Announce Squad for Season Opener Against Waratahs

    February 12, 2025

    Highlanders Gear Up for Waitangi Day Showdown Against Crusaders

    February 4, 2025

    Xavier Numia Commits to Hurricanes Through 2027

    January 29, 2025

    Hurricanes Brew Up Partnership with Flight Coffee for 2025 Season

    January 28, 2025

    Hurricanes Poua Swap Rugby Boots for Riding Boots at Hutt Valley RDA

    January 16, 2025

    Match Review: Qld Reds v Moana Pacifika — Rd2 2025

    February 21, 2025

    Ardie Savea Named Moana Pasifika Captain for 2025 Super Rugby Season

    February 3, 2025

    Ardie Savea Named Moana Pasifika Captain for 2025 Super Rugby Season

    February 2, 2025

    Moana Pasifika Set to Face Highlanders in Pre-Season Opener

    January 29, 2025

    More Tahs misery.

    March 29, 2025

    Tahs best Brumbies.

    March 22, 2025

    Isaac Kailea re-signs with RA.

    March 21, 2025

    U18s & U20s Tahs sides named.

    March 14, 2025

    Reds top of the pops.

    March 29, 2025

    Reds break drought.

    March 22, 2025

    Tom ‘The Laser’ Lynagh: Its the vibe.

    March 22, 2025

    Caslick to start in Reds #100th.

    March 19, 2025

    Force out-Brumby the Brumbies 45-42.

    February 22, 2025

    Jeremy Williams Re-Signs with Western Force for Two More Years

    February 6, 2025

    Club captain Jeremy Williams re-commits to Western Force with new deal

    February 6, 2025

    Western Force Unveils Star-Studded Squad for Brumbies Pre-Season Clash

    February 5, 2025

    Reds top of the pops.

    March 29, 2025

    More Tahs misery.

    March 29, 2025

    Super Rugby Round #7: Bye-bye-bye

    March 24, 2025

    Live: SRP ladder

    March 22, 2025
  • Six Nations

    Six Nations round 4

    March 8, 2025

    Tree Irish legends call time

    February 28, 2025

    Frogs flog Italy.

    February 24, 2025

    Welsh rugby: heartbeat found!

    February 23, 2025

    Poms pinch it.

    February 23, 2025
  • Women’s

    More in store for Qld women’s comp.

    March 21, 2025

    Happy’s Thursday’s Rugby News

    November 28, 2024

    Happy’s Thursday’s Rugby News – progress mixed in with some injustice

    November 21, 2024

    Yowie on the Loose: How long until test rugby restarts?

    October 15, 2024

    Mad Monday with Brisneyland Local #50: limited rugby, but plenty of news

    October 14, 2024
  • Sevens

    G&GR team’s podcast, Ireland and done

    December 2, 2024

    Happy’s Thursday’s Rugby News

    November 28, 2024

    Happy’s Thursday’s Rugby News – US edition marketing the game, Perry Baker, Super Rugby my new dawn.

    October 17, 2024

    Sevens Olympic Heaven!

    July 18, 2024

    Thursday’s Rugby News

    July 4, 2024
  • Podcast

    The Dropped Kick-Off 154 – Finals Perms

    May 23, 2025

    Collab Special – Talking Teams x The Dropped Kick-Off – discussing the Lions with The Eggchasers Rugby Podcast

    May 14, 2025

    The Dropped Kick-Off 153 – Schmeal – Les Kiss from a Rose

    April 30, 2025

    The Dropped Kick-Off 151 – did we mention we like the Tahs?

    April 18, 2025

    The Dropped Kick-Off 150 – Angry Italian Hand Gestures 🤌 🤌

    April 10, 2025
Green & Gold Rugby
Home»Rugby»Wednesday’s Rugby News
Rugby

Wednesday’s Rugby News

Nathan WilliamsonBy Nathan WilliamsonJuly 2, 2019136 Comments
Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr WhatsApp VKontakte Email
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

Wednesday’s Rugby News confirms James O’Connor’s return, two key re-signings for Super Rugby clubs, Berne’s challenge to the Wallabies backs and the arch enemy name their squad for the Rugby Championship.


[one_half last=”no”]

Joc-er returns

James O'Connor

After weeks of speculation, James O’Connor is set to return to Australian Rugby, with the outside back expected to be named in the Wallabies squad to South Africa over the next 48 hours.

O’Connor is set to become eligible for Wallaby selection once again after signing a long-term deal to the Queensland Reds, with the contract expected to last at least three years.

Plans for a return was hatched over two months ago when Australian men sevens coach Tim Walsh and former Wallaby Stephen Holies pitched his comeback to Australian rugby to coincide with the 2020 Olympics.

Walsh was essential in formulating the plans for his comeback, which would see O’Connor attempt to make the World Cup squad followed by playing and training with the sevens squad by December.

“We were looking for ball-players who can play centre,” Walsh said. “He’s got a fantastic defence, his speed is world-class, his kicking game speaks for itself and the age and experience he can add to the squad – there’s real value there.”

“I was very sceptical at the start but in the three months that we’ve been talking, I’ve observed that he is very self-aware, very mature, and has taken real accountability of the past, who he is and who he was. I’ve certainly been impressed.”

O’Connor’s desire to return enticed coach Michael Cheika and Scott Johnson to sound out his former coaches regarding his character, with Sale director of rugby Steve Diamond confirming that he has grown up since his departure.

“James would be first to say he didn’t handle fame and fortune in the best way, but he is now 28 years old and a more accomplished player with silky skills and a brilliant ability to assist with line breaks and hits,” Diamond said. “Whoever gets him is getting a little pearl.”

This convinced the selectors to welcome O’Connor back to the Wallaby frame, with Cheika making it known that he was open to his return if he was willing to sign with an Australian Super Rugby team.

This has set in motion his return to Queensland, who were eager to replace captain Samy Kerevi and outside back Duncan Paiu’aua, who is set to depart to Suntory and Toulon respectively.

[/one_half][one_half last=”yes”]

Bill and Sim’s excellent re-signing

Billy Meakes in space.
Billy Meakes in space.

The Rebels and Waratahs have reinforced their squads for 2020, re-signing core players Billy Meakes and Rob Simmons respectively.

Meakes has been signed on a one-year extension, having been with the Rebels since the start of 2018 after the axing of the Western Force.

He was one of the standouts for the Rebels this year having played in all 16 regular-season games, recording a career-high in tries (5) which cemented his position in the number 12 jersey.

Meakes was thrilled at the prospect of remaining in Melbourne for another year, full of praise for the playing group and the support that he has received from the Rebels fans.

“I’m very excited to re-sign with the Rebels for the 2020 season,” Meakes said. “While 2019 ended in a very disappointing way, I feel that this current group can achieve success if we are committed to getting better and working hard every day.”

“The support that I have received from the Rebels fans over the past two seasons has been second to none and I can’t wait to continue my journey here in Melbourne.”

Simmons re-signs with the Waratahs for a further two years, having rejected lucrative offers from overseas clubs in Europe and Japan.

The second-rower has become an essential part of the Waratahs forward pack since 2017, with his re-signing largely down to how well his family has settled after his move from the Reds.

“I suppose both my family and myself have been enjoying our time down there and I thought why leave somewhere we’re enjoying?” he said. “We did, we had a look and I had some offers but our biggest decision was around that enjoyment.”

Simmons was excited about the changes that were underfoot at the Waratahs, with the 94-capped Wallaby looking forward to passing on his wisdom and knowledge to the younger players set to come through.

“I’d like to be able to pass on some of my experience to younger guys and let them learn off me and stick around and have some good depth around the club,” Simmons said.

“There’s a genuine interest in trying to improve themselves and use any resources they have available to them and experienced players and some good coaches and a genuine drive for everyone to try and get better is something that really excited me and yet another reason for me to stick around and everyone buying into that common goal.”

[/one_half][one_half last=”no”]

Berne down the door

Shaun Berne
Shaun Berne

New Wallabies backs coach Shaun Berne has challenged the Wallaby’s backs to stand out and “pick themselves” as they get set to start their Rugby Championship campaign.

Berne has refuted any responsibility or input regarding the selection of players, stating that his main role in the squad is to get players to play well-enough football that they will pick themselves.

“I am not sure how that will play out. There are obviously selectors and I am not a selector. In terms of the group, my job is to get them playing the best footy they can play and if they’re doing that, they’ll pick themselves,” Berne said.

“There’s quite a few options there. Although Israel Folau is a loss to any team, as statistics will prove, it is an opportunity for other guys and they’re all highly talented.”

Berne comes through the Michael Cheika/Eddie Jones school of coaching excellence, having played rugby at Randwick and NSW before securing a lucrative coaching gig in Australia after a short stint overseas.

His role as attacking coach will only last a few months before re-joining the Rebels after the tournament, with his main priority being to help players gel in their limited time that they have together.

“I hope to try to help the players be successful,” Berne said. “I can see there is so much talent in the room, they don’t need someone to come in and tell them how to play the game. There is a lot of experience and rugby IP in the room, my job is to help facilitate that and bring that out and to get them to play together.”

His work in the role so far has impressed halfback Will Genia, who has praised the impact that he has already had on the group on-field.

“He’s very good at facilitating the way we want to play the game,” Berne said. “He understands how we try and play the game and the little tweaks and changes and things like that.”

“He’s very good in terms of his on-field coaching, getting guys to understand why they’re doing things, getting guys better at doing things and he’s very good at communicating all that sort of stuff. So I think it’s been really enjoyable having him in here and he’s had a really big impact on the group already.”

[/one_half][one_half last=”yes”]

All Blacks TRC squad named

Photo Courtesy of Keith McInnes
Photo Courtesy of Keith McInnes

The All Blacks have named four new players in their 39-man squad for the Rugby Championship.

The new faces include Crusaders backs Sevu Reece and Braydon Ennor, Chiefs loose forward Luke Jacobson and Highlanders fly-half Josh Ioane.

The All Blacks have named the extended squad with the plan to rest the majority of their Crusaders contingency for their opening test against Argentina on July 21.

Two Crusaders players that have already been excluded are Lock Scott Barrett and Ryan Crotty, who have been ruled out of Saturday’s Grand Final against the Jaguares along with the majority of the Rugby Championship.

Barrett is expected to miss 6-8 weeks, whilst Crotty’s injury is more severe, leaving the centre racing the clock to be fit for the start of the World Cup.

They are joined on the sideline by Tim Perry, Damian McKenzie and Liam Squire, who have all had a hampered and disrupted 2019 as a result of injuries.

Other notable exclusions from the extended squad were Squire’s Highlanders teammate Waisake Naholo, along with the immortal Ma’a Nonu, who has somehow been overlooked for offload merchant Sonny Bill Williams.

Coach Steve Hansen was excited but ready to take on the challenge that lays ahead of the squad.

“We’re going to try and do something that’s never been done before and that’s to win three Rugby World Cups in a row. However, that’s not a given. We’re going to have to be hungry for success and we’re going to have to work incredibly hard and smart to achieve this,” he said.

The squad is as followed: Asafo Aumua, Dane Coles, Liam Coltman, Codie Taylor, Owen Franks, Nepo Laulala, Joe Moody, Atu Moli, Angus Ta’avao, Karl Tu’inukuafe, Ofa Tuungafasi, Brodie Retallick, Patrick Tuipulotu, Samuel Whitelock, Jackson Hemopo, Sam Cane, Vaea Fifita, Shannon Frizell, Luke Jacobson, Dalton Papalii, Kieran Read (Captain), Ardie Savea, Matt Todd, TJ Perenara, Aaron Smith, Brad Weber, Beauden Barrett, Josh Ioane, Richie Mo’unga, Jack Goodhue, Ngani Laumape, Anton Lienert-Brown, Sonny Bill Williams, Braydon Ennor, Jordie Barrett, George Bridge, Rieko Ioane, Sevu Reece, Ben Smith.

[/one_half]

We are a fan run website, we appreciate your support.

💬 Have you got a news article suggestion? Submit a story and have your say
👀 Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and X.com
🎵 Listen to our Podcasts on Spotify and iTunes
🎥 Watch our Podcasts on YouTube


News Rugby
Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr WhatsApp Email
Previous ArticleThe Dropped Kick-Off 10 – Jumpin’ Jag Flash (with Paul Tait)
Next Article Educating our school rugby coaches
Nathan Williamson
  • X (Twitter)
  • Instagram

Loved rugby since the day I could remember, got the nickname Footy to show that, I watch Matt Dunning's dropkick every night before going to bed

Related Posts

The Dropped Kick-Off 154 – Finals Perms

May 23, 2025

Thursday’s Rugby News – the pointy end

May 22, 2025

Hump Day News – in from the side

May 21, 2025

Tuesday’s Rugby News

May 20, 2025
Latest

The Dropped Kick-Off 154 – Finals Perms

May 23, 2025

Friday’s Rugby News.

May 23, 2025

Thursday’s Rugby News – the pointy end

May 22, 2025

Hump Day News – in from the side

May 21, 2025
1 2 3 … 2,598 Next
Latest Super Rugby

Reds top of the pops.

March 29, 2025

More Tahs misery.

March 29, 2025

Super Rugby Round #7: Bye-bye-bye

March 24, 2025

Live: SRP ladder

March 22, 2025
1 2 3 … 790 Next
Latest Six Nations

Six Nations round 4

March 8, 2025

Tree Irish legends call time

February 28, 2025

Frogs flog Italy.

February 24, 2025

Welsh rugby: heartbeat found!

February 23, 2025
1 2 3 … 25 Next
GAGR Podcast
Follow Us
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
About Us
About Us

greenandgoldrugby.com is your one stop shop for all things Rugby Union - news, podcasts, opinions, fixtures, events & everything in between.

greenandgoldrugby.com - created by fans of rugby, for fans of rugby.

About
Submit a Story
Authors
Contact
Privacy

Our Picks

Rising rally to overrun Queensland Country

September 4, 2016

Waratahs young leaders to shine

January 18, 2017

Eight ANGRY Observations from tonight’s game

June 18, 2016
New Comments
  • GeorgiaSatellite on Friday’s Rugby News.
  • Dave P on Friday’s Rugby News.
  • AllyOz on Friday’s Rugby News.
  • GeorgiaSatellite on Friday’s Rugby News.
  • KwAussie Rugby Lover on Friday’s Rugby News.
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest
  • Home
  • Forum
  • Super Rugby
  • Wallabies
  • Podcast
  • Privacy Policy (2023)
© 2025 Ponderosa Publishing Pty Ltd | ABN 76 668 430 386.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.