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Continue reading...Great blasts ‘clueless’ Wallabies coach as forgotten man handed recall for Springboks opener
Veteran fly-half James O’Connor has been recalled by Australia for a 2025 Rugby Championship opener against title-holders South Africa in Johannesburg on Saturday.
Louis Rees-Zammit signs for Bristol to complete return to rugby from NFL
Winger left sport to go to US in January 2024
Player says Bristol was ‘the obvious choice’
Louis Rees-Zammit has sealed his return to rugby from American football after signing for Bristol. The 24-year-old, who has been capped 32 times by Wales, announced in January 2024 that he was quitting rugby to join the NFL’s international player pathway program. He signed for the Kansas City Chiefs and then the Jacksonville Jaguars, but failed to make a breakthrough and has opted to return to his roots.
Rees-Zammit said on the club website: “Bristol Bears was the obvious choice for me. I want to get fans out of their seats, create exciting moments and help people fall in love with the game. I’m excited to return to rugby at a club that demands those values.”
Continue reading...Wallabies and Springboks in identity swap for clash amid thin air of Highveld | Daniel Gallan
The frenemies meet in this year’s Rugby Championship opener at Ellis Park where they are expected to rip pages out of the other’s playbook
One team boasts some of the most menacing forwards found anywhere in the world. The other is developing a scintillating backline capable of tearing apart any defence. Business as usual, then, for a Wallabies versus Springboks clash. Except this time, like the characters of Freaky Friday, the two sides have switched identities ahead of the first round of the Rugby Championship.
Australia might have lost the British & Irish Lions series but they were one referee’s decision at the breakdown away from causing a seismic upset. That the margin was so small was thanks largely to the thundering cameos of Will Skelton, Rob Valetini, Taniela Tupou and a handful of other meaty men who provided the front-foot grunt that was absent in the first Test in Brisbane.
Continue reading...Wallabies recall veteran James O’Connor at No 10 for South Africa showdown
Return for 35-year-old after three-year absence
Blow as Ben Donaldson ruled out of Johannesburg clash
Veteran James O’Connor has been called on to take on the playmaking duties as the Wallabies seek to build on the impetus of their third Test win over the Lions with a rare victory in South Africa at the start of the Rugby Championship.
But a plan for the 35-year-old O’Connor, back in the green and gold after three years, to share the No 10 role has had to be shelved after Ben Donaldson went down injured in training on Thursday.
Continue reading...Injured Sevens star Charlotte Caslick replaced in Australia’s Women’s Rugby World Cup squad
Sevens queen Charlotte Caslick’s Women’s Rugby World Cup dream is over after she was replaced in the Wallaroos squad by Manu’a Moleka.
Sports quiz of the week: heroes, villains, outcasts, legends and local rivals
Have you been paying attention to the football, cricket, cycling, rugby, golf, baseball and basketball?
Continue reading...‘The dog ate my passport’: All Blacks rookie sorts pet’s mess to rescue debut
Leroy Carter sorts shock call-up for Rugby Championship
Canine chewed passport he needed for Argentina trip
Leroy Carter was still coming to terms with his inclusion in the All Blacks squad to play in Argentina in the opening rounds of the Rugby Championship when he made the shocking discovery. “The dog ate my passport.”
The utility back with the Hamilton-based Chiefs was one of four uncapped players included in Scott Robertson’s Championship squad. The phone call from Robertson informing him of his selection had come as a massive surprise.
Continue reading...Star answers SOS in rapid retirement backflip as Wallabies make big call on O’Connor
Veteran scrumhalf Nic White’s international rugby retirement has been short-lived after answering an SOS to join an injury-hit Wallabies squad for the upcoming tour of South Africa after playmaker Jake Gordon was made unavailable.
‘Utter rubbish’: Lions coach bristles at journo’s question after phone act caught on camera
British and Irish Lions coach Andy Farrell has rubbished accusations of complacency following Saturday’s rain-affected series finale against the Wallabies in Sydney.
Lions star cited for ‘dangerous’ act as Wallabies overcome lightning chaos in gritty win
A fearless Australia stunned the British and Irish Lions 22-12 in a chaotic third Test interrupted by lightning Saturday to deny them a series whitewash in a huge confidence-boost for Joe Schmidt’s side.
Australia 22-12 British & Irish Lions: third Test player ratings
Nic White bows out in style to help Wallabies tame Lions while Bundee Aki flounders in torrential Sydney rain
Tom Wright Another confident outing from a quality operator throughout the series. Joined the attack well and his kicks from hand regularly created territorial advantage. 7
Continue reading...Australia beat British & Irish Lions 22-12 in third Test after weather delay – as it happened
The Lions’ quest to complete an unbeaten tour failed at the final hurdle as the hosts registered a stormy victory
The match is underway after Nic White boots it deep into Lions territory.
The teams are out, slightly behind schedule, we await the Australia anthem and then a ball will be kicked to commence proceedings.
Continue reading...Wallabies desperate to avoid dreaded whitewash after ‘one of the tougher weeks’
The time for feeling sorry for themselves about their series-defining loss to the British and Irish Lions is over for the Wallabies, who are desperate to produce a performance that Australia can be “proud” of in Sydney on Saturday night.
Sports quiz of the week: champions of Europe, Africa and the world
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