Rugby Gold
Marika forced into Super baptism of fire
HYPED code convert Marika Koroibete has been scratched from the Global Tens and will enter his first Super Rugby season without a minute of trial time.
Pre-season worries Injuries sap Rebels, but McGahan soldiers on
THE Melbourne Rebels injury toll is rising yet again, but coach Tony McGahan is refusing to panic as his side prepares for their first trial game.
Higginbotham Former Wallaby charged with assaulting police
NEW Queensland Reds recruit Scott Higginbotham has been charged by police after he allegedly illegally entered a Fortitude Valley Police Beat and assaulted an officer.
Sydney Sevens Friend taking no gambles to Las Vegas
AUSTRALIA’S inexperienced team finished a respectable fourth at the Sydney Sevens with coach Andy Friend refusing to guarantee his returning stars a spot in Las Vegas.
Positive test All Blacks star in ‘shock’ drug ban
ALL Blacks lock Patrick Tuipulotu has been suspended after testing positive for a banned substance — but was shocked by the drug test result, New Zealand Rugby says.
Global Tens 10 great reasons why Global Tens will rock
THREE hundred of Israel Folau and Nehe Milner-Skudder’s closet rugby pals will descend on Brisbane for a ten-a-side spectacle. HERE’S THE TOP TEN!
Sydney Sevens South Africa reign supreme at Sydney Sevens
THE Springboks might be the weakest they’ve been in more than a decade, but the same can’t be said about the Blitzboks, writes Christy Doran. Australia finished fourth at the Sydney Sevens.
Top prop ‘I haven’t been at 129kg since I was 13’
“TONGAN Thor” is shrinking, but fear not, Reds fans, for Taniela Tupou has never been fitter and the Reds plan to enjoy the benefits from their X-factor prop.
Depth Tahs’ rookies keep Wallabies sweating
DARYL Gibson said NSW’s Wallaby contingent were starting to get itchy feet about returning to action after a number of fringe Waratahs impressed in their trial win.
More Rugby
Kuridrani, Hodge shooting for Ella-equalling history
THE list of magic moments in Australian sport expands with every Olympic cycle and football season but two Wallabies are on the verge of adding another.
Zim brothers finally united in Wallaby gold
KYLE Godwin says he couldn’t be happier to be making his Test debut alongside fellow Zimbabwe-born Wallaby David Pocock.
Listen: Cheika opens up on all things Aus rugby
THE exclusive Michael Cheika interview you have to hear as the Wallabies coach gives his view on all things Australian rugby. LISTEN TO THE FULL PODCAST HERE.
Rugby needs its own State of Origin
ON the back of a lacklustre mid-season Test schedule, should rugby have its own State of Origin series in 2017? Iain Payten explains how it could work.
Koroibete’s Spring Tour gift stinks
WENDELL Sailor, Lote Tuqiri, Mat Rogers. Three defectors with higher profiles than Marika Koroibete that never received a gold pass. So why the ex-Storm star, Cheik?
Genia and Cooper show the way: Slack
WILL Genia and Quade Cooper were essential to Queensland’s 2011 Super Rugby success. Saturday night proved it could work for Australia too.
What Wallabies must do to strike gold
EVERY under-siege Wallaby must channel their inner Chloe Esposito tonight in Wellington (5.35pm AEST) to produce gold medal efforts in five key areas or perish against the All Blacks.
Cooper can’t distract from Wallabies’ woes
THERE will be a queue trying to blame Quade Cooper if things go bad in Wellington but let’s put a bit of heat on the big boppers in gold up front.
When only the wrest will do
ENOUGH of the Bledisloe Cup drought, enough of the excuses, enough of the failure. This must be the year that the Wallabies finally wrest back the trophy, writes Jamie Pandaram.
Super Rugby The fan factor that could save the Force
ARU chief executive Bill Pulver says he’s been impressed by the Western Force’s community support, saying it could prove to be the deciding factor that saves the Super Rugby franchise.
Super Rugby Force unveil surprise co-captains
WALLABIES back rower Ben McCalman and hooker Heath Tessmann are the new co- captains of the Western Force after Matt Hodgson decided to stand down from the role.
Digging deep Force players buying in to save the club
THEY’VE poured blood, sweat, and tears on the field, and now Western Force players are opening up their wallets in a bid to save the Super Rugby franchise from extinction.
Gone West Polota-Nau signs with Western Force
WALLABIES hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau is so convinced rugby has a future in Western Australia he has signed up to play for the Force.
Full Force Force sign 2.08m giant Arnold twin
THE rebuilding Force franchise have signed two locks — including 2.08m giant Richie Arnold — for the 2017 Super Rugby season.
Higginbotham Former Wallaby charged with assaulting police
NEW Queensland Reds recruit Scott Higginbotham has been charged by police after he allegedly illegally entered a Fortitude Valley Police Beat and assaulted an officer.
Top prop ‘I haven’t been at 129kg since I was 13’
“TONGAN Thor” is shrinking, but fear not, Reds fans, for Taniela Tupou has never been fitter and the Reds plan to enjoy the benefits from their X-factor prop.
Experience Why Stiles snubbed Master Eddie
IT was the toughest decision Nick Stiles ever made but saying “no” to Eddie Jones has equipped the Reds coach for Australian rugby’s biggest repair job.
Breakout Ginger giant centre of Reds effort
RED-HEADED weapon Campbell Magnay has finally been cleared for full training and a shot at a frontline centre role at the Reds this season.
Overseas Reds heading to Samoa
THE Auckland Blues have taken their June 2 clash with Queensland to Samoa, meaning the Reds will hit the Pacific island for the first time in 24 years.
Depth Tahs’ rookies keep Wallabies sweating
DARYL Gibson said NSW’s Wallaby contingent were starting to get itchy feet about returning to action after a number of fringe Waratahs impressed in their trial win.
Super Rugby Brumbies lose Cubelli in trial defeat to Tahs
A HEAVY trial defeat to the Waratahs and a serious knee injury to halfback Tomas Cubelli made it a night to forget for the Brumbies in Mudgee.
Trial match Tahs in waiting to run with Brumbies’ best
DARYL Gibson says a trial against a Wallaby-laden Brumbies side presents a perfect opportunity for Waratah fringe players to press Super Rugby claims.
Lote’s back Legend Lote’s rugby comeback
CROSS-CODE legend Lote Tuqiri will make a comeback for the Waratahs at the Brisbane Tens, alongside current code-hopping superstar Israel Folau.
Brisbane Tens Tahs on show! Izzy leads NSW Test stars
ISRAEL Folau is a definite starter in the Brisbane Tens and NSW coach Daryl Gibson intends to honour commitments to field other Wallabies players as well.
Super Rugby Brumbies lose Cubelli in trial defeat to Tahs
A HEAVY trial defeat to the Waratahs and a serious knee injury to halfback Tomas Cubelli made it a night to forget for the Brumbies in Mudgee.
Trial match Tahs in waiting to run with Brumbies’ best
DARYL Gibson says a trial against a Wallaby-laden Brumbies side presents a perfect opportunity for Waratah fringe players to press Super Rugby claims.
Christian’s comeback? Larkham ‘optimistic’ about Lealiifano return
BRUMBIES coach Stephen Larkham is hopeful Christian Lealiifano can make a full recovery from his cancer fight and return to the field this Super Rugby season.
Rory re-signs Huge boost for Brumbies, Wallabies
IN a huge boost for Australian rugby, Brumbies and Wallabies lock Rory Arnold has spurned overseas offers to ink a new three-year deal with club and country.
State of Origin Would Folau wear blue or red?
RUGBY union is planning to poach rugby league’s State of Origin concept to create a riveting spectacle between Queensland and NSW to enliven next season.
New format Rebels ‘don’t know the rules’ for 10s format
THE inaugural Rugby Tens competition will be held in Brisbane in a week’s time. But Melbourne Rebels captain Nic Stirzaker concedes his team isn’t exactly au fait with how it all works.
Locked out Rebels rocked by raft of injuries
MELBOURNE Rebels have named five wallabies in its Global Tens squad but it’s those players who will miss the tournament that will have Rebels fans feeling anxious.
Recovery Koroibete could still make Tens
MELBOURNE are hopeful a knee injury to Marika Koroibete won’t stop their star recruit from making his highly anticipated debut at the Brisbane Tens.
Import Kon’nichiwa! Rebels strengthen Japanese ties
THE Japanese influence on the Melbourne Rebels continues to grow, with the Super Rugby club signing Kentaro Kodama from the Panasonic Wild Knights.
New contract Good news for Rebels as Timani stays on
LOPETI Timani will resist the riches of the rugby world to remain in Melbourne ahead of a crack at World Cup glory with the Wallabies.
Former Wallaby charged with assaulting police
NEW Queensland Reds recruit Scott Higginbotham has been charged by police after he allegedly illegally entered a Fortitude Valley Police Beat and assaulted an officer.
‘Gutted’ Aussies can’t repeat Rio heroics
COACH Tim Walsh bemoaned a glut of errors from his Olympic champions after Australia’s women were knocked out of contention for the Sydney Sevens title.
Reason why Phipps re-signed with ARU
OFFERED a contract to play in England, Nick Phipps admits he considered joining the Europe-bound hordes but one thing kept getting in the way.
Olympians honoured on Australia Day
IT was the first time an Australian Olympic team had gender parity but when it comes to Australia Day Honours our top female athletes from Rio are way ahead of the rest.
Wallaby prop continues scrum education
TORRID encounters with two French packs has taught developing Wallabies prop Tom Robertson that scrummaging is the biggest part of his rugby education.