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NSW Waratahs

2025 Super Rugby Season Round 15 from Saturday: Chiefs too good for Moana Pasifika and Waratahs still alive in Top 6 race following their extra time win over Western Force

by Sports Benches May 27, 2025

Lots of Chiefs players submitted their own Emmy Awards of Super Rugby nominations following a turbocharged Round 15 win v Moana Pasifika.

1️⃣ Can’t enough of Leroy Carter’s hat-trick on the left 11 who loves being front and centre – going into top gear for Finals.

2️⃣ Another hat-trick display this time Cortez Ratima at half-back goes to show why winning the championship will mean beating everyone for the ABs.

3️⃣Not out of the Top 6 just yet and Ardie Savea 7 is one freakish giant who can take them all like he did the other day despite Moana’s heavy defeat – look out Canes!

Looks like we got more by the Waratahs over Force starting with the player behind that winning “Darby” at Super Point.

1️⃣ No need for an intro with Darby Lancaster as the Tahs usual outside backs sprinter & acrobatic specialist on the left.

2️⃣ Reserve 10 Jack Bowen unpacks that dynamic passage passing and wouldn’t mind taking conversions into extra points.

3️⃣ Carlo Tizzano loves scoring tries like he does every time; now may be out of reach for Finals Footy but perfect time now to Force that storm v the B & I Lions.

May 27, 2025 0 comment

Rugby

2025 Super Rugby Season Week 14 of 16: Waratahs catch up late but Crusaders hold the cards with the lead from start to finish at Allianz Stadum

by Sports Benches May 16, 2025

It was a fantastic night watching Super Rugby this time on-site at Allianz Stadium although I know there’s another game that was happening at the same time next door at the SCG but that’s to do with AFL between the Sydney Swans v Carlton.

Back to Super Rugby with Crusaders ticking off as many dot point tries and full points as they can earlier on while Waratahs were blown away until they have other ideas playing catch-up after the half-time break. However, those flashes of late brilliances by Waratahs was unfortunately not enough to hunt down the clear victors from Christchurch on time by 33-48.

Bitter pill to swallow where Waratahs even without the injured Joseph should’ve been brave enough to have a few key players on from the start like Taniela Tupou on the front row and even Jack Bowen being the starting 10 over Tane Edmed. Not 100% sure if having Tupou waiting to come on was an injury management thing. Also nothing against Edmed who just reached 50 Super Rugby games but if I was Dan McKellar deciding to do things differently with selection and 1st half tactics – who knows?

Waratahs would have dominated the whole 80 instead of the 2nd half alone & now time is running against them with Top 6 getting tougher than ever when you’ve got Western Force and Auckland Blues currently standing in their way.

Finally, great to see the Saders rebound following their loss at home v the Chiefs last Saturday. Some mistakes were here and there especially in the latter stages but the good news is that their attacking placement continues to be good as ever being enjoyed by the fans. If they can stay alert by not slipping away those silly mistakes, then sure they will win the championship.

Top 3 players from Waratahs v Crusaders

If Crusaders win the Super Rugby title this year, can we have a honorary statue or portrait at that new Te Kaha stadium for Sevu Reece? The who never stops scoring tries with outstanding pace from out of nowhere as if he’s on bullet trains to rocket ships by breaking Super Rugby records.

Hello also to James O’Connor where he always makes a big difference every time off the bench – doesn’t matter he’s 10 or 15 as long as his creative output and conversion kicks continues to help them extend their lead & finish games strong.

One word of fine-tuning for the Crusaders to work on is their discipline as well as defending on restarts – all they have to do now is to spin and they will win.

Waratahs not their night tonight off the back of their improved 2nd half where some reserve players deserve better but gonna miss the brute force of Langi Gleeson smashing it against pieces of dominos & bowling pins hoping he will come back from France (Montpellier) just in time for the 2027 home World Cup.

May 16, 2025 0 comment

A few quickfire sports items this week: Chiefs def. Crusaders once again, NSW Swifts continue to be unbeatable in Super Netball and Honda’s return to winning ways in MotoGP with Johann Zarco from Team LCR

by Sports Benches May 14, 2025

Here’s a few quickfire sports items this week: Thursday 15th May, 2025

1️⃣ Great to see the Chiefs def. Crusaders once again but if these two play in the Grand Final later on, sure it’s not over just yet. Can’t wait for Saders v Tahs tomorrow although no Joseph for a while due to jaw injury while wishing Mason Gordon the best of luck now he’s unable to play rugby.

2️⃣ Swifts still unbeatable as always but at least they’re leading the Super Netball ladder by a merry way – not so much from Giants who lost to SC Lightning.

3️⃣ It’s a Honda with that emphatic French Motorcycle GP win by Johann Zarco in the Satellite LCR Bike. Yes, Honda haven’t been at their best last 1-2 years but hoping they can be back challenging for titles again.

4️⃣ Sheffield United too good for Bristol City and Sunderland sees off late threat from Coventry – going to be a cracking Final where one will go to the big time PL.

May 14, 2025 0 comment

Rugby

2025 Super Rugby Season Week 13 of 16: Blues too good for the Fijian Drua in Suva and Reds delivered Waratahs a crushing blow once again at Moore Park’s Allianz Stadium

by Sports Benches May 9, 2025

Blues were absolutely too good for the Fijian Drua even when they were playing away in front of the Drua’s passionate home fortress in Suva by 0-34. On the same night going south at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium, we did see a much tighter contest following another state v state clash between Waratahs and Reds.

But again, Reds’ attacking backline were key to outshine the Waratahs in one particular area to close out the game, and they did so too in fine fashion by 21-28.

While Blues stay on track inside 5th alongside Reds holding on clear 4th just ahead by a single point, it’s looking tough and tougher by the week from the Waratahs unfortunately as of late.

Having seen Joseph Suaalii hauled off due to injury along with a lack of ideas to stop the Reds from walking out 1st towards full-time, those next three games – the last three to finish off 2025 – by the Waratahs will be the toughest one yet again if they want to end up being Top 6 by the end of this month.

Don’t know what to say other than being clueless based on their recent form with their away results not a good pill to swallow.

And yes, Drua’s 2025 ain’t the same when Mick Byrne took the Fijian National team job post-season last year. They are unlikely taste Finals compared to 2023 and 2024 but they will do whatever it can to finish on a high.

There’s two games to come tomorrow night across the Trans-Tasman with the Crusaders v Chiefs and Western Force v Brumbies.

Top 3 players of the night

Drua v Blues

Corey Evans is right on the money every time he clears out those decks being the Blues’ resident speed demon that also shows excellent team-work at 15.

Taufa Funaki doesn’t disappoint as the Blues’ starting 9 lately that is vital to stay Top 6 who continues to put these fine performances so he knows they’re ahead like last week v Western Force.

Drua could’ve used a trick or two especially when they had less ball but their young 4 Mesake Vocevoce was the Drua’s hit song tonight – like how he outmuscled the Blues defense including one that almost led to a TRY.

Waratahs v Reds

From Suva to the Sydney Allianz, Tim Ryan on the left 11 provided his junkyard dog push that turned into a number of rewarding tries. Filipo Daugunu, unbelievably creative on the outside 13 – take note of that Joe, seems we’ve got a surprise right here this July v the Lions.

And unlucky from Waratahs with Joseph knocked out in the head and their attack just difficult to match that spark, Langi Gleeson took no prisoners at the heart of their back row & he won’t give up with the last three games tough inc. last two away to see out 2025.

May 9, 2025 0 comment

Other Sports Football Rugby

A few quickfire sports items this week Thursday, 7th May 2025: Moana and Hurricanes stay on course Top 6 while Waratahs struggle again, great weekend from NSW in Super Netball, NRL finally has a WA team & more Soccer with the English

by Sports Benches May 7, 2025

Here’s some quickfire sports items this week:

1️⃣ Moana Pasifika and Hurricanes take wins that kept their Top 6 alive with Reds unlucky to Drua and Waratahs lose again away where they were so out of depth v Brumbies after half-time – they better pull those strings tomorrow v the Reds again.

2️⃣ Top weekend from NSW Netball – Giants finally crush champs Adelaide Thunderbirds by one goal (64-63) while Swifts still so unbeatable v Firebirds.

3️⃣ Lots of recognised NZers at the second from Grace Nweke to Kiri Wills along with Silver Ferns coach Dame Noeline Taurua & the ANZ Premiership is back this weekend.

4️⃣ NRL now officially welcomes back the Bears as a WA team. Fun fact: Reds & future Wallabies coach Les Kiss used to play there back in his day.

5️⃣ More Football in the form of soccer, Leeds won the Championship at the last minute while Arsenal won’t be in the CL Final with PSG v Inter – and now we’ll see if Tottenham along with Man Utd will be up for the Europa Cup 2nd leg semi tomorrow.

May 7, 2025 0 comment

Rugby

Thoughts on Rugby Australia’s TV rights contract extension that is now finalised with Nine and Stan between 2026-2030

by Sports Benches April 9, 2025

The decision has already been made yesterday as Nine and Stan now confirmed to stay on with Rugby Australia for another five years when it comes to the next TV rights contact that is set to start from next season (2026) to at least the end of 2030.

Here’s what we know so far:

All Super Rugby games will be aired on Stan Sport.
All Wallabies and Wallaroos games including the Bledisloe Cup, Rugby Championship (Stan only everywhere else that isn’t Wallabies) and the proposed Nations Cup/Spring Tour to be on both Nine and Stan.
All Club Rugby games both NSW Shute Shield and QLD Hospital Cup will also stay on Stan for at least the next two seasons with one main weekly Saturday afternoon game back on free-to-air also on Nine through 9Gem including Finals.
All other content they’ve got will also stay on only through Stan from Super W to U-16 and U-19 National Championships as well as Six Nations, Currie Cup, NZ’s National Provincial Championship and many more including the full All Blacks v Springboks 2026 (to SA) & 2030 (back in NZ) tours.
The final cost would be around $215 million ($43 million per season) with up to $30 million add-ons depending on the Wallabies and Australian Super Rugby teams’ successes over time.

So what’s missing? No Saturday night free-to-air weekly Super Rugby games.

That contract obligation they’ve got at the moment has now been removed starting next season onwards to aid with RA’s retention of keeping their top players away from lucrative overseas playing and money opportunities as Nine chose to give them more cash instead by swapping Super Rugby with all Wallabies and Club Rugby games returning on free-to-air TV.

Nothing much to do with increased ratings or exposure really, although there’s still a possibility that Nine could still air some Super Rugby games after all albeit at different times during the season.

It could only be key matches or even a mix of both Friday nights plus some Sunday afternoon regular-season games on what they call it flexible scheduling including one weekly finals on Saturdays, I don’t know.

But I hope RA and Nine with their paid streaming subsidiary Stan will find a way soon enough to keep Super Rugby on free-to-air at least in some way, so we don’t have to feel disappointed & not like it was in the past when there were no live Super Rugby games at all other than replays & highlights until 2021 all thanks to Nine.

Regardless of that, sure we are moving onto the right direction for the betterment of Rugby Australia, when Super Rugby is going well at the moment at the expense of our four Aussie teams along with the front row potential of winning it all in the green & gold Wallabies when we take on the British and Irish Lions as well as another Trans-Tasman contest later this year.

April 9, 2025 0 comment

Rugby

Super Rugby 2025 Week 6 of 16: Waratahs def. Brumbies 28-23 on what has been a bittersweet night for Dan McKellar against his old club as coach coupled with Max Jorgensen’s individual show once again at Allianz Stadium

by Sports Benches March 22, 2025

It’s been a top physical battle between two of the Australian Super Rugby heavyweights in NSW Waratahs and ACT Brumbies at Allianz Stadium tonight as Dan McKellar walked away against his old club in the battle of our country’s head coaches helmed by former fly-half Stephen Larkham with the 28-23 win and things are looking likely on the up right now sitting 4th out of 11th as of Round 6.

Sure, no denying the Brumbies’ expansive passage of play especially after half-time when they were right back in the mix with not much time left to go. Their poor start coupled with ill-discipline and ball retention under pressure towards the end was a bit too much to ask there while the Waratahs have simply found the bigger fish to fry with big points after big points & that’s how they’ve set the bar tonight.

Here’s what happened elsewhere prior to this match:

Chiefs still holding out strong having fended off a late threat from 11th-placed Moana Pasifika by 35-50;
Good to see the Reds end their 12-year away ground drought in Dunedin with the 23-29 win over the Highlanders at Forsyth Barr Stadium;
And the Crusaders continues to be on red hot form even though it’s been a while with that away win after they were too good v defending champs Blues at Eden Park in Auckland, 19-42.

Now there’s one more game to go to finish off Round 6 when the Western Force are back home at HBF Park v Fijian Drua tomorrow afternoon at 5pm AEDT – should be a good one at the same time happening a bit later with the Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix race from Shanghai (6-7.45pm).

Max Jorgensen is simply a class of his own off the back of his immense attacking and defensive contribution as always every now and then. Yes, some say he should be better off at full-back even with no Joseph Suaalii right now but he looks to be more suited on the wide left 11 especially you have top-class players around him – means a lot that makes his Rugby intel so great at all highest levels.

It’s just not the Tahs praising their own product of the Max, they are blessed to have one of the “Burn” boys in Rob Leota on the blindside 6. As a seasoned home grown Wallaby, he’s not just sound as part of the Tahs’ tough defense; he’s also destructive with his wrecking ball presence and with a Finals series already under his belt, he will wanna do that again this time with a semi or even a grand final.

Lastly, Len Ikitau has been cracking up Waratahs defenses all night long on the outside 13 where the Brumbies know how to light things up by building pressure in order to enable that explosive attacking creativity through the line that produced some brilliant moments via his guidance, especially in the last 40. It’s a shame their poor start plus the ill-discipline made their comeback bid so difficult unfortunately & that’s that.

March 22, 2025 0 comment

Rugby

Super Rugby 2025 Week 5 of 16: Queensland Reds retain the Bob Templeton Cup following their comprehensive win over the NSW Waratahs at Suncorp Stadium by 35-15

by Sports Benches March 15, 2025

The oldest rivalry between New South Wales and Queensland is back for another year and the Reds were just too good in front of their home fans with their retention of the Bob Templeton Cup that marked the Tahs first loss of 2025 after they began the new year with three straight wins on their home front by Dan McKellar as the final score at Suncorp Stadium was 35-15.

Yes, no doubt Waratahs got onboard so early before they built a solid defensive structure to frustrate the Reds along the way. However, their inability to convert into tries whilst leading saw the Reds pick up most of the pie instead and this is where they were blown away – not even a late TRY would help to make lost time when the game was already over & done.

Elsewhere, Crusaders kept on winning once again where they were also too good this time against the Western Force and the same goes with the ACT Brumbies as of late from last night v Fijian Drua. Plus, Hurricanes rebound over the Highlanders following their surprise loss last weekend v Moana Pasifika (who are taking the bye this week) and earlier tonight, reigning champs Blues fell just short by just a single point (32-31) to the No.1 side right now in none other than the Chiefs.

And shoutout to Eastern Suburbs by the way who just got away with the Australian Club Championship pre-season win over Queensland’s Hospital Cup reigning championship team Wests Brothers from Toowong at Crosby Park, Albion (also in Brisbane, QLD) – how good!! Especially when you follow Shute Shield in NSW where they had a blast last year with that Grand Final win over the Northern Suburbs following a long 55-year wait & now they just added another trophy in such short time.

Player Spotlight

Tom Lynagh lightens up the Queensland Reds fast-paced counter-attack with fireworks thanks to his own creative brilliance + his powerful kicking game and spotless conversion kicks all around much like his legendary dad Michael in the No.10 shirt. He’s been a strong performer on his own every week and sure the rewards will continue to go his way & who knows if he will right up there against the Lions for the Wallabies soon? Sure his dad knows all about that team’s group of intel so well based on his past punditry work in the UK.

Not only that, you can’t get past the Reds Great Wall of loose forwards such as No.8 Harry Wilson and re-committed home grown signing Fraser McReight on the openside 7. Yes, they may have battered a huge bruising over the course of 80 mins that is part & parcel of rugby where Fraser had to be taken off right away for his left shoulder after he scored a TRY; but still, their defense was as good as their attack – both at the breakdown & on open play.

And Triston Reilly did the best he can who was a useful utility asset on the Waratahs right wing 14 – such as that opening TRY not long after kick-off on his own short side while he offers that extra push with the maul at line-out time. Glad he took that opportunity especially with competition for outside backs getting robust as it goes, it’s a shame they failed grasp into conversions for the most part.

March 15, 2025 0 comment

Rugby

2025 Super Rugby Season Week 4 of 16: Waratahs v Western Force – Tahs just too good off the back of some sensational outside backs display by Max Jorgensen and Darby Lancaster on the wings at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium

by Sports Benches March 8, 2025

One month into the new season along with the first of two byes, the NSW Waratahs are currently flying high under new coach Dan McKellar, especially when all three games were played so far at their home fortress of Allianz Stadium in Moore Park.

They were absolutely too good even though the first half was quiet at times where both Tahs and Western Force were having a huge arm wrestle when it comes to a tough physical challenge of rugby.

But again, Tahs reaped the rewards with so many tries across the board off the back of their expansive tactics and while Force weren’t bad on paper whenever they had the ball, they just didn’t have enough execution to pull off for the most part plus their discipline hasn’t helped them much either. All in all, Tahs led 15-5 at half-time before they were too good along with the extra bonus point by 34-10.

Happening Elsewhere

Elsewhere, we saw some unforgettable matches during Week 4 of 16 like the ACT Brumbies win last night on the Blues home turf at Eden Park along with back-to-back Saturday match results being led by the competition’s leading Pasifika teams from Fijian Drua’s continued dominance at their home front v Chiefs to Moana Pasiifka at last went with the distance v Hurricanes.

There’s still one more game to finish off tomorrow arvo as part of some Sunday Super Rugby feast and the Queensland Reds are currently in Christchurch ahead of their reunion with former playmaker James O’Connor who will be in the other side of the pitch for the Crusaders.

Top 3 players

You just couldn’t believe what the Waratahs outside backs got on offer with the likes of Max Jorgensen (No.14 right) and Darby Lancaster (No.11 left) were absolutely electric both with pace to rip defenses out in attack as well as the brawns to push & hold ground in defense.

Yes, Tahs thought injuries may have held back at one point earlier where there were some mistakes at times. But better still, Waratahs do have the depth to build pressure and cash in those chances towards the home front thanks to their better experienced group – and they managed to keep on winning once again tonight especially at their own Allianz Stadium.

Who knows what will happen between now and Week 16?

They will be after the Queensland Reds up next Saturday night away from home not just to win back bragging rights but also keep in check with the ladder and they’re currently sitting on top of 2nd.

Meanwhile, former Tah and WA born-and-bred Carlo Tizzano has been a wrecking ball at the Tahs defense on the openside Force 7 including a TRY for himself from the opening half. No wonder he’s sending a good message there to the Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt ahead of the home Lions tour in July-August, he just needs more support to help capitalise on those executions but Force hasn’t unfortunately where balls were lost/stolen for the most part on top of lost penalties along the way.

March 8, 2025 0 comment

Rugby

Rugby Today: Thoughts on the Western Force’s last-minute heroics v Moana Pasifika last night 45-44 led by Wallaby 10 Ben Donaldson and what does it mean for the Aussie teams after Week 1 of the new 2025 Super Rugby season

by Sports Benches February 15, 2025

Comeback after comeback after comeback, it’s great to see our Australian teams each pick up wins on the first week of the 2025 Super Rugby season.

Looking back at how No.10 Ben Donaldson broke Moana Pasifika’s hearts right on full-time last night even with Ardie Savea at the other end – such a magician isn’t he? Goes to show they’ve improved some much-needed competition for the best of Australian Rugby (four at best, we’ll see) as well as the Green & Gold Wallabies.

Now it’s up to them to see out like this more often week in, week out – and maybe two Australian teams will go on to play in semis with one finally able to make it to a Grand Final for a shot at the silverware.

Watch this space not just Super Rugby & v NZ in general but also the British & Irish Lions who will be on their way mid-year.

February 15, 2025 0 comment