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"Never confuse motion with action."
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As the last century ended, Nelson Mandela was resigning from public office. His 1999 farewell speech to Parliament closed with his dream that “all our children may play in the sun” and warning “the long walk continues”.
With eleven minutes left in the first half of the 2019 Rugby World Cup, England won possession at South Africa’s 22-metre line.
The confetti swept, the Cup boozy, silver medals rubbished, composite teams selected, Japan in the rear view mirror, and Rassie Erasmus’ stock price in the stratosphere.
Wales and South Africa play on Sunday to see who will reprise the role of the 2015 Wallabies, losing gallantly to New Zealand.
Uruguay: five tries. Bankers, vintners, carpenters, White tee-shirts; winners.
You don’t have to support Japan against the Springboks.
The Springboks lost the first half of their Pool B match against the All Blacks in the 2019 Rugby World Cup badly: 3-17.
This is the battle of the best first names in the competition: on the one hand, Desiderius, Tjiuee, Thomasau, Clivan, Prince and Helarius. On the other, Lood, Beast, Kwagga, Elton, Cheslin, Siya, and Warwick. And there will be three Jantjies on the field. South Africa vs Namibia in the Rugby World Cup. Join us on […]
The five players in my block of our greatest World Cup players are legends in South Africa and Australia. Two Queenslanders, a foundation Brumby, a set-piece legend from Pretoria, and a Durban beach boy.
Wales, New Zealand, Ireland, South Africa, England and Australia have identifiable paths to winning the William Webb Ellis Cup.
As 1942 began, the Vichy French controlled Madagascar. The Imperial Japanese Navy planned to use the ports of this perfectly-placed island to cut off the Allies’ shipping routes, and rule the entire Indian Ocean.
Twice this year, I’ve heard Michael Cheika say ‘Team is King’ in the context of losing his top try-scorer.
Seasons are on the line tonight when the Stormers host the Sharks in the final round of the Super Rugby season. Tune in live on The Roar to follow this make-or-break derby between the coastal powerhouses of South Africa, starting from 11:05pm AEST.
Rugby School in Warwickshire was founded by 16th century Englishmen, but slid into obscurity until historian and theologian Thomas Arnold became headmaster in 1828.
The embattled NSW Waratahs are continuing their High Veld safari in the Big Smoke: Joburg. The Lions await, with an iconoclastic pack full of wily characters: the manic Malcolm Marx, the bantamweight Kwagga Smith, inspirational skipper Warren Whiteley, and a couple of nasty locks. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog, starting from […]
The Waratahs are re-enacting the Hundred Year War. This week, they take their spiritual secularism vs literal traditionalism squad to quite a religious, and brutally physical venue: Loftus Versfeld, in the thin air, on hard ground, and will face trials and tribulations.
Stay up late to follow this live blog, as the newly-extended hard man Brad Thorn takes his Reds to the Highveld to try to overcome the angry Bulls, fresh off a hideous home loss, and welcoming back their key starters. Join The Roar from 1:15am AEST.
I like the opening tone by Rennie. Big improvement from the wild rants of his predecessor. Australia has a nice opportunity to trip up Ireland, who aren’t the greatest rugby travelers. Then, playing NZ three times can help the WBs’ rank. One or two wins and up, up, up! Hoping Australia rises!
Rennie: Rankings rise will be hard work
Willie le Roux was a 10 until pro level.
Can Isaac Lucas become the new Stephen Larkham?
Yes, I suppose the quantum leap is the less-than-two-seconds a 10 has.
Can Isaac Lucas become the new Stephen Larkham?
Glad to be ‘introduced’ to this young man. Hope it works out for him, and the Wallabies. I’m ready for the Big 3 to be the Right 3 again. A 15-to-10 switch isn’t as common as 10-to-15, no?
Can Isaac Lucas become the new Stephen Larkham?
The Man of the Match in Rugby World Cup finals is just about always a 30+ year old guy who was or should have been close to retirement: Jonny in 2003, Matfield in 2007, Dusatoir in 2011, Carter in 2015, Vermeulen in 2019. Maybe Australia needs to find its local captain more than its local coach.
Rennie and Penney should be the last of the NZ coaches in Australian rugby
Let’s play! Good article, Laidlaw. But are you sure Brad Thorn is a very good young coach? I hope so, but I suppose this year will be the real test.
The big questions coming out of the shortest ever Australian rugby pre-season
Super Rugby can only regain market share if it regains the best SH players.
Super Rugby 2020: A big year for…
Yes, but perfect for 2023 RWC cycle.
How will Dave Rennie replace the Pooper combination?
The paper stats under-weigh him, I think. He’s probably a 100 kg man; and looks like he has a big frame
How will Dave Rennie replace the Pooper combination?
Yes, I think at 25 he could be an easy walk-around 110 kg.
How will Dave Rennie replace the Pooper combination?
Don’t let my rugged good looks fool you. I have an ugly soul.
How will Dave Rennie replace the Pooper combination?
He’s a Durban boy, so he can grow hair.
How will Dave Rennie replace the Pooper combination?
Thanks, Nick. At 22, Liam Wright could easily pack on 5 kg of muscle in the next two years. He seems to have ‘Fardic’ smarts, agility, and toughness. But he needs to put on that muscle, IMO.
How will Dave Rennie replace the Pooper combination?
I’m skeptical of these changes.
1/ Rewarding try-line defenders for obscuring the TMO and ref, leading to easy exit, after the attacking team did everything that is hardest in rugby except having a visible touchdown — that’s too much reward. I liked the 5 m scrum; but if someone thought too many tries were being scored, make it a 10 m scrum.
2/ Protecting the carrier over the tackler too much. The stats show a lot of head and neck injuries happen to LEGAL low-tackling defenders. Example: RWC. Vermeulen on the charge. Italian defender goes low. Knocked out. Much safer to chest tackle.
3/ Unintended consequence of kick rule: probably more box.
'Waist-high' tackles among new rugby laws to be trialled
It’s bleakly funny, with lovely filming.
The Australian view from across the water: Scott Fardy
Down-on-his-luck lad hears inmates in Denmark are spoiled. Goes to Copenhagen to do a crime; to live a life of luxury in jail. Good music. Twists. Hearty.
The Australian view from across the water: Scott Fardy
Nick, have you seen “Denmark?” Good flick about a Swansea lad.
The Australian view from across the water: Scott Fardy
Josh Strauss and Scott Fardy walk into a barber…
The Australian view from across the water: Scott Fardy
My favourite Aussie rugby player in the last decade. Defines what we want in a forward. Smart guy, too. Not a boring cliche machine …
The Australian view from across the water: Scott Fardy
Looks about right, but Dobbo should be the biggest improvement for STO. Looks like it could be a 2-team shootout (JAG + STO) with SHA the spoiler/kingmaker.
Super Rugby 2020 preview: South African conference