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The Jekyll and Hyde Reds
5 May 2013If you had told Ewen McKenzie pre-season his Reds would grab 18 of a possible 20 points against the New Zealand Conference, and just 18 of 30 in the Australian Conference to this stage of the tournament, he would have reached for the straight-jacket to strap you in. No Australian franchise has ever won all [...]
Vale Barry "Tizza" Taylor
4 May 2013The house-full sign was up at St Matthews Anglican Church in Manly yesterday for the fitting and fond farewell to rugby and surfing maestro Barry Taylor. The 77-year-old, universally known as “Tizza”, died last week. For someone who was such a vibrant and active competitor on the rugby field and in the surf and a [...]
Genia is the Wallabies' ace in the pack
3 May 2013While the Wallaby pack has a slight advantage over the Lions with the backrow of George Smith, Michael Hooper, Liam Gill, Ben Mowen, Scott Higginbotham, and Wycliff Palu, the men-in-gold possess the real threat of Will Genia, the best half-back in world rugby. Even on a rare quiet day, Genia is still the inspirational genius [...]
Tale of the tape suggests Lions won't steamroll the Wallabies
2 May 2013Many British rugby scribes are trumpeting the Lions’ pack, predicting they will steam-roll the Wallabies in the three-Test series. Think again fellas, the Lions’ men-mountain will have their hands full Down Under. The tale of the tape and the scales among the tight five provide the proof. Lions props in cms and kgs: 180 – [...]
Warburton to skipper the Lions, Wilkinson misses out
1 May 2013As expected, Welsh flanker Sam Warburton will captain the British and Irish Lions to tour Australia next month, but legendary fly-half Jonny Wilkinson was overlooked. Wilkinson played a blinder last weekend in what was probably his final appearance at Twickenham, scoring all of Toulon’s points in their 24-12 win over Saracens in a Heinekin Cup [...]
New refs give Waratahs and Rebels no chance
29 Apr 2013Super Rugby referees have their own website. Underneath their heading on the front page blares “Better Officials, Better Game”. If only. At the weekend two newcomers to the SANZAR panel – Argentine Francisco Pastrana, and Kiwi Nick Briant – did anything but be better officials, better game examples. As a result both the Waratahs and [...]
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