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Yes, the Reds beat the Chiefs – a win is a win – but it was won without the Chiefs’ star player, Damian McKenzie (red-carded in the first half) and with a 15 versus 14 advantage. The first half scoreline of 33-3 dwindled to 40-34 in the second half after the Chief had the full 15 players but without McKenzie. The 64 million-dollar question after the game was would the score have turned against the Reds if the Chief had a full team of 15 and with Damian McKenzie playing for the full 80 minutes? We will never know. McKenzie’s absence actually gave a sour taste to the Reds’ win, but that is not to say they did not deserve it. Despite that, unfortunately, my views on Australian rugby in general have not changed. The fact remains that Australian rugby truly took a reality check in the last few weeks of the Trans-Tasman competition. The glory days of Australian rugby are now a very distant memory. Why is that? Each week when I turn on the TV to watch a game, it’s like watching Aussies...

Harlequins secure a Premiership play-off place with a bonus-point victory against Bath at The Stoop. Original source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/57244199 https://therugbystore.com.au/premiership-harlequins-44-33-bath-hosts-win-10-try-thriller-to-book-play-off-spot/

There’s been a lot of talk lately about the best way forward for Australian rugby teams in terms of a Trans-Tasman competition, given that early results in this year’s tournament have been eerily akin to watching a silverback gorilla repeatedly slamming a chihuahua’s head in a car door. The question of how to maintain strong Trans-Tasman competition while avoiding chronic depression among Australian players is a vexed one, but I think I have come up with an elegant solution. Here then is my model for a new Trans-Tasman Super Rugby premiership, hopefully to begin in 2022, if I get approval from RA and Alan Jones. More Rugby The Trans-Tasman conundrum, solved The Wallabies team I'd pick How Rugby Australia can build the code in western Sydney Trounced Force face test of character A tale of two coaches and S...

Sale come from behind to beat leaders Bristol and book their place in the Premiership play-offs Original source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/57244193 https://therugbystore.com.au/premiership-sale-sharks-22-12-bristol-bears-sale-book-play-off-place-with-win/

If the main issue for New Zealand Rugby is increased injuries and player welfare due to the intensity of a straight Super Rugby Aotearoa, then simply follow the European model and play Super Rugby Trans-Tasman throughout Super Rugby Aotearoa on designated weekends. This would give the New Zealand teams plenty of breaks from playing each other. It would also allow Australia to keep Super Rugby AU while getting continual exposure to the New Zealand teams throughout. Because there are only 18 weeks or so in which to fit any model between the end of February and the July Tests, Super Rugby Trans-Tasman would be divided into three divisions: Cup, Shield and Plate (for want of better names). In the Cup division, you would have the top two teams from Super Rugby Aotearoa and the top two from Super Rugby AU. In the Shield division, you would have the next two best teams (third and fourth) from each and in the Plate division, you would have teams placed fifth and sixth from each. Within eac...

England will open their Rugby World Cup campaign next year against debutants Fiji at Eden Park in New Zealand. Original source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/57273290 https://therugbystore.com.au/rugby-world-cup-2021-england-open-campaign-against-fiji-in-new-zealand/

The British and Irish Lions squad receive their first coronavirus vaccinations before the summer tour of South Africa. Original source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/57261092 https://therugbystore.com.au/british-and-irish-lions-2021-touring-party-vaccinated-before-south-africa-tour/

With the first two rounds of Super Rugby Trans-Tasman completed, it might be assumed that the problem for the Australian Super Rugby teams is they have been too insular by only playing against themselves in Super Rugby AU, and that the solution is more exposure to the New Zealand teams in a full-season Trans-Tasman competition. Yes, the Australian teams do need exposure to the New Zealand teams to improve, but it’s worth noting that they would not be playing against the New Zealand teams in a full-season Trans-Tasman anymore than they are this year in Super Rugby Trans-Tasman. So, suggesting that the only alternative to embracing a full-season Trans-Tasman is shrinking back to play with your own ball in your own space is a bit of a false dichotomy. Another option is simply retaining the current format of Super Rugby AU followed by Super Rugby Trans-Tasman. However, the argument can still be made that playing against the New Zealand teams in a full-season Trans-Tasman would be a lot...

WRU chief executive Steve Phillips hopes 10,000 fans can watch each of Wales's three Tests in July at Principality Stadium. Original source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/57244935 https://therugbystore.com.au/welsh-rugby-union-hopes-for-10000-at-canada-and-argentina-games/

Melbourne are relying on the Victorian-New Zealand travel bubble reopening by Saturday or a travel exemption to play their Super Rugby Trans-Tasman match against the Highlanders in Queenstown on Sunday. The Rebels were set to fly out of Melbourne on Friday morning ahead of their round-three clash but the New Zealand government announced the bubble would be paused for 72 hours from Tuesday 6pm AEST after a COVID-19 outbreak in Melbourne. Initially told of a later NZ deadline, the club started scrambling to get out of the state on Tuesday night, looking to relocate to Sydney before going on to Queenstown later in the week. But the Rebels and SANZAAR officials were caught out by the early cut-off and couldn’t find enough seats for all players and staff on a flight departing by 6pm. Rebels boss Baden Stephenson said they remained hopeful the match would go ahead as planned, with both countries’ prime ministers set to attend. “We will now fly out on Saturday which is a day later than s...

Rob Burrow, Stephen Darby and Doddie Weir talk to BBC Breakfast's Sally Nugent about their bond and fight for motor neurone disease (MND) awareness. Original source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/57227301 https://therugbystore.com.au/rob-burrow-stephen-darby-doddie-weir-on-their-bond-and-fight-for-mnd-awareness/

After another disappointing weekend for Australian rugby, we need your questions for this week’s edition of Coach’s Corner. If you’re new here, Coach’s Corner is the weekly Friday column where our very own rugby guru Nick Bishop answers all your questions about the greatest game. » Didn’t see Coach’s Corner last week? Get up to speed on all the talking points here A second clean sweep for the New Zealand sides in Super Rugby Trans-Tasman has led to plenty of doom and gloom about the state of the sport in Australia, with even Crusaders coach Scott Robertson bemoaning the gulf in class from across the ditch. Are there any positives to take out of the weekend’s action, and can someone – anyone – step up to break the duck? This week’s matches are headlined by the Reds looking for redemption from their horror loss to the Crusaders when they battle the Chiefs, while the Force and the Brumbies will each be hoping they can be the ones to secure that long-awaited Lucky Country victory. Els...

Saracens edge out Loughborough Lightning and will face Harlequins in a third straight Premier 15s final next weekend. Original source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/57213056 https://therugbystore.com.au/premier-15s-saracens-edge-out-loughborough-after-harlequins-beat-wasps/

Why did the Super Rugby AU side cross the road? To avoid another loss to an Aotearoa team. This is getting very close to being ridiculous. One round of all Kiwi victories was one thing but with two rounds of convincing wins now in the can, it’s getting to that awkward part of the School Sports Day where the staff are wondering if they’ve brought enough participation trophies. However, despite the one-sided league table and talk from people like Scott Robertson of the gulf between the two competitions, there’s still plenty to argue about, so let’s get stuck in. Stop kicking the ball away One of the consistent factors that has caused the Australian teams issues has been their poor kicking. Whether it’s exiting their 22 or box kicks or cross field kicks, every week sides are putting themselves under so much pressure with poor kicking. Ryan Lonergan was guilty of this a lot this week against the Chiefs but his poor kicking from the base of the ruck is repeated by far too many Aussie ...

Toulouse claim the European Champions Cup for a record fifth time with a 22-17 win against 14-man La Rochelle at Twickenham. Original source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/57214852 https://therugbystore.com.au/european-champions-cup-toulouse-edge-out-la-rochelle-to-claim-record-fifth-title/

Crusaders coach Scott Robertson laments the undeniable gulf while Michael Cheika says Australian rugby has been “welcomed to first grade” after New Zealand sides again dominated Super Rugby Trans-Tasman. The Queensland Reds’ record 63-28 loss to the Crusaders in Saturday’s battle of the respective Super Rugby champions made it two perfect rounds and a 10-0 head-to-head record for New Zealand teams. It followed a heavy loss for the Brumbies, while the NSW Waratahs suffered a franchise-record 10th straight loss and defeats for the Melbourne Rebels and Western Force ensured Australian outfits occupy the bottom five spots on the ladder. A combined score of 416-214 across the 10 games, with an average margin of 20 points – even with the Brumbies’ and Force’s two and one-point losses last week – has swallowed up the feelgood factor that had built in Australian rugby ahead of Tests against France in July. Robertson believes the Reds, the new benchmark of Australian rugby after pipping the...

The Western Force have been made to pay dearly for their ill discipline during a 25-15 Super Rugby Trans-Tasman loss to the Highlanders in Perth. The Force trailed 20-3 after 36 minutes of Friday night’s match before launching a brave comeback that almost saw them reduce the margin to three points. Down by ten points early in the second half, the Force came close to scoring on three occasions – only for penalties to bring them undone each time with the line in sight. A 60th-minute yellow card to reserve prop Greg Holmes – and a Highlanders try a minute later – killed off the Force’s victory hopes in front of 13,587 fans at HBF Park, ensuring Australian teams remain without a win after seven matches against Kiwi sides. The penalty count read 9-3 against the Force at halftime and 12-6 late in the match before the Highlanders committed some ill-disciplined acts in the dying minutes for the final count to read 12-9. “First half, we let ourselves down a fair bit. It was a 9-3 penalty c...

Leicester Tigers miss out on a first European trophy in 19 years as Montpellier edge a feisty Challenge Cup final at Twickenham. Original source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/57186246 https://therugbystore.com.au/challenge-cup-final-leicester-tigers-17-18-montpellier-leicester-miss-out-on-european-title/

Harlequins full-back Mike Brown is to appeal against his six-week ban for his sending-off against Wasps. Original source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/57191250 https://therugbystore.com.au/mike-brown-harlequins-full-back-to-appeal-against-six-week-ban/

James O’Connor has re-signed with the Queensland Reds and will remain in Australian rugby until the 2023 World Cup in France. The Queensland Rugby Union (QRU) and Rugby Australia (RA) have secured the signature of Reds flyhalf James O’Connor. The 30-year-old has re-signed for the next two seasons that will see him remain at Ballymore and in Australian Rugby until the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France. “Queensland is my home. I was born here. I love this State, I love pulling on the maroon jersey, and this is where I want to finish my career,” O’Connor said. “We have a great team now and I think we are going to do some special things. I’m excited to be part of it and to help take them forward.” O’Connor captained the Reds to a breakthrough premiership, scoring every point in the 19-16 victory over the Brumbies to secure the Super Rugby AU title a fortnight ago. MORE TO COME Original source: https://www.theroar.com.au/2021/05/21/oconnor-re-signs-with-reds-and-wallabies-until-2023/ ht...

A crowd of 16,500 is set to watch the British and Irish Lions' warm-up match against Japan at Murrayfield. Original source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/57170632 https://therugbystore.com.au/british-irish-lions-japan-match-at-murrayfield-set-to-have-16500-spectators/

A really interesting opening round of Super Rugby trans-Tasman, with three comfortable New Zealand wins and a couple of heartbreaking Australian losses. The question now is going to be whether the comfortable wins just confirm suspicions, or whether the heartbreaking losses will see some recognition of the Australian sides. Either way, this second week is going to see bounce back of some sort. Whether that’s from the Rebels, Reds, and Hurricanes, or from the Crusaders and Chiefs is anyone’s guess. Some teams will have been enthused by their showing, and others will and should be really disappointed. A big test for a number of teams – and a number of coaches – is already here. LAST WEEK: Harry, Dan, Digger, and Geoff 5; The Crowd 4, Brett 3. OVERALL: Dan 38, Harry 37, Geoff 36, The Crowd 35, Digger 33, Brett 31. Dan TIPS: HURRICANES, FORCE, BLUES, CHIEFS, CRUSADERS It was an absolutely dire start to the Trans-Tasman competition for the Rebels, and a trip over to Wellington with ...

Forget the power merchants. Forget those who tell you the only way to win matches is by brute force. That is the long and winding route to oblivion for the game of rugby. Speed, and more accurately speed of thought, kills. Six of the nine teams to have won a World Cup have been based squarely on it. A seventh – South Africa in 2007 – hired it on their coaching staff in the form of Eddie Jones, just before the tournament began. They had the on-field brain they needed, with Fourie du Preez a world-leading intellect at scrumhalf. Sir Clive Woodward abbreviated this rugby essential to TCUP in the build-up to England’s 2003 World Cup success: thinking correctly under pressure. England sides of the past had always tended to respond to pressure by trying to exert more force, or put more size on the field. Not by thinking more clearly or correctly. Woodward changed the culture, at least temporarily, in England’s prime years of the professional era between 2001 and 2003. Speed and accuracy o...

Sam Simmonds breaks the Premiership try-scoring record for a season in his side's 31-12 win at London Irish. Original source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/57088881 https://therugbystore.com.au/london-irish-12-31-exeter-chiefs-sam-simmonds-sets-try-scoring-record/

It’s that time of the week, rugby fans: the weekend’s games are all done and dusted and we need your questions for the next edition of Coach’s Corner. If you’re not familiar with the series, Coach’s Corner is the weekly Friday column where Nick Bishop answers your rugby-related questions. » Miss the latest Coach’s Corner offering? It’s not too late to catch up on last week’s issue With the first weekend of Super Rugby Trans-Tasman in the books, there have been plenty of Antipodean talking points from the last week. While it was a clean sweep for the Kiwi sides and there was plenty to cheer about for Highlanders, Rebels and Hurricanes fans to cheer about (although less so for the latter’s defence coach), the Brumbies and Force only lost after missed conversions after full-time. This weekend is offering up a host of tantalizing clashes, as the two domestic runners up face off on Saturday evening as the Chiefs host the Brumbies before each country’s champion meet in Queensland when th...

Premiership leaders Bristol Bears comfortably beat 14-man Gloucester 39-7, despite having eight tries ruled out. Original source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/57088695 https://therugbystore.com.au/premiership-bristol-bears-39-7-gloucester-leaders-brush-aside-struggling-visitors/

Ospreys secure their second Pro14 Rainbow Cup win with a 42-26 bonus-point triumph against Dragons at Rodney Parade. Original source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/57111902 https://therugbystore.com.au/pro14-rainbow-cup-dragons-26-42-ospreys/

How good was it to see 42,000 screaming rugby fans watching the two best rugby teams in Australia fight out an epic final on home soil in prime time on free-to-air TV? Exhilarating. Spine-tingling. Rugby’s back, baby! As a proud Brumbies supporter I’ll admit to a few sour grapes over one or two decisions on the night, but it was a fitting end to an enjoyable competition and a great night for the sport in this country. More Rugby Why Australian rugby should go it alone Six talking points from Super Rugby Trans-Tasman, Round 1 The Wrap: Goldilocks, Super Rugby and the three bears Read it and weep: Former All Blacks captain announces retirement Tim Sampson defends "world class" Domingo Miotti after conversion heartbreak Rugby Let’s fast-forwar...

Leicester Tigers survive a ferocious fightback to check Harlequins' play-off hopes with a thrilling 35-29 win at Welford Road. Original source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/57088563 https://therugbystore.com.au/premiership-leicester-35-29-harlequins-genge-scores-brace-as-tigers-beat-play-off-contenders/

Brumbies flyhalf Noah Lolesio has missed a sideline conversion on the final siren as the Crusaders escaped with a thrilling 31-29 win in Christchurch. The Crusaders were cruising to victory after skipping out to a 31-17 lead with just 10 minutes remaining in Saturday night’s Super Rugby Trans-Tasman clash. A magical solo try to Brumbies fullback Tom Banks – when he shook off three tacklers in a 62 metre sprint to the line – got the visitors back in the game in the 72nd minute. A 79th-minute yellow card to Crusaders substitute Ereatara Enari further opened the door, and the margin was just two points when a clever inside flick from Brumbies winger Tom Wright sent No.8 Rob Valetini over. It left Lolesio with a chance to draw the game, but he squeezed the tough sideline conversion to the left to narrowly miss as the final siren sounded. Lolesio hunched over in disappointment, but his teammates ran in to console him after what had been a remarkable late fightback from the Brumbies. “...

Sale survive three sin-binnings as they come from behind to win at Bath and boost their Premiership play-off bid. Original source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/57087666 https://therugbystore.com.au/bath-20-24-sale-sharks-earn-late-bonus-point-premiership-win-at-the-rec/

The British and Irish Lions’ match schedule for their rugby tour of South Africa has been changed to mitigate the risks posed by the coronavirus pandemic, while there will almost certainly be no fans at any of the games. The announcement on Friday gave final confirmation that the tour will go ahead in July and August with the Lions playing eight games, including three Tests against the reigning world champion Springboks. But seven of the eight games will now be in either Johannesburg or Cape Town, with the other in the capital, Pretoria. That means the Lions will not travel to Durban, Port Elizabeth or Nelspruit, as originally planned for the tour. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images) SA Rugby chief executive Jurie Roux said they were hopeful that the South African government might relax some restrictions on fans being allowed back into sports stadiums by July “but, for the moment, we are planning for an event behind closed doors.” The Lions regularly take tens of thousands of the...