Greetings, salutations and welcome rugby lovers, to yet one more Friday’s Rugby Information.
Tons to debate at this time so what are you ready for? As soon as extra unto the breach we go and begin with ‘Biscuit Take a look at?’. Hook into some late breaking Thursday evening information with ‘Insurgent Hell?’. Take a look at your groups finals possibilities with ‘The Run House’. Preview spherical #10 of SRP in ‘Get Busy Profitable!’. Peak behind the paywall and ask ‘Is STAN The Man?’ Preview the SRW last in ‘Tahs Time’. And wrap all of it up with ‘Friday’s Goss’ With Hoss’, at present urinating within the forests of PNG with Albo.
Biscuit Take a look at?
Murmurs out of RA of a push to carry an annual Wallabies / Nearlies ANZAC day take a look at and on first ideas, what’s to not like? It’d be a cash spinner, a degree of distinction, an early season beak wetter, give St Joe and Razor an opportunity to get their gamers into camp early. I simply don’t see a draw back, do you? It might even give all Tremendous Rugby a two week hiatus as a substitute of the insidious unfold of three weeks of byes as occurs now.
As a lot as this might simply be a ‘thought bubble’ there may be, for my part, a lot to love. It might be rotated between nations, cities & venues yearly. It might additionally function early season motivation for gamers to carry out higher, given there’s a take a look at performed in April, versus July onwards? Due to this fact giving ‘native derbies’ or simply plain ol’ SRP type extra that means earlier within the yr!
And with Bledisloe’s now returning to 2 exams throughout The Rugby Championship, this can be a real method to reintroduce a 3rd take a look at and preserve extra curiosity within the collection? Plus generate extra earnings. It could sim a win-win for all concerned.
The identical stories have NZ lukewarm to the thought, perhaps that’s as a result of they’re now not the facility home they as soon as have been and are frightened of St Joe and his teaching squad?
Insurgent Hell?
Breaking information on Thursday evening with the discharge of the Directors report into the monetary riddle on the Melbourne Rebels, together with claims the Rebels have been buying and selling while bancrupt since 2018.
Yep, 2018.
With declare & counter declare, accusation and denial, these of you who can entry it, actually ought to try the SMH article. With quite a lot of ‘choices’ on the desk not one entity goes to have a ‘win’ right here. It very a lot appears a case of who loses least will likely be doing effectively.
In all of this, it’s nearly straightforward to overlook that the Reb’s, no less than on the sphere, are having their greatest yr ever.
RA supremo, Lieutenant Dan Herbert had a large ranging and inciteful interview on the Inside Line podcast the place he additionally touches on this (and different) Rugby situation. Nicely value a pay attention.
The Run House.
While the burden challenged opera singer who identifies as feminine hasn’t but sung, for some sides, she is nevertheless backstage buzzing loudly.
So earlier than we bounce into spherical #10 of SRP, listed below are every sides run residence to the finals, or not.
Australian Convention:
Brumbies Hurricanes (H), Drua (H), Waratahs (A), Crusaders (H), Rebels (H), Power (A)
Drua: Moana Pasifika (H), Brumbies (A), Power (A), Reds (H), Highlanders (A), Rebels (H)
Power: Highlanders (A), Chiefs (A), Drua (H), Waratahs (H), Reds (A), Brumbies (H)
Rebels: Crusaders (A), Blues (H), Reds (A), Chiefs (H), Brumbies (A), Drua (A)
Reds: Blues (H), Crusaders (A), Rebels (H), Drua (A), Power (H), Waratahs (A)
Waratahs: Chiefs (H), Hurricanes (A), Brumbies (H), Power (A), Moana Pasifika (A), Reds (H).
NZ Convention:
Blues: Reds (A), Rebels (A), Hurricanes (H), Highlanders (H), Crusaders (A), Chiefs (H).
Chiefs: Waratahs (A), Power (H), Moana Pasifika (A), Highlanders (H), Crusaders (H), Chiefs (H).
Crusaders: Rebels (H), Reds (H), Highlanders (A), Brumbies (A), Blues (H), Moana Pasifika (H).
Highlanders: Power (H), Moana Pasifika (A), Crusaders (H), Blues (A), Drua (H), Hurricanes (A).
Hurricanes: Brumbies (A), Waratahs (H), Blues (A), Moana Pasifika (H), Chiefs (A), Highlanders.
Moana Pasifika: Drua (A), Highlanders (H), Chiefs (H), Hurricanes (A), Waratahs (H), Crusaders (A).
Get Busy Profitable!
Week #10 is upon us already, my how time flies when your group continues to blow chunks. All groups on Joyful’s Thursday Information.
Friday 26 April 5:05 PM AEST – Crusaders v Melbourne Rebels at Apollo Initiatives Stadium, Christchurch, ad-free, reside and on demand on Stan Sport
Lots of noise round Scott Barrett being again for the cellar dwellers, effectively no less than till he will get a purple card during the primary half. However riddle me this Gaggers, if one participant ‘makes’ a facet, how dangerous are the remainder of the facet to start with?
Salakaia-Lotu will likely be a giant loss for the Reb’s. The large unit underwent foot surgical procedure final week following a fracture sustained of their Spherical 8 win over the Highlanders. Nevertheless they do welcome again Rob Leota from a calf criticism and he’ll add impetus within the final 25 minutes. For all they’ve endured off the sphere this season, the Reb’s have momentum, have a terrific entrance row, tempo out extensive and in Flash Gordon, probably Australia’s greatest operating #10. Let’s simply hope objective kicking doesn’t determine it although. The nearer into the posts his kicks are, the extra possible he’s to overlook it!
Fearless Prediction: Barrett Smarett – Rebels by 11. Has there ever been facet go from Champions to Wood Spoon in Tremendous Rugby earlier than?
Referee: Angus Mabey Assistant Referees: Nick Hogan, Anthony Petrie
Friday 26 April 7:35 PM AEST – NSW Waratahs v Chiefs at Allianz Stadium, Sydney, ad-free, reside and on demand on Stan Sport.
Been saying to anybody who’ll pay attention that I merely can’t fathom Coach Coleman’s alternatives and this week’s facet leaves me practically speechless.
Jed Holloway to the bench for this one and I quote:
“Jed’s had a flat couple of weeks. We’d wish to see a bit extra bang. Hopefully this transfer to the bench will actually spark them up.”
Nutta – what number of TOTW week votes has Holloway had once more? Plus he additionally made the official G&GR Wallaby XXIII.
To compound to my utter confusion, Edmed begins at #10 once more, Joey Walton is available in at #13, the funky bunch is again beginning, Flanders Hannigan who has been a revelation at #4 or #5 (generally 6) is beginning at #8. I can cop Gleeson being dropped to the pine, he appears to have had his fingers surgically changed with flippers and drops extra capsule than a Maitland Chemist throughout chilly winters, however as soon as once more, the alternatives are merely head scratching.
For all of that, my beloved Tahs are going to endure an identical destiny to what Andy Dufresne did early on in Shawshank. It is going to be somewhat uncomfortable to witness.
Fearless Prediction: Chiefs by tons. Tahs season will likely be achieved, their run house is horrid and the slim, early season losses will take their toll on season 2024.
Referee: Jordan Method (anyone take the pea outta his whistle, please) Assistant Referees: Reuben Keane, Matt Kellahan
Saturday 27 April 12:05 PM AEST – Fijian Drua v Moana Pasifika at Churchill Park, Lautoka, ad-free, reside and on demand on Stan Sport
The battle for PI bragging rights. A lot fabricated from the Fiji being at residence and all that, however they’ve additionally made 8 modifications, have a coach with one eye on the nationwide squad and appear to have their greatest rugby behind them already.
MP are extra settled, have been going ok-ish, however I believe would have had this match circled on the calendar for some time and able to spring an upset.
Fearless Prediction: MP by 5.
Referee: Graham Cooper Assistant Referees: George Myers, James Palmer
Saturday 27 April 2:35 PM AEST – ACT Brumbies v Hurricanes at GIO Stadium, Canberra, ad-free, reside and on demand on Stan Sport.
The Brumbies have been appalling final week, no surprise Nationwide Parks and Wildlife simply shoot them. Little question the Blues have been good, however simply how a lot of the hole between the 2 sides was as a result of the Ponies have been simply so very, very, very rank?
Certain the ACT lads have been coming off a bye week and a few rust might be anticipated. However they rolled over and performed lifeless and to be truthful, I switched the sport off it was that embarrassing. Is every week sufficient time to regain their mojo? Or is it merely the nice contenders are the nice pretenders?
Nice to see 7A’s again within the pack, likewise Ikitau returns to the beginning centres and the facet has a extra ‘stable’ look about it. However stable sufficient?
Fearless Prediction: Simply to upset KARL, its Brumbies by 2, a clutch kick after the bell.
Referee: Angus Gardner Assistant Referees: Damon Murphy, Jeremy Markey
Saturday 27 April 5:05 PM AEST – Highlanders v Western Power at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin, ad-free, reside and on demand on Stan Sport
Nice to see the Crusaders get spanked by the Power final week. And for mine it’s two Kiwi scalps in a row because the WA boys head to the land of the mutton molesters. Isaac Rodda was terrific final week and he provides actual measurement, talent and expertise to the facet and right here’s hoping we get to see one of the best of the large human in coming weeks, months and years.
Fearless Prediction: Power by 16.
Referee: Dan Waenga Assistant Referees: Paul Williams, Mike Winter
Saturday 27 April 7:35 PM AEST – Queensland Reds v Blues at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, ad-free, reside and on demand on Stan Sport
Man for man, pound for pound, talent for talent, the Reds are completely outclassed for this one. If the Blues can belt the Brumbies, they’re going to bludgeon the Reds.
Fearless Prediction: Blues by 40+.
Referee: James Doleman Assistant Referees: Jono Bredin, Fraser Hannon
Is STAN The Man?
I have to admit to operating a couple of days behind myself this week, so I can empathise with life as a Queenslander and as I sat right down to kind Fridays prose, I used to be additionally listening to the G&GR Speaking Groups podcast when KARL sunk within the slipper to STAN. Countered by Joyful and a sterling defence.
Now lets be clear, if I wished to hearken to people who find themselves all the time right, participating, informative and entertaining, I’d proceed to speak to myself. Nicely stated Hoss. Thanks Hoss. However as three counsellors inform me, that’s not wholesome and it continues to freak individuals out on public transport.
In order that’s the place STAN is available in. Certain, there’s a level of dribble, however forged your minds again to the darkish ages of FUX. $150 / month for reruns of Seinfeld, comfortable porn cooking exhibits with Nigella Lawson (I’ve by no means witnessed full physique whisking earlier than?) and never a lot else, bugger me if STAN aint a breathe of contemporary air for this rugby fan.
Rugby exhibits 5 nights every week. Completely different content material, completely different voices and insights, plus reside protection of each single recreation, or the bloody magnificent ‘mini’ replays and I’d wager that maybe STAN has one of the best protection, of any code, in Oz.
Moreover, they’ve additionally created a few terrific ingesting video games for those who’re eager:
- ‘The Brew Bourbon Threw’ – each time Sunny Brew says ‘Brew, Essay, Cuz or Holmes’ you skol a shot of Americas most interesting. I obtained hammered through the world cup!
- Or Goog’s ‘Rugby Ecosystem Connection Rum Rampage’ – each time Goog will get that ‘guttural’ voice going, you already know what’s coming subsequent. Invariably it is going to be a sentence or three involving his ‘go to phrases’ with phrases like ‘connection’ & ‘rugby ecosystem’. You hear these beauties and its Bundy time.
After a couple of seasons, the commentary group have discovered their rhythm. The commentary / internet hosting group praise one another effectively. The STAN protection is terrific and there’s a heap of content material. And I’ll take that day by day of the week in comparison with the darkish ages of FUX.
Tahs Time!
This weekend sees the ultimate of the SRW happen between the Waratahs & the Fijian Drua. In it’s seventh yr, the SRW has been gained 4 instances by the Tahs and twice by the Drua, who’ve gained the final two in a row.
This season has seen the Tahs take it up a notch and their health, talent and recreation administration has been vastly improved on years passed by. They play an expansive attacking recreation and have great ‘stability’ throughout the paddock. Measurement within the piggies, talent and guile within the halves, defensively good within the centres one in all my faves Georgina Friedrichs (who’s skipper for this one) and real gasoline on the flanks in Maya Stewart & Desiree Miller.
I’ve been important on these pages on the health or lack thereof of the Fijian facet this yr, however as soon as once more, they’re on the pointy finish and there possibilities, talent & aptitude have to be revered to cease them going a threepeat.
Sunday 28 April 2:00 pm AEST – NSW Waratahs v Fijian Drua at Ballymore, Brisbane, ad-free, reside and on demand on Stan Sport
WARATAHS (1-15): Brianna Hoy, Brittany Merlo, Bridie O’Gorman, 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, Eva Karpani, Annabelle Codey, Sera Naiqama, Tatum Hen, Waiaria Ellis, Jade Sheridan
DRUA (1-15): Salanieta Nabuli, Keleni Marawa, Bitila Tawake, 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, Loraini Senivutu, Tiana Robanakadavu, Mereoni Nakesa, Fulori Rotagavira, Evivi Senikarivi, Salanieta Kinita, Repeka Tove
Fearless Prediction: The Tahs haven’t appeared like shedding a match this season and it wont begin on Sunday. Tahs by 17. Go you blue issues.
Friday’s Goss’ with Hoss.
Sheet carrying, cross burners ‘followers’ at Eastwood.
The SMH stories:
‘Shute Defend membership Jap Suburbs have been cleared of a breach of the Rugby Australia code of conduct however instructed to teach and supervise followers after a judicial committee discovered West Harbour gamers have been topic to racial abuse throughout a trial match at Woollahra Oval.’
You’ll be able to rad the article right here.
And Pigs Would possibly Fly
Appears the Crusadists are massive ‘Journey’ followers, with this weeks them track at coaching: ‘Don’t Cease Believing’ stiff.co.unzid stories the Crusaders nonetheless consider they will win this years title. In different information, the Sadists additionally assume the moon touchdown was a faux and that Invoice Gates & 5G towers brought about COVID.
Pull Ya Finger Out Phil!
S says Waratahs & Wallaroos prop Emily Robinson, who will this weekend turn into the Tahs most capped SRW participant. Clearly an enormous fan of G&GR’s FRN, who made the very same level final week, how within the identify of (insert deity right here) in 2024 can we solely have a one spherical SRW competitors. Its simply crap.
One fascinating level Robbo makes within the SMH is:
“There must be two [halves to the schedule] and I believe that one of the simplest ways to try this from my perspective is to play the primary [half], play PAC4, after which come again and play a second,”
Membership Nook
rugby.com.au and Lachlan Gray have all of your Membership New.
Right here’s one for the Saders followers for this week
Till web week. Go the Tahs
Hoss – out.