The Roar » Rugby Union

Wales’ Davies banned for ‘tip tackle’

AFP — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 22:17:01 +0000

Wales second row Bradley Davies has been ruled out of the remainder of the Six Nations after being banned for seven weeks for a “tip tackle” in the victory over Ireland last weekend.

The Cardiff Blues’ Davies was sin-binned for the incident in the second-half at Lansdowne Road but was widely considered to have been lucky to escape red after upending Ireland forward Donnacha Ryan.

Davies’ punishment was decided at a disciplinary hearing in London on Wednesday, when Ireland’s Stephen Ferris was cleared of wrongdoing in a separate ruling.

It was revealed Davies could have been banned for up to 12 weeks but saw his punishment set at seven weeks because of his guilty plea and previous good record.

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Article link: Wales’ Davies banned for ‘tip tackle’. Written by AFP, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

Graham Henry’s rugby future confirmed

AAP — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 22:00:16 +0000

Sir Graham Henry’s post-Rugby World Cup career will centre on developing New Zealand’s high performance coaches at Super Rugby and national provincial championship level. The New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) confirmed on Thursday that Sir Graham had signed a part-time contract through to the end of next year. He stepped down as All Blacks coach [...]

Article link: Graham Henry’s rugby future confirmed. Written by AAP, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

Barnes to lead Waratahs in first hitout

Adrian Warren — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:17:11 +0000

Berrick Barnes will get first crack at captaining the NSW Waratahs in the absence of Rocky Elsom in their opening trial, but isn’t yet guaranteed to lead them into the Super Rugby campaign. First-choice skipper and flanker Elsom, who has returned to NSW this season from the Brumbies, is sidelined by a hamstring issue that [...]

Article link: Barnes to lead Waratahs in first hitout. Written by Adrian Warren, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

Harris and Lucas in Reds No.10 audition

Jim Morton — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:04:47 +0000

Kiwi favourite Mike Harris has the first crack at Quade Cooper’s No.10 jersey but Wallabies tourist Ben Lucas will fight him all the way to Queensland’s Super Rugby opener against NSW. Reds coach Ewen McKenzie will start the robust Harris at five-eighth in Saturday night’s first trial against the Brumbies in Cairns, with utility back [...]

Article link: Harris and Lucas in Reds No.10 audition. Written by Jim Morton, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

Wales show Southern Hemisphere how to play running rugby

S120 — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:47:46 +0000

There has long been a view in the Southern Hemisphere that the best rugby is played exclusively below the equator. Visit any group of kids discussing the Six Nations, and get a diatribe about how that lot aren’t able score a try to save themselves. Dropping goals and drawing penalties, you’ll be told, are the [...]

Article link: Wales show Southern Hemisphere how to play running rugby. Written by S120, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

Dan Parks and the unsolved questions of expat rugby

Garth Hamilton — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:38:17 +0000

The contradictions of modern rugby stand evident in the career of Dan Parks, the duality never better expressed than in the jealous mixture of pride and persecution with which Scottish crowds enveloped him. In the age of the professional rugby player, his Australian upbringing gave him the mark of the mercenary in the Scottish team. [...]

Article link: Dan Parks and the unsolved questions of expat rugby. Written by Garth Hamilton, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

David Pocock: a skipper my Force teammates will fight for

Matt Hodgson — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:10:42 +0000

It is the Western Force’s first ever change of guard, with the announcement that David Pocock will replace Nathan Sharpe as captain for 2012. Many would be surprised, with inaugural captain Sharpe still one of the top second rowers in Australia, and with a year left at the Force. The question has to be asked, [...]

Article link: David Pocock: a skipper my Force teammates will fight for. Written by Matt Hodgson, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

Four changes to France Six Nations side

AFP — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:33:13 +0000

Coach Philippe Saint-Andre has announced four changes to his line-up for France’s Six Nations game against Ireland at the Stade de France on Saturday. The former Sale boss took over from Marc Lievremont after the World Cup and enjoyed a 30-12 success over Italy in his first match in charge on Saturday. Despite that win, [...]

Article link: Four changes to France Six Nations side. Written by AFP, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

What opening matches of Six Nations taught us

SAMURAI — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:17:21 +0000

With the Australian rugby preparing for the grueling season of Super Rugby and the inaugural Rugby Championship, my appetite was satisfied by ESPN over the weekend with a three course Six Nations meal. From the opening week of the tournament, here are a few points that stood out for me: 1. Where was Julian Malzieu [...]

Article link: What opening matches of Six Nations taught us. Written by SAMURAI, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

Hoiles eyeing return in 2012

Andrew Logan — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 22:39:15 +0000

I met Stephen Hoiles in May 2011, when I was invited to spend a weekend with the Brumbies courtesy of one of their corporate partners Deloitte, who work with the Brumbies on innovation and business management. I had watched him for much longer than that, particularly during the awful season of 2009, when Hoiles, as [...]

Article link: Hoiles eyeing return in 2012. Written by Andrew Logan, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

Simply does it, says Gatland

Pirate Irwin — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 17:07:26 +0000

Wales must keep things simple if they are to progress to being an outstanding team, coach Warren Gatland said on Sunday. The 48-year-old New Zealander, who guided his side to last year’s World Cup semi-finals and the 2009 grand slam, also believes their last-gasp 23-21 defeat of Ireland in their Six Nations opener will give [...]

Article link: Simply does it, says Gatland. Written by Pirate Irwin, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

Scotland out of rugby’s top ten

AFP — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 17:04:16 +0000

Scotland have fallen out of the world’s top ten rugby nations following last weekend’s Six Nations loss at home to England. That 13-6 defeat at Murrayfield saw Scotland drop down to 11th position as they swapped places with Samoa in the latest edition of the International Rugby Board (IRB) rankings published Monday. England remained fifth [...]

Article link: Scotland out of rugby’s top ten. Written by AFP, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

Rebels won’t panic despite trial thrashing

Guy Hand — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:58:00 +0000

Melbourne Rebels insist there’s no need to panic about the season ahead despite the Super Rugby trial schedule from hell burning them early. The Rebels endured a difficult first season last year, picking up the wooden spoon with just three wins from 16 matches. And expectations weren’t exactly cranked up ahead of season two with [...]

Article link: Rebels won’t panic despite trial thrashing. Written by Guy Hand, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

Slipper hungry for more Reds success

Jim Morton — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:56:19 +0000

Wallabies prop James Slipper will attack the Super Rugby pre-season with extra hunger and confidence as the pain from missing Queensland’s grand final triumph still burns. Slipper was Monday named as one of 10 current Test players included in a strong 30-man Reds squad to play their first 2012 trial against the Brumbies in Cairns. [...]

Article link: Slipper hungry for more Reds success. Written by Jim Morton, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

Will Super Rugby crowds continue their slide?

nickoldschool — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:38:52 +0000

Dwindling crowd attendances are never a good omen in any sport or competition. The bad news is that it’s what we are facing in Super Rugby, particularly in Australia and New Zealand. From averaging 25,000 in 2004-05, we are now down to 19-20,000 in Australia alone. A “bad year’ can always happen, but when for [...]

Article link: Will Super Rugby crowds continue their slide?. Written by nickoldschool, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

Wales and France the early stars of the Six Nations

Spiro Zavos — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:30:34 +0000

The first round of the 2012 Six Nations tournament has been completed, with Wales, France and England (particularly the first two rugby nations) claiming impressive victories. While England are gamely trying to put together a new team from last year’s shambolic squad, Wales and France are consolidating on their strong performances in the 2011 RWC [...]

Article link: Wales and France the early stars of the Six Nations. Written by Spiro Zavos, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

England land scrappy rugby win

AAP — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 20:46:22 +0000

England rugby’s new era began with a scrappy first Six Nations win at Murrayfield in eight years as Scotland’s familiar failings contributed to their downfall. The visitors won 13-6 with five-eighth Charlie Hodgson scoring the only try of the game when he charged-down a kick from Scotland opposite Dan Parks who was attempting a clearance [...]

Article link: England land scrappy rugby win. Written by AAP, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

Rebels want more from second rugby trial

Melissa Woods — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 20:33:01 +0000

After a performance injured skipper Stirling Mortlock described as tough watching, the Melbourne Rebels hope another week together on the training paddock yields a better performance in their second Super Rugby trial. The Rebels will host the Blues at AAMI Park on Saturday night after being trounced 36-0 by the Chiefs in Geelong on Friday. [...]

Article link: Rebels want more from second rugby trial. Written by Melissa Woods, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

Welsh win thriller against Ireland 23-21

AAP — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 20:24:47 +0000

Wales recorded their third successive rugby victory over Ireland on Sunday with a last minute penalty by Leigh Halfpenny providing a 23-21 victory in their Six Nations opener. The Welsh scored three tries, two of them to centre Jonathan Davies, while the hosts managed two. Irish winger Tommy Bowe brought up a century of Test [...]

Article link: Welsh win thriller against Ireland 23-21. Written by AAP, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

Clinical Chiefs cost rusty Rebels in Corio

Stuart Fazakerley — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 19:26:47 +0000

There are several things one should expect to encounter in trial matches before the season proper. Some things will change, some remain, and the legitimacy and relevance of the result will always be questioned. So too it was in Geelong last night, where the Melbourne Rebels welcomed both their home province and the Waikato Chiefs [...]

Article link: Clinical Chiefs cost rusty Rebels in Corio. Written by Stuart Fazakerley, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

Six Nations shows rugby is a parochial game at heart

The Link — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 19:17:28 +0000

As the European Six Nations of rugby union kicks off this weekend Simon Barnes, chief sports writer of The Times, reflected this weekend on what makes the tournament special. “I wish they’d shut up about rugby union being a global game. Its nothing of the kind. It’s a parochial game, that’s the whole point. There [...]

Article link: Six Nations shows rugby is a parochial game at heart. Written by The Link, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

How the Australian Sevens side can live up to its ‘Aussie Thunderbolts’ nickname

Spiro Zavos — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 19:01:58 +0000

To be relegated to the Plate final of the IRB Sevens tournament in Wellington is bad enough for the Australian Sevens team. But to lose it to Kenya (admittedly a team that often has the number of Australian players) compounds the angst about what is wrong with the SevensRugby program. In many ways the ARU [...]

Article link: How the Australian Sevens side can live up to its ‘Aussie Thunderbolts’ nickname. Written by Spiro Zavos, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

Brumbies easily account for Force in trial

AAP — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 17:05:11 +0000

Brumbies coach Jake White has enjoyed a dream start with his new Super Rugby side after they cruised to a 25-0 trial victory over the Western Force at Rugby Park in Darwin on Saturday night. In what was the first trial match of the year for both teams, the wet and windy conditions contributed to [...]

Article link: Brumbies easily account for Force in trial. Written by AAP, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

Goose’s Super Rugby up-and-comer XV for 2012

The Crowd — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 16:57:08 +0000

Do you smell that? Freshly painted field lines, Dencorub burning flesh, and what can only be described as the scent of fear wafting from our southern hemisphere neighbours. It’s Super Rugby season. This is my favourite time of year. The formalisation of squads, the trial matches held in towns and cities that don’t have the [...]

Article link: Goose’s Super Rugby up-and-comer XV for 2012. Written by The Crowd, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

What does the future hold for the Six Nations

SAMURAI — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 21:03:45 +0000

The 2012 Six Nations starts today with France taking on Italy at the iconic Stade de France in Paris to kick-off the annual rugby union championship involving six rugby powerhouses of Europe. For five weeks, international rugby rules over the hectic club rugby season as passionate fans proudly display their nationalism and witness the clashes [...]

Article link: What does the future hold for the Six Nations. Written by SAMURAI, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

Rebels trounced by Chiefs in Super Rugby trial

Melissa Woods — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:01:20 +0000

Wallabies fullback Kurtley Beale showed flashes of brilliance in an otherwise lacklustre performance by the Melbourne Rebels in their first Super Rugby trial against the Chiefs in Geelong on Friday night. The Waikato side cruised to a six-try 36-0 romp at Simonds Stadium, building on a 17-0 halftime lead with the match played over four [...]

Article link: Rebels trounced by Chiefs in Super Rugby trial. Written by Melissa Woods, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

Australia bomb out at Wellington sevens

AAP — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:58:41 +0000

Australia’s sevens team have been thrashed by Kenya during a forgettable opening day of the IRB World Series event in Wellington. The Michael O’Connor-coached side were fancied to easily progress to Saturday’s quarter-finals when they were drawn in Pool D with Canada, Kenya and France, but never recovered after being stunned 35-10 by the Africans [...]

Article link: Australia bomb out at Wellington sevens. Written by AAP, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

Three on debut for England in Six Nations

Julian Guyer — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:00:48 +0000

Saracens centres Owen Farrell and Brad Barritt are set to make their England debuts against Scotland in the Six Nations Championship opener at Murrayfield on Saturday. England interim coach Stuart Lancaster named three uncapped players in his starting side on Thursday, with Phil Dowson selected at No.8 in an inexperienced team as the side look [...]

Article link: Three on debut for England in Six Nations. Written by Julian Guyer, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

Ireland, Wales in Six Nations opener

AP — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 17:58:01 +0000

Just one weekend of Six Nations action could demonstrate whether Ireland or Wales is best placed to challenge for the title, if France is stronger now the players are talking to their coach, and whether the promise of an inexperienced England squad can yield instant results. Ireland and Wales go head-to-head in Dublin on Sunday [...]

Article link: Ireland, Wales in Six Nations opener. Written by AP, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

2012 preview: Super Rugby, average rugby, and all in between

Elisha Pearce — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 17:21:20 +0000

Welcome to 2012! In case you’ve been living under a rock and missed all the New Year’s signs, the Australian Test team is dominating, just like recent years. Wait, we haven’t been good in a while you say? Well, like years gone by, then. Then there is always the constant, relentless and brutal Australian sunshine [...]

Article link: 2012 preview: Super Rugby, average rugby, and all in between. Written by Elisha Pearce, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion