Wallabies planning for SBW's selection

Greg Growden DESPITE the uncertainty over whether Sonny Bill Williams will play in the opening Bledisloe Cup match, the Wallabies are preparing for the dynamic All Blacks midfielder to be running onto ANZ Stadium...

Rugby

Future looks gold as ill memories of loss fade

Greg Growden NEW ZEALAND will be wasting their time trying to psych out the Wallabies by reminding them of last year's World Cup semi-final loss, because it has been erased from their memory.

White to Robinson: you don't vote, you work

Greg Growden Ruck 'n' Maul: Brumbies coach Jake White has reacted to comments by Waratahs skipper Benn Robinson.

MONDAY MAUL

Kiwis and Boks give Wallabies a wake-up call

Greg Growden There are advantages and disadvantages in Australia having no representation in the final weeks of the Super Rugby tournament.

Super stars and villains

Greg Growden And then there were none. With no Australian presence in the final two weeks of the Super Rugby tournament, it's time to hand out the Monday Maul gongs.

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.

Mystery solved with Anesi's unveiling

Greg Growden STARTLED Parramatta officials had to look twice when All Blacks Test winger Sosene Anesi arrived unannounced at their club training on Tuesday night looking for a game.

White says salary cap and lack of depth hold back Australian teams

Greg Growden FORMER Springboks World Cup-winning coach Jake White has suddenly discovered why Australian teams have only occasionally won the Super Rugby tournament.

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.

Rugby

Highlanders gathering, but Tahs will be equipped

Greg Growden THE Waratahs believe they have the necessary variety in their attack - in particular knowing when to go direct - to avoid any Highlanders trap.

Ruck and Maul

It's not all White at the Brumbies

Greg Growden Gone are the days when the Brumbies were the trendsetters of Australian rugby. Now they have turned into the Bumbling Brumbies comedy act, losing players, fans and struggling for coaching stability.

Comments 6

Rugby

Latest back-line switch may not last if Barnes struggles under pressure

Greg Growden THE Waratahs will field their fourth back-line combination in five matches when they play the Sharks, but the experimentation out wide is far from over.

Rugby

Tahs get ready to shut out SBW as bye week looms

Greg Growden THE Waratahs are being called on for one more herculean effort before having a week off to recuperate, with their prime task being to nullify Sonny Bill Williams when they meet the Chiefs in Hamilton...

Vickerman comeback on the cards

Greg Growden THE WARATAHS have not lost hope of being able to play Test second-rower Dan Vickerman during the second half of the season, despite some recent concerns he would have to retire.

Rugby

Pretorius has work cut out to regain his starting spot

Greg Growden WARATAHS marquee signing Sarel Pretorius appears resigned to playing off the bench for another week as Brendan McKibbin is scheduled to make his third starting appearance in a row against the Force...

Boos will spur on embarrassed Tahs to exact revenge in the west

Greg Growden REVENGE and the embarrassment of being booed will act as key motivators when the Waratahs head to Perth this week, as they want to get their Super Rugby season back on track by defeating the Force on...

Rugby

Frustrated Foley asks Waratahs to turn up volume against the Force

Greg Growden THE WARATAHS have been told they must become loud and proud, turning into chatterboxes to ensure they continue their perfect West Australian record when they play the Force in Perth on Friday night.

Extra team has made Australians weaker, not stronger, argues Loe

Greg Growden WITH the Brumbies the only local team in the top half of the Super Rugby ladder, renowned All Blacks hardman Richard Loe argues that the introduction of a fifth Australian franchise ''hasn't done...