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Nick Bishop has worked as a rugby analyst and advisor to Graham Henry (1999-2003), Mike Ruddock (2004-2005) and most recently Stuart Lancaster (2011-2015). He also worked on the 2001 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia and produced his first rugby book with Graham Henry at the end of the tour. Three more rugby books have followed, all of which of have either been nominated for or won national sports book awards. Nick’s latest is a biography of Phil Larder, the first top Rugby League coach to successfully transfer over to Union, entitled “The Iron Curtain”. He is currently writing articles for The Roar and The Rugby Site, and working as a strategy consultant to Stuart Lancaster and the Leinster coaching staff for their European and Pro 14 playoff matches. Leinster achieved the double of European Champions Cup and Pro 14 league winners in 2018. They repeated their Pro 14 win in 2019 and finished runners-up to Saracens in Europe.
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It was the worst news at the worst time. In the final preliminary game before the start of Super Rugby Pacific, Western Force and…
It has been another mixed week for Australian rugby. The remaining two fixtures in Dave Rennie’s Wallaby coaching set-up, Dan McKellar and Petrus Du…
It may be just an urban legend. Then again, there may be a grain of truth behind the Devil’s Triangle, the patch of water…
It still seems strange to say it, so let’s repeat it one more time: the number one and number two ranked teams in the…
If it looks like nothing is happening, do not look away: the great World Cup ‘phoney war’ has already started, and the first round…
“Love is lovelier, the second time around.” Those are the opening words of an old Frank Sinatra hit from the early 1960s. They crystallize…
Before Christmas, Wales versus Australia meant Wayne Pivac against Dave Rennie. One short month later, it is now Warren Gatland pitted against Eddie Jones.…
Forget Eddie Jones for a moment. Let’s talk about Subbuteo. If you were a young sporting fan, it was the game for you back…
‘To lose one parent may be regarded as a misfortune, to lose two looks like carelessness.’ So said Lady Bracknell in Oscar Wilde’s The…
Jack Frost has just finished his Christmas stint in the UK. For the best part of a fortnight, I stepped out into the back…
Close your eyes. Can you hear the faint jingle of bells in the night sky? Do you hear the struggles of a large, ageing…
There is blood in the water. Scarcely a day had passed after Eddie Jones’ dismissal by the RFU last Tuesday before questions began to…
Steve Black was one of the few voices of sanity on the 2001 British and Irish Lions tour of Australia. Amid all the shifting…
There is plenty of interest around Randwick-man Eddie Jones’ situation with England after his worst season in terms of results: five wins, one draw…
Rob Kearney knows a thing or two about rugby. He won 95 caps for his country, and three more for the British & Irish…
Many thanks to all those whose comments stimulated debate and more questions in the forums. It is the usual heady recipe for a welded-on…
A beckoning, white-gloved hand and a smiling clown-face, with just a hint of cruelty at the edge. Step forward ladies and gentleman. Wild rides,…
Another week in rugby passes, a week in which the Southern Hemisphere narrowly avoided a clean sweep of its top teams. The All Blacks…
Forget the rocks and diamonds – it’s all diamonds now. Quade Cooper’s value is growing by the day, and he’s not even playing after…
Thanks once again for the big stimulus provided by forum thoughts and observations over the past week. There were some grumblings from our cousins…
Yes def the modern lock forward TB, and all the better for it. 👍
Why Brumbies star is becoming a pivotal figure in Eddie's RWC hopes - and the big blow to the Wallabies
Yes that 6’9 is a big upgrade on 6’5 or 6’6, esp at lineout time. Frost is big with it, wide-shouldered, narrow-hipped. Generally if a player can think his way through a game, it means he is already the physicality, which is a terrific sign for a young player.
Why Brumbies star is becoming a pivotal figure in Eddie's RWC hopes - and the big blow to the Wallabies
Glad for the permission. 😁
Why Brumbies star is becoming a pivotal figure in Eddie's RWC hopes - and the big blow to the Wallabies
Thanks for your understanding Ken. 😁
Why Brumbies star is becoming a pivotal figure in Eddie's RWC hopes - and the big blow to the Wallabies
LSL would be, though not as a caller. Simmons still a top caller but not sure if he would want to play Test rugby again.
Why Brumbies star is becoming a pivotal figure in Eddie's RWC hopes - and the big blow to the Wallabies
It’s a bit uneven in the backs isn’t it H? Lots of quality in the back three, average in the centres and at 9, little at 10.
I guess Rodda’s decision to walk away has nee justified in on sense, with so many nations up North having a crisis in financial confidence. No wonder so many NZers are heading to Japan to make serious money before their time is up.
Why Brumbies star is becoming a pivotal figure in Eddie's RWC hopes - and the big blow to the Wallabies
Hi Mari. Yes getting that combo right at 4, 5 and 6 will be vital to WB chances 👍 🏉
Why Brumbies star is becoming a pivotal figure in Eddie's RWC hopes - and the big blow to the Wallabies
The Brums stuck in very well and actually I didn’t feel they were unduly stressed in the second half. You can mention Frosty as a 6 if you like, in conjunction with Skelton and hopefully, a fit Rodda! Lonergan interests me if he can hold up in the scrum. Great long thrower at lineout time 👍
Why Brumbies star is becoming a pivotal figure in Eddie's RWC hopes - and the big blow to the Wallabies
Yes the tour was a breakout for him because he was playing against some formidable NH second rows so was amply tested. That goes a long way to building self-belief, and they have to keep pushing him to find his limits now.
As you say, Philip, Rodda and Bell all racing the clock to be fit and firing now.
Why Brumbies star is becoming a pivotal figure in Eddie's RWC hopes - and the big blow to the Wallabies
Not sure – anyone?
Why Brumbies star is becoming a pivotal figure in Eddie's RWC hopes - and the big blow to the Wallabies
Which they Frank? 😁
Why Brumbies star is becoming a pivotal figure in Eddie's RWC hopes - and the big blow to the Wallabies
Maybe they underestimated the Brums after a 60 point win??
Why Brumbies star is becoming a pivotal figure in Eddie's RWC hopes - and the big blow to the Wallabies
I can almost imagine Nick Frost with the same awkward kicking gait as a JE RTL!
Why Brumbies star is becoming a pivotal figure in Eddie's RWC hopes - and the big blow to the Wallabies
Rebs look well stocked in the row with Canham also quite decent. 👍
Why Brumbies star is becoming a pivotal figure in Eddie's RWC hopes - and the big blow to the Wallabies
If so I think it would be late on T, so not much time to get up and running…
Why Brumbies star is becoming a pivotal figure in Eddie's RWC hopes - and the big blow to the Wallabies
True but the potential is there I feel.
Why Brumbies star is becoming a pivotal figure in Eddie's RWC hopes - and the big blow to the Wallabies
A bit of sunny optimism goes a long way Ken!
Why Brumbies star is becoming a pivotal figure in Eddie's RWC hopes - and the big blow to the Wallabies
A three-way of Rodda, Frost and Skelton would be tasty indeed JC 👍
Why Brumbies star is becoming a pivotal figure in Eddie's RWC hopes - and the big blow to the Wallabies
Yes I think he may yet deserve to be mentioned in the same breath as JE, so agreed!
I’m not sure about that Blues T5…. Ofa has never fully convinced and Nepo’s best days are behind him. Big Patrick has ground to make up to get in the WC squad as fourth lock. Kurt Eklund is the forward who has impressed me most and he’s not an AB!
Why Brumbies star is becoming a pivotal figure in Eddie's RWC hopes - and the big blow to the Wallabies
It’s happened at just the right time Bodge. Eddie could recall Rory Arnold but he doesn’t seem keen, Matt Philip is out too. That really only leaves Frost, Holloway and Darcy Swain.
Why Brumbies star is becoming a pivotal figure in Eddie's RWC hopes - and the big blow to the Wallabies
Thanks from us Ken 😂
Why Brumbies star is becoming a pivotal figure in Eddie's RWC hopes - and the big blow to the Wallabies
He seems quite indefatigable Fezza…. I was astounded when I looked at his November stats. If he becomes decent lineout captain he may prove a worth rep for John Eales!
Why Brumbies star is becoming a pivotal figure in Eddie's RWC hopes - and the big blow to the Wallabies
Yes their three big men at 4,5 and 6 were not very impressive were they?
How NZ Super sides aimed up tactically in week 2, with ABs star supreme and Blues crashing after front five flop
Nice wrap as always Geoff. How was the weekend down in Melb? 😊
The Wrap: Another Super Rugby Round of hits and frustrating misses
Yes you can guarantee there will be one or two pens a game v the blockers in front of the receiver now, so it evens things up at maul time. And yes, the trail rules seem to be working pretty well so far, esp the 9 defending onside from scrums.
Why Brumbies star is becoming a pivotal figure in Eddie's RWC hopes - and the big blow to the Wallabies