Welcome one, welcome all to a different Friday’s Rugby Information. and one other rugby excellent news week. In the present day we forged an eye fixed northward with ‘Kiss of Dying’. You get to vote to your Wallaby Matchday XXIII in ‘Knowledgeable Idiots’. Welcome the most recent addition to ‘The St Joe Present’. Take a look at this week’s SRP matches in ‘Cream At all times Rises’. Preview the SRW semi-finals with ‘It’s Go Time’. And put the olive in your rugby week martini with ‘Friday’s Goss with Hoss’, now near securing employment with Channel 7 in a task ‘pampering incoming media personalities in want steerage’ or ‘PIMPING’ for brief.
Kiss of Dying?
Is it simply me or did others discover the hashtag #bringbackbrad trending within the QPRQ this week?
‘The February Favourites’, ‘The Suncorp Certainties’, ‘The Kiss Kamikazes’ have appeared rather less 2024 Ferrari SF90 and as a substitute currently extra of a 1977 Lada Niva. And the toothless lots north of civilisation appear to be craving for the olden days of no fluoride of their consuming water and when Brad ‘The Padre’ Thorn led their facet to mediocrity.
OK, I grant you the Reds might have amassed three wins towards the Tahs two. And sure, a type of was towards the Tahs, however the Tahs have two victories towards Kiwi opposition. The Reds can’t beat MP! The Tahs have an Aussie coach with the most winningest report ever towards the Crusadists. Additionally the Tahs aren’t a crew of heinous thugs, as evidenced by current a number of pink playing cards throughout a single sport for the Communist facet.
For Reds followers, I’m really sorry, the writing seems to be on the wall and for a change it doesn’t simply say ‘For an excellent time name Yowie on 1300 RUB&TUG‘ (though his google critiques are fairly good: ‘Our consumer was absolutely happy’ Dawn Administration Workforce. And ‘Finest cash Channel 7 ever spent‘ B Lurrman, no mounted abode)
All good issues should come to an finish and so it seems up north. Three losses on the trot and spoiler alert, one other loss coming this weekend, will see the Reds slide additional into the 2024 Tremendous Rugby abyss. Disgrace too, I even believed there have been echoes of 2011 vaping vibing up north this 12 months.
Knowledgeable Idiots.
So that you fancy yourselves as a selector do ya? Nicely, right here’s your likelihood to vote to your matchday Wallaby XXIII to play Wales, if the check was being performed subsequent week. No extra comfortable choices of ‘wider squads’ or ‘coaching camps’, as a substitute you’ve received to sharpen your pencil, choose on type and choose a G&GR Wallaby XXIII, incumbency be damned.
The alternatives are set round a 5:3 bench, so select correctly. I even included the Drive gamers as accessible for choice, only for a giggle. Share along with your rugby mates, polls shut this Sunday evening at midnight and the official Wallaby squad can be introduced on Monday. I do know RA can be watching.
The St Joe Present
The person anointed to avoid wasting Australian Rugby, once more, this time for certain, possibly, has introduced his newest and final teaching appointment. St Joe Schmidt has added the extremely regarded, former FUKIRs lock and present Rebels ahead coach, Geoff Parling to the ranks.
A profitable participant in his personal proper with 29 checks for the Cleaning soap Dodgers and the 2013 Lions, Parling, 40, will go away the Melbourne Rebels on the finish of the Tremendous Rugby Pacific season to affix coach Schmidt, Mike Cron and Laurie Fisher and Irish analyst Eoin Toolan. Apparently, Parling, Lord Laurie and Cron are all ahead coaches, leaving St Joe to supervise all fairy actions and concern gel rations, lip balm provides and skincare merchandise.
Full credit score to RA and St Joe, that’s a cracking teaching squad. Rugby IP in all places and grown ups as effectively. What a novel concept for a training crew!
Cream At all times Rises.
Yep, however so do turds. It’s spherical #9 of SRP and fairly frankly it’s now or by no means for a number of sides to both cement their prime spots, battle for the highest 8, or begin planning their finish of season journey and fancy gown themes now.
Friday 19 April 5:05 PM AEST – Fijian Drua v Hurricanes at HFC Financial institution Stadium, Suva, ad-free, dwell and on demand on Stan Sport
I used to be actually disenchanted within the Drua towards the Rebels. The Drua misplaced their composure after which misplaced their collective marbles, as evidenced by two vinos to their gamers. There’s no profit to be one trick ponies and solely able to profitable at residence and never on the highway as effectively. I get they’re at residence this week, however they’re at residence towards the very best and most constant facet within the comp to this point.
The climate will play equaliser with Suva tipped to be 29 levels, 85% humidity & 60% likelihood of rain. However all that may do is slim the Canes profitable margin.
Fearless Prediction: Canes by 25
Referee: Paul Williams Assistant Referees: Dan Waenga, Mike Winter
Friday 19 April 7:35 PM AEST – Queensland Reds v Highlanders at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, ad-free, dwell and on demand on Stan Sport
Loving the Reds ‘ol faculty’ entrance row of Alex Hodgman, Matt Faessler, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen for this one. However, no McReight, no Joe Grime McDermott, and Tom Lynagh whispered to have a shoulder harm. No Flook or Uru each out injured all means the Reds have an excessive amount of cattle lacking for this one.
A lack of type, harm and suspension have come at precisely the unsuitable time for the Commies.
Fearless Prediction: Landers by 13, however a Reds win might do wonders for his or her season.
Referee: Jordan Manner Assistant Referees: Nic Berry, Damon Murphy
Saturday 20 April 5:05 PM AEST – Blues v ACT Brumbies at Eden Park, Auckland, ad-free, dwell and on demand on Stan Sport
Ali v Frasier, Sleepy Joe v The Legal, Good v Evil, Bruce v Channel 10. This one has all of it of us.
The Ponies are recent from every week off. I recall Bernie Larkham saying he’d ship some gamers off for a effectively deserved relaxation and others with out lots of rugby miles of their legs again to membership footy to get them match fitter. And which may have been an excellent name, for the Auckland (welfare) Blues have the greatest pack in SRP.
There are mouth watering match ups all around the area:
- Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Ricky Riccitelli, Marcel Renata v James Slipper, Billy Pollard, Sefo Kautai
- Akira Ioane, Dalton Papali’i, Hoskins Sotutu v Rob Valetini, Jahrome Brown, Charlie Cale
- Taufa Funaki, Harry Plummer, Caleb Clarke, Bryce Heem, Rieko Ioane, Mark Tele’a, Cole Forbes v Ryan Lonergan (c), Noah Lolesio, Corey Toole, Tamati Tua, Hudson Creighton, Ollie Sapsford, Tom Wright
For mine the equation is easy. Whichever loosies win the battle of the breakdown, win the match. Actually to see Charlie Cale go toe to toe with the Blues loosies. I’m a fan of the child; he brings talent, tempo and temperament (as evidenced of his fantastic submit sport interview after the Tahs match) and this match would be the litmus check to see if cream really does rise.
Fearless Prediction: Brumbies by 1 on the power of their higher bench.
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe Assistant Referees: Stu Curran, Jackson Henshaw
Saturday 20 April 7:35 PM AEST – Western Drive v Crusaders at HBF Park Perth, ad-free, dwell and on demand on Stan Sport
Who cares, battle for eleventh and twelfth anyway.
Fearless Prediction: Draw.
Referee: Reuben Keane Assistant Referees: Graham Cooper, Jeremy Markey
It’s Go Time.
It’s finals occasions already for SRW and to be frank, that’s massively disappointing. In 2024 (1995 in Qld and 1986 in WA) how is it not a house and away season on the very least? We wish these gamers growing expertise and health to begin each enhance SRW and make these picked for the Wallaroos seasoned and match hardened athletes.
Come on RA, it’s not like your paying them a lot anyway….
Friday 19 April 5:45 pm AEST – NSW Waratahs v ACT Brumbies at Allianz Stadium, Sydney, ad-free, dwell and on demand on Stan Sport
WARATAHS (1-15): Brianna Hoy, Brittany Merlo, Eva Karpani, Kaitlan Leaney, Atasi Lafai, Leilani Nathan, Skye Churchill, Piper Duck, Layne Morgan, Arabella McKenzie, Desiree Miller, Katrina Barker, Georgina Friedrichs (c), Maya Stewart, Caitlyn Halse
RESERVES: Siusiuosalafai Volkman, Emily Robinson, Bridie O’Gorman, Annabelle Codey, Sera Naiqama, Tatum Hen, Waiaria Ellis, Jade Sheridan
BRUMBIES (1-15): Sally Fuesaina, Tania Naden, Iroha Kisimoto, Kate Holland, Ash Fernandez, Siokapesi Palu (c), Lydia Kavoa, Tabua Tuinakauvadra, Kolora Lomani, Faitala Moleka, Jemima McCalman, Kayla Sauvao, Concord Ioane, Biola Dawa, Ashlea Bishop
RESERVES: Erika Maslen, Allana Sikimeti, Iris Verebalavu, Jess Grant, Loretta Mailangi, Bonnie Brewer, Kyah Little, Chioma Enyi
Fearless Prediction: Tahs sport to lose. And so they gained’t. Tahs by 19
Friday 19 April 2:35 pm AEST – Fijian Drua v Western Drive at HFC Financial institution Stadium, Suva, ad-free, dwell and on demand on Stan Sport
DRUA (1-15): Salanieta Nabuli, Keleni Marawa, Anasimeci Korovata, Jade Coates, Asinate Serevi, Nunia Daunimoala, Sulita Waisega, Karalaini Naisewa (c), Setaita Railumu, Jenifer Ravutia, Adita Milinia, Merewalesi Rokouno, Vani Arei, Merewairita Neivosa, Atelaite Buna
RESERVES: Litia Marama, Bitila Tawake, Vika Matarugu, Mereoni Nakesa, Fulori Rotagavira, Evivi Senikarivi, Salanieta Kinita, Repeka Tove
FORCE (1-15): Alapeta Ngauamo, Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke, Natsuki Kashiwagi, Michaela Leonard, Rosie Ebbage, Lucy Dinnen, Anneka Stephens, Tamika Jones, Samantha Wooden, Nicole Ledington, Siutiti Ma’ake, Trilleen Pomare (c), Sheree Hume, Brooklyn Teki-Joyce, Renae Nona
RESERVES: Misaki Suzuki, Hannah Palelei, Harono Te Iringa, Libya Teepa, Keira MacAskill, Dallys Tini, Haylee Hifo, Georgia Cormick
Fearless Prediction: I’d like to select the Drive, however journey and situations would appear effectively towards them. Or would they? Drua by unfavorable 6.
Friday’s Goss with Hoss.
Lavatory Bandit Bounces Again
After 4 years away from Tremendous Rugby, Mr Kurtley Beale is again on the paddock this week when he takes the sphere at fullback for the Drive. The 35 yo, 95 cap Wallaby veteran was picked up by the Drive for the rest of the 24 season. The Drive additionally welcome again Izaac Rodda and Michael Wells for this one.
Friday’s Rugby Information‘ questions relating to a rumoured erotic film joint-venture between Mr Beale and Mr Aaron Smith as producers, with a working title of ’50 Shades of Rest room Paper’ has but to obtain a response.
Shot Clock Present Stopper
Two seconds to alter your life. Not solely phrases of encouragement to Mrs Hoss on my birthday, however what might have been for the Crusaders.
Numerous conjecture about whether or not or not Bez would have allowed/enforced a restart to the Tahs/NZ Drive match final week and I assume we’ll by no means know. I might’ve sworn Nic Berry mentioned the Saders kicker might wind the clock down and there can be no restart. BUT: when the kicker moved in to take the kick with 2 seconds to go, a restart was a formality and the remainder is historical past!
As for that drop aim, effectively what theatre! What a deserving finish to nice leisure however, finally, it wouldn’t’ve mattered had it missed. Replays present Mr Berry lifting his arm a number of seconds earlier than the kick to play benefit for the Tahs anyway. However I’ll take each the win and the theatre thanks very a lot.
Both manner, the Saders have been all class with their response. stuff.co.unzid has extra.
Make up your bloody thoughts!
Three weeks again Aussie groups had been solely profitable as a result of NZ was so dangerous and so they had ordained us mere mortals may win a wee sport or two, or so mentioned Paul Cully of SMH fame, However now, as Bob Dylan sang (how can somebody be so well-known for singing after they can’t really sing?) ‘the occasions are a altering’. Mr Cully’s newest bit states:
‘There have been 12 encounters between the 5 Australian sides and the 5 New Zealand ones this season, and on the midpoint of the season the outcomes level to a not insignificant swing away from Kiwi dominance. It is a gigantic enhance for event organisers, factors to rising perception ranges in Australia and, in all probability most significantly, provides Rugby Australia a reputable product to promote to broadcasters’.
Croc JOC?
The forgotten man of the Reds, 86 12 months previous James O’Connor has missed his deliberate spherical 4 comeback, however stays assured that he can be again quickly and likewise again once more subsequent 12 months.
Nonetheless recovering from a hamstring harm late in pre-season, JOC is assured he can nonetheless assist ‘pilot a Reds finals push’ (yeah I laughed too, or is there a closing collection for groups ninth – twelfth?) and with a need to push for Wallaby honours, JOC is a person on a mission, because the SMH studies.
Can’t deal with the warmth?
Fascinating learn from stuff.co.nz sparked by the close to hospitalisation of some Crusaders gamers with warmth stroke after their current match towards the Drua in Fiji.
Till subsequent week. Go the Tahs Girls
Hoss – out