ARU 'surprised' by Senate inquiry
The ARU has taken a swipe at a looming senate inquiry over its processes in axing the Western Force, in a statement on Thursday morning. Australia’s senate approved a motion from WA senator Linda Reynolds to open an inquiry into the matter, just a day after RugbyWA lost its Supreme Court appeal against last month’s…
Rebels vs Hurricanes: Five things we learned
The Hurricanes blitzed the Rebels at AAMI Park, extending Australia’s losing run against New Zealand opposition to 33. Here’s what we learned from the 50-19 result. Click Here: cheap INTERNATIONAL jersey 1. Mafi the heart of Melbourne Amanaki Mafi was sidelined by a head knock at half time and when he didn’t emerge from the…
Brumbies vs Reds: Five things we learned
The Brumbies scorched the Reds in the second half to secure a desperately needed win. Here’s what we learned from ACT’s 45-21 win. 1. Pocock still primed David Pocock was man-of-the-match for a Brumbies side that would have trailed by more than 15 at the 22 minute mark if it weren’t for his presence. Pocock…
Chiefs edge hard-working Reds in final trial
Reds coach Brad Thorn has found genuine depth in his squad but a dominant forward showing could not propel Queensland to a pre-season win against the Chiefs at Ballymore on Friday night. A quartet of returning Wallabies was not enough to get the Reds past the visitors, who won 21-19 in front of 4812 fans…
Chiefs and Highlanders sign up for Suva showdown
The Highlanders will take on the Chiefs in a New Zealand Super Rugby derby in June in Fiji. Led by new coach Aaron Mauger, the Dunedin-based side have agreed to stage a home game in Suva on June 30 against the Colin Cooper-coached Chiefs – who have played the Crusaders in Fiji in 2016 and…
Record breaking just the start for Rebels
Scoring a franchise record 45 points en route to a season-opening win wasn’t even the best part of the Rebels’ win over the Reds, according to coach Dave Wessels. The Rebels were comprehensive in the 45-19 win but, for Wessels, spotting signs of a team that can claim an Australian Conference title from the coaching…
Kim Deitch Spins His Yarns
Kim Deitch, a mainstay of the underground comix movement, gives a full display of his ebullient creativity in his new book, “Reincarnation Stories.” Deitch has produced delightfully idiosyncratic comics for well over half a century, but in this project he endeavors to explain the mechanisms through which he gets his ideas. (Hint: a robot is…
Genia giving Rebels hope in Crusaders clash
Star halfback Will Genia says the Super Rugby ladder-leading Crusaders are beatable and is backing the Rebels to rise to the challenge at AAMI Park on Friday night. In free-fall from first to seventh after four successive losses, the Rebels have been given little chance of toppling the defending champions. But Genia says the Rebels…
JP Smith re-signs with Reds
JP Smith has signed a new contract with the Reds, keeping him closely aligned with identical twin brother Ruan. Both Smith twins will now be at Ballymore until the end of 2020. The pair have been valuable, experienced additions to a Reds pack which now boasts one of the strongest scrums in Super Rugby. That…
Reds all business ahead of Tokyo trip
It’ll be all business for Queensland in Tokyo this week after Reds prop JP Smith admitted his side were caught in the moment last year. The winless Reds have assumed rare underdog status against the Sunwolves, who have turned heads this Super Rugby season. Thrashed 63-28 on their last visit, Smith has promised no repeat…