As one of James Slipper’s best mates, Scott Higginbotham’s overwhelming emotion upon hearing the news of his positive cocaine tests was sadness. Slipper’s Reds teammates were only informed of the news five minutes prior to Rugby Australia CEO Raelene Castle’s press conference, QRU chairman Jeff Miller addressing the group. Higginbotham was aware of the mental…
Read moreBeale relishing fullback switch but worries about Israel Folau's well-being
Click:摩洛哥向导 Kurtley Beale says he is worried about the well-being of his mate Israel Folau but is relishing the challenge of replacing him at fullback for NSW, and he will stick his hand up for Wallabies duty at no.15 too, if required. Beale shone at fullback last weekend after being shifted there for the Waratahs…
Read moreGenia returns, front row replaced for Rebels
Will Genia has been at his bossy best this week and Melbourne Rebels coach Dave Wessels will welcome the return of his competitive edge for the Super Rugby clash with the Crusaders on Friday night. Genia missed the last two games in South Africa through injury and, against the defending champions and ladder leaders at…
Read moreBrumbies snatch comeback win in Tokyo
The Brumbies have escaped with an opening 2018 win over the Sunwolves, 32-25 in Tokyo. The ACT franchise has been widely tipped to top the Australian conference, but an outing like theirs in Tokyo didn’t give credence to much of that hype, trailing 14-3 just 15 minutes in. They managed to claw their way back…
Read moreReds eager to eradicate "lazy" defensive errors
Reds fans can expect an uptick in effort from their side this weekend, after some “lazy decisions” were made in the loss against the Waratahs. After conceding the second least points in Super Rugby through the opening month the Reds have allowed 82 points through their last two starts. A continuation of that trend will…
Read moreGenia injury adds salt to shock Rebels loss
A Will Genia hamstring injury has compounded the blow of a shock 25-22 Rebels’ loss to the Jaguares on Saturday. Genia was in stellar form in Melbourne, orchestrating the side’s opening try and playing a critical role in another on Saturday afternoon. It was on the way to helping Dane Haylett-Petty to his 49th-minute try…
Read moreRebels storm home in second half against Sunwolves
The Melbourne Rebels have continued their unbeaten start to the Super Rugby season with a 37-17 demolition job on the injury-hit Sunwolves in Tokyo. It’s the first time in their eight seasons that the Rebels have opened a campaign with two-successive wins, thanks to their influx of ex-Western Force stars and new coach Dave Wessels….
Read moreSmith to join Bristol
Reds backrower George Smith is going back to the UK, signing with Bristol for 2018-19. Smith returned to Australia in 2017, after stints in Japan and the UK, to join the Reds and has been one of their best players in recent seasons. There was speculation the 37-year-old was contemplating retirement, but it turns out…
Read moreO'Gara re-signs as Crusaders assistant
Former Ireland great Ronan O’Gara is extending his Crusaders assistant coach contract for a second season. O’Gara will remain backs coach in 2019 and intends to soak up more of what he describes as a privileged insight into why the New Zealand outfit have been so successful in Super Rugby. “Besides being a great bunch…
Read moreHooper backs plans to rest Test players in Super Rugby
Wallabies captain Michael Hooper says a proposed plan to manage Australia’s top players through Super Rugby in 2019 would be a good thing for rugby. Australia has never had any formal arrangements with Super Rugby clubs when it comes to resting Test players but it has been a topic of discussion in recent seasons. With…
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