Super 14

You can’t complain about a side that scores 11 tries, most of them from flowing interplay between backs and forwards. So full credit to the NSW Waratahs for finally getting their act together and playing the sort of rugby that would have made the Waratahs of 1928/29 proud of them.
The Waratahs of 80 years ago [...]

Brumbies coach Andy Friend praised his front row after they outmuscled a Springbok trio to set up a 24-22 win over the Sharks in Canberra on Saturday night.
The Sharks remain winless this season, having lost nine out of their past ten Super 14 matches, while the Brumbies have now notched three wins in a row.
The [...]

The Stormers scored five tries and produced another strong defensive display to beat the Hurricanes 37-13 in round five of Super 14 rugby in Cape Town.
Fijian winger Sireli Naqelevuki, Joe Pietersen and Duane Vermeulen all crossed for first-half tries be prop Brok Harris forced his way over in the 57th minute to secure a bonus [...]

The Bulls racked up 50 points for the third time this season in thrashing the Highlanders 50-35 and reclaiming the lead in Super 14 rugby on Saturday.
Although they scored seven tries, the Bulls conceded five to the Highlanders.
Fullback Israel Dagg grabbed a hat-trick and kicked two conversions for a personal tally of 22 points.
But a [...]

Queensland coach Ewen McKenzie has lamented back room battles to keep a host of off-contract Reds have hampered preparation for Sunday’s Super 14 clash with the Western Force.
With Super 15 expansion club Melbourne Rebels allowed to start signing Australian players on Monday, several Queenslanders have been courted to join the new franchise.
Prop Laurie Weeks, lock [...]

Ireland beat Wales 27-12 at Croke Park on Saturday to stay in contention for the Six Nations title.
Ireland scored first-half tries through Keith Earls and Tomas O’Leary when Wales was reduced to 14 men by a yellow card to fullback Lee Byrne.
Ireland’s 16-6 halftime lead could have been bigger had flyhalf Jonathan Sexton not missed [...]

Scotland and England drew 15-15 in a scrappy Six Nations match in which all the points came from the boot on Saturday at Murrayfield.
The first draw between the sides since 1989 effectively ended the slim hope England had of winning the tournament but gave last-placed Scotland their first point this season.
Dan Parks struck four penalties [...]

One of many arguments for the ARC was/is that it would provide a direct path for aspiring players to the top. Similarly, the argument against the new Melbourne Super 15 team is that Australia apparently does not have player depth.
There is something which must be said, and that is it isn’t that there aren’t [...]

Australian rugby has suffered without a notable goal kicker. Matt Burke held down the fort for years before Elton Flatley steered the Wallabies into a World Cup final.
Sterling Mortlock kicked in the low 80% range but has struggled so far this season with the Brumbies and appears to the twilight of his Wallabies career.
So, [...]

I’m convinced many Australian rugby union fans live in a parallel universe, refusing to acknowledge the dire situation their sport is in compared to the other footy codes.
Union has the least player participation numbers of the four footy codes; it has the least TV penetration of the four footy codes; it attracts the least number [...]