Is the move north losing its lustre?

Jan 27

Posted by TOCC
11 Comments

Leinster legend and Wallaby captain

Luke McAlister, Aaron Mauger, Chris Latham, Carlos Spencer, Lote Tuqiri, Victor Matfield, Mark Gasnier, Rocky Elsom and Dan Carter.

What do these players all have in common? They are players who chased the more lucrative pastures of the northern hemisphere but have now returned home, are returning home or have shown strong interest in returning home.

Some like Latham and Spencer who are returning south this year are probably Read more »

Oct 28

Experts: Wallabies Grand Slam predictions

Posted by Gagger
15 Comments

GREEN AND GOLD RUGBY EXCLUSIVE

It’s been 25 years since we last had a crack at a Grand Slam (why?) and won it. So can Australia do it again with the current Wallabies mob? G&GR talked to a number of Aussie rugby experts, and here’s what they came up with:

Lote Tuqiri Ex-Wallaby

“I’m hoping for a clean sweep but i do worry about the Welsh and the Irish on home soil. Totally different rugby up there as u know..Sharpey will b a massive loss in the tight 5, lineout calling etc, We just really need to assert some authority in that area.”

Bob Dwyer
SuperCoach

“The Wallabies could have a turn-around on this tour. I sense a new air of determination on the part of the coaching staff to ensure the “new” style of play that they have been seeking, and on the part of the captain to support this.
I’m guessing two wins – v England and Scotland – a draw – v Wales – and a loss – v Ireland. Given my woeful tipping record, this should give us the Grand Slam.”

Oct 7

Melbourne Rebels Super 15: Recruitment

Posted by Lance Free
57 Comments

Brent Cockbain Melbourne's John Wellborn?

The good news for the proposed Melbourne Rebels Super 15 franchise is that the two main parties, VicSuper15 and the VRU Rebels, have formed a partnership and the third is now sniffing around looking for an opportunity to participate.

This is now happening under the auspices of the ARU’s co-opted financial guru, John Wylie. That might mean we now have a viable option or indeed, a going concern.

Once it comes to pass and we’re potentially handed the baton by SANZAR, they’ll be establishing the structure that will deliver the stuff that we’re really interested in like who’ll be the coach; which players will they recruit; how competitive will they be; what will they be called and what will their playing strip look like? Read more »

May 26

QRU – the time is now!!

Posted by Noddy
16 Comments

My esteemed colleague/fellow Blogger/GAGR Rugby Correspondent, Juan Cote, has called for the ARU to lend a bit more a hand to the Reds in getting them back on top of their game in Please ARU – help the Reds help themselves!!. I’m going to be a little more dramatic. It is time for the ARU to take over Queensland Rugby, completely.

Diggers - flying the coup

I’m sorry but it’s beyond a joke now. Queensland Rugby is now driving players, young talented players, not just from our boundaries, but from our shores. In previous years Stephen Moore and Mitchell Chapman couldn’t wait to head south. Now Digby Ione and Hugh McMeniman are apparently off to ply their trade overseas. Add to that the recent development surrounding Rocky Elsom’s apparent decision to bypass the Reds and sign with the Brumbies and Ballymore is quickly becoming some sort of vortex away from which the best players are repelled. Read more »

Feb 10

John O’Neil turns his back on Melbourne

Posted by Juan Cote
8 Comments

As part of his annual SANZAR pot-stirring, ARU Commander-in-chief John O’Neil gave flight to his favourite thought bubble, that of expansion.

“People talk endlessly about Argentina but I keep saying to the IRB, hang on, closer to home there is a country called Japan – which in economic and rugby terms is unbelievably valuable” The Big O told Fox sports….but hang on – what about a country even closer to Australia – Aust-fucken-tralia!! Read more »

May 23

Investec 2008 Super 14 Awards – Voting & History

Posted by Gagger
1 Comment

Just to follow up on the news from yesterday, here are what the voting numbers were, along with a bit of history of who won it down the years. I didn’t realise how close Phil Waugh was to getting it.

I understand the votes come from the players themselves.

2008 Investec Super 14 Player of the Series – Top 6 vote recipients

Player	Team	Votes
George Smith	Brumbies	51
Phil Waugh	Waratahs	49
Matt Giteau	Western Force	32
Dan Vickerman	Waratahs	25
Nathan Sharpe	Western Force	24
Wycliff Palu	Waratahs	24

2008 Investec Super 14 Rookie of the Series – Top 4 vote recipients

Player	Team	Votes
Tyrone Smith	Brumbies	26
Tom Carter	Waratahs	13
Tom Hockings	Western Force	7
Leroy Houston	Queensland Reds	5

Previous Winners

2007

Player George Smith

Rookie Lachie Turner

Coach Laurie Fisher

Referee Stuart Dickinson

Try Adam Ashley Cooper

2006

Player George Smith

Rookie Benn Robinson

Coach Ewen McKenzie

Referee Scott Young

Try Sam Norton-Knight

2005

Player Chris Latham

Rookie Peter Hewat

Coach Ewen McKenzie

Referee Andrew Cole

Try Chris Whitaker

2004

Player Chris Latham

Rookie Nic Henderson and Drew Mitchell

Coach David Nucifora

Referee Andrew Cole

Try Mark Gerrard

2003

Player Joe Roff & Chris Latham

Rookie Matt Giteau

Coach David Nucifora

Referee Peter Marshall

Try Tamaiti Horua

2002

Player Stirling Mortlock

Rookie Van Humphries

Coach David Nucifora

Referee Stuart Dickinson

Try Graeme Bond

2001

Player Phil Waugh

Rookie David Croft

Coach Eddie Jones

Referee Peter Marshall

Try Nathan Spooner

2000

Player Chris Latham

Rookie Phil Waugh

Coach Eddie Jones

Referee Wayne Erickson

Try Stephen Larkham

1999

Player Joe Roff

Rookie Nathan Sharpe

Coach John Connolly

Referee Stuart Dickinson

Try Joe Roff

1998

Player Stephen Larkham & John Eales

Rookie Chris Whitaker

Coach John Connolly

Referee Scott Young

Try Daniel Herbert

Jul 27

Peter Hewat – harsh, fair or who cares?

Posted by Gagger
5 Comments

Having been heavily snubbed by the Wallabies and having his nose rubbed in it to boot (via that great telephone incident with chief idiot Tuqiri), Peter Hewat is finally off.

It is understood that Waratahs back Peter Hewat will earn an estimated $450,000 a year playing for the London Irish club in England from next season – almost four times more than what he has been paid at NSW.

Hewat, 29, has signed a three-year deal with the club after reaching an agreement with NSW Rugby and the Australian Rugby Union allowing him to move to England despite having a year to go on his NSW contract.

The agreement brings to an end months of uncertainty for Hewat, who, despite having the second-highest points tally (636) of any NSW player after Matt Burke, has never been called up to play for the Wallabies.

While this was never an open and shut case, you’ve got to feel that Hewat, with his impressive points tally and attacking instincts, at least deserved a run with the Wallabies to see if he could step up – it’s not as if Huxley has covered himself in glory on or off the field.

The reason given for him not being even considered was his defense, but I’ve got to say that I hadn’t noticed him being particularly suspect. It’s also been pretty harsh with the Waratahs not exactly having a great season this year. What I would say against him though is that he did miss at least 2 crucial kicks this season, one of them directly in front. Does this outline a mental fragility?

Anyway, he’s going to earn bucket-loads at London Irish (where Staniforth served his exile). That is in Aussie dollars though and they don’t go nearly so far over here. Would be surprised if he saves much to take back with him.