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This year’s SRP performance from the Australian sides has set a nice platform for Joe Schmidt’s Wallabies team to have a decent crack at the Bledisloe.
Can I just start by saying, how good is rugby! And how good is Super Rugby Pacific this year: close matches, brilliant attack, desperate…
Rugby wingers are a diverse bunch. In no other sport can you find a position with such diverse body types and talents. What’s your…
Flyhalf is the most important position in rugby, with no other position has as much impact on the outcome of a game. They are…
Yep, things are pretty bad for the Wallabies at the moment. As a fella who started watching the Wallabies 30 years ago and have…
Here is a sobering stat, currently Dave Rennie’s Wallabies record stands at nine wins from 23 matches, a win percentage of just 39 percent.…
Ireland's 29-20 win over the All Blacks on the weekend was a joy to watch. Both teams played terrific rugby and it was a…
It was a disappointing result against the Wallabies bogey team the Scots on the weekend. However, there are a lot of positives to take…
Wow! That was my favourite Wallabies performance in years, maybe a decade. Maybe ever. It wasn’t perfect, but it was just smart rugby –…
In the Seinfeld episode ‘The Opposite’, George Costanza has no job, no girlfriend and is forced into living at home with his parents. Pondering…
The 2013 Brumbies were coached by IRB Hall of Famer Jake White. His achievement list includes coaching the South African under 21s to a…
Albert Einstein once said: “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results”. Well, Australian rugby just might be…
Well after what was a fun Super Rugby AU, everything went crashing to earth very quick against the Kiwis. What gets me is that…
The score of 27-7 in the Wallabies' loss to the All Blacks on the weekend does not represent the competitiveness of what was another…
Some players are lighting fast, some are as strong as an ox and some lucky ones are both. Others have no god-given talents but…
It is easy to get caught up in recent experiences at the expense of the past. If you ask any average Joe on the…
It was a great idea for The Roar to give us the opportunity to select our Wallabies team for the next time they play.…
There is a lot of negativity about the Wallabies future. But we can’t forget they are just a sporting team, nothing more and nothing…
Samu Kerevi made the headlines this week for this whole mess about playing for Fiji in the next World Cup. However, what caught my…
To win rugby games, some swear by playing error-free footy. Others by having a strong set piece. I have heard Rod Kafer talk of…
Potter is in great touch, should have a Wallabies wing spot for the lions on form. Good to see BB back, he is playing brilliantly. Think it was 3 try assists and almost a 4th. They are still in a shot at the title with him firing
'Disappointing': Blues benefit from dodgy calls but Force hurt themselves to end frustrating New Zealand tour
Great article Christy. Really interesting read
'It's a welfare sport': Eddie Jones on rugby's 'arrogance', 'cheap' Suaalii, 'sad' Brumbies and what must change
Everyone is very quick to get negative. Toole and Muirhead have had fantastic season overall so far. They are ranked 6th and 5th for outside backs in fantasy rugby, till this weeks shocker Toole was 2nd with only Will Jordan ahead.
As others have said when you have smaller wingers you need to rush and cut down the big lads before they have time to get up to pace just as South africa do. I’m sure Bernie will work on this.
Cheer up everyone, oz teams are still 7 wins, 7 losses and a draw v the kiwis this season. With 3 home games to come and only 2 away things are still looking good.
Brumbies' top two hopes dealt savage blow as Hurricanes steamroll Larkham's backline to snap losing streak
Exciting round. Great year for oz rugby so far. Winning the head to head v the kiwis 6 to 5 so far. And we’ve only had 4 home games versus kiwis 7. 9 more matches to come, 6 home games v kiwis 3. Looking like a winning year. Great platform for the lions
Super Rugby teams, round 10: Tahs rest big name Wallabies, Kuenzle makes long-awaited return for Force
Interesting point Hamish about the players mentioned being of pasifika origin. It seems the same in all sports that 1st or 2nd generation players in a country will be more likely to have larger family groups to support and would not have had time to set up family business, buy farms etc. unlike non-immigrants. Hence, would have to be more motivated by money in a short career. It’s the logical option and you cant blame anyone for making that decision.
I can see why NZ and oz would like to only pick players in SR too. They dont want to weaken the comp let alone the difficulty of scouting form players from every league in the world as opposed to just the 4 or 5 teams.
It’s a tough old situation. On the flip side, man there is a lot of talent coming through in SR from both NZ and Oz this year. Telea is a great player.. but unfortunately for him, there is no shortage of talented wingers to take his place too.
The All Blacks sent out the wrong message under Razor. Now another star is off because of it
Langi would have known that when he signed. Probably got a mad deal too good to refuse. Cale is a worthy replacement. Say Cale is early on the path to being a Wallabies great, so the more time in the squad the better
Exclusive: Wallaby dropped by Schmidt for first camp of 2025 after signing with overseas club
Watched him in the shute shield one match and he had the ball on a string. Must have set up 4 or 5 tries with beautiful short kicks and then I think he landed 10/10 off the tee. Defo a lost talent
Forgotten Aussie young gun who would be 'easily the best 10 in the world'
Fair enough. But I’d personally favour 2 years of super rugby form over a couple of thrown together matches in england and training runs. To be fair kolbe was just rated 2nd best player in the world behind dupont, so not many are close to him!
Schmidt names one uncapped player in 40-man squad to kick off Lions campaign - as RA waits on contract call
Ah ya got to feel for Toole. Has been easily the best attacking winger in oz for the past 2 years and not even in the squad now. His defense isn’t great but his attack more than makes up for it. He was in the top 10 players in SR for both tries and line breaks in 2024. The only other ozzie player who can boast that is Tom Wright. We have enough versatility in the backline that you could hold him on the bench as a wild card to use if you are chasing the game late. Dont put him on if its tight. Something creative that Rassie or the like would do.
Schmidt names one uncapped player in 40-man squad to kick off Lions campaign - as RA waits on contract call
Ah Kiss will do well. Be sad to see him go as a Reds fan. Bring in Friend to replace him maybe. It wasn’t just the results last year with Kiss that were promising, the Reds were such a good team to watch. The fans really started to get behind them. More of the same this year. Am disappointed to see Crighton going to the Tahs. The improvement in his game last year was immense
If Schmidt walks as Wallabies coach expect the All Blacks to target their lost man
Great read Harry 🏉
“Our brains are on constant duty to tell us what might, probably, happen a fraction of a second ahead of live action, but we think we live in that tense; that the future is our present.” Brilliant point.
I was at the Ireland game. What struck me was the intensity of the ozzie warm up. They almost played a full half of practice 80% speed rugby beforehand. I thought by the looks we are going to come out of the blocks fast but hope we dont die off by the end. Alas
Five out of seven ain’t bad but Joe still needs to fix two deadly Wallabies sins before tangling with the Lions
Looking back over 100+ years of history isn’t great at predicting recent results in sport. just look at Ireland v New Zealands recent record
Schmidt's Wallabies can beat the Lions - and why Suaalii is game's next global superstar
Dont know about that. His quick hands and offloading has been one of the best aspects of his game. The wings will see more ball. I’m a bit worried about his over aggressive D. Looks like there is a red on the way, but hopefully they can sort that
Schmidt's Wallabies can beat the Lions - and why Suaalii is game's next global superstar
I am a big Toole fan because his finishing far out weighs his defensive issues.that oz A game he was playing on the right wing when he is a left winger in a team that was essentially their first game together. So it’s a bit hard to judge on one game. Watched every Brums match he has played and can only recall 1 missed tackle from him that lead to a try. That was v the highlanders in 2023. He then scored 2 tries that match including an 80 metre effort.
Just saying I agree he isn’t a great defender but the pluses far outweigh the minus and overall quite easily the best winger in oz. Campos wasnt a good defender but he was selected on the wing in the greatest rugby team of all time.
Wallabies CONFIRMED: Schmidt makes six changes for season finale against Ireland, Suaalii cleared as Edmed debuts
Nothing against Jorgo, sure will develop into a great player. just dont see how any of his SR performances have allowed him to be selected for 6 tests at this point, particularly when he normally plays full back. My major gripe is that Toole has been excellent for 2 years and has zero caps. Also, I cant see how Jorgo is any better a defender than Toole.
Schmidt’s selections so far have been puzzling. Particularly last week. All our victories have come off the back of pieces of individual brilliance and not team play as well. Hate to be negative but he would be lucky to get a C+ of grades for this year of coaching.
Wallabies CONFIRMED: Schmidt makes six changes for season finale against Ireland, Suaalii cleared as Edmed debuts
Not a bad call. Ya wont out leap Suaalii and Wilson is best in the woder channels working the offload
Ex-Wallaby says 'every aspect of Skelton's play is incredible', but his presence causes one major issue - five things we learned
Schmidt should bring on Tate and Tane with 30 mins to go. Give them a good crack. Tate has been excellent off the pine but needs more mins out there. We look very dangerous with him at the back end of games. Reckon edmed can run it to the line and cause a bit of havoc.
Nothing went right last week. Got more Hope’s for Saturday
Schmidt turns to 19th Wallabies debutant in 2024 for season finale against Ireland, Suaalii's shock recovery
Good news. Suaalii needs to take it easy though. He looked like he was hunting for a yellow or a red v the scots. Was flying into the hits like a bat out of hell. Would much rather he put his energy into his gravity defying kick takes, brilliant offloads and quick soft hands. He can leave the big hits on the shelf.
Wallabies get Suaalii boost as star cleared of fracture
True Skelton didnt play bad. He is at least playing for a top team in a competitive league. Got no issues with picking skelton, but still dont see it as a massive upgrade. Got issues with picking lads that have been playing in Japan for years. True Kerevi played well for a couple of games v Sa a few years ago. But since then hasnt performed nor has MK. The rugby in japan is nowhere near the standard of other leagues and 3 or 4 years there as a player might send a player backwards
Razor calls for foreign-based All Blacks to counter Boks' dominance - 'we don't want to be a cycle behind'
Strange call. big RM fan but he was highly criticised by fans and the media his whole career in the 10 jersey until he had a good 2023 and has gone OS and now he is a pin up for overseas selection. Exactly what we do in oz. None of the 3 OS players selected by Schmidt have added anymore to the team than there domestic counterparts. In the case of Kerevi and MK they have detracted majorly
Razor calls for foreign-based All Blacks to counter Boks' dominance - 'we don't want to be a cycle behind'
Thought BB took it to the line more and played well, a try and a couple of try assists
'Frustrating day': 'Sloppy' All Blacks edge past Italy as Cane, Perenara wave goodbye
It’s just one game though. When you have 2 superb seasons of SR under your belt you deserve a shot
Exclusive: You're a Wallaby, Harry: Most debutants since WWI as Schmidt turns to Potter, Tizzano set for recall
Good points. I would say his point of difference is his awareness of what to do in space combined with blistering acceleration. As the chip is always an options player hang off him as they do with will jordan. There is no other more dangerous player in Sr than Toole in space. His ability to convert linebreaks to tries is unrivaled. Noted he is not a great defender or under the high ball but his pluses far exceed the minuses in my books
'World class already': Scotland coach's huge call on 'incredible' Suaalii, as Schmidt adds four fresh faces to tour squad
Great idea. Would love to see Longbottom in 15s. He is a hell of a 7s player.
9. Goddard
10. Longbottom
11. Reilly
12. Henry
13. Pietsch
14. Muirhead
15. Beale
Decent old backline
Lions warm-up Test for Wallabies to cause awkward clash with Super sides, First Nations and Pacific side revealed
TT is right that on form he cant be selected. His slump is not a recent thing but has been the past 2 or 3 years.
I blame coaches for trying to turn him from an open play prop into a scrummaging prop. When he first came on the scene he was probably about 15kg or so lighter. He was still a big lad but was mobile. For a man that big to have such light feet and soft hands was a joy to watch. He was also very strong over the ball too in d. He did get a bit over zealous in defence and give away too many pens though (a late no arms hit on the 10 was always on the cards).
He wasnt an outstanding scrummager by any means though. It seems like someone has said he needed to work on his scrummaging hence I think he has put on the weight to get stronger but at the expense of his mobility in open play.
If I was coaching him I would have always had him as a bench impact open field player. Let him play his natural game. Say the extra size didnt help with injuries too.
Sadly, I feel it’s almost too late to go back to the way he was. Hope he gets a good contract in France though as seems like a nice fella.
'Do I know how to play rugby?': Wallaby's extraordinary admission ahead of Lions amid crisis of confidence