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Christy has been covering rugby since 2014 after falling in love with the game in 2010 during a year in England. He was employed at Fox Sports from 2015 and worked at News Corp across two stints. During his time at Fox Sports, he was a prolific newsbreaker and published regularly in The Australian. He also covered the Tokyo Olympics for News Corp. Not shy of setting the agenda, he wants to cover rugby from all angles: from Super Rugby and sevens to the international game.
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Late on Friday night, Morgan Turinui paid Carter Gordon the ultimate compliment. The former Wallaby turned pundit described Gordon’s pass as Stephen Larkham-esque. Over…
The Brumbies made it a night to remember for James Slipper, but the Waratahs’ season went from bad to worse after losing their fifth…
Fresh from making his return to club footy, veteran Wallabies star Kurtley Beale will join the Western Force. An injury to versatile back Harry…
A second half “disintegration” from the Fiji Drua has helped the Melbourne Rebels come-from-behind to seal back-to-back wins and temporarily move into the top…
The Western Force travelled to Eden Park looking to snap a 14-year losing streak against the Blues. It didn’t take long for their hopes…
The Super Rugby season is not yet at the halfway point, but a review of Darren Coleman’s Waratahs is already underway. The Roar can…
A private equity-backed consortium deal could yet save the Melbourne Rebels, but who’s left to salvage the inroads made in recent years remains to…
Amid questions of a “mistake-making” culture where losing has become acceptable at the Waratahs, former Wallabies Cameron Shepherd and Stephen Hoiles have questioned the…
After assisting the All Blacks for 218 Tests, Mike Cron admits it will be “awkward” coaching against his home country but says a desire…
The anguish on Darren Coleman’s face said it all. His time as Waratahs coach is coming to an end. Had the Waratahs got up…
Les Kiss’ Queensland side were the competition’s hottest thing in the opening month of the competition, but the ACT Brumbies once again showed they…
The Fijian fortress has continued, with the Drua holding on to put away the Force 31-13 in Lautoka on Saturday. In dreadful, washing machine-like…
The Waratahs’ season has gone from bad to worse, as their Good Friday turned into a nightmare. After three straight defeats by less than…
Overseas clubs are preparing to swoop on the carcass of the Melbourne Rebels, but Peter Horne says Rugby Australia has “contingency plans” should the…
As Stephen Hoiles tipped Tom Wright to re-emerge in 2024, the electric Brumbies fullback says ensuring he has more positive involvements rather than negative…
In a boost for Australian rugby, in-demand teenage sensation Max Jorgensen has turned down advances from the NRL to re-sign with the Waratahs for…
He was one of Eddie Jones’ main pet projects in 2023, but Suliasi Vunivalu’s teething issues in rugby have continued with the Wallabies winger…
As the Waratahs attempt to end three weeks of “frustrating” narrow defeats against the Rebels in Sydney on Friday night, Will Harrison is set…
Four months after losing Mark Nawaqanitawase to the NRL, Rugby Australia has put together an extremely competitive bid to keep the Sydney Roosters’ mitts…
Small wonder that Joe Schmidt hasn’t wanted to offer up any clues into his selection thinking this year - because everywhere he looks, there…
Can confirm, I’m well. Thank you.
COMMENT: Bizarre selection call that sums up chaos and disconnect at Super Rugby's biggest basket case
Hi mate, if it’s a “hatchet job”, who is it on?
I witnessed what you did last week. The players to their credit rolled up their sleeves and had a go last week. Good on them.
Harrison was effective off the bench but hasn’t been as influential starting (no surprise against the Hurricanes in Wellington), while Edmed has had two strong cameos off the bench, particulalry last week. In some ways, it’s a bit like when Genia-White were starting one week and dropped to the bench the week after – whoever came off the bench looked better.
My point about why Edmed should start is because the Tahs are highly unlikely to make it through to the finals. They should continue to invest in players who will – or still could – be there next year if it’s a 50/50 call on selection.
Don’t mind anyone disagreeing. It’s a comment piece, after all.
Thanks for engaging.
COMMENT: Bizarre selection call that sums up chaos and disconnect at Super Rugby's biggest basket case
The team of the week isn’t about the Wallabies, it’s about who played well on the weekend.
Five things: Where DC got it wrong with Tahs, perception and reality for Wallabies hopeful as Test bolter shines
Ryan passed the final ball to send Jock Campbell away. That was as strong involvement as his try. He also leapt over Darby Lancaster well early on but was penalised for playing the ball on the ground. 2 1/2 superb involvements.
Had I not included Kuenzle and Daugunu in the side, Ryan would have been included.
Five things: Where DC got it wrong with Tahs, perception and reality for Wallabies hopeful as Test bolter shines
No worries 👍
All these things are highly subjective.
Thanks for engaging.
Five things: Where DC got it wrong with Tahs, perception and reality for Wallabies hopeful as Test bolter shines
The former. However, it’ll be fascinating to see Pone’s next move. Should the Rebels be wound up, I think you’ll see Taniela end up at the Tahs.
Five things: Where DC got it wrong with Tahs, perception and reality for Wallabies hopeful as Test bolter shines
Ha, OK.
Five things: Where DC got it wrong with Tahs, perception and reality for Wallabies hopeful as Test bolter shines
There’s 15, plus another eight, in a team. Believe it or not, players can perform even if they’re in a losing team.
Five things: Where DC got it wrong with Tahs, perception and reality for Wallabies hopeful as Test bolter shines
That combination will only get better over the next 24 months, too.
Five things: Where DC got it wrong with Tahs, perception and reality for Wallabies hopeful as Test bolter shines
Williams was the Force’s best player in 2023. It’s not just one game. As for Amatosero, it’s mentioned that he’s a project player for a Spring Tour. The All Blacks do that well.
Five things: Where DC got it wrong with Tahs, perception and reality for Wallabies hopeful as Test bolter shines
Nope. Jake Gordon was lethal (barring stuffed tap-play), Dylan Pietsch was quality with every touch and, save for one dodgy lineout throw, Talakai was pretty good over 72 minutes. It wasn’t a weekend where any Australian tight-head prop stood out. As for Keggy’s reply, Amatosero was superb.
Five things: Where DC got it wrong with Tahs, perception and reality for Wallabies hopeful as Test bolter shines
Fraser, Jock and Tim Ryan came close. But let’s be honest, it wasn’t their best performance. A 10-15 min period when the Rebels were down to 14 and had no hooker helped.
Five things: Where DC got it wrong with Tahs, perception and reality for Wallabies hopeful as Test bolter shines
McReight and Campbell came very close to selection, but I felt the selected duo had a bigger impact and more involvements. Tim Ryan also was in initial team but I had to find room for Daugunu and Kuenzle, who was superb. Both outside centres spent some time on the wing, too.
Five things: Where DC got it wrong with Tahs, perception and reality for Wallabies hopeful as Test bolter shines
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As for Beale, the coach was asked about him twice in Perth. It represented about a third of the interview.
The other chunk – and given significant space today – was about the value of cohesion.
Some might not like Beale, but when the coach talks, scribes take note.
'Nothing's a short-term fix': Schmidt seeks to bring 'fragmented' Wallabies together, says Beale is 'finding feet'
It was dubious, wasn’t it? But so too was the apparent Reds knock-on at the lineout a few minutes earlier.
'Perhaps it's surgery': Reds win ugly over Rebels to keep top four hopes alive as big-name Wallabies forced off
Nice yarn Nick!
I’m looking forward to reporting on their Test this afternoon.
OPINION: It’s time Australia’s rugby public throws its weight behind the Wallaroos - because it will transform our game if we do
Because James O’Connor is back fit and playing, giving the Reds two fit No.10 options.
'Everyone was dogs': Junior Wallabies roll up their sleeves to beat Springboks in TRC as rising fullback scores twice
Gary’s right, you’re not listening. He was confirmed to join the Junior Wallabies before they played the Junior Springboks.
'Everyone was dogs': Junior Wallabies roll up their sleeves to beat Springboks in TRC as rising fullback scores twice
Not the case at all.
It was determined on Monday that McLaughlin-Phillips would be released from the Reds to be in line to play this weekend for the Junior Wallabies. Les Kiss and Nathan Grey had been speaking about it for some time. It had nothing to do with last night’s result.
Also, HMP played for the Junior Wallabies last year.
Just because someone is already playing in Super Rugby shouldn’t mean they’re looked past for under-20s. Even if it’s a last-minute thing. The Junior Wallabies isn’t – and should never be – a participation selection.
'Everyone was dogs': Junior Wallabies roll up their sleeves to beat Springboks in TRC as rising fullback scores twice
Isaac Kailea: Carried well, scrummed well
Matt Faessler: Missed a couple of lineout targets but 19 tackles, set-piece on the whole operated well, bonus point for playing a role in 25 year drought breaking win
Jeffery Toomaga-Allen: Try, scrummed well
Josh Canham: Elite defensive lineout, around the park he was strong
Ryan Smith: 20 tackles, lineout pretty good
Liam Wright: 20 tackles, lineout operator, some good metres – edged out Josh Canham, who was very good
Fraser McReight: Breakdown turnovers, 20 tackles, try; edged out Reimer, who was superb in cameo – but weighted differently because of a home win
Harry Wilson: Elite on both sides of the ball, match-winning play with charge down
Kalani Thomas: Quality in attack
Lawson Creighton: Calm with ball-on-hand, kicked pretty well; edged out Lolesio … other 10s barely sighted in drubbings
Mac Grealy: Quality with ball-in-hand
Tamati Tua: Another top-notch game and lovely grubber to Ikitau, he edged out Paisami
Len Ikitau: Two tries. Edged out Flook.
Tim Ryan: Two well-taken tries, good in defence
Jock Campbell: Best game of his season, kicking game was top notch, jumped into first-five at times and relieved pressure well – he edged out Kellaway, who was solid
Five things: The Reds have flipped the script - and it promises to be rewarded at the Wallabies selection table
Cool MrElford. Thanks.
You don’t know my rationale for his selection.
Regardless, it’s subjective.
Happy for you to suggest and argue for someone’s selection … or you can continue throwing shots.
Five things: The Reds have flipped the script - and it promises to be rewarded at the Wallabies selection table
You can’t win with some people. Creighton’s best game of his career and it was in New Zealand against the Crusaders. Add to that there was only one other Australian side that won over the weekend.
Five things: The Reds have flipped the script - and it promises to be rewarded at the Wallabies selection table
On the contrary, Eddie underachieved royally. There’s enough talent for the team to succeed and Joe has the benefit of playing Wales and Georgia first up, before taking on Argentina who have a new coach and a first-year international head coach. It’s a dream start. South Africa at home, too. They’ll win five of their first seven.
Why Schmidt isn't sweating about Wallabies star's cross-code temptation
It’s a huge bonus that Joe Schmidt has coached all around the world, enjoyed success and been a part of three international programs. It’s something Dave Rennie hadn’t had. Completely different kettle of fish coaching in smaller blocks as opposed to half-a-year straight.
Why Schmidt isn't sweating about Wallabies star's cross-code temptation
Even if the Tahs make the finals (long odds), they won’t progress far. They should be looking to the future and given there’s not much between Tane Edmed and Will Harrison, I’d be trying to look to the future given one of them is definitely off and the other could leave.
As for Swinton etc, the Tahs were in the hunt for most of the year and he has shown he’s clearly a starting XV player.
Ditto Darcy Swain, whose Brumbies are firmly in the top four and a title chance.
They’re very different scenarios to Harrison (who, as you would have seen in a recent pod, I’m a fan of).
COMMENT: Bizarre selection call that sums up chaos and disconnect at Super Rugby's biggest basket case