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Nick works at The Roar's Producer, and can be regularly found working on their social media, talking rugby in all it's forms (especially clubland), barracking for the Brumbies and NSW Country Eagles, and dropping the occasional dad joke. Outside of The Roar, he currently hosts literary podcast 'Date With A Debut' and rugby union podcast 'The Dropped Kick-Off'. He dropped a debut novel in 2019, 'When Men Cry', and is currently working on his next two books whenever he has a chance to.
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And then, there were two. The NSW Waratahs and Fijian Drua will meet at Ballymore to decide who lifts the Super Rugby Women's trophy,…
And then, there were four. Super Rugby Women's enters it's final fortnight, and with the Reds and Rebels campaigns coming to a close, this…
The final round of the regular season of Super Rugby Women's is set to deliver a lot of surprises. The Reds will look to…
It's sixth against seventh as Melbourne Rebels host Fijian Drua at AAMI Park. Join The Roar for live scores and updates from 7.35pm AEDT.…
The penultimate round of Super Rugby Women’s regular season kicks off with a do-or-die clash between the Rebels and Reds to keep their season…
Round Three of the Super Rugby Women’s continues this weekend, with double headers galore as the Waratahs facing up against the Rebels on the…
Round Two of the Super Rugby Women’s continues this weekend, with the Brumbies and Rebels out to grab their first win of the season…
So many Australian rugby fans look back on 2023 as a complete disaster for the game down under, with million-dollar blowouts, an Eddie experiment…
The girls are FINALLY back! Super Rugby Women’s returns for its seventh iteration in 2024, with new player contracts, a new rebrand, a new…
The Western Force and Melbourne Rebels will kick off the seventh season of Super Rugby Women’s in Perth. Meanwhile, the Waratahs welcome the Brumbies…
This week will see the 2024 professional rugby season start to ramp up, as Australia’s Super Rugby Pacific sides and Super W teams begin…
The Storm conquered the Knights in gorgeous Fiji, the Dolphins picked up an injury drama against the Warriors in Auckland, Brisbane's next generation outshone…
As we finish up our list of the 50 players we think are set to make a splash in 2024, it’s important to recognise…
The unease permeating around Australian rugby is hard to miss, but it seems especially potent right now if you are a Waratahs fan. An…
The Highlanders picking up the mantle of the black sheep of the Kiwi rugby teams from the Blues has meant the team has become…
Super Rugby Pacific has been dominated by the Kiwis so far for a reason: incredibly strong depth. It’s the obstacle that the Australian and…
Never has a season preview been filled with such dread. The financial clouds hang over Melbourne like the grim reaper, and it almost feels bizarre…
Within Super Rugby, there are a few teams that have looked to challenge the Crusaders' stranglehold on the trophy. While the Blues and Chiefs…
Which players will take Super Rugby Pacific by storm? Will Australia and the Pacific Islands mountain a charge? Soon, we will find out. We…
Super Rugby is set for a serious shake-up in 2024 with new coaches and players, and as the season progresses, many of the players…
Gosh darn it, I only just moved up here and stopped supporting Sydney FC!
Watching the A-League Women’s side at Newcastle Sportsground 2 has been a joy – despite the underperformance, there is a very strong football community here that deserves representation, and there is more than enough support and talent here to deliver another title.
Seriously hope they can resolve their issues – a loss of representation for Newcastle would be significant.
'Would be a tragedy': Can the Jets find a new owner, or are they about to spiral out of the A-League?
Great article Ben, and some very good questions here.
On a personal level, because of how slim the pickings the last few years, I’ve been in two schools of thought on this. Whenever it is the case an Australian team plays on a non-Aussie side, I’ll back the Aussie side no matter what. This has led to me looking at Aussie derby clashes not involving the Brumbies with a sense of neutrality, which can diminish my enjoyment.
However, while I might support the Tahs when they play Kiwis, the moment ‘Tah week’ comes around and we play them they are the scum of the earth who should be trampled underfoot by the mighty Ponies. Arguably also feel the same when we play the Reds too, given how close those games have been the last few years.
I think the tribalism bubbles under the surface – maybe we need to do a bit more to bring it to the surface (only in an on-field context – off field god we need to work together!)
Passionate, visceral, irrational tribalism is vital for any competition to succeed. Is a lack of it damaging Super Rugby?
Great write up Geoff. Despite the fact we fell short in terms of results against the kiwi sides, I reckon that was a ripper of a round! Plenty of positives to take, clear growth and progression by nearly all sides, and entertaining footy. Definitely confirmed that the concept of Super Round can live up to the hype promised. Now if we can just up the marketing budget! 😁
The Wrap: ‘World’s best provincial rugby competition’ delivers a superb Super Round
Ahh well, there are 50 players and five articles, and if there is only one thing I can guarantee, there will be disagreements.
We can agree to disagree, and while Tupou has not lived up to his full potential in Wallaby gold, he has shown his potential at Super Rugby and I believe the move to Melbourne will do him good. We find out tonight.
Super Rugby's top 10 players: Aussie props dominate, but Kiwi sensation smiling on the summit
Mate, nothing beats a good bit of stirring! All jokes aside, it’s good fun chatting with rugby folk, even if you disagree. There will be plenty of disagreements, that I can promise! 😂
Super Rugby’s Top 50 players in 2024, 50-41: All Black legend returns and a new pairing begins in the West
Dream big mate, dream big.
Cast off the underdog tag! Fijian Drua set to become one of Super Rugby’s most dangerous sides
Yes, I know, 4th is a dangerous call. This is my bold prediction for the season.
You can say I’ve had too much kava. If there is one thing 2023 taught me, is that when on form, the Drua are a real threat, and history in the NRC and this comp so far suggests they will only grow and grow.
Throw tomatoes at me if I get it wrong by season’s end. Pain is an old friend 😊
Cast off the underdog tag! Fijian Drua set to become one of Super Rugby’s most dangerous sides
You assume correctly. Blues is out this morning, every team will get one leading up to round one.
The biggest hurdle standing in Chiefs' way to claiming first Super Rugby title since Dave Rennie's side a decade ago
If they can maintain their current form I’d consider this season a success. Under Cotter, I can see them challenging for a title in the next two to three years.
Definitely agree their backline is killer. I like Finlay Christie, think he will combine well with Perofeta. I’ve been really impressed with Sullivan. Ever since he kicked that drop goal to beat the Tahs in Sydney in 2022, been keeping an eye on him. That back three is the most dangerous in the competition IMO.
Right now, I just have way too many questions about the forward pack. Would be wrong to write them off entirely, really it comes down to how that NPC contingent translates to Super Rugby level. No doubt they’ll be decent but most of them only have a season or two under their belt.
Cotter must address depth and team cohesion issues to avoid first-season Blues
I respectfully disagree, even though I do think Jamie Joseph will get the Highlanders humming again in the next season or two. I think current coach Clarke Dermody is still to grow into the role, but Joseph will have a positive impact on him. Joseph is a brilliant coach, no denying it, but turning around teams takes time and the Highlanders are notably off the pace compared to their Kiwi counterparts. That’s even before we get to the fact that they’ve said goodbye to 23 players from their squad last year, so a lot of team cohesion needs to happen for them to challenge for the title.
While I expect improvement in Joseph’s first year, I don’t think the Highlanders will be in a place to challenge one of the most cohesive sides in the Chiefs after only four games under their belt, unless they find a way to hit the ground running, very quickly.
The biggest hurdle standing in Chiefs' way to claiming first Super Rugby title since Dave Rennie's side a decade ago
G’day folks. The Brumbies and Western Force are now offering highlights reels on their websites for trial games, you can check them out now in the article.
Your complete guide to the Super Rugby Pacific and Super Rugby Women's pre-season trials
*SMALL NOTE: small correction on the article, the Rebels had a club meeting last night where they provided clarification to members on the current status of the club.
– The Rebels will deliver all membership promises for the 2024 season, and Lions tickets for 2025 will also be honoured.
– Currently, 4.2k members have signed up for the year, with 90% renewing from last year.
– Cash has been provided to cover immediate operating expenses for the season until a future plan is confirmed, with all contracted players in the men’s and women’s sides now with RA.
– The Rebels are in coordination with RA on this future plan and their financial management as per PWC. It is noted that RA has an agreement with the NZRU to keep Super Rugby Pacific in its current form until 2030.
– No mention of any grants from the Victorian Government.
– It was also communicated that the club needs support, so if fans want to keep the club, join as a member and come to games. There is a serious need for higher attendance.
– More details will be incoming from RA once the future plans for the Rebels are confirmed.
What is the Rebels' endgame? A Super club in Melbourne makes sense - but only if their players play in local comps
Additional update: both the Brumbies Women’s match against Hong Kong and the men’s match against the Drua will be streamed on Bar TV Sports. Link is included in the article.
Your complete guide to the Super Rugby Pacific and Super Rugby Women's pre-season trials
I am actually. Have good reason to be optimistic given the state of affairs with all the clubs. But also concerned, because if we can’t close the gap this year, we likely never will under the current circumstances.
Your complete guide to the Super Rugby Pacific and Super Rugby Women's pre-season trials
I said ‘Canberra’s spiritual home of club rugby’, not the Brumbies spiritual home. Reason I said that is that nearly all finals games in the club season are played there, such as like the John I Dent Cup, as well as any rep games that aren’t Super Rugby or Wallaby related usually take place at Viking Park whenever they happen in Canberra. Vikings in the NRC also played there.
Your complete guide to the Super Rugby Pacific and Super Rugby Women's pre-season trials
Ahhhh, never get tired of those random calls to random people to get info 😂
Your complete guide to the Super Rugby Pacific and Super Rugby Women's pre-season trials
Reds matches will be streamed on Stan.
Your complete guide to the Super Rugby Pacific and Super Rugby Women's pre-season trials
We’re still looking for details at present. A lot of the games were on Clutch last year and they aren’t around any more. We’ll update them as they come.
Your complete guide to the Super Rugby Pacific and Super Rugby Women's pre-season trials
They’re back home in Round Three after they play the Crusaders in Super Round. They’ve got a strange start to the year, quite a few away games.
Your complete guide to the Super Rugby Pacific and Super Rugby Women's pre-season trials
If I was allowed to have more than 10 or 11 he probably would’ve got in there. It’s fine, you can burn me at the stake. 😁
Masters of the Air: The ten greatest kickers in rugby history - from All Blacks 'wizard' to the Scot who changed the game
He was very, very close to being on the list!
Masters of the Air: The ten greatest kickers in rugby history - from All Blacks 'wizard' to the Scot who changed the game
Ahhh man! Knew I missed the most important one!
Masters of the Air: The ten greatest kickers in rugby history - from All Blacks 'wizard' to the Scot who changed the game
TBH, ranking them would not be an accurate representation. So many players have changed the game through their kicking, whether it be on goal or in general play. To rank them would diminish the achievements of the others, so best to acknowledge them all for what they did for the game at large.
We will be doing another article, but on different masters of the air, if you get my drift. Good picks here though, it was fun going back and watching Roger play.
Masters of the Air: The ten greatest kickers in rugby history - from All Blacks 'wizard' to the Scot who changed the game
Good picks. You have no idea how close the Fox was to being in the list! The challenges of being limited to only ten!
Masters of the Air: The ten greatest kickers in rugby history - from All Blacks 'wizard' to the Scot who changed the game
Cheers mate, thanks.
Super Rugby Women’s week two teams: Chancellor out for season, blockbuster Saturday looms as Force unveil international bench