Rugby Gold
Scratchy Lions survive scare in tour opener
SAM Warburton led the British and Irish Lions to a hard fought 13-7 win in their opening New Zealand tour match against a willing New Zealand Provincial Barbarians side in Whangarei on Saturday.
The derby that keeps club rugby fire burning
TALK this week is that an effigy of Rats coach Damien Cummins will be torched at Manly Oval. For the record, Cummins used to coach the Marlins. Welcome to the Manly-Rats derby.
Hooper happy with Hanigan’s huge hits
THE moment Ned Hanigan went out of his way to knock over Marika Koroibete while scoring a try was when Michael Hooper realised he had a big future.
Wallabies injured as Reds sing the Blues
SHATTERED centre Samu Kerevi is almost certain to miss his dream Test against Fiji after an ankle injury compounded Friday night’s nailbiting near-miss by the Reds in steamy Samoa.
International News
Improvement ‘Not the best Wallabies outfit ever selected’
ANDREW Slack dissects the first Wallabies squad of the season and says the bulk of players has to play well above their provincial form this season.
New spot Cheika’s chance to unleash Hunt
KARMICHAEL Hunt is set for his long-awaited Wallabies debut and could edge out Israel Folau from his favoured spot.
Improvement ‘Not the best Wallabies outfit ever selected’
ANDREW Slack dissects the first Wallabies squad of the season and says the bulk of players has to play well above their provincial form this season.
Brumbies book place in Super Rugby finals
THE Brumbies have clinched Super Rugby’s Australian conference with a 32-3 bonus-point thrashing of the hapless Melbourne Rebels in Canberra.
Rebels hoping history repeats
WHILE Tony McGahan says the Brumbies deserve top billing heading into the finals, the Rebels will take some positives if they can knock Canberra off for a second time this season.
Cannon: ARU neglect is appalling
EX-WALLABY Brendan Cannon has slammed the ARU’s handling of player welfare amid proposed cutting of Melbourne Rebels or Western Force from Super Rugby.
Wallaby Smith’s feel-good viewing
AFTER sitting on the sideline for most of the season through injury, it was fitting Melbourne Rebels prop Tody Smith was notified of his Wallabies call-up on the couch.
Same old silly story for Tahs
THE Brumbies have sealed the Australian conference and will be the only local side playing in the Super Rugby finals after defeating Melbourne, killing the playoff hopes of the Waratahs.
Hooper happy with Hanigan’s huge hits
THE moment Ned Hanigan went out of his way to knock over Marika Koroibete while scoring a try was when Michael Hooper realised he had a big future.
Tahs won’t bow to the Chiefs
THE Waratahs are confident that a trans-Tasman win is “very achievable” but they know they’ll have to muscle up to beat the Chiefs on Saturday.
Phipps set for Highlanders test
WARATAHS halfback Nick Phipps has been cleared of major damage to his injured ankle and could line up for NSW against the Chiefs on Saturday.
‘Not the best Wallabies outfit ever selected’
ANDREW Slack dissects the first Wallabies squad of the season and says the bulk of players has to play well above their provincial form this season.
Cheika’s chance to unleash Hunt
KARMICHAEL Hunt is set for his long-awaited Wallabies debut and could edge out Israel Folau from his favoured spot.
Reds v Blues: 5 things we learned
JIM TUCKER looks at the good, the bad and the slippery in steamy Apia where Super Rugby made its first visit of the professional era. 5 things we learned about the Reds:
Wallabies injured as Reds sing the Blues
SHATTERED centre Samu Kerevi is almost certain to miss his dream Test against Fiji after an ankle injury compounded Friday night’s nailbiting near-miss by the Reds in steamy Samoa.
Brumbies book place in Super Rugby finals
THE Brumbies have clinched Super Rugby’s Australian conference with a 32-3 bonus-point thrashing of the hapless Melbourne Rebels in Canberra.
Cane toad rules in nation’s capital
NEW Brumbies coach Dan McKellar is a true cane toad, a proud north Queenslander whose first rugby success was as a teenage forward scrapping for the Burdekin Canetoads.
Force exodus to hasten club’s demise
THE Western Force’s roster is set to take a massive hit after the ARU lifted its contracting freeze and players seek security on the east coast.
‘Insulting’ radio sledge inspires Cheika
MICHAEL Cheika hates the negativity swirling around rugby. But armed with lessons learned at a prestigious US leadership course, he aims to change perceptions come June.
Defence, Perenara magic sinks Force
THE Hurricanes unleashed a second-half masterclass to power past a brave Western Force outfit 34-12 in Saturday night’s Super Rugby clash in Perth.
Cannon: ARU neglect is appalling
EX-WALLABY Brendan Cannon has slammed the ARU’s handling of player welfare amid proposed cutting of Melbourne Rebels or Western Force from Super Rugby.
I’m a lucky Wallaby, says Haylett-Petty
WESTERN FORCE fullback Dane Haylett-Petty admits he is a tad lucky to earn his latest Wallabies call-up but is keen to make the most of the opportunity.
Force exodus to hasten club’s demise
THE Western Force’s roster is set to take a massive hit after the ARU lifted its contracting freeze and players seek security on the east coast.
Wallabies
New faces Great unknowns but Cheika has a plan
MICHAEL Cheika’s first Wallabies squad for the season is full of intrigue. Iain Payten gives his verdict on the squad and picks his team for the first international of the winter.
Improvement ‘Not the best Wallabies outfit ever selected’
ANDREW Slack dissects the first Wallabies squad of the season and says the bulk of players has to play well above their provincial form this season.
