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After the end of silly season and Christmas festivities, for English cricket, it marks the start of whipping out the firing board. England are…
The Spring internationals are upon us after nearly three years of World Cup and pandemic disruption. Earlier in 2021, the Six Nations was a…
The last few weeks have shown the farcical element of the British and Irish Lions touring covid hotspot South Africa. I, like many people,…
South Africa release their 45-man squad this Saturday, a bulky one including players that will be picked for the South Africa A fixture against…
The recent floggings of Australian Super Rugby teams by the polished New Zealand outfits re-invites the perennial idea that rugby union is not popular…
This Lions squad reveal has plenty of gossip about it. Warren Gatland, love or loathe him, is making some bold calls. The drama around…
The various articles on everyone selecting their squads and XVs for the British and Irish Lions has been entertaining and extremely insightful. Sadly, this…
Cricket is well and truly back to life, in the white-ball game at least. The recent India-England series showed us how rich both nations…
Watching Super Rugby Aotearoa highlights in the UK are regularly filled with Jordie Barrett satisfyingly nail 55 metre shots at goal with pure ease.…
With this Lions talk of selecting unique XVs, I was thinking about the idea of combined Southern Hemisphere and Northern Hemisphere sides going toe-to-toe…
Super Rugby AU is well in flight and has seen both some good and ugly things. The Waratahs, once Australia's premier rugby team and…
While everyone is throwing their Lions XV's left, right and centre, no one is speaking about the World Champions. South Africa may not have…
I'll say it – this Six Nations, even without fans, was the best instalment for a while in northern hemisphere rugby. Eight games decided…
There may be no fan attendance, but the Six Nations is certainly living up to all expectations. All of the games – apart from…
As a lover of cricket and rugby union, I often like to compare what the sporting codes can learn from each other. Whilst there…
As the 2020 season comes to a close, Dave Rennie will have seen the end of his first rock-and-roll season with the Wallabies filled…
Nicholas Bishop and Rhys Bosley have written some awesome articles on the Australian blindside problem, but I think we can take this debate even…
2020 has been globally disrupted, but there was still ample opportunity for rugby to be played. As the international year ends with the conclusion…
Spring in 2020 has marked the much-needed return of international Test rugby in both hemispheres of the globe. The Six Nations concluded on Halloween…
The disrupted 2020 Six Nations finally came to a conclusion last Saturday, with England claiming their third championship in five years under Eddie Jones.…
Imo these are valid reasons for not touring, not Australia or England being arrogant and pulling out of tours due to their financial superiority. The Lions rugby tour of SA showed that ‘bubble’ environments were next to useless there. A security threat in a place in which the government vocally supports and funds the Taliban whilst not arresting the rise of the Pakistani Taliban is not just capitalism.
T20 isn't killing Test cricket, capitalism is
For someone so interested in bringing politics into sport, they surprisingly don’t mention the health case in SA during the time of Australia’s tour cancellation nor the rise of the Taliban in Pakistan
T20 isn't killing Test cricket, capitalism is
You have to realise that apart from NZ, the ‘poorer countries’ are in a dire state right now, quality wise. Pakistan take about 3-4 games to finally raise their games to match India in a one-off. When India play and tour the Windies, Bangladesh and other pub teams like Sri Lanka and sweep them 3-0, I bet you say ‘what’s the point in them playing’.
T20 isn't killing Test cricket, capitalism is
Should Pollard be shifted to 12 for one or two of the Autumn Tests? Elton 10 and him at 12 could make the Boks more fluid. What do you make of Pollard at 10 with Steyn at 12?
Handre Pollard as the Bok flyhalf: To be or not to be?
Is Pieter Labuschagne related to Marnus?
Son of Wallabies hero and ex-Schoolboys winger called up as Japan names squad to face Wallabies
I’m a big fan of Kremer, but he’s dropped off this RC considerably. Discipline a lot worse. In 2020 Tri-Nations, he was probably back row of the tournament with Cane and Matera. Was simply brutal against the All Blacks and man-handled an average Aussie pack back then.
Time to 'do a Lions' and pick a Southern Hemisphere All Stars to bring four nations together
It’s good having goals, but which of the team’s have realistic ones? For instance, I’d say if Argentina get a single win they’ll be chuffed
What are each team's goals for the Spring internationals? Part 1
Time will tell if Jones is adapting the England playbook for the World Cup. I think he really rates Dombrandt and has definitely wanted to see improvements in his fitness. Dombrandt runs some insane lines, has the rig and some beautiful soft hands on him. I would want to see him at 8 and Simmonds as an impact back row/centre cover. I’m not so sure if Rennie should have said he was actively still looking at Lynagh. England’s first game is Tonga and Lynagh would probably be guaranteed in the 23 if Eddie names a youth and inexperienced side. I think the only way of convincing LL is by really speaking to his father- his father loves and breathes Aussie rugby so don’t be surprised if Rugby Au try launch a nice swanky dinner in London with Louis and/or Michael Lynagh before the Tonga game.
What are each team's goals for the Spring internationals? Part 1
Is it worth giving Akira Ioane a shot at 12? NZ only had one crash ball midfielder who was poorly treated and understandably went up north for a pay check. Against Australia or virtually any other team in dry, quick tracks, the AB’s outpace everyone. But when the rain, chill and sheer mongrel comes into town, England, Ireland, France and SA will lick their lips every time.
Where did all the Kiwi locks go?
If you watched all of Australia’s games this year you’d clearly see Hooper has been comfortably the best 7 and probably the best player in the world this year. Do you have an agenda against good players?
Seven Wallabies, five All Blacks and three Boks in our Team of The Rugby Championship
Hooper wasn’t outplayed by Papalii. Papalii is class and improving, but one of the AB’s weakest links and gave away some silly penalties.
Seven Wallabies, five All Blacks and three Boks in our Team of The Rugby Championship
IMO Kolisi is more of a 6. SA are hugely successful when they play a 6 (Kolisi) at openside, a lock at blindside and a natural 8 like Vermuelen.
Seven Wallabies, five All Blacks and three Boks in our Team of The Rugby Championship
50-50 but maybe 51-49 in favour of Samu. He normally causes England problems- 2017 and 2018 he was a real running threat and was one of Aus’s best in the QF defeat with Petaia. This would mean JOC or NL play England and Wales. England’s midfield will probably be stronger defensively if Smith or Farrell is at 10.
What does your team need in the final round of the Rugby Championship?
Anyone else think Rodda looked a lot leaner and physically imposing? Give him and Samu a start net week. Valetini/Wilson at 6. Wholesale changes to the backline
'Frustrating but I'm loving it': Every word Dave Rennie said after another tough loss to All Blacks
Telling the Boks to play exciting rugby and deter from their highly successful tactics is like telling a Test opener to swing from ball one on a green top. Doesn’t make sense. Unless you’re an Englishmen that isn’t Alastair Cook
We're not here to entertain: Springboks
I’d argue Aus do have the attack to do it with Starc, Cummins, Hazelwood and Cummins. Depends on the pitch. England without Archer have no one intimidating to face since Wood is so inaccurate and at best bowls 1-2 good 4 over spells a game.
'Cock up': Root takes blame, English media reacts to 'harrowing humiliation' against India
Rugby and Cricket- only ways for Australians to make themselves known on the true international stage
Would bringing back Wallabies from overseas actually make a difference?
Curtis Rona is someone going under the radar. Looks very sharp
Would bringing back Wallabies from overseas actually make a difference?
Hooper, Kellaway, Valetini, Mcdermott deserve 7’s at the very least. Koroibete too because his shots in defence were great and rattled the AB’s early on. Apart from that very very poor
VOTE: Wallabies player ratings from Bledisloe 2
Kremer is criminally underrated. Not many in the North (maybe the French in Top 14) hear of him, but he is a fearsome unit. Covers both lock and flank very well and has a scary face. Will be aiming to brutalise Elton Jantjies. For me, Argentina’s best player after Sanchez
'He got me good': What Hooper told Retallick after brutal clean out, plus thoughts on Bledisloe II
Whilst some of the AB forwards don’t lack in size, they tend to go missing in games. Frizell clearly couldn’t carry his SR form; Papalii looks promising but doesn’t do much of note for such a big frame. Tuipulotu last year was pedestrian like Frizell with not being able to transfer SR form. Whitelock is ageing but still has some smarts to him for 2023. Savea is also out of position and not being used effectively from 8 ball carrying wise.
'He got me good': What Hooper told Retallick after brutal clean out, plus thoughts on Bledisloe II
Look at the pack Hooper has compared to Savea and Cane. Savea doesn’t play in his best position, Cane was only good in 1.5 Bledisloes last year and that was it. All he can do it is hit hard. If you watched Hooper against the French, you’ll see he’s one hell of a 7 with a limited pack and physical frame.
Are the Wallabies emerging from the middle of the pack?
NB petition for Lions 2025 coach!
Are the Wallabies emerging from the middle of the pack?
Is Swinton or Wilson better lock cover than Valetini? Not that it means a lot, but did Wilson not play second row when he was 18 in GPS??
Bledisloe dawn: The questions for the Wallabies ahead of Game 1
Do you think Curry is not as effective with a bigger 6 like a Lawes or Beirne etc? He’s dropped off a fair bit but is still young and class. Safe to say Hooper’s dethroned him as best no7 in the world
Coach’s Corner Issue 30: How Tolu Latu can get even more from Taniela, and Eddie's big decision