Robinson’s Reign Over As Tonga Upset Scotland

Posted by Paul Cook on 28th November, 2012 in International Rugby, Rugby News, Rugby News - Archived | Comments Off

by Paul Cook - The improvement of Pacific Island rugby in recent years continued at the weekend with Tonga claiming an historic 21-15 victory over Scotland in Aberdeen, a result which led to Scottish head coach Andy Robinson walking away from his post. The Tongans rode their luck at times with a heavy penalty count against them in the first half failing to be punished by Scotland’s unwillingness to kick for the posts – an admirable tactic which grew increasingly pig headed with each...

Italy v Wallabies: More ‘Forrest Gump’ Lines Come To Mind

Posted by Brendan Bradford on 28th November, 2012 in International Rugby, Rugby News, Rugby News - Archived | Comments Off

by Brendan Bradford - Nick McArdle borrowed a classic line from the Academy Award winning Tom Hanks movie, Forrest Gump in opening the Fox Sports rugby broadcast on Sunday morning. “The Wallabies,” claimed McArdle, “are like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re going to get.” A series of inconsistent performances this international season has left Wallabies fans frustrated and the Gump analogy only gained credence after an uncertain 3-point win over a gutsy Italian side on...

Penrith Emus Announce New Coach

Posted by Brendan Bradford on 24th November, 2012 in Club Rugby, Rugby News, Rugby News - Archived | Comments Off

by Brendan Bradford - The Penrith Emus have announced ex-Tongan international Sateki ‘Teki’ Tu’ipulotu as head coach for the 2013 Shute Shield season A former Emus player, Tu’ipulotu represented Tonga at three World Cups and has recently coached the Tongan Sevens side and assisted the National team too. A fullback, Tu’ipulotu appeared for Tonga at the 1995, 1999 and 2003 World Cups in a nine year international career. He is perhaps best remembered for a last second drop-goal...

Shute Shield: Round 10 Round-Up

Posted by Paul Cook on 17th June, 2013 in Club Rugby, Rugby News | Comments Off

by NSW Rugby - Northern Suburbs downed a courageous Parramatta side in the curtain raiser to Saturday’s historic match between the HSBC Waratahs and The British & Irish Lions at Allianz Stadium. Spurred on by one of the largest crowds of the Shute Shield season, the Shoremen ran in five tries to two in a scintillating exhibition of attacking rugby. Relishing the experience, Northern Suburbs coach Scott Fava said of the opportunity, “I think it gives them a taste of what the next...

Shute Shield: Five Try Norths Too Powerful For Parramatta

Posted by Brendan Bradford on 15th June, 2013 in Club Rugby, Rugby News | Comments Off

by Brendan Bradford - Northern Suburbs have snapped a five game losing streak with a dominant 32-17 win over Parramatta at Allianz Stadium in the curtain raiser to the Waratahs-Lions match. The return from injury of captain Andrew Cox and center Iese Leota wasn’t enough to save the Two Blues as the Shoremen ran in five tries to two to return to their winning ways. “There’s been some exceptional circumstances for some of the losses, but at the end of the day it’s all about the team...

Lions 2013: Every Cloud Has A Silver Lining…

Posted by Paul Cook on 14th June, 2013 in Club Rugby, International Rugby, Rugby News | Comments Off

by Paul Cook - As the saying goes ‘for every negative, there is a positive’ and so it is with the controversial elements of the British & Irish Lions tour Down Under thus far. Last Tuesday’s 64-0 whitewash of a NSW/QLD Combined Country team, following hot on the heels of last week’s 69-17 despatching of a ‘second string’ Western Force outfit, has led many, for the most part of a Northern Hemisphere persuasion, to question the very existence of such ‘one-sided’ affairs. While...

Shute Shield: Second Half Surge Sees Beasts Power Past Highlanders

Posted by Brendan Bradford on 10th June, 2013 in Club Rugby, Rugby News | Comments Off

by Brendan Bradford – Eastern Suburbs scored 25 second-half points to defeat Gordon 38-20 at Woollahra Oval on Saturday and claim their third win in a row. The scores were tied 13-all after a stop-start first half before the Beasties powered away to an unassailable 31-13 lead off the boot of kicker Henry Hudson during a strong third quarter. The Highlanders gave themselves a slim chance of a win with a try to captain Tobias Gukibau with nine minutes left on the clock, but the home team...

Lions 2013: Carter’s Last Hurrah Is A Family Affair

Posted by Paul Cook on 15th June, 2013 in International Rugby, Rugby News, Super Rugby | Comments Off

by Paul Cook in Sydney - When the British & Irish Lions last took on the NSW Waratahs 12 years ago, in what is now an infamous game in the tourist’s folklore, Tom Carter was on the other side of the white lines, watching the feisty clash from the stands. 18-years-old and just about to kickstart his own rugby career with his first year at Sydney University and playing in the colts, Carter was there to watch older brother Ed donning the Cambridge Blue and taking on the likes of Jonny...

Lions 2013: Waratahs Out To Make History Against Lions

Posted by Brendan Bradford on 14th June, 2013 in International Rugby, Rugby News, Super Rugby | Comments Off

by Brendan Bradford - Captain Dave Dennis will lead the Waratahs at Allianz Stadium on Saturday night as they attempt to become the first New South Wales side since 1959 to beat the British and Irish Lions. Dennis and centre, Rob Horne were released from Wallabies camp by coach Robbie Deans for the historic match and will add a combined 29-Test matches of experience to an otherwise green looking Waratahs side that is missing 11 international players. “Robbie spoke to me on Wednesday and...

Super Rugby: Novice Tahs Embarrass Foley’s First Choice Force

Posted by Paul Cook on 11th June, 2013 in Rugby News, Super Rugby | Comments Off

by Paul Cook - The controversial move by Western Force coach Michael Foley to rest the majority of his starting side against the British & Irish Lions will be called into question even further after his ‘first choice’ squad went down to a greenhorn NSW Waratahs side on Sunday, 28-13 at nib Stadium. The decision, which led to a second string team copping a 69-17 defeat to the tourists during the week, could only have been ameliorated by victory over the Waratahs, ironically Foley’s...

Super Rugby: Desperate Waratahs On A Crusade Against History

Posted by Paul Cook on 31st May, 2013 in Rugby News, Super Rugby | Comments Off

by Paul Cook - February 21st 2004. John Howard was in his third term as Prime Minister, Shannon Noll was at no.1 with ‘What About Me?’ (oh dear) and Black Caviar was still a mere glint in Bel Esprits’ eyes. Amazing to think that this was also the day when the NSW Waratahs last beat the Crusaders, 43-19, in the opening round of the 2004 Super Rugby season. Nine long suffering years for supporters, players and coaches alike and not another victory in a competitive fixture between the...

Lions 2013: Hungrier Brumbies Inflict Lions’ First Defeat

Posted by Paul Cook on 18th June, 2013 in International Rugby, Rugby News | Comments Off

by Paul Cook - The British & Irish Lions unbeaten tour has come to an end with a numbing 14-12 loss in every sense to a combative and hungry Brumbies outfit at a chilly Bruce Stadium in Canberra. While the temperature at ground level didn’t quite descend to the predicted depths of -1, the frost in the newly acquainted Lions backline was evident in spades out on the pitch as a team that only came together in the last few days, roundly played like a team that only came together in the last...

Lions 2013: Tourists Go Up A Level To Defeat Gallant Tahs

Posted by Paul Cook on 16th June, 2013 in International Rugby, Rugby News | Comments Off

by Paul Cook in Sydney - They were truly tested for only the second time on the tour but the British & Irish Lions have risen to the challenge in some style, defeating the New South Wales Waratahs in Sydney 47-17. Waratahs coach Michael Cheika promised that his charges would have a go and his gallant side did him proud but in the end, the Lions simply had too much power and too many weapons, outscoring their hosts by five tries to two in an entertaining and at times, feisty clash. It...

Lions 2013: Carter’s Last Hurrah Is A Family Affair

Posted by Paul Cook on 15th June, 2013 in International Rugby, Rugby News, Super Rugby | Comments Off

by Paul Cook in Sydney - When the British & Irish Lions last took on the NSW Waratahs 12 years ago, in what is now an infamous game in the tourist’s folklore, Tom Carter was on the other side of the white lines, watching the feisty clash from the stands. 18-years-old and just about to kickstart his own rugby career with his first year at Sydney University and playing in the colts, Carter was there to watch older brother Ed donning the Cambridge Blue and taking on the likes of Jonny...

Lions 2013: No More Dress Rehearsals As Series Gets Serious

Posted by Paul Cook on 15th June, 2013 in International Rugby, Rugby News | Comments Off

by Paul Cook in Sydney - Four games into the tour and with only two remaining before the test series begins, the British & Irish Lions have taken things up a notch this week as they look to cement their matchday 23 to take on the Wallabies in Brisbane in seven days time. Announcing arguably their strongest line-up to date to take on the NSW Waratahs tonight in Sydney, Warren Gatland has given a few pointers as to what he believes is his best side barring a few tweaks, and on current form...