Tag Archives: Wallabies

The World Rugby rankings could be set for a major shakeup this weekend as three different teams could overtake the All Blacks as the world’s number one side just a few weeks out from the 2019 Rugby World Cup.  Wales, who had a huge opportunity last weekend to become the number one ranked side if they had beaten England, will …

All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen has made a number of changes to the team for Saturday’s Bledisloe Cup decider against Australia.  In total, Hansen has made five changes which sees some highly experienced players cut from the starting XV. Upfront, the 108 times capped Owen Franks loses his place at tighthead to Nepo Laulala while Patrick Tuipulotu comes in …

All Blacks lock Scott Barrett has been banned for three weeks after receiving a red card in Saturday’s Bledisloe Cup tie with the Wallabies. Barrett was sent off after appearing to lead with his shoulder in the tackle at the breakdown and made contact with the Australian captain Michael Hooper’s head. The tackle was adjudged to have been dangerous by …

The Wallabies put on a scintillating display to emerge 47-26 winners over the All Blacks in the opening match of the 2019 Bledisloe Cup.  Michael Cheika’s side showed their intent early on when they made a number of linebreaks in the opening minutes but they couldn’t convert that pressure into points on the scoreboard until the excellent Christian Lealiifano slotted …

Australia and New Zealand are set to lock horns this weekend and write yet another chapter in the history of the Bledisloe Cup. The competition consists of an annual three-match series involving the two rugby heavyweights with two of their Rugby Championship clashes counting towards the final result. The pair go head to head in Perth this weekend and the …

James O’Connor was the shock inclusion in Michael Cheika’s Wallabies team selection for Saturday’s Rugby Championship clash with the All Blacks.  O’Connor made his first appearance for Australia since 2013 two weeks ago in the win over Argentina when he was sprung from the bench. However, Cheika has now entrusted him to start at outside centre for the Wallabies as …

All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen has named a side which looks close to his strongest XV for Saturday’s Rugby Championship clash with Australia in Perth.  In total, Hansen has made six changes to the side which drew 16-16 with the Springboks in Wellington two weeks ago. Up front, Dane Coles replaces Codie Taylor at hooker and Scott Barrett comes …

Wales are going into the 2019 Rugby World Cup in pretty good nick.  Warren Gatland’s side is currently on a 14-match winning streak which coincided with a Grand Slam victory in the Six Nations earlier this year. It all began with a win over Italy in last year’s Six Nations and continued throughout their summer tour, the Autumn internationals and …

Wallabies captain Michael Hooper is confident that David Pocock will show his best form for Australia once he makes his return from injury.  Inspirational flanker Pocock has been out of action for six months due to a troubling calf injury but he was named in Michael Cheika’s extended squad for this weekend’s clash with the All Blacks in Perth. This …

Australian rugby have received a huge boost with the news that Kurtley Beale has signed on with the NSW Waratahs for another season.  Beale’s contract will keep him in Australia until the end of the 2020 season. The 30-year-old’s desire to remain with the Sydney based franchise will come as a huge relief to officials in Rugby Australia as many …

The 2019 Rugby Championship kicks off this weekend as New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and Argentina battle it out over the next few weeks. This year’s edition is shortened to just three rounds due to the Rugby World Cup beginning in September but it will provide ideal preparation for the competing nations ahead of Japan. This weekend’s action takes place …

The worst kept secret in rugby has been confirmed as James O’Connor has signed a two and half year deal with the Queensland Reds and Rugby Australia.  The utility back was granted a release from his contract with Gallagher Premiership side the Sale Sharks as he wanted to give himself the best opportunity to represent the Wallabies at the upcoming …

Sale Sharks have announced that former Wallaby James O’Connor has been released from his contract so that he can pursue the prospect of representing Australia at the 2019 Rugby World Cup.  O’Connor joined the Sharks from Toulon at the beginning of the 2017/18 season and has made 31 appearances for the club in the two years since. O’Connor signed a …

Louth native Michael McDonald has been named to start at scrum-half for the junior Wallabies’ World Rugby U20 Championship clash with Ireland in Santa Fe on Saturday (KO 2.30 pm).  McDonald, who hails from the Cooley peninsula in Co. Louth, emigrated to Perth with his family when he was 13 and has since blazed a trail through Western Australia’s underage …

Wallabies scrum-half Will Genia admits that he feels sorry for Israel Folau in the aftermath of Rugby Australia’s decision to terminate the 30-year-old’s contract.  Folau shared a post on social media stating that “hell awaits” drunks, homosexuals, adulterers, liars, fornicators, thieves, atheists and idolators. That social media post ultimately led to a hearing and the outcome of which resulted in …

“To be honest, I’m pretty speechless,” Michael McDonald says cheerfully with a distinct Louth brogue. The 19-year-old from the Cooley Peninsula has had a whirlwind couple of weeks. In early April, he made his senior debut for the Western Force as a replacement in their 42-10 victory over the Asia Pacific Dragons in Global Rapid Rugby. 14 days later, he …

Rugby Australia have released a short statement addressing the “unacceptable” social media post which Israel Folau issued that contains anti-gay sentiments.  Folau posted a message on his Instagram account which contains an image which says that “hell awaits” drunks, homosexuals, adulterers, liars, fornicators, thieves, atheists and idolators. The image also states that “only Jesus saves”. Folau leads with the caption: …

Wallabies and Waratahs star fullback Israel Folau has issued another anti-gay post via his Instagram account.  The post contains an image which says that “hell awaits” drunks, homosexuals, adulterers, liars, fornicators, thieves, atheists and idolators. The image also states that “only Jesus saves”. Folau leads with the caption: “Those that are living in Sin will end up in Hell unless …