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Joined August 2010
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Recently, we learnt that Melbourne Rebels prop Toby Smith has decided to join the Hurricanes, therefore making him ineligible for the Wallabies. How stupid…
What a game! What a finale! Once again, the Wallabies nearly lost a game that appeared won. But, this time, luck was on their…
The weekend's defeat of the Wallabies by the Springboks saw another match that the Wallabies let slip. But, this time, don't blame the players…
We had an NRC. Concept was good; helped the career of a number of players and coaches (Brad Thorn). Unfortunately, not popular and VERY expensive due to the tyranny of distances (an Australian problem) and the cost involved. Also, as mentioned in a comment, Sydney players were not that motivated and fully engaged.
Premier players: Nephew of Wallaby legend rises, exciting Brisbane and Perth talent staking claims
This is a very sad news. Wayne was such a great journalist and his articles always had great depth. I had the pleasure of having many insightful conversations with him in the press box and it was always a delight to share a banter with him. We will be missing him greatly, even his rants about the refereeing during matches which always made me giggle. To his family, I extend my most sincere condolences. RIP Wayne Smith
'Sharp witted, brave, insightful': Rugby pays tribute after veteran writer Wayne Smith dies
France has automatic qualification to the Paris Olympics. NZ and Argentina have already sealed their spot and Fiji is also well placed. Australia needs to finish above Samoa and South Africa to secure a direct spot at the Olympics
Five things we learned: Why Reds epic triumph was two years too late, area flyer must fix to become a Wallaby
Porecki should be the first choice but he is prone to concussions. For me, Lonergan is the most exciting of the lot BUT he is “small”. I guess that he can easily be the “impact” hooker that you bring late in the game. Faenga’a is a liability and is always a risk in the team as his discipline is very questionable. Faessler is promising but, in a World Cup year, I don’t think he will get a look in. Uelese is a question mark for me as he brings physicality but he is also prone to injuries. Mafi is a solid player but no experience at international level… Not an easy question to resolve as there is no clear pick.
Who is winning the battle for the Wallabies No.2 jersey?
With limited number of spots for overseas based players, I canot see how BPA can be included. You definitely need Kerevi, Koroibete, Skelton and Cooper… That leaves quite a few good overseas based players out.
Who is winning the battle for the Wallabies No.2 jersey?
The timing of the World Cup draw has always been a joke. About time they get to their senses. Such a reactive organisation…
Rugby News: Razor open to 'Richie Rule', worrying reason for NZR's $43m loss, RWC draw farce addressed
Thanks Cristy for starting that debate. To start with, as hooker, my third pick would be Billy Pollard and I would not consider Latu is too dangerous to include in the team. Fainga’a is also unreliable in terms of discipline but is easier to control than Latu.
In the second row, I agree that we need to include Skelton who, after inclusion in the World Cup training camp, will know the playing book of the Wallabies. Swain is too much of a liability. I would not discount Philip who is reliable. Arnold still needs to convince me after his French stay. Backrow is a difficult one but, for me, Jed Holloway is the find of the season and I can see him as the new Fardy in that team. Not sure that McMahon, with all his talent, would fit in that team as shown last year.
Fly half is the big debate where massive mistakes have been made by not developing players. Lolesio is damaged good, thanks to stupid selection policies. Hopefully Larkham will get him back up. Cooper is still a gamble for me but he brings so much poise. I would not take Paisami on – too limited technically. Perese and/or Foketi are far better. From what we have seen in Europe, Mark Nawaqatinawase and Koroibete need to be on the wings. The fullback is a dilemma. You need to see whether Beale is able to elevate his play. Kellaway and Wright will be on the team due to their ability to play in many positions. Vunivalu has been a total waste of money for RA.
Predicted 2023 RWC squad: 19 forwards, 14 backs and FIVE overseas picks
Australia is one of the most indisciplined teams among Tier 1 Nations. What do they do about it? Why don’t they have an ex-international referee attached on permanent basis to the coaching team? Most clubs in the French Top 14 are doing it. Also, why is the team so weak mentally, unable to play at 100% two weeks in a row? Time to add also a mental coach to that team.
Wallabies' 'technically reprehensible' flaw emerges in deep dive into The Rugby Championship rivals
I have not seen any Champions League soccer games being postponed due to Covid. Probably because money talks in Europe or maybe our soccer friends at Real Madrid, Man City are smarter than the rugby administrators?
'Only responsible decision': Another setback as Moana Pasifika debut delayed again
So how have they been handling the situation for all those years?
Blind leading the colour blind? World Rugby's surprise call on kit clashes for 2027 World Cup
Why worry? After a few beers, it will not matter. Furthermore, how have they been able to watch the 5 then 6 Nations on colour TVs?
Blind leading the colour blind? World Rugby's surprise call on kit clashes for 2027 World Cup
Japanese clubs cannot refuse the release of contracted players during the test window. The Japan based Boks players will tour Europe and I don’t think Erasmus will be ready to surrender to Japanese clubs (though it would be funny to see another 60 minutes video rant from Erasmus)….
Three more overseas players set to join Wallabies on spring tour as Giteau Law sidestepped
Why would NZRU expose their players to the danger of covid in SA? What about the player welfare card?
'We're comfortable': NZR boss defends Bledisloe no-show in face of Australia's 'emotion'
The WA government was ready to have the AB in Perth. The game was sold out. Those are poor excuses. Self-sufficient and condescendant that is the NZ attitude.
'We're comfortable': NZR boss defends Bledisloe no-show in face of Australia's 'emotion'
What an abhorrant, patronising, selfish decision! NZRU and its management team is only motivated by greed now. For the past two years they kept on lying, arranging the story to make them look like victims. Last year it was the an entire situation around not willing to play the Rugby Championship if the calendar was not reshuffle to accomodate them. This year, they have the audacity to put forward the player welfare card. What a load of crap! Look at the NSW players who have been away from home for now 8 weeks and will not be back until end November and will still have to go through 2 weeks quarantine on their return. I doubt any All Black player would be able to go through such a situation. Look at the Argentinians who went through periods all total isolations last year to be able to play rugby. The All Blacks have made no efforts. They were comfortably staying in a 5 star hotel in Double Bay, allowed to move around.
They have to please their new owners, private funds, and make sure they can generate more money so playing a game in Australia and the Rugby Championship here, does not cut it for them. Let’s go and play in Europe now.
Time for Australian Rugby to look elsewhere as NZ is not a friend any longer. Let’s look at Japan, Fiji and other markets rather than waste our time with a mob that despise us.
'We're comfortable': NZR boss defends Bledisloe no-show in face of Australia's 'emotion'
After seeing yesterday game against the Fijians, there are a few lessons to the All Blacks coaching panel should keep in mind –
– Whitelock is essential to the AB pack; we saw the difference when he came on;
– Japanese Top League doe snot prepare you for internationals – Retallick was o off pace, I am not sure he is mentally ready for test rugby.
– Sotutu will be an impact player but he is not Read’s replacement; Jacobson is far more reliable to do the hard work and the hard carries.
– I have to agree that Bridge is a very reliable player; nothing too fancy but it is always well done. Reece on the other wing is the good combination
– Havili is the find of the season at 12 and they should continue with him; a very smart player
What concerns me most about Ian Foster
Is kneeling now a legal obligation? It is a political movement that promotes exclusion. A black player did not kneel in the NBA because the BLM movement was going against his religious belief. So we have to keep objective and stop falling for the media frenzy.
Folau courts more controversy
You cannot compared Malcom Marx, a World Champion with the Springboks, to two nobodies from Queensland (Hocking and Isaacs) who have won nothing and, in the case of Isaacs, can’t even secure a starting position.
Reds trio terminate contracts with Reds and Rugby AU
Players have been furloughed in France.
Reds trio terminate contracts with Reds and Rugby AU
Why would Hocking have a problem with Thorn? I thought he was earmarked to be the next Wallaby second rower under the guidance of a master in that position. I guess, he will progress in Japan because the money is not going to be better in NSW or in Melbourne
Reds trio terminate contracts with Reds and Rugby AU
Maybe he is not as good as he thinks. James O’Connor was preferred and Campbell was installed as fullback. You have to prove yourself first
Reds trio terminate contracts with Reds and Rugby AU
Despicable attitude from hose three guys in such difficult situation. Total lack of respect for the people in the rugby community that have lost their job and their income. So selfish. You may give Rodda a bit of slack as he was not happy to have been by-passed by Liam Wright as captain of the Reds and he wants to sulk somewhere else, but the other two are a joke. Yes they have potential but they have not won anything. Who do they think they are? France and England have got lots of young talent that would be as good as them. Japan? well, if a 21 year old nobody wants to grow his career in japan, let them go and stp wasting time on them. As for their agent, he should be blacklisted by the rugby community. He keeps on acting against Australian Rugby and plays the innocent when there is a very strong hostile response from the rugby community.
Reds trio terminate contracts with Reds and Rugby AU
Because the organisation is broke and does not have the money to continue operating
CONFIRMED: Peter Wiggs resigns from Rugby Australia board
When your house is on fire, you are leaking money from everywhere, you have to act with urgency. RA has wasted enough time and money and stupid governance issues
CONFIRMED: Peter Wiggs resigns from Rugby Australia board
Lucky it is not Curry who has uttered racist slur at Mbonambi as the guy would have been banned for at least 1 year and been treated as a white racist. But let’s trust Mbonambi who he is an honest man and would not be lying. The issue is that Curry has got hearing problems and needs to be treated for that!
England react with fury as Bok cleared by World Rugby after TWO racism allegations made by Tom Curry