Wulf and Kaino injuries rock Blues

Updated March 03, 2012 14:38:53

Standout back Rudi Wulf and All Blacks loose forward Jerome Kaino will miss the Blues' two-match Super Rugby trip to South Africa.

The pair were injured in Friday's 29-14 loss to the Chiefs in Hamilton. Wulf suffered a grade two AC joint shoulder injury and is expected to be out of action for up to four weeks.

Kaino has some instability in his left shoulder and has been ruled out of next week's clash against the Bulls in Pretoria.

However, his injury will be monitored and he could fly to South Africa later next week in preparation for the Stormers match in Cape Town on March 17.

Blues coach Pat Lam conceded it was a big blow to lose two players of Wulf and Kaino's calibre, but said his side had the resolve to bounce back.

"It's a big blow but that's just the nature of the game," Lam said.

"Obviously our game was disappointing, particularly in the first half and it's a blow for us to lose Wulf and Kaino, but every team is going to have to deal with injuries and we're no different.

"We've just got to trust the squad, get over there, re-group and bounce back. We know a lot of people are disappointed but we're the ones to sort this out."

Peter Saili will join the squad travelling to South Africa as loose forward cover but no one will replace Wulf, as the Blues leave a spot open for Kaino should he recover in time to face the Stormers.

Charlie Faumuina has recovered from a knee injury and will be fit to play the Bulls.

AAP

Tags: sport, rugby-union, super-rugby, new-zealand

First posted March 03, 2012 14:38:53

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Bill McLaren - His Autobiography

SANZAR reserves judgment on Byrnes' ban

Updated March 14, 2012 11:57:09

Melbourne Rebels face an anxious wait for the outcome of Adam Byrnes' appeal against his 10-week Super Rugby ban, with the SANZAR appeals committee reserving its decision.

The Rebels put forward their case, including both oral and video evidence, in a five-hour video conference hearing on Tuesday night.

Byrnes was rubbed out for 10 weeks after the initial judiciary hearing 10 days ago found him guilty of making contact with an opponent's eye during the Rebels' 35-19 loss to New South Wales in round two.

The appeals committee chaired by Nicholas Davidson QC reserved its decision and indicated it may not be released for several days.

AAP

Tags: rugby-union, super-rugby, sport, melbourne-3000

First posted March 14, 2012 10:06:52

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How to Succeed - Life Lessons From Sports

Reds aim to be Super without Cooper

Updated February 23, 2012 22:19:48

Super Rugby's swashbuckleing Queensland Reds have two major hurdles to overcome to successfully defend their title - an injured Quade Cooper and being in their rivals' crosshairs.

As good as the Reds (15-3) were in taking the competition by storm in 2011, they effectively flew under the radar as most attention was on the Crusaders, Blues and Stormers.

This year, Queensland will turn from hunter into the hunted.

And it must cope with the pressure without enigmatic five-eighth Cooper, who equally bewildered defenders with his mesmerising play and reliably carried out calculated, field-position game plans when the need arose last year.

Cooper's post-World Cup knee reconstruction will sideline him until April and a round seven clash with the Brumbies.

Mike Harris and Ben Lucas are auditioning for the playmaking hot seat and while the critics believe the Reds Will not be as dangerous without Cooper, the Wallabies five-eighth warned that his replacement would slot in and effectively steer the ship.

"It's not about being more dangerous or less dangerous," Cooper said.

"It's about the team gelling and both players have really stepped up and are ready to go.

"It's very exciting times and we know that people are going to be hunting us.

"Now we've won the title we're not just going to slip under the radar and catch teams off guard."

But the youthful Reds are one year more experienced, look even stronger on paper and do have a helpful advantage in the timing of Cooper's return.

Opponents would have furiously studied Queensland's successful game plans in the off-season but will not know how much it will change with either Harris or Lucas wearing number 10.

Then by the time the 2012 strategy fully emerges, Cooper will be fit and ready to go to call the shots through April and May.

There is no shortage of star power while he is away, thanks to 16 fit Test players led by Wallabies skipper James Horwill and inspirational half-back Will Genia.

On top of transforming the former cellar-dwellers, coach Ewen McKenzie has done a highly-admirable job of keeping his championship-winning squad together.

He did not lose anyone he wanted to keep and showed the desire for a Reds dynasty within Ballymore by enticing crowd-pleasing winger Digby Ioane to knock back a $1 million-a-season deal in Japan and re-sign for three more years.

Competition for positions is intense, shown by the hunger of fringe players like outside back Luke Morahan and back-rower Jake Schatz to nail starting places, while teenager Liam Gill will push number seven Beau Robinson all the way.

AAP

Tags: super-rugby, rugby-union, sport, australia

First posted February 23, 2012 17:05:49

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Rebels still searching for win

Updated March 13, 2012 20:53:17

The Melbourne Rebels are not patting themselves on the back about their rousing performance against Super Rugby champions Queensland, saying they will not settle on anything but a win.

The Rebels were roundly applauded for a gutsy 11-6 round two loss to the Reds, pushing the competition pace-setters until the final hooter.

While happy with his team's improvement, Melbourne coach Damien Hill said it still was not a much-needed victory for last year's wooden-spooners.

"There's a lot of things in the game we should take confidence out of ... but I don't know whether it will be a springboard for the season," Hill said.

"I think the springboard might come when we get the first win and, until that occurs, we need to strive to get better."

The Rebels' biggest weakness - their defence - became an asset against the Reds thanks to some tireless efforts from locks Luke Jones and Hugh Pyle and flanker Tom Chamberlain.

Wallabies full-back Kurtley Beale, making his Rebels debut, also pulled off some try-saving tackles.

Last year, the Rebels were consistently inconsistent; a trait they hoped to shed in their second year.

"You can't afford to come close one week and then take your foot off the pedal. You need to look at what let us down the week before and make sure you put in a better performance," Hill said.

He said they would need to improve their attack to topple the Cheetahs, who they host at AAMI Park on Sunday afternoon.

Meanwhile, the club seems resigned to losing their mercurial English import Danny Cipriani, who is set to announce his playing future.

Cipriani tweeted this week that he is close to confirming his plans.

He has spoken of his desire to return to Test rugby, with the current policy that English players must play in the country to be eligible for the national team.

The former England five-eighth reportedly last month signed a three-year deal with Sale Sharks, however the Rebels then said they knew nothing of his plans.

Hill said he could not confirm anything.

"A player of his calibre will be in demand and one thing that's always been very clear from day one is that Danny's ambition is to play in the English team," he said.

AAP

Tags: sport, rugby-union, super-rugby, melbourne-3000, vic, australia

First posted March 13, 2012 20:52:16

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Rebels prepare to appeal Byrnes' ban

Updated March 08, 2012 16:55:35

Promising young Melbourne Rebels flanker Luke Jones could find himself switched to the second row to match the might of Wallabies duo James Horwill and Rob Simmons in their Super Rugby match with Queensland on Saturday night.

Jones is a front runner to replace Adam Byrnes, who was rubbed out for 10 weeks by SANZAR for eye-gouging New South Wales centre Tom Carter in the Waratahs' 35-19 round two win at AAMI Park last Friday night.

The Rebels are appealing the verdict and are awaiting documentation from SANZAR judicial officer Paul Tully detailing the reasons for his findings.

They have 48 hours to then lodge their appeal, with the Melbourne franchise reluctant to make any further comment until the outcome is known.

If unsuccessful, Byrnes will not be allowed to play until round 13 of the competition when the Rebels take on Western Force on May 20 in Perth.

Regardless of the appeal, the Russian World Cup representative could miss facing the champions in Brisbane due to a shoulder injury.

Jones played at blindside flanker against the Waratahs but could move to the second row with former rugby league player Jarrod Saffy expected to be fit to face the unbeaten Reds.

The hard-working Saffy was a late withdrawal from a bench role against the Waratahs with a quadriceps twinge.

Jones, 20, has represented Australia at the junior world championships as a lock and would give the Rebels plenty of mobility in the position, playing alongside the impressive Hugh Pyle.

Jones was signed by the Force as a schoolboy and went on to play two Super Rugby matches off the bench there before moving to Melbourne.

The Rebels could also call on the experience of battle-hardened lock Al Campbell, who came off the bench against the Waratahs.

In some much-needed good news for the Rebels, Wallabies full-back Kurtley Beale is set to play against the Reds after missing their opening match due to his ongoing hamstring problems.

The Rebels desperately missed his attacking zeal against the Waratahs, only managing a penalty try in their points haul.

Regular skipper Stirling Mortlock is still sidelined with his calf problem.

AAP

Tags: super-rugby, rugby-union, sport, melbourne-3000, vic, australia

First posted March 05, 2012 16:23:11

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Winger Vuna smiling despite Rebels loss

Updated March 03, 2012 10:36:17

Melbourne may have started its Super Rugby season with a loss to New South Wales but it was a victory of sorts for Rebels winger Cooper Vuna.

The Rebels lost 35-19 to the Waratahs at AAMI Park and were disappointing in a first-half display of a spiteful match, missing almost 30 tackles.

Despite the inclusion of Wallaby back James O'Connor, they also did not manage to get across the tryline except for a penalty try in the second half.

O'Connor contributed the rest of the team's points with his boot.

But Vuna could still manage a smile after the match, happy that he had done his best in an outclassed outfit in which he had few attacking opportunities.

Last year the explosive league convert came under fire as a defensive liability, but against New South Wales he showed how much work he had done, including losing seven kilos in the off-season.

New South Wales centre Tom Carter got past him to score the Waratahs' opening try but Vuna was not the only guilty party.

The 24-year-old felt he had come a long way since his rugby debut after switching codes from the Newcastle Knights.

He attributed much of his improvement to defence guru John Muggleton, who had great success with the Wallabies.

"He's probably one of the best defensive coaches I've ever had and he's helped me a lot and it's paying off," Vuna said.

"Last year I was more of a league winger, flying out of the line trying to sniper someone.

"But this year, with the help of (Mark) Gerrard, Kurtley (Beale) and James O'Connor, I'm learning off all them."

The Rebels will wait to hear from the citing commissioner after they received a white card from Bryce Lawrence following a complaint by Carter that he was eye-gouged by lock Adam Byrnes midway through the first half.

While coach Damien Hill said he did not see the incident, stand-in skipper Gareth Delve did not believe there was any intent.

"It certainly isn't the type of thing I've known Byrnesy to even consider doing," Delve said.

The task does not get much easier for the Rebels, who take on the champion Queensland Reds in Brisbane next round.

Hill was happy with his side's improved second-half performance and made special mention of his forwards.

"I think the forwards' display impressed me the most.

"We have been working very hard on our set piece and I thought our scrum, our lineout in attack and defence was outstanding and something that we can really take some positives out of."

AAP

Tags: sport, rugby-union, super-rugby, melbourne-3000, vic, australia

First posted March 03, 2012 10:36:17

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Reds rake likely to miss 'Tahs clash

Updated February 21, 2012 18:27:53

Queensland hooker Saia Faingaa is set to miss Saturday night's season-opening Super Rugby grudge match with New South Wales due to an ankle injury.

Faingaa failed to train with the Reds on Monday afternoon at Ballymore with understudy James Hanson now poised to go head-to-head with Wallabies rake Tatafu Polota-Nau.

Coach Ewen McKenzie wanted all his players to train at 100 per cent in the first session of the week to prove their readiness for the brutal interstate battle expected at ANZ Stadium.

The fact Faingaa, who strained ankle ligaments in the Cairns trial against the Brumbies on February 11, failed to take the field is a clear sign the 16-Test hooker must bide his time.

Hanson started just two matches in the Reds' charge to the 2011 title but his impact off the bench impressed Wallabies coach Robbie Deans who included the 23-year-old in his initial 40-man Test squad.

Faingaa's blow would also give versatile prop-hooker Albert Anae a chance to make just his second Super Rugby appearance from the bench.

Fellow Test forward Scott Higginbotham shrugged off a back complaint to train on Monday and is well in the mix to start despite failing to play in the Reds' two trial wins over the Brumbies (27-20) and Western Force

AAP

Tags: super-14, rugby-union, sport, qld

First posted February 20, 2012 20:44:32

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Tahs plan to keep Beale on leash

Updated February 27, 2012 19:02:56

New South Wales may have let Wallabies star Kurtley Beale slip away to the Rebels but it plans to make sure he has no room to move in their Super Rugby clash on Friday night.

Beale left Sydney for Melbourne and, if he overcomes a persistent hamstring problem, will run out for his first game at AAMI Park against his old team.

Rebels skipper Stirling Mortlock on Monday confirmed he would miss the match due to a troublesome calf injury and he could be sidelined for their next few games.

"It's pretty tough because I'd like nothing more than to play in our first game, and in particular our first home game," the 34-year-old outside centre said.

"Having said that I'm really impressed with our preparation."

Mortlock said full-back Beale had run freely at their training session, with the team to be named on Wednesday.

"At this stage it's still touch and go but he ran really well so fingers crossed," said Mortlock.

"With muscle strains you can't push them too much but he ran really well so that's pleasing for us."

Waratahs coach Michael Foley said Beale was the sort of player who could create an opportunity out of nothing and his side needed to work to contain him.

"Whenever Kurtley plays there's going to be some tackles that he breaks and I think as a team we've got to scramble those situations," Foley said.

"We want to defend well in the first instance, but also accept the fact that Kurtley is pretty good at finding holes and we've just got to be good at covering them."

While the Rebels had the first-round bye, the Waratahs were pipped 25-21 by Queensland, the Super champion stealing the game with a try after the siren.

New South Wales hopes to have Berrick Barnes back in the line-up after recovering from a groin injury, the Test star to be assessed on Tuesday.

"Berrick has had a rehab run out there today and I didn't watch that too closely but I'm led to believe he got through that OK," Foley said.

Skipper Rocky Elsom, who did not play because of injury, said his team-mates were ready to move on.

"I think we did a lot of things really well and when you don't get a result when you do things really well, sometimes it makes you a bit disheartened, so we certainly don't want that," Elsom said.

"It was disappointing we didn't get away with a win so you can't get past that.

"By the same token they are mature enough to focus on the Rebels now."

Meanwhile, the Rebels are assisting police with an investigation into a car accident involving a player, who they have not named.

The club said there were no injuries.

"We are aware of a minor traffic incident on Friday involving a Rebels player," a club spokesman said.

"The club is currently assisting Victoria Police with its investigation and has no further comment to make at this time."

AAP

Tags: super-rugby, rugby-union, sport, nsw, melbourne-3000

First posted February 27, 2012 19:02:56

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Wales secures Triple Crown

Updated February 26, 2012 15:36:02

Wales snatched a dramatic 19-12 win over England to win the Triple Crown and keep its hopes of a Six Nations Grand Slam alive at Twickenham.

The match was all square at 12-12 with five minutes left when Wales replacement Scott Williams stole the ball in the tackle from Courtney Lawes from some 50 metres out and hacked downfield before regathering for the only try of the match.

Leigh Halfpenny converted and Wales, which had been down to 14 men after five-eighth Rhys Priestland was sin-binned, was seven points clear.

England, though, hit back with virtually the last move of the match as wing David Strettle went over in the corner, but he was held up in the tackle by Wales centre Jonathan Davies.

Scottish video referee Iain Ramage prolonged the agony of a crowd of more than 81,000 with several minutes' study before deciding no try had been scored and Wales had just its second win at Twickenham since 1988.

And it meant England, which like Wales came into this match on the back of two wins, had suffered its first defeat under acting coach Stuart Lancaster.

The English had been six points in front early in the second half on the back of four penalties from Owen Farrell, but Wales kept pace with four of its own from full-back Halfpenny.

Lancaster made the bold decision to start 20-year-old Farrell, playing only his third Test, at number 10 in an international for the first time after Charlie Hodgson was ruled out with a finger injury.

Wales nearly had a try as early as the second minute when, after winning clean line-out ball, half-back Mike Phillips' inside pass sent George North clear.

But the teenage flyer's surge to the line was halted by a last-ditch tap-tackle from Strettle.

Farrell gave England the lead with a 23rd-minute penalty.

But from the ensuing kick-off, England infringed and Halfpenny, having missed first time, was on target to make it 3-3.

Fit-again Manu Tuilagi, filling the hole left by Farrell's move from centre to five-eighth, gave England a physical presence in midfield it had so far lacked this tournament.

It needed a brilliant tackle from Wales captain Sam Warburton to deny the Samoa-born powerhouse a try.

Wales was offside though and Farrell knocked over a simple penalty to make it 6-3 before Halfpenny levelled the match at 6-6.

Farrell then made light of a tricky penalty from wide on the left to give England a 9-6 half-time lead.

England's two previous tries this tournament, one each in wins over Scotland and Italy, had been scored by Hodgson charging down.

And it nearly had a third when Mouritz Botha blocked Priestland's kick early in the second half.

No try resulted this time but Priestland then went offside and was yellow-carded by referee Steve Walsh.

Farrell made it four penalties out of four and England was six points up at 12-6 with Wales a man down.

But a huge hit by Wales centre Jonathan Davies on Farrell turned an England attack into defence and Halfpenny's third penalty cut the lead to 12-9.

Farrell then missed his first penalty from five attempts and, with 17 minutes left, England was still just three points in front.

Lancaster took off Farrell with 14 minutes and brought on the experienced Toby Flood, as England looked to close out the match.

Wales then missed a great try-scoring chance when Scott Williams did not pass with two men outside him.

But Halfpenny tied the match with 10 minutes left and Williams then atoned in dramatic fashion.

Wales: 19 (S Williams try; L Halfpenny con, 4 pens)

England: 12 (O Farrell 4 pens)

AFP

Tags: rugby-union, sport, england, wales, united-kingdom

First posted February 26, 2012 15:06:41

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Reds battle to hold off Rebels

Updated March 11, 2012 01:31:09

The Melbourne Rebels produced the best defensive performance of their short history but still could not topple the Queensland Reds in a torrid Super Rugby dogfight on Saturday night.

The competition's 2011 wooden-spooners delivered a major fright to the defending champions before the Reds wriggled free with an 11-6 victory.

Kurtley Beale's Rebels debut never hit any great heights for either side but the gutsy effort and tenacious defence of the visitors will please coach Damien Hill and defensive guru John Muggleton.

It was a sole 55th-minute try by winger Dom Shipperley which decided the match as Queensland overcame its first-half woes to control play after the break and take a 3-0 record into its two-match trip to South Africa.

The Rebels were awarded a penalty in front of the posts with three minutes left and went for a try but once again lost a crucial line-out which allowed Beau Robinson to hack the ball clear.

Coming off last season's dreadful tackling record, when they conceded an average four tries a game, as well as last week's disappointing 35-19 loss to New South Wales, Hill was extremely proud of the defensive effort and no-holds-barred effort at the fiercely-contested breakdown.

"We definitely stepped up," he said.

"We only conceded three missed tackles in the first 30 minutes and as a result we had 70 per cent of possession but we didn't turn it into any points."

Queensland's gritty win gives them 15 from its past 16 home games and also equals its best-ever start to a Super season, dating back to 1999.

"I thought the Rebels were quite industrious and it was a typical derby-type game with plenty of aggressive action," Reds coach Ewen McKenzie said.

"Both teams were good at getting stuck into each other and we were quite pleased to come out of the game without any injuries and a four-point haul."

McKenzie praised his bench for their second-half impact, highlighting the efforts of veteran lock Van Humphries, along with Ben Lucas and Robinson.

Set to fly out for South Africa early on Sunday morning, Queensland added front rower Albert Anae, back rower Ed Quirk, half-back Nick Frisby and utility back Dallan Murphy to their 26-man tour squad.

The Rebels dominated in both the possession (50-29 rucks and mauls) and field-position stakes and the ill-disciplined home side allowed James O'Connor to kick his side to a deserving 6-0 lead after 32 minutes.

They also lowered the colours of the Queensland scrum with a tight-head and constant pressure at the set-piece in the first half.

It was only just before half-time when radar-boot Mike Harris, who earlier missed with a 45 metre attempt to end his record streak at 24, put the Reds on the board following their own scrum penalty.

The injection of reserve Lucas into five-eighth, moving Harris to inside centre, with half an hour to go did plenty to spark the home side's attack and it was not long after when Shipperley crossed for his try.

Reds skipper and stand-out forward James Horwill stole a line-out on the line before the Rebels stout defence finally broke when Will Genia looped a wide pass to the unmarked winger in the right corner.

Harris missed the conversion but did slot a penalty eight minutes later - after Genia twice unsuccessfully took quick taps near the line instead of shooting for goal - for an 11-6 lead.

Beale, who was kept relatively quiet, looked on course to produce a heroic match-winning debut when he chased down a late dangerous kick into the Reds' 22 but replacement flanker Robinson somehow saved the day.

Like Lucas, Robinson was a key contributor in the dying stages as he worked in tandem with teenage ball scavenger Liam Gill.

Reds: 11 (D Shipperly try; M Harris 2/4 pens; 0/1 conv)

Rebels: 6 (J O'Connor 2/4 pens)

AAP

Tags: super-rugby, rugby-union, sport, qld, melbourne-3000

First posted March 10, 2012 22:03:39

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Reds superboot Harris on record pace

Updated March 04, 2012 20:01:35

Sharp-shooter Mike Harris has fired Queensland to its best Super Rugby start in 13 years and ensured Quade Cooper can no longer expect to regain the goal kicking duties he relishes.

Five-eighth Harris kicked a Reds record-equalling nine goals in Saturday night's 35-20 victory over Western Force at Lang Park, taking his overall competition tally to an amazing 24 from 24 attempts over the past two seasons.

The New Zealander's flawless record contains 16 accurate kicks in two matches this season, a significant factor in the Reds posting two straight-up wins for the first time since 1999.

Wallabies playmaker Cooper loves goal kicking and was the competition's leading point scorer as the Reds took the 2011 crown with 228 points.

But his 74 goals (43 penalties and 31 conversions) came at 68 per cent.

Reds coach Ewen McKenzie will be unable to ignore Harris' radar-boot when Cooper reclaims his number 10 jersey next month in his comeback from a knee reconstruction.

McKenzie denies he is looked that far ahead yet noted the robust 23-year-old's versatility will allow him to remain a starter at either inside centre or full-back.

"I think they're some phenomenal statistics," McKenzie said. "It's going to be a plus for us.

"But I don't worry about those things. We'll worry about that when it becomes a problem but at the moment it's not a problem we have."

Harris, who slotted two from the sideline in the wet against the Force, also kicked 10 from 11 in trials for the Reds.

With referees strictly policing the ruck in the opening weeks to instil better discipline for the rest of the season, the Reds are happy to use Harris to punish rivals infringing at the breakdown.

"When he's lining them up, you pretty much stand on the 22 (waiting for the halfway restart)," Reds half-back Will Genia said.

"It's very reassuring to have a kicker like him there because you're almost guaranteed three points and you just keep building a lead and putting pressure on the scoreboard."

Overlooked by the Blues before being picked up by Queensland from New Zealand provincial team North Harbour, Harris' current tally is creeping up towards records in both rugby codes.

Bulldogs super-boot Hazem El Masri slotted 35 straight in the NRL, while Springbok Morne Steyn currently holds the Test rugby record streak of 41, breaking Scot Chris Paterson's mark of 36 in 2010.

"He's striking them well, even when he's not striking them good they're going over, it's ridiculous," Force coach Richard Graham said.

The Reds, who let through two soft second-half tries through poor one-on-one defence, do have their issues with prop Ben Daley in doubt for Saturday night's match with Melbourne Rebels due to a calf strain.

With tighthead reserve Guy Shepherdson (lower back) sidelined, McKenzie will need first-choice hooker Saia Faingaa to shake off his ankle problem for him to move Albert Anae from number two to be a back-up prop.

AAP

Tags: super-rugby, rugby-union, brisbane-4000

First posted March 04, 2012 19:54:59

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Steyn reaches 1,000 as Bulls hammer Cheetahs

Updated March 04, 2012 08:02:19

Fly half Morne Steyn became the third player to score 1,000 Super Rugby points as he converted all six of the Bulls' tries and added three penalties in their impressive 51-19 hammering of the Cheetahs on Sunday morning (AEDT).

Steyn joined Canterbury Crusaders fly half Dan Carter (1,272 points) and Australian Stirling Mortlock (1,031) as he became the first South African to reach four figures. He has now scored 1,012 points in 91 games, all for the Bulls.

The Bulls went to the top of the standings with nine points despite finishing the match with 13 men after Francois Hougaard was harshly red-carded in the 64th minute for a tip-tackle and flank Jacques Potgieter was yellow-carded for a shoulder-charge in the 78th minute.

However, such setbacks failed to stop the Bulls from charging to victory and condemning fellow South African side the Cheetahs to the bottom of the table.

Props Dean Greyling and Werner Kruger scored the first two Bulls tries from close range, while Cheetahs flyhalf Johan Goosen kept the home side in touch with his immaculate kicking ability as he scored three penalties to narrow the gap to 17-9.

The Bulls kept piling on the pressure as wing Bjorn Basson scored another try to open up a commanding 31-12 lead at half-time.

Following the interval, Akona Ndungane burst clear of the Cheetahs' defence and passed inside for full-back Zane Kirchner to score.

Steyn landed his second and third penalties to stretch the lead to 37-12 after 58 minutes.

"We're very disappointed but credit to the Bulls, tactically they were better than us and credit to their defence," Cheetahs captain Adriaan Strauss said.

"We were on their line for a while but we couldn't get through."

Hougaard was then red-carded, despite centre Robert Ebersohn twisting around in the tackle and going to ground head-first.

That interruption temporarily caught the Bulls off guard and Strauss pounced to score Cheetahs' only try.

The Bulls quickly regained control and scored two more tries in the last 10 minutes through replacement centre JJ Engelbrecht and Kirchner.

"It's easy to play well when 15 players are so willing to work hard for each other," outstanding Bulls hooker Chiliboy Ralepelle said.

"Morne Steyn is a special athlete, well done to him."

Bulls: 51 (Z Kirchner 2, D Greyling, W Kruger, B Basson, JJ Engelbrecht tries; M Steyn 6 cons; 3 pens)

Cheetahs: 19 (A Strauss try; J Goosen con; 4 pens)

Reuters

Tags: sport, rugby-union, super-rugby, south-africa

First posted March 04, 2012 07:54:15

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White cards tipped to reduce foul play

Updated February 20, 2012 18:06:37

Super Rugby referees believe the introduction of a white card this season will take pressure off them and help the game's authorities remove foul play.

The white card will allow referees to refer to a citing commissioner alleged incidents like biting and gouging that on field officials might not have seen.

"I think it will assist us in removing incidents from the game that the IRB and SANZAR are trying to remove and clean up the game in terms of foul play," referee Andrew Lees said.

"That (new system) makes it a bit clearer for the public, who in the past may not have known things are going to the citing commissioner. We're just making the the process a bit more transparent to the public eye."

Another referee, Ian Smith, did not think the white card would lead to a reduction in yellow cards that result in a 10-minute 'sin bin' for the offender.

"But it gives us another resource that we can use for an item that may not meet a red card threshold," Smith said.

Waratahs coach Michael Foley supported the introduction of the white card.

"I think anything that helps tidy up that judicial process, makes it slicker, is a good thing," he said.

"I see only positives in it."

AAP

Tags: sport, super-14, rugby-union, australia

First posted February 20, 2012 18:06:37

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Waratahs spring captaincy surprise

Updated February 23, 2012 19:27:37

Daniel Halangahu has been elevated from back-up five-eighth to Waratahs captain for Saturday night's Super Rugby opener against Queensland, and he'll most likely return to the bench for round two.

They're unusual circumstances but, for Halangahu, the last-minute reshuffling is nothing new and he says he won't be overawed against the defending premiers.

The 27-year-old is the 17th most experienced player in New South Wales rugby history yet, heading into his eighth season of Super Rugby, he's mostly lived a life of being in and out of the starting side.

Berrick Barnes was to wear the number 10 and skipper the side at the Olympic stadium but, after he failed to recover from a groin strain, Halangahu has an opportunity to show what he can do when he has total charge of the team.

Out of the blue, he's captain, chief playmaker and goalkicker and Halangahu is keen to make the most of it despite Barnes' expected return next week against the Rebels.

"I want to be playing 10 and I often joke that Berrick is the best number 12 in the country and he's a really good 15," said Halangahu.

"He's a great footballer and my role is to push him as much as I can and move him out of the 10 jersey to somewhere else.

"The last two years, I've dealt with some injury ... and it's difficult sometimes when you're not sure where your body's at and you're not sure if you are playing for your position, but that's something I'm quite used to.

"It's an honour ... as a 10, you need to run the team so having the 'c' next to your name ... it's just encouraging me to do my job better."

Halangahu said he won't be doing any ranting and raving in the sheds before the match or at halftime. He'll simply run through tactics and make sure his players are in the right mindset.

With first-choice captain Rocky Elsom sidelined with injury and Barnes out, many expected the job to fall to flanker Dean Mumm who filled in for Phil Waugh on occasion last season.

However, Waratahs coach Michael Foley said from his point of view, it was logical for Halangahu to climb the ladder all the way to captain and Wallabies prop Benn Robinson to be his deputy.

"We planned for that through pre-season. In both pre-season games, Berrick and Daniel captained the sides, so the 10s ran the teams and we had forward vice captains, and we've continued from that point on," Foley said.

"Rocky is our captain for our season and we've taken a bit of time to understand what we'll expect from our match-day captain and, with that in mind, there was obviously a chance Berrick could be replaced and, on that basis during the trials, we rehearsed both guys in that role.

"(Daniel's) job is just to call the game as he sees it and instruct the team on what he needs."

Like Barnes, Pat McCutcheon failed to recover from a niggling injury (calf) from the trials and he's been replaced by Chris Alcock.

Waratahs: Adam Ashley-Cooper, Tom Kingston, Rob Horne, Tom Carter, Brackin Karauria-Henry, Daniel Halangahu (capt), Sarel Pretorius; Wycliff Palu, Chris Alcock, Dave Dennis, Dean Mumm, Kane Douglas, Sekope Kepu, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Benn Robinson. Res: Damien Fitzpatrick, Paddy Ryan, Lopeti Timani, Jono Jenkins, Brendan McKibbin, Bernard Foley, Nathan Trist.

AAP

Tags: sport, super-rugby, rugby-union, sydney-2000, australia, nsw

First posted February 23, 2012 10:53:30

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Shepherd out of season opener

Updated February 22, 2012 17:56:40

Western Force full-back Cameron Shepherd has been ruled out of Friday night's Super Rugby match with the Brumbies in Canberra through injury.

Shepherd featured in last week's trial loss to Queensland, but was restricted to light duties this week after picking up a slight strain in his leg.

His spot in the run-on side has been taken by Alfie Mafi, with former half-back James Stannard named at five-eighth following the preseason departure of Willie Ripia.

Former skipper Nathan Sharpe has recovered from his calf complaint and will partner Toby Lynn in the second row, with regular lock Sam Wykes (hamstring) ruled out.

Marquee winger and Fijian international Napolioni Nalaga will make his Force debut, as will Lynn, prop Salesi Ma'afu and outside centre Winston Stanley.

Hooker Elvis Taione, lock Phoenix Battye, back rower Angus Cottrell, five-eighth Ben Seymour and outside back Sam Wara will also make their debuts if they are required off the bench.

Western Force squad: Alfie Mafi, Nick Cummins, Winston Stanley, Rory Sidey, Napolioni Nalaga, James Stannard, Brett Sheehan, Ben McCalman, David Pocock (captain), Matt Hodgson, Nathan Sharpe, Toby Lynn, Salesi Ma'au, Nathan Charles, Pek Cowan

Reserves: Elvis Taione, Kieran Longbottom, Phoenix Battye, Angus Cottrell, Justin Turner, Ben Seymour, Sam Wara

AAP

Tags: super-14, rugby-union, sport, perth-6000

First posted February 22, 2012 17:56:40

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Turner hopeful of full recovery

Updated February 14, 2012 20:04:21

Waratahs and Wallabies flyer Lachie Turner has put his fate in the hands of surgeons and is hopeful he can retain his trademark speed and return to rugby in better shape than before his devastating hamstring tear.

Turner has hit the medical books since ripping his tendon off the bone in last Friday's trial match against Samoa, and he's found varying degrees of success for rugby players returning from the same kind of trauma.

Disturbingly for Turner, who is almost certainly out for the entire Super Rugby and international program for 2012, there is little precedent for how sprinters respond to the surgery.

But the player recognised as the 'fastest man in football' remains upbeat about his chances of making a full recovery.

"We don't really know because no sprinter has really gone through this before," Turner said.

"We've got guys like Richard Stanford (Western Force forward) who did a similar injury to me and he's back after five and a half months.

"But then there's been other guys who because of complications have been troubled for the next three years.

"It's just one of those things. I've got absolute faith in the surgeon (David Wood), I've had a bit to do with him in the past and I'm sure I'll come out and after whatever time period it is I'll be better than where I was before the injury."

Turner says the magnitude of suffering his first long-term injury before season start has not yet sunk in but he put on a brave face at the team's training at Victoria Barracks on Tuesday.

He described himself as becoming like "Play-doh" for two Samoan defenders when the horrific incident occurred last Friday in Tamworth.

"I don't see too many rucks, but I decided to stick my head in one and a couple of Samoans used me as Play-doh and stretched me a little bit too far," he said.

"I was just trying to pilfer a ball and ... one guy lifted my leg so all my weight went through my right leg and it got caught straight and all my weight went over the top of it and unfortunately my hamstring couldn't take it and it snapped. It was just one of those freak incidents.

"It's very disappointing but at the same time there's nothing that can be gained from kicking dirt."

Tongan-born Atieli Pakalani is favourite to assume Turner's place on the wing, but he is in doubt for the Reds match with a shoulder problem.

Turner endorsed 20-year-old speedster Tom Kingston and 23-year-old former Cronulla Sharks junior Brackin Karauria-Henry as other capable replacements, and both players will get their chance in the Waratahs final trial against Tonga on Friday night at the Sydney Football Stadium.

The final hit-out also sees number eight Wycliff Palu and prop Benn Robinson return from injury and star recruit Adam Ashley-Cooper make his first appearance for New South Wales.

AAP

Tags: rugby-union, sport, super-14, sydney-2000

First posted February 14, 2012 20:00:46

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South African sides fight for survival

Updated February 23, 2012 20:48:44

Springbok legends Victor Matfield, Bakkies Botha, Fourie du Preez and John Smit will be notable absentees as South African sides prepare for a Super Rugby competition that could end with one of them in the wilderness.

The Port Elizabeth-based Southern Kings are guaranteed a place next year and if South African attempts to increase the number of teams to 16 fail, one of the current five must drop out with potentially crippling financial consequences.

Former champions the Bulls, the Stormers and the Sharks are considered the strongest trio, leaving the Cheetahs and the Lions in a possible dogfight to avoid relegation by finishing last in the conference.

The Pretoria-based Bulls will field a dramatically different team from that which won three titles in the past five seasons with iconic lock Matfield retiring and many other stars moving abroad.

Fellow lock Botha, prop Gurthro Steenkamp and hooker Gary Botha have gone to France and half-back Du Preez and lock Danie Rossouw to Japan while several others have retired, stripping them of key experience for the tournament, which starts on Friday.

An additional blow was the recent appointment of Heyneke Meyer as Springbok coach after playing a crucial role in the rise of the Bulls during the past decade, first as coach and then director of rugby.

Many former Bulls fringe players now have the chance to become first choices, including scrum-half Francois Hougaard, prop Dean Greyling and hooker Chiliboy Ralepelle while Juandre Kruger is a potential successor to Matfield.

Stormers, the Cape Town franchise who were runners-up two seasons ago and semi-finalists last year, has also suffered from an exodus with far higher salaries abroad than those on offer locally.

Springbok Jaque Fourie has moved to Japan, full-back Conrad Jantjes and lock Anton van Zyl to France, lock Adriaan Fondse and flank Francois Louw to England, and others have new South African employers.

These include highly rated Bulls-bound centre Johann Sadie, leaving coach Allister Coetzee short of midfield cover for Jean de Villiers and Juan de Jongh, who has deployed Springbok World Cup-winning wing Bryan Habana there.

There are no backline problems for the Sharks who boasts an embarrassment of riches and young play-anywhere Patrick Lambie is set to wear the number 10 jersey with Frenchman Frederic Michalak operating at half-back.

But New Zealand-born coach John Plumtree must do without popular Springbok prop Tendai "The Beast" Mtawarira for up to four months after a training ground injury in the Indian Ocean city of Durban.

With 2007 World Cup-winning skipper Smit in the winter of his career at English outfit Saracens, livewire Bismarck du Plessis can take permanent ownership of the hooker position with brother Jannie at tighthead.

Traditional strugglers Cheetahs from the central city of Bloemfontein improved last year, winning in Australasia for the first time and defeating eventual champions the Crusaders at home.

But no close season passes without some of their best players being lured away - scrum-half Sarel Pretorius has joined New South Wales and utility back Riaan Viljoen is now a Shark.

Debt-troubled Golden Lions from Johannesburg hopes to build on winning the Currie Cup last year under former All Blacks coach John Mitchell with young Elton Jantjies an inventive fly-half and deadly goal kicker.

But the team, led by flank Josh Strauss, is most pundits' tip to anchor the South African Conference standings and relegation would be calamitous for a franchise reportedly $9 million dollars in the red.

AFP

Tags: super-rugby, rugby-union, sport, south-africa

First posted February 23, 2012 19:13:05

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Mortlock in doubt for Rebels opener

Updated February 24, 2012 17:02:30

Rebels captain Stirling Mortlock has until Wednesday to prove his injured calf is up to taking on New South Wales in Melbourne's Super Rugby season opener.

The first-round bye has given the former Test skipper extra time to recover from his troublesome injury but Rebels coach Damien Hill concedes that Mortlock was no certainty to play at AAMI Park next Friday night.

In better news, star signing Wallabies full-back Kurtley Beale, who missed their final trial with a hamstring injury, is on track to play.

"Kurtley ran well this morning so so far things are going to plan," Hill said.

"Stirling's calf injury is dragging on a little bit so we'll wait and see how that pulls up, he's probably 50/50 at this stage."

While Mortlock injured his calf just before their opening trial at the start of the month, starting hooker Ged Robinson is also in doubt with a calf injury, which forced him off the field early in their loss to the Crusaders last weekend.

Hill says he wants to have the line-up settled at least by Wednesday.

Beale has had hamstring issues since last year's World Cup and Hill says it is a fine balance between pushing his fitness and his recovery.

The 23-year-old Beale has spoken of his desire to take on his old team, the Waratahs, but Hill says that will not come into consideration.

"It's more important that the injury's right," Hill said.

"We'd be silly to rush him and to put him at risk of further or worse injury.

"He's had a history of these injuries before but I've got full faith in our medical guys.

"We won't rush him if that's the decision we have to make but so far everything's looking good."

The entire Rebels squad intended to get together to watch the Waratahs host the Super Rugby champions Queensland on Saturday night.

Hill says he expects the Reds to again be "great".

"They look strong again, Ewen (McKenzie) did a great job last year and will do another very good job this year so they'll be thereabouts," he said.

"They'll be brimming with confidence at the moment so they should be ranked number one in Australia."

AAP

Tags: super-rugby, rugby-union, sport, melbourne-3000

First posted February 24, 2012 16:39:51

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Palu pulls out of Waratahs side

Updated March 09, 2012 18:43:16

Well-travelled forward Tevita Metuisela has been handed a tough Waratahs debut, replacing injured Test star Wycliff Palu in the team to tackle the powerful Highlanders' pack in Saturday's Super Rugby clash.

Number eight Metuisela, 28, who played seven games for the Western Force last year, travelled to Dunedin as the Waratahs' 23rd man.

He was elevated into the starting side after Palu withdrew with a lower leg problem on Friday.

Palu experienced some tightness earlier in the week that was exacerbated by travel disruptions on Thursday, when flight cancellations resulted in an 11-hour journey.

Metuisela, a former Force and Brumbies Academy player and Manly club-mate of Palu's, has also played rugby league for the Roosters, Storm and Tigers.

He will be thrown into what is anticipated to be an intensely physical clash.

Controlling the breakdown

Playing under a roof, the Waratahs will not have to worry about wind or rain, but they risk being blown away if they do not win the breakdown battle.

Much of the pre-match focus has centred on the unbeaten Highlanders' physicality and their renowned ability to win turnover ball.

Recalled back Berrick Barnes, who will line up at inside centre, made it clear New South Wales could not hope to win unless they controlled the breakdown.

"They (the Highlanders) have been one of the best teams in the comp, probably the form team at the breakdown, and that's what's been the cornerstone of their success," Barnes said.

"So if we don't front up there, we stand no chance."

New South Wales coach Michael Foley agreed the Highlanders' physicality was a key factor.

"If you don't match them in that area, then anything else you plan to do won't work," he said.

With three playmakers in Barnes, skipper and five-eighth Daniel Halangahu and full-back Bernard Foley, New South Wales will not lack creativity once it wins possession.

For the Highlanders, All Blacks five-eighth Colin Slade will make his first start of the season coming in at full-back for Ben Smith, while Kade Poki steps in for Buxton Popoali'i on the right wing.

While the Highlanders pack have demanded attention and respect for their robust play, Barnes said they had more threats in their backline than in previous years.

AAP

Tags: super-rugby, rugby-union, sport, sydney-2000, nsw, australia, new-zealand

First posted March 09, 2012 18:43:16

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White not swapping Brumbies for England

Updated March 09, 2012 19:54:29

Jake White has confirmed he is committed to staying as coach of the Brumbies for the entirety of his four-year contract and will not be applying for the vacant England job.

White fronted the media in Canberra on Friday evening for the first time since confirming he had an interest in the England job.

He said he was disappointed by the criticism in the media and that it was not a sin to have had originally signalled an interest.

"It's something I'd look at - it doesn't mean now, it doesn't mean leaving my job," he said.

Asked directly if he was still interested in taking the job currently filled on an interim basis by Stuart Lancaster, he responded: "No, no, no, no."

"I'm here for four years with the Brumbies.

"I've signed on the bottom line and you've got to judge people by their actions.

"Nothing's changed - I'm still committed to the Brumbies."

White, who won the 2007 Rugby World Cup with South Africa, said he had a full backing of his young Brumbies squad.

"More than 200 per cent," he said, adding that the players believed him at his word.

"One thing I do as coach is make sure I never lose the changerooms.

"I probably have more confidence with them than when I started."

White conceded that a national job with England would always be tempting to him for the chance to become the first coach to win two World Cups.

But he said too much had been made of the issue - something he attributed to the Brumbies' troubled history.

"With the past histories and with the baggage that came from last year, there's probably a little bit of sensitivity," White said.

"But I can't be liable for that."

Skipper Ben Mowen was standing by his coach on Friday.

"I'm one of the guys who he's got a really good relationship with but I'm by no means the only one," Mowen said.

"He's got a really good dynamic within the group and I think that's why we're in the good head space that we are."

The Brumbies are looking to secure their second win of the season against the Cheetahs at Canberra Stadium on Saturday.

AAP

Tags: super-rugby, rugby-union, sport, canberra-2600, act, australia

First posted March 09, 2012 19:54:29

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Chiefs hand Crusaders second straight loss

Updated March 09, 2012 21:10:33

The Chiefs held off a late barrage to beat the Crusaders 24-19 in a bruising Super Rugby encounter in Napier on Friday.

The Chiefs, who upset the Blues last week, scored tries either side of half-time through flanker Liam Messam and prop Sona Taumalolo while fly half Aaron Cruden punished the frequent Crusaders penalties with 14 points from the boot.

The Crusaders, playing what was technically a home match, picked up from a disappointing first-half performance with a try from Robbie Fruean after the break but still slumped to a second successive defeat after losing to the Highlanders last week.

They will particularly rue scrum-half Andy Ellis's attempt at a quick dropout from his 22 midway through the second half, which backfired for Taumalolo to crash over the line under a pile of bodies moments later.

The Chiefs had the best of the first half and but for two missed penalties from Cruden would have had a bigger lead than the 16-6 advantage they held at half-time.

Flanker Messam had made the most of the Chiefs pressure to barge over the line in the 26th minute and Cruden added the extra points and three penalties.

The seven-time champion Crusaders applied some pressure around the break and centre Fruean got over the line eight minutes after the restart after a rampaging run and neat off-load from number eight Kieran Read.

Despite Taumalolo's try, two penalties in three minutes from Crusaders fly half Tyler Bleyendaal made it a two point game at 21-19 soon after the hour mark but Cruden slotted his fourth penalty three minutes from time and the Chiefs held on.

"In patches there it was great for us," Crusaders captain Read said in a pitchside interview.

"But we couldn't sustain it and too many penalties killed it for us."

Chiefs: 24 (L Messam, S Taumalolo tries; A Cruden 1/2 conversions. 4 penalty goals)

Crusaders: 19 (R Fruen try, T Bleyendaal conversion, 4 penalty goals)

Reuters

Tags: super-rugby, rugby-union, sport, new-zealand

First posted March 09, 2012 20:33:16

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Barnes looks good for Tahs return

Updated March 05, 2012 17:06:53

New South Wales coach Michael Foley says the signs are promising for Berrick Barnes to return to Super Rugby action against the Highlanders, but is resigned to losing back-up hooker Damien Fitzpatrick for a long period.

Classy Wallabies inside back Barnes has missed the Waratahs' first two matches against Queensland and Melbourne Rebels with a groin injury.

Together with flanker Pat McCutcheon, who is coming back from a calf injury, Barnes will be assessed after training on Tuesday, with the Waratahs squad for Saturday's match in Dunedin scheduled to be announced the following day.

"Tomorrow's run will be the last to get through and I'm reluctant to tell you he (Barnes) is right to go until he does that, but things are looking promising," Foley said.

Foley did not give anything away about if and where Barnes would play if passed fit, but says he is very impressed with young utility back Bernard Foley, who starred in his first start at full-back against the Rebels.

He fears Fitzpatrick has suffered an anterior cruciate ligament knee injury which, if confirmed, will effectively rule him out for the season.

Foley says John Ulugia, who has made 24 Super Rugby appearances with the Waratahs and Brumbies, will back up first-choice hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau and the Waratahs will look at a couple of overseas-based players and club rugby for another number two.

He says winger Drew Mitchell's season is still in doubt due to a torn ankle tendon, but he hopes to have him back by mid-year.

Inside centre Tom Carter, whose position could be threatened if Barnes is passed fit, has a slight eye infection but should be available for selection this week.

Foley did not want to comment on the 10-match suspension handed out to Rebels lock Adam Byrnes for coming into contact with Carter's eye, but feels it probably is a vindication of the new white card system where referees can refer allegations to the citing commissioner.

AAP

Tags: rugby-union, sport, super-12, sydney-2000

First posted March 05, 2012 17:06:53

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Brumbies focussing on renewal

Updated February 24, 2012 08:28:37

The optimists - of which coach Jake White is one - will class the Brumbies as the enigma of the 2012 Super Rugby competition.

But it is an easier sell for the doomsayers, who see the Brumbies in the harshest light as a team forced to rebuild from the bottom up after a mass exodus of a whopping 13 of their starting players.

World Cup-winning coach White has a completely new challenge on his hands for the upcoming season, tasked with milking success out of a squad with a dearth of Test experience and an average age of just 22.

But White is looking on the bright side.

"It's very difficult for me to give a number or to say what the benchmark is," he said.

"It's like saying this team could come x in the league, but that's unfair because I can only say after the third or fourth game and see how we gel as a group and how good the other teams are.

"We've never really played together and that's why it's so exciting.

"Who knows? We might click and be one of the best teams we've had in a long time. Or it might take a while."

The departure of big names such as Adam Ashley-Cooper, Matt Giteau, Stephen Hoiles and Rocky Elsom has dulled expectations for 2012, but White will press the case to his young team that they have a club history to live up to.

"One major pressure that we have is that they've won two championships this team, so the pressure is not just where we are, it's who we are," he said.

"Our motto is back to the future - last year is irrelevant.

"The only relevance is we don't want to go there again."

The ACT-based franchise has a healthy number of international juniors on its lists, including new recruits Ben Mowen and Zack Holmes that White says should be pressing the case to become international seniors.

AAP

Tags: super-rugby, rugby-union, sport, australia

First posted February 22, 2012 12:04:02

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Harris in front for Cooper's Reds jumper

Updated February 13, 2012 12:48:58

The importance of clutch goalkicking in Super Rugby's torrid local derbies has put Queensland radar-boot Mike Harris's nose in front in the battle to replace Quade Cooper.

Harris's impressive three-for-three effort, including two from out wide, in the Reds' 27-20 trial win over the Brumbies has put the Kiwi recruit in pole position to wear the number 10 jersey in the opening February 25 clash with the New South Wales Waratahs.

The interstate grudge match is the first of three local derbies scheduled to start the Super Rugby champions' title defence and coach Ewen McKenzie expects they will be as tight as ever.

That, and the need to slot penalty goals, gives extra significance to Harris's kicking display in Cairns on Saturday night when fellow five-eighth contender Ben Lucas missed all three of his attempts.

McKenzie admitted it was difficult to get a gauge on their playmaking due to the stop-start nature of the four-tries-to-one win but praised Harris for both his goalkicking and restarts.

"He's brought some things to the table there," he said.

It was Harris's first match since he injured his left knee - forcing two bouts of surgery - last May against the Melbourne Rebels.

Before that, the tall 96kg North Harbour product had been talked up as a Wallabies bolter, eligible through an Australian-born grandmother, for his play outside the now-injured Cooper at number 12.

Harris, 23, showed through a desperate cover tackle on Brumbies winger Joe Tomane that he has lost no speed as his knee came through his return with no problems.

"It was nice to have the ball in the hands and being out there doing what I love to do," he said.

"For myself, I was pretty happy with my goalkicking.

"It certainly wins games. If teams are willing to give away penalties in your own half and you can get three points, it's a pretty easy way to get cheap points."

Harris rates the art 90 per cent mental and has worked closely with Reds sports psychologist Phil Fowler during the off-season, when he resumed kicking before running.

Three-quarter Aidan Toua's hamstring injury was the sour note for the Reds but McKenzie said Anthony Faingaa would return early from shoulder surgery to play at number 13 against the Western Force in Perth on Thursday night.

Fellow Wallabies centre Ben Tapuai, a first-minute try-scorer through a chargedown, was a stand-out at Barlow Park while Will Genia, Digby Ioane and James Horwill all made an impact in the second half.

"At crucial moments, they made things happen and that is what you want from those that have played at a national level," McKenzie said.

AAP

Tags: super-14, rugby-union, sport, brisbane-4000, qld, australia

First posted February 13, 2012 12:48:58

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Robinson relishing Reds showdown

Updated February 24, 2012 18:50:40

Waratahs vice-captain Benn Robinson believes facing Queensland is a level above any other Super Rugby assignment, but he is just relieved his pre-match nerves are limited to the big occasion.

After a horror year with injury in 2011, which saw him miss Australia's World Cup campaign, Robinson declared he is 100 per cent fit heading into Saturday night's season opener at Sydney's Olympic stadium.

The prop emerged unscathed from his return match, a trial against Tonga last week, and says his knee will not be on his mind when he packs down against fierce rivals the Reds.

The 27-year-old is determined to make up for lost time and he sees squaring-off against the defending premiers as the perfect place to start.

"These are the games you cherish playing, these are the games you're going to remember for the rest of your life," Robinson said.

"It makes it extra special, you know the blokes you pack down with at national level ... and it might give you an advantage or it might give you a slight disadvantage."

Robinson will back debut skipper Daniel Halangahu in the leadership department on Saturday night and says he had taken it upon himself as vice-captain to be a pillar of strength against Queensland's physical and star-studded pack.

Against Tonga, Robinson got through his work nicely and says agony over his ACL tear is well and truly behind him.

"They (staff) definitely put you through your paces to make sure there's no hesitation there," he said.

"They take you past what you think you should be doing ... that first tackle or run is always going to (produce) a few nerves, but that's not with the knee just the big game ahead."

Robinson's opposing number one, Ben Daley, spilled blood in one of the derby matches last year and is again ready to go to war against New South Wales.

One of the lasting images of the 2011 season was Daley having his nose flattened across his face in the Reds' gutsy win at Lang Park in round 10.

But while that was triumphant pain, he also remembers the hiding his team copped from the Waratahs in round two of last year, emphasising how dangerous New South Wales can be when it dominates in the middle.

"You don't want to go off in these games. No matter what injury you have you want to stay out there," Daley said.

On paper, the Waratahs look undermanned compared to the starting XV they would have been hoping to use.

They are missing backline stars Berrick Barnes, Lachie Turner and Drew Mitchell and are without forwards Dan Vickerman and Rocky Elsom, but Robinson said the confidence of the team would not be curbed.

"The players who have come in have been around the squad for a long time now and sometimes it's a good thing," said Robinson, who does not expect the Reds to change their title-winning style too much despite Mike Harris replacing the injured Quade Cooper at number 10.

"The Queenslanders might not have seen them before and it might be a new challenge for them."

AAP

Tags: rugby-union, sport, super-rugby, sydney-2000

First posted February 24, 2012 18:50:40

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Blues lose Kaino for season

Updated March 12, 2012 15:26:49

All Blacks and Blues star Jerome Kaino's Super Rugby season is over after he was ordered to undergo surgery on an injured shoulder.

The back rower says he is devastated to learn he will be sidelined for six months after examinations showed a piece of bone had been dislodged from his left shoulder in the Blues' round two loss to the Chiefs on March 2.

"I'm gutted, I really didn't think this was going to take me out of the whole Blues season," Kaino said.

Blues coach Pat Lam says he is shocked to lose the 28-year-old, who played a major part in the All Blacks' World Cup success last year and was among the nominees for IRB World Player of the Year.

"This is a real blow for him and I know, like us, he is really disappointed that he won't be playing this season with the team," he said.

The Blues are 11th on the Super Rugby ladder after two losses and one win in the opening three rounds.

AFP

Tags: rugby-union, sport, super-rugby, new-zealand

First posted March 12, 2012 13:10:38

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Waratahs embarrass Samoa A

Updated February 10, 2012 22:48:36

South African recruit Sarel Pretorius made a strong debut for New South Wales in a convincing 83-5 Super Rugby trial victory over Samoa A in Tamworth.

The half-back did not figure on the scoreboard but looked very sharp in a match used as an experiment by new Waratahs coach Michael Foley.

Pretorius was well-supported by Berrick Barnes, as the Waratahs opened up a 38-5 lead by half-time when both teams made wholesale changes at Scully Park.

Tom Carter crossed twice on the back of strong drives, while Damien Fitzpatrick posted a second-half hat-trick.

All up the Waratahs scored 13 tries but will be concerned by a hamstring injury to winger Lachie Turner, which will be assessed back in Sydney on Sunday.

AAP

Tags: rugby-union, super-14, sport, tamworth-2340

First posted February 10, 2012 22:48:36

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Force not panicking over trial thumpings

Updated February 17, 2012 20:00:13

Western Force coach Richard Graham insists it is not time to panic just yet despite watching his team crash to successive thumpings in Super Rugby trial matches.

The Force, beaten 25-0 by the Brumbies earlier this month, were thrashed 40-10 by Queensland in Perth on Thursday night.

If the five-tries-to-one pumping was not bad enough, the Force's woes were compounded when lock Sam Wykes suffered a suspected hamstring injury in the dying minutes of the match.

But Graham is urging fans not to become too disheartened over the losses, saying he expects a big turnaround for the season opener against the Brumbies in Canberra on February 24.

"Trial form in February doesn't count for anything," he said.

"Next week, there's four or five points on offer and that's going to be important for us.

"I think there's probably more concern about the performance (against Queensland) rather than the loss.

"In the first 40 minutes, we just copped a lesson in terms of physicality around the breakdown.

"That was probably the concern.

"Clearly, when there's a scoreline like that ... guys are going to be under pressure."

The Force struggled for fluency against the Reds, with their ball handling particularly atrocious despite the good conditions.

Graham said he would not alter training plans over the next week despite the nature of the loss.

"The whole thing is you don't want to make decisions, or you don't want to react in a manner that says what you've been doing isn't working," he said.

Graham said Fijian winger Napolioni Nalaga (stomach bug), Nick Cummins (leg) and Nathan Sharpe (calf) would be ready for the start of the season.

But flanker Richard Brown will not be available until round two at the earliest after undergoing major shoulder surgery last year.

Queensland, inspired by the likes of Digby Ioane and Will Genia, was far more clinical than the Force, with its ability to string phases together on a consistent basis proving the difference.

And in more bright news for the defending champions, outside centre Anthony Fainga'a made it through 40 minutes unscathed in his first game back since shoulder surgery.

Reds coach Ewen McKenzie was pleased with the hit-out, but played a straight bat when asked whether his team were in good shape to defend their title.

"Well, we're not actually defending the title, we're going out there to win it," McKenzie said.

"We've got confidence from last year, but nothing we did last year is going to count too much.

"We've got to start again."

AAP

Tags: super-14, rugby-union, sport, perth-6000, wa, australia

First posted February 17, 2012 20:00:13

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Sharpe to hang up boots after 2012

Updated February 10, 2012 11:25:17

Most-capped Wallabies second-rower Nathan Sharpe is to retire from all competitive rugby at the end of the 2012 Super Rugby season.

Sharpe, who turns 34 on February 26, said he wanted to end speculation about his future and ensure his focus was only on helping his Western Force team to make the Super Rugby finals for the first time.

Sharpe has played 101 Tests for Australia, making him the equal fourth most capped Wallabies player behind only George Gregan, George Smith and Stephen Larkham and equal with David Campese.

He debuted in 2002 and was still in the Wallabies' ranks last year, playing at the World Cup in New Zealand.

"It is an emotional time for me," he said in a statement on Friday.

"It's one of those decisions you mull over and think 'are you going too early or too late' and I wasn't really sure of that until recently.

"I've been incredibly lucky right through my career to have been involved with some great people and great teams.

"I've got one more shot at winning a title and I don't intend on fading away, I want to finish with my best Super Rugby season yet, that's the way I want to exit the game."

ARU chief executive John O'Neill said Sharpe had earned the right to finish his career at the top of his game.

"Nathan has been one of this country's great players for more than a decade, he has never shied away from a contest and has given his all no matter if he was wearing a Queensland, Western Force or Wallabies jersey," he said in a statement.

"The commitment he's shown and the work he has done both on and off the field at the Western Force has been commendable.

"While there is still plenty of rugby to be played between now and Nathan's last game later this year, it is safe to say that come the final siren in that last game an era will end at the Force and to some extent in Australian rugby."

An inaugural marquee signing for the Western Force from Queensland, Sharpe has captained the franchise since it started in Super Rugby in 2006 and is entering his 15th season in top flight rugby.

Coach Richard Graham recently began the transition by handing the Force leadership to Wallabies flanker David Pocock.

"I've had a wonderful time playing rugby, have seen some pretty special things over my time and cherished every single moment of it," Sharpe said.

"It's not the end right now, I still have some goals I want to achieve this season.

"Coming to Perth was the best decision I made in my career.

"I've had an amazing time and have been part of the strongest support network I've experienced in rugby."

While spending more quality time with his two young boys is high on the agenda, Sharpe will also make a move into the resource industry and will stay in touch with the game as a media commentator.

"The career opportunities being made available are amazing and will give me a completely new challenge to focus on after such a long time playing rugby," he said.

"I've got a keen interest in the resource sector and being in Perth has definitely allowed me to meet a lot of people in the industry."

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans said there was more to Sharpe's influence on the game than just his statistical achievements.

"The statistics of his career on their own are impressive but they only tell a small part of the story," he said.

"For most, it is the quality of the man, his longevity and his dedication to the pursuit of excellence that will be recalled, long after he has hung up his boots for the final time."

AAP

Tags: rugby-union, sport, perth-6000, wa, australia

First posted February 10, 2012 10:20:37

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Fine-tuned Reds hammer Force

Updated February 17, 2012 07:57:14

The Queensland Reds tuned up for the Super Rugby season in grand style, thrashing the Western Force 40-10 in Thursday night's trial game in Perth.

Tries to Digby Ioane, James Horwill, Greg Holmes, Luke Morahan and Jono Lance were more than enough to sink the Force, who struggled to string phases together and will enter the season on the back of two heavy trial losses.

With Australia coach Robbie Deans watching from the stands, Queensland's big names stood tall, with Will Genia sensational at scrum-half and Ioane at his destructive best on the wing.

In contrast, the Force - beaten 25-0 by the Brumbies last week - lacked any fluency, with their only highlight of the night coming through Ben McCalman's 71st-minute consolation try.

But the home side's night was further soured when lock Sam Wykes limped off in the dying minutes with a leg injury.

The Force, already minus the likes of Nick Cummins (leg), Richard Brown (shoulder) and Nathan Sharpe (calf), lost winger Napolioni Nalaga before the match after the Fijian winger fell ill.

"Just lucky that that one counts for no points," a disappointed Force coach Richard Graham said after the game.

"In the first 40 minutes we just copped a lesson in terms of physicality around the breakdown.

"I thought our ball security was clearly poor.

"We wouldn't have got past five phases many times at all."

Queensland coach Ewen McKenzie felt his men had improved from last week's 27-20 trial victory over the Brumbies.

"Both the trials have been physical and we had a lot of breakdown work to fix from last week and we did better this week," McKenzie said.

"I thought we did well with a pretty young and inexperienced back row."

Force five-eighth James Stannard nailed the opening penalty of the night but from there it was all the Reds, who piled on 18 unanswered points to lead 18-3 by half-time.

Ioane started the rout in the 15th minute, crossing in the corner after the Force's defence was caught short following a scrum.

Reds skipper Horwill added a second when the Reds, after a mountain of phases, finally broke through a dogged Force defence.

Immediately after the try, Force flanker Matt Hodgson was handed a yellow card after his involvement in a behind-the-play scrap.

The Reds took off big guns Horwill and the returning Anthony Fainga'a at half-time, but it failed to halt Queensland's charge as Holmes and Morahan crossed for tries to put the visitors ahead 35-3 after 52 minutes.

AAP

Tags: super-14, rugby-union, sport, perth-6000, wa, australia, qld

First posted February 17, 2012 07:26:57

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O'Neill touts feast for rugby fans

Updated February 10, 2012 16:26:16

ARU boss John O'Neill says a "wall-to-wall" schedule will give rugby union a stronger footing in the battle for crowds with the NRL and AFL in 2012.

Launching the new Super Rugby season in Sydney on Thursday, O'Neill told Grandstand he anticipates great things not just from the provincial tournament but in international competition as well.

"I'm very excited, it's a long time since we've had a defending premier in the form of the Reds going into 2012," he said.

"We're really looking forward to all of our five Super Rugby teams being competitive and playing great rugby.

"It's our shopfront, it runs now through to August, so it's wall-to-wall rugby and we expect a big season."

The 2012 season marks the first time the Super Rugby competition runs into August, with the final taking place not long before the rival football codes enter their respective playoffs.

But O'Neill said he was not hoping to beat the NRL or AFL at their own well-established games.

"It's not about knocking off a competitor, it's about being in the space," he said.

"We've lacked the same sort of continuity and content [and] now we have that, we've got a lot more content and a lot more continuity.

"Success becomes infectious and I really hope that we're on the same page in building a fan-base through the turnstiles and with our viewing audience.

"That's what makes the game tick and that's an appropriate aspiration."

This year will mark the inaugural season of the Rugby Championship, which pits Tri Nations rivals Australia, New Zealand and South Africa with South American powerhouse Argentina in a four-way competition.

Add that to a full Test schedule both home and abroad, and O'Neill feels it is the perfect treat for the rugby faithful.

"When you look at the totality of our rugby inventory this year - Super Rugby, inbound Tests in June, completion of Super Rugby [with the] grand final in August, then the Rugby Championship including Argentina ... then four Tests in november in the UK, that's quite a lot of rugby," he said.

"But I'm sure the fans will love it."

The 2012 Super Rugby season kicks off on February 24 when the Brumbies host Western Force in the nation's capital.

Queensland will begin its title defence the following night against the Waratahs, under new skipper Rocky Elsom, at the Olympic stadium.

Tags: super-14, rugby-union, sport, australia

First posted February 10, 2012 09:29:04

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Beale sidelined for final trial match

Updated February 17, 2012 11:04:48

Melbourne Rebels full-back Kurtley Beale has been ruled out of this Saturday's preseason match against the Crusaders at AAMI Park with injury.

The Rebels' new recruit suffered a slight hamstring strain during Thursday morning's training session and will be rested from the game.

"Scans reveal the injury is minor, but he will miss this weekend's game against the Crusaders at AAMI Park as a precaution," Rebels coach Damien Hill said.

Hill said Beale will be eased back into training over the next fortnight and is confident he will be ready for their first Super Rugby fixture against the Waratahs on March 2.

AAP

Tags: super-14, rugby-union, sport, melbourne-3000, vic, australia

First posted February 17, 2012 11:04:48

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France and Ireland draw in Six Nations

Updated March 05, 2012 07:58:24

France were left to reflect on the "feeling of defeat" after a 17-17 draw at home to Ireland ended its Six Nations grand slam hopes on Sunday.

Les Bleus gave away two tries in the first half and trailed 17-6 at half-time before mounting a fight-back in the match that was originally postponed due to a frozen pitch three weeks earlier.

"There was a feeling of defeat, not that of a draw in the dressing room," coach Philippe Saint Andre said afterwards.

France are second in the standings behind Wales, the only team still in position to achieve a grand slam after winning three out of three.

Captain Thierry Dusautoir said France should have won a game they dominated, at least in terms of possession.

"The win was within our grasp," he said.

"But when you give away so many points you just get what you deserve."

Tommy Bowe scored his first try after he intercepted a clumsy pass by Aurelien Rougerie and touched down for the second time after France lost a routine ball in the ruck.

"When you give away 10 points, it's really hard to win the match against Ireland, who defended very well and bothered us with their umbrella defence," said Saint Andre.

The former France winger, however, was proud of his players, saying they showed great character to come back into the game.

"At 17-6 I asked the players to be more direct because it had started to rain and it was a bit like Irish weather out there," he said.

"We had ambitions, a desire to go forward, but at the highest level, you have to be much more precise."

France host England next Sunday and Ireland take on Scotland on Saturday.

Ireland were equally disappointed with the result after failing to score in the second half.

"I am disappointed for the lads, they put in a huge effort," said Ireland coach Declan Kidney.

"We believed in ourselves, we played our own game and did not panic in the second half.

"If you're not disappointed after a result like that you should not be in the job."

Like the French, captain Paul O'Connell said there was a feeling of defeat in the drssing room.

"We have the feeling we lost an opportunity," he said.

"We are very disappointed with our second half performance, we turned over the ball a few times. We're very frustrated, very disappointed."

Reuters

Tags: sport, rugby-union, france

First posted March 05, 2012 07:33:26

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Funding the USA Rugby Sevens Olympic Program

Faingaas re-sign with Reds

Updated March 09, 2012 14:27:17

Wallabies twins Saia and Anthony Faingaa have provided a boost for Queensland Reds ahead of Saturday night's clash with Melbourne Rebels by re-signing with the Super Rugby champions.

Hooker Saia and centre Anthony have chosen to stay for at least one more year with the Reds despite being overlooked by the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) for a top-up contract.

Both were members of Robbie Deans' 30-man World Cup squad last year but are among several Test players the ARU has been reluctant to keep on its books as it reduces the number of top-up contracts.

The brothers, 25, were reportedly sizing up offers in France and Japan but have decided to stick together and back themselves on a one-year deal with Queensland.

Saia Faingaa will make his first Super Rugby appearance of the season, off the bench against the Rebels at Lang Park, after overcoming an ankle injury, while Anthony is sidelined by a hamstring strain.

AAP

Tags: rugby-union, super-rugby, sport, brisbane-4000

First posted March 09, 2012 14:27:17

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Brumbies' injury clouds lift

Updated February 17, 2012 16:53:44

The Brumbies' fortunes look to be turning around at the perfect time with news that Wallabies trio Stephen Moore, Pat McCabe and Ben Alexander might be right for their opening Super Rugby clash against the Western Force.

Just a week ago, the Brumbies were contemplating having to start the season minus any one of their three capped players after Moore and Alexander were felled in the opening minutes of their trial against Queensland with shoulder and elbow concerns.

McCabe, meanwhile, was forecasting a return several weeks into the season, back from a shoulder injury suffered in last year's World Cup.

But a week out from the Friday match against the Force, the Brumbies' injury clouds appear to have lifted.

Coach Jake White confirmed Moore and Alexander are expected to play, while a decision will be made on McCabe later next week.

He returned to full contact training just this Thursday, but has impressed enough to put his hand up for selection.

"McCabe's nearly there. It's just a choice as to whether he's mentally up for it," White said.

"If he feels good enough and feels like he can't let himself down - I know what type of guy he is and I have to be very sensitive because he will want to play even if he's not ready."

White said McCabe's return could leave him with a pleasing headache in the backline, with Robbie Coleman also doing good things at full-back in the Brumbies' final 66-0 trial victory over an ACT XV in Canberra on Thursday.

Winger Henry Speight is also due to get the call-up against the Force, allowing the Brumbies to start with a near full-strength outfit.

But new skipper Ben Mowen, who captained for the first time in the ACT trial, warned fans against expecting too much from their season-opener.

"We're not going to hit our straps in the first round - we just aren't," he said.

"We are going to be pushing and developing the whole year so, at the pointy end of the season, we're there."

The Brumbies' season kicks off on February 24 at Canberra Stadium.

AAP

Tags: super-14, rugby-union, sport, canberra-2600, act, australia

First posted February 17, 2012 16:53:44

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Crusaders pip Blues

Updated February 24, 2012 20:06:56

The Blues' new recruit Piri Weepu missed a potential match-winning drop goal after the final whistle and the Crusaders held on to beat the home side 19-18 in their Super Rugby clash at Eden Park.

Four months after New Zealand captain Richie McCaw lifted the Webb Ellis trophy on the same ground, 13 World Cup-winning All Blacks were included in the squads for the opening game of the 2012 Super Rugby competition.

Despite the numerous World Cup winners on show the match was punctuated by sloppy handling, poor tackling and a shaky Blues line-out, though it still provided sweeping movements from both sides that brought the crowd of more than 30,000 to full voice.

"We were pretty lucky to get away with it," Crusaders captain Kieran Read said.

"There was real intensity out there and for a first hit out, it was really outstanding.

"We managed to put a bit of pressure down their end of the field, which got us a few penalties and that's great."

The Crusaders' forwards slowly ground down the Blues' pack and kept them in the home side's half for much of the second spell until the final minute when Weepu's drop goal attempt was partially charged and fluttered wide.

Crusaders rookie fly half Tyler Bleyendaal, who stepped into the gap left by injured All Blacks pivot Dan Carter, looked comfortable with the step up from provincial rugby and slotted 14 points by converting Robbie Fruean's first-half try and adding four penalties.

Blues loose forward Chris Lowrey and winger David Raikuna scored early tries, while fly half Michael Hobbs kicked two penalties and a conversion.

"Games like this between the Blues and Crusaders come down to inches and that's what happened," Blues captain Keven Mealamu said.

"I think we scrambled well ... but our discipline could have been better and it was typical Crusaders rugby, just relentless pressure."

The 2012 Super Rugby competition stretches into August with a three-week break for internationals in June.

Crusaders: 19 (R Fruean try; T Bleyendaal con, 4 pens)

Blues: 18 (C Lowrey, D Raikuna tries; M Hobbs con, 2 pens)

Reuters

Tags: super-rugby, rugby-union, sport, new-zealand

First posted February 24, 2012 20:06:56

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