Bulls gore Reds to open gate for Brumbies

Greg Growden IT WAS nowhere near as devastating as the Reds' 92-3 loss to the Bulls in Pretoria in 2007, but their 61-8, eight tries to one thrashing at Loftus Versfeld Stadium has certainly jolted the Super...

Rugby

Seven changes as Tahs take Bulls by the horn

Greg Growden THE WARATAHS will react to their embarrassing loss to the Brumbies by making up to seven changes, including the promotion of Sarel Pretorius and the demotion of Tom Carter, for Friday night's game...

Waratahs beef up back line for Bulls battle

Greg Growden THE Waratahs' South African halfback Sarel Pretorius has told his teammates the only way to beat the Bulls is to be physical - and the selectors have responded by bolstering their arsenal for Friday...

Five essential ingredients to get within Bulls' roar

Greg Growden 1. Take advantage of any opposition leg-up

Rugby Union

Wallabies told: No bull, it will be rough

Greg Growden Wallabies warned they are about to be involved in confronting and demanding Test match.

Rugby

Wallabies forwards get rev-up from White

Greg Growden SPRINGBOKS World Cup-winning coach Jake White has called on the Wallabies forwards to dramatically lift their standards against South Africa tomorrow night, otherwise they will suffer their third...

More tensions for Tahs as Foley faces review, team boss exits

Greg Growden THE Waratahs' woes continue, with their long-standing team manager, Chris Webb, deciding to leave the beleaguered province at the end of the Super Rugby season.

Rugby union

Brumbies' win leaves Reds on ropes

Greg Growden THE Brumbies can start preparing for the finals, while the Queensland Reds will have to rely on thrashing the Waratahs in Brisbane on Saturday night to have any chance of defending their title.

The fine print that puts the Reds well and truly in the frame

Greg Growden THE doomsayers are predicting the Reds have no chance of making the finals. That's because they haven't read the fine print. The Reds, on the other hand, remain buoyant for several good reasons.

Rugby

Passing comment sparks more unrest

Greg Growden At a time when the Waratahs are desperately trying to improve team morale, critical comments about their star import Sarel Pretorius have inflamed the situation.

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Mitchell tipped to miss half season

Greg Growden Wallabies winger Drew Mitchell is in danger of missing half the Super Rugby season, which will force the Waratahs to play two youngsters for their opening match against the Queensland Reds in Sydney...

Africans won't take no for answer on expansion plan

Greg Growden AUSTRALIA and New Zealand have discovered that where SANZAR is concerned, South Africa are ever persistent, endlessly pushing their cause on and off the field.

All change with Wallabies as coaching reshuffle begins to take shape

Greg Growden ROBBIE DEANS will be surrounded by different faces in the Wallabies coaching box this season, including at least three new assistant coaches.

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Rugby

Cooper no shoo-in to take spot from Reds superboot

Greg Growden NO WONDER Quade Cooper was looking a bit edgy during a television interview after the Reds' win over the Force in Brisbane on Saturday night.

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Tough at top - but McKenzie refuses to stress about Reds' hectic start

Greg Growden AFTER just one round, Sharks coach John Plumtree was complaining there were too many Super Rugby local derbies, arguing that it was ''wearing the players down''.

Rugby

World Cup proved Samo is the man to answer Reds' SOS call

Greg Growden A HIGHLIGHT of the Wallabies' World Cup campaign last year was the unexpected sight of Test No.8 Radike Samo playing on the wing against Russia in Nelson.

Open door for O'Connor as uncertainty remains over Cooper's return

Greg Growden James O'Connor remains the Test five-eighth front runner when the Wallabies run around in June, due to uncertainty over when exactly Quade Cooper will return.

Only deluded would back local team for title

Greg Growden Six Super Rugby rounds completed and Australian rugby has been hit for six.

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Reds on their knees after conceding 133 points in road trip from hell

Greg Growden THE Reds are trying to come to terms with their road trip from hell, which has seriously affected their aspirations of being the first Australian side to win back-to-back Super Rugby titles.