rugby
SportAustralian Associated PressEddie Jones targets a golden era for the Wallabies
It might be his second coming as Wallabies coach but Eddie Jones insists he should not be treated as the messiah as he sets his sights on resurrecting a golden era for rugby union in Australia.If they can take down New Zealand along the way, then so much the better.
SportAustralian Associated PressReds bolster pack with Fijian recruit Peni Ravai
France-based Fijian prop Peni Ravai has joined the Queensland Reds as the Super Rugby Pacific club attempts to plug the gap left by the injured Taniela Tupou.The two-time World Cup forward has played 36 Tests for Fiji and has plied his trade in the first and second divisions in France since 2016, most recently for Top 14 outfit Clermont.
SportAustralian Associated PressNew Zealand win double at Sydney Sevens
New Zealand have produced powerhouse performances to win both sections of the Sydney Sevens, as Australia's teams lost ground to some of their rivals.The Kiwi men avenged a 17-14 pool loss to South Africa by smashing the injury-hit Blitzboks 38-0 in the final at Allianz Stadium.
SportAustralian Associated PressRebels fall to Fiji in Super Rugby trial
Melbourne have opened their Super Rugby pre-season campaign with a disappointing 24-0 loss to Fijian Drua.The Rebels travelled to Fiji for the first time but left empty-handed, unable to turn a swag of possession into any points.
SportAustralian Associated PressFrance's men beat Australia in Sevens QFs
France have broken Australia's hearts in the Sydney Sevens with narrow men's and women's quarter final wins over the host nation at Allianz Stadium.While Australia completed three-match pool clean sweeps in both sections, they found it hard to score against the French.
SportAustralian Associated PressProp Nemer banned for rotten banana gift
Italy prop Ivan Nemer has been suspended until June 30 for giving Benetton teammate Cherif Traore a rotten banana during the club's Secret Santa gift exchange.The Italian Rugby Federation said the sanction was imposed on the 11-times capped Nemer by the Federal Court and was in compliance with both its own regulations and World Rugby Rule 18.
SportAustralian Associated PressWorld Rugby concerned about tackle turmoil
World Rugby CEO Alan Gilpin says laws lowering tackle height in the professional game are not inevitable but more consultation is necessary to avoid the firestorm the issue has generated in England.The newly formed Community Clubs Union in England is looking at mustering enough support to force an extraordinary general meeting of the Rugby Football Union (RFU) and trigger a vote of no confidence in the board and its chief executive Bill Sweeney.
NewsAustralian Associated PressMore French rugby turmoil, Laporte resigns
French rugby has been thrown into further turmoil just over seven months before hosting the World Cup with Bernard Laporte resigning as president of the French rugby federation (FFR) amid legal trouble."I can confirm Bernard Laporte's resignation.
SportAustralian Associated PressWorld's top two favoured in Six Nations
The form guide leaves little doubt that Ireland and France should be the dominant forces in this season's Six Nations Championship.While considerable fascination surrounds England under their new head coach Steve Borthwick and Wales with Warren Gatland back in charge, everything points to the leading teams in 2022 taking charge again.
SportAustralian Associated PressAussies unbeaten at Sydney Sevens
Maddison Levi bagged four tries as Australia's women rounded off a good opening day for the host nation in rugby's Sydney Sevens by smashing Spain 46-0.The emphatic victory followed a 28-12 victory over Brazil earlier on Friday and secured a quarter-final berth.
SportAustralian Associated PressAussie, NZ women name 7s rivalry as No.1
Australia and New Zealand have declared their women's sevens rivalry the most competitive in world rugby ahead of the weekend's Sydney series.New Zealand reclaimed top spot in the world series with a win last weekend at home, as Australia failed to progress to a tournament final for the first time this season.
SportAustralian Associated PressSevens captain hopes to help Jones' raid
Australia's stand-in rugby sevens captain Henry Hutchison hopes his format of the game can help Eddie Jones lure the NRL's best young talent with the temptation of Olympic gold.Jones has made no secret of his desire to poach from rugby league since last week's return as Wallabies coach, with Joseph Suaalii expected to be the chief target.
SportAustralian Associated PressCoach Rennie will land on his feet: Carter
Dan Carter is backing ousted Wallabies mentor Dave Rennie to land on his feet and coach again at international level after being abruptly sacked by Rugby Australia.With the World Cup looming, the All Blacks great expects Rennie's successor Eddie Jones will harness the emotions of Test rugby to revitalise the faltering Wallabies.
SportAustralian Associated PressCaslick re-signs with rugby sevens
Charlotte Caslick appears lost to NRLW after signing a four-year contract extension with the Australian rugby sevens team that she believes will last her through to retirement.And after years of the NRLW cherrypicking the best players from the seven-woman code, Australia coach Tim Walsh is leaving the door open for female rugby league stars, who are continuing to be frozen out by the league's CBA dramas.
SportAustralian Associated PressJones' rugby return adds spice: Larkham
Stephen Larkham expects players will be desirably on edge and uncomfortable attempting to impress incoming Wallabies coach Eddie Jones.The former Wallabies five-eighth and returning ACT Brumbies coach had advocated for Dave Rennie's retention.
SportAustralian Associated PressAustralian women snare rugby sevens bronze
New Zealand have knocked Australia's women off top spot in the World Rugby Sevens Series rankings after winning gold in Hamilton.Australia were upset 10-7 by the United States in the semi-final before beating Ireland 33-17 to claim bronze.
SportAustralian Associated PressAussie sides reach Hamilton 7s quarters
Australia's rugby sevens sides have both booked their tickets to the quarter-finals of the series event in Hamilton.Tim Walsh's women returned to winning ways after losing the final in Cape Town to New Zealand last month.
SportAustralian Associated PressWallabies boss Jones keeps eye on Japan
New Wallabies coach Eddie Jones might be an adviser for Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath but his attention is likely to wander elsewhere during the Japan Rugby League One campaign.Jones could be forgiven for having half an eye on his club's arch rival Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights and their star winger Marika Koroibete when round five of Japan's top-flight season kicks off on Saturday.
SportAustralian Associated PressJones mulls options for Wallabies No.10
Eddie Jones has dropped his first selection hints in the wide-open race to wear the Wallabies' No.10 in France and it doesn't bode well for Quade Cooper.
SportAustralian Associated PressIreland name strong Six Nations squad
Ireland have named a near full-strength squad for the Six Nations with just one uncapped player among the 37 selected for the February 4 opener in Wales.Captain Johnny Sexton was included on Thursday as expected as he bids to return to fitness, while the only surprise in Andy Farrell's selection was the omission of Joey Carbery - Sexton's usual understudy at five-eighth - with his Munster teammate Jack Crowley and Leinster's Ross Byrne included.
SportAustralian Associated PressEddie upbeat for 'intriguing' World Cup
Eddie Jones admits the Wallabies are in the chasing pack but still close enough to catch the favourites and win September's Rugby World Cup.Jones, after a 15-minute technical glitch, gave his first wide-ranging interview from England on Thursday after his shock appointment on Monday.
SportAustralian Associated PressDave Rennie responds to Wallabies axing
Dave Rennie thought the Wallabies made large strides during his three years in charge and believed he had the support of players and staff before his sudden axing.The New Zealander released a statement on Wednesday, his first public comments since Eddie Jones replaced him in a shock coaching switch ahead of September's Rugby World Cup.
SportAustralian Associated PressJones confident of masterminding Cup glory
Bob Dwyer's words are ringing in Eddie Jones' ears ahead of his arrival in Australia, just seven months before he'll take the Wallabies to the Rugby World Cup."I think we've got plenty of time," Jones said on Nine's Today Show after Monday's shock announcement of his return to coach Australia, at Dave Rennie's expense.
SportAustralian Associated PressRennie sacked, Jones new Wallabies coach
Eddie Jones' shock Wallabies return has the coach on a World Cup quarter-final collision course with his former side England, or old sparring partner Michael Cheika's Argentina.Either match-up would be one Jones and Rugby Australia relish, with chairman Hamish McLennan declaring Australia can win the tournament in France from September after confirming Dave Rennie's immediate departure on Monday.
