RUGBY NEWS ISSUE 7, May 18 2013 – (click arrow on cover to turn pages)

Robinson’s Reign Over As Tonga Upset Scotland

Posted by 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 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 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...


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Shute Shield: Round 7 Round-Up

Posted by on 19th May, 2013 in Club Rugby, Rugby News | Comments Off

by NSW Rugby - Southern Districts have suffered a shock defeat, going down to Sydney University in a repeat of last year’s Grand Final. As well as ending the Rebels’ winning streak, the loss has sent Eastwood, who outplayed Gordon, to the top of the Shute Shield table. In other Round 7 matches, Manly held strong against a fighting Penrith side, Randwick recorded a shocked win over Northern Suburbs, Eastern Suburbs kept their cool against Parramatta and West Harbour stole a win against...

Shute Shield: Round 7 Preview – Rebels Ready For Students Rematch

Posted by on 18th May, 2013 in Club Rugby, Rugby News | Comments Off

by Paul Cook - Round 7 of an increasingly interesting Shute Shield season sees the ABC cameras set up under the power lines down at Forshaw Park for a repeat of last season’s thrilling Grand Final between Southern Districts and Sydney University. On that day, an exciting young Rebels outfit contesting their first ever title decider held sway for nearly an hour before eventually being run down by a clinical, experienced and powerful Students side, who reclaimed the throne that has been theirs...

Shute Shield: Woodies’ Late Blitz Sees Off Impressive Parra

Posted by on 12th May, 2013 in Club Rugby, Rugby News | Comments Off

by Brendan Bradford - The score-line depicts a 30-point drubbing, but the side on the receiving end was probably better for two-thirds of the match. After starting well and scoring three tries to one to lead 15-13 at halftime, the wheels fell off for Parramatta in the last 20 minutes as Eastwood ran over top of them with a late five-try blitz to win 47-18 at Merrylands RSL Rugby Park. Both coaches agreed the scoreline did no justice to the style and approach the Two Blues took into the...

Shute Shield: Round 6 Round-Up

Posted by on 11th May, 2013 in Club Rugby, Rugby News | Comments Off

by NSW Rugby - Another bonus point win by Eastwood against Parramatta this weekend has seen them join Southern Districts at the top of the Shute Shield table.  Although the Rebels are undefeated in 2013, the Woodies’ six bonus points mean they join Souths on top with 26 points, six points clear of third-placed Manly. After scoring their first try out at Merrylands on Saturday, Eastwood didn’t take a backward step and put the Two Blues away with a comfortable 47-18 win, with some great...


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Super Rugby: Tahs Roll On As Brumbies Fall

Posted by on 18th May, 2013 in Rugby News, Super Rugby | Comments Off

by Brendan Bradford - The Waratahs have pulled off another last gasp victory with a 28-22 defeat of the Brumbies at ANZ Stadium in Sydney on Saturday night. Showing grit, determination and confidence in their own ability to rebound in the face of adversity, the Tahs – who trailed for large parts of what was a battle of attrition – were boosted by the second half introduction of Berrick Barnes and snatched a famous win with a try to winger Peter Betham with six minutes to play.  “Berrick...

Super Rugby: Gutsy Tahs Outlast Resilient Stormers

Posted by on 12th May, 2013 in Rugby News, Super Rugby | Comments Off

by Paul Cook - Israel Folau has further enhanced his burgeoning reputation in the 15 man game with a match winning try four minutes from time to help the NSW Waratahs to a 21-15 victory over the Stormers. It was a gutsy effort from the Tahs, fatigued from their South African trip and struggling to make headway in the second half as the Stormers held firm but after last week’s one-way traffic against the Kings, they showed they can now win the tight ones as well. Coach Michael Cheika was...

Izzy Will Be A Wallaby “If Selectors Aren’t Blind” Says Tuqiri

Posted by on 8th May, 2013 in Club Rugby, International Rugby, Rugby News, Super Rugby | Comments Off

by Brendan Bradford – Dual code legend Lote Tuqiri has added his voice to the chorus of people demanding to see Israel Folau in a Wallabies jersey this June. Tuqiri told Rugby News he has no doubt about Folau’s ability to make the step up from Super Rugby to Test Match football against the Lions next month. “He’s definitely got the skill and talent,” the 67-Test veteran said. “He’s going great guns at 15 and he’d be a good winger as well, it’s just a matter of how the...

Waratahs Win Last Minute Thriller Over Champion Chiefs

Posted by on 20th April, 2013 in Rugby News, Super Rugby | Comments Off

by Brendan Bradford – The late try came from an unlikely source in replacement hooker John Ulugia, but it fit the tone of the evening as the Waratahs secured an unlikely win over the reigning champion Chiefs at Allianz Stadium on Friday. Leading 15-0 at the break, the Waratahs struggled to contain a fired up Chiefs in the second half as the visitors fought back and looked likely to steal the competition points when gigantic prop Ben Tameifuna barrelled over eight minutes from time. In...


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Izzy Will Be A Wallaby “If Selectors Aren’t Blind” Says Tuqiri

Posted by on 8th May, 2013 in Club Rugby, International Rugby, Rugby News, Super Rugby | Comments Off

by Brendan Bradford – Dual code legend Lote Tuqiri has added his voice to the chorus of people demanding to see Israel Folau in a Wallabies jersey this June. Tuqiri told Rugby News he has no doubt about Folau’s ability to make the step up from Super Rugby to Test Match football against the Lions next month. “He’s definitely got the skill and talent,” the 67-Test veteran said. “He’s going great guns at 15 and he’d be a good winger as well, it’s just a matter of how the...

British & Irish Lions Squad Announcement: ‘Here They Come’

Posted by on 30th April, 2013 in International Rugby, Rugby News | Comments Off

by Paul Cook - The appetite for the upcoming British & Irish Lions tour of Australia has been truly whetted with the announcement of the Lions squad in London this evening (AEST) and coach Warren Gatland has sprung a few surprises. Sam Warburton, Gatland’s Welsh general, has been given the honour of captaining the 37 strong tourists, which includes the largest Welsh contingent since 1977, stalwart Brian O’Driscoll makes the cut but there was no place for Jonny Wilkinson. Full...

Sevens – Hong Kong: Back-to-Back Fiji Break Welsh Hearts

Posted by on 25th March, 2013 in International Rugby, Rugby News | Comments Off

by Paul Cook - Fiji have picked up their second Cup win of the 2012/13 World Sevens Series with a dramatic come from behind victory over first time finalists, Wales. Trailing 19-0 at half-time, the Pacific Islanders roused themselves for a second half revival and scored 23 unanswered points to become the first country to claim two Cup victories this season. The win moved them into second place on the series ladder behind New Zealand, whom they beat in the semi-final and who are fast becoming...

Tracking the Lions: Who Will Make The Squad? Part Three

Posted by on 1st March, 2013 in International Rugby, Rugby News | Comments Off

by Paul Cook - To be honest, week three of the 2013 Six Nations Championship failed to really deliver compared to the previous two rounds. There was still bags of intensity on show and the England – France game was certainly as brutal as they come but the pure excitement we saw in previous games was a tad lacking. Yes, the weather is a factor and blustery conditions in Edinburgh and another wet and wild experience in Rome were certainly not conducive to a running game but teams must also show...


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Super Rugby
Round 14, 2013

Friday, 17th May 2013
Hurricanes (12)VChiefs (17)@Wellington5:35pm NSW Time
Rebels (30)VStormers (21)@Melbourne7:40pm NSW Time
Force (13)VSharks (23)@Perth9:45pm NSW Time
Saturday, 18th May 2013
Crusaders (23)VBlues (3)@Christchurch5:35pm NSW Time
Waratahs (28)VBrumbies (22)@Sydney7:40pm NSW Time
Sunday, 19th May 2013
Bulls (35)VHighlanders (18)@Pretoria1:05am NSW Time
Cheetahs (27)VReds (13)@Bloemfontein3:10am NSW Time
Lions Tour

International Rugby

Wednesday, 5th June 2013
Western ForceVBritish & Irish Lions@PerthTBA
Saturday, 8th June 2013
Queensland RedsVBritish & Irish Lions@BrisbaneTBA
Tuesday, 11th June 2013
CountryVBritish & Irish Lions@NewcastleTBA
Saturday, 15th June 2013
WaratahsVBritish & Irish Lions@SydneyTBA
Tuesday, 18th June 2013
BrumbiesVBritish & Irish Lions@CanberraTBA
Saturday, 22nd June 2013
WallabiesVBritish & Irish Lions@BrisbaneTBA
Tuesday, 25th June 2013
RebelsVBritish & Irish Lions@MelbourneTBA
Saturday, 29th June 2013
WallabiesVBritish & Irish Lions@MelbourneTBA
Saturday, 6th July 2013
WallabiesVBritish & Irish Lions@SydneyTBA