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Wallabies

A few Quickfire sports news items of the week of 30th April 2025: Les Kiss to Wallabies, Max Purcell’s doping ban, Grace Nweke & Kiri Wills reunion at Super Netball level plus many more

by Sports Benches April 29, 2025

Congratulations to Les Kiss with the Wallabies job who has done big things with the Reds past two years and sure his setup & influence on players can help them flow from dominating Super Rugby to being a Top 3 side on the global stage like the glorious Springboks at present.

Felt sorry for Max Purcell having accepted a year-and-a-half ban on doping.

Won’t be the same without him especially being a strong contributor to our Aussie doubles team both grand slams and team tournaments but we gotta put a fine line with our standards of professional sport.

After a very long Round 3 of Super Netball, we’re back again with a full weekend log with one match I’m looking to forward to is Swifts v Firebirds.

Grace Nweke will playing against Kiri Wills’ team once again and it’s not at ANZP level like it was with Mystics v Stars but in Super Netball – so yeah, bring it on.

Formula 1 is back this weekend in Miami along with the second sprint race of the year as yes happy for Oscar Piastri who is currently leading the drivers’ championship after he collected the Saudi win last time round. But here’s hoping Jack Doohan will be able to step up to the plate when there’s a short and long race opportunity, so onto the engineers here to help map out the best strategy and tire management. Not only that, he needs to turn up every post-race in order to not just be consistent but also finish races strong.

And can’t wait for final round Championship Saturday at 9.30pm AEST where Plymouth do need Burnley’s help along as long as Burnley v Millwall but can’t ignore all day from free-scoring Leeds.

April 29, 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

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

Other Sports

Tennis x Sports Crossover at the 2025 Australian Open: Super Rugby, All Blacks & Wallabies preview along with Netball in New Zealand and Jack Doohan under pressure for only the first six races in Formula 1 at Alpine-Renault

by Sports Benches January 19, 2025

And last but not least, how about we give a shoutout to two Wallabies stars Harry Wilson (Queensland Reds) and Max Jorgensen (NSW Waratahs), who were both in attendance at Melbourne Park this weekend to cheer on Alex De Minaur.

Yet, the Demon did win after all to play in the 4th round for the 4th straight year of his AO men’s singles career.

It was also nice seeing Harry and Max lend over that Wallabies green and gold jersey to Alex and look at him go! – How good!

Rugby Union

We first have a jam-pack year of Rugby ahead of us with the 11-team Super Rugby competition set to start in a month’s time before the British and Irish Lions arrive at our own backyard during winter. Plus, there’s Club Rugby at the same, the Rugby Championship & Bledisloe Cup in August-September, and we finish off the year in Europe v the North’s best sides on earth.

First of all, it’s been a bitter blow not seeing Melbourne field a Rugby team anymore in the Rebels when they are a big sporting city due to financial problems. But with lots of people playing AFL (Aussie Rules) and even NRL (Rugby League), it seems there’s no room for Rugby to succeed in that place unfortunately.

Now we are down to four teams with the Western Force still around & as we all know the ACT Brumbies would love to finally play in a Grand Final. However, we would need the Tahs, Reds or even Force to be playing in the semis either way in order for the Wallabies to succeed & that includes the Brumbies. It’s never been a better time to try taking that advantage now, especially with Joseph Suaalii onboard from the Sydney Roosters (NRL) to the Waratahs.

Other than that, the NZ teams will still be dominating for the most part along with a new-look Crusaders, even though the All Blacks had their bad times last season when it comes to the Springboks and France.

Netball

If Rugby isn’t big enough for NZ, why not Netball when they also have a huge year ahead?

The Silver Ferns will be stopping by in Sydney soon to spend nine days there as part of their training camp including a Practice Match v the NSW Swifts featuring the Ferns former star shooter (for now) Grace Nweke on Sunday, February 2.

They will also have a slightly different ANZ Premiership season amongst half of the six teams having brand new coaches (Mainland Tactix, Southern Steel and Northern Stars) between May-July including Finals with a two-round home-and-away format across 10-12 weeks rather than playing three times last year.

Yes, the Ferns haven’t organised any matches lined-up yet for the second half season but we are still expected to see the Taini Jamison Trophy series back regardless of opponent. Although England have won it last year but the good news is that they will be able to defend the Constellation Cup v the Aussie Diamonds following their 3-1 series win back in late October.

And shoutout to former Silver Fern and current GWS Giants (Western Sydney) player Gina Crampton who plays at Wing Attack and was also in attendance from the stands for Alex De Minaur’s game yesterday – sure she still has plenty to offer at age 33, especially playing against the best in Super Netball.

Formula 1

What else? Rugby & Netball isn’t the only sport who mix and matches well with Tennis.

I also wish Alpine-Renault’s Jack Doohan from Formula 1 was there to see Alex also because they do look like each other with both of them having a smiley face personality. Surely, Jack can get some tips on defying those odds from Alex when there’s a bunch of reverse drivers waiting in his wings under pressure including Franco Colapinto. Alex did beat another Argentine actually yesterday too in Francisco Cerundolo; hopefully, this will cheer Jack up in a bid to keep his seat over the first six odd races of the season.

Although I can understand Jack is more aligned with Ayrna Sabalenka because she visited his team’s garage in his unexpected F1 debut last month at Abu Dhabi & Jack came back in return for Ayrna when she played a match a few weeks ago at the Brisbane International.

Post-Notes

Can’t believe there’s a whole lot of other athletes watching for fun there rather than looking to go toe-to-toe with the pro Tennis players & see who’s better?

Time will tell.

January 19, 2025 0 comment

Rugby

2024 Autumn Nations Series: Ireland v Wallabies: The Irish race back to still stand tall after their 3-point win in Dublin

by Sports Benches November 30, 2024

The final International Rugby match of 2024 is now over at the hands of Ireland, who defeated the Wallabies by a three point gap win in front of a brilliant crowd at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium, 22-19.

Hats off to Ireland on what it takes to still be the World’s No.1 ranked team, having successfully played catch up after the half break where it was enough to see them out at full-time. We will see more from a few of their best players for the our Lions Tour in July-August 2025 – bring it on.

Meanwhile, love their good start by the Wallabies when they were in a good position earlier on by eight (5-13). But their inability to make some quick decisions really cost them dearly even if it’s by little. Keep working at it & sure there will be more glorious days again soon enough at the earliest with Joe Schmidt.

Now that we’ve hit December 1 from our end to start the long three-month summer, there’s Test Cricket v India with the five-test series trophy at the moment for the next few weeks going into the 2nd Test for the Day/Nighter at Adelaide Oval starting Friday, then come January it’s the three-week long Australian Open Tennis from Melbourne Park.

Can’t wait for that as Rugby will be back at our shores starting with the 11-team Super Rugby season for 2025 (it’s been 30 years now) will start a bit earlier than usual from Feb-June for 16 rounds with two byes – plus there’s a new-look six team Playoffs series before the home Lions tour plus Rugby Championship, Bledisloe Cup and many more!

Enjoy the rest of your summer and short off-season!

Great to see two of the Irish best loose forwards on show who are both muscular, has lots of experience between them and top-notch powerful to grind no matter how you want it & when you want it. All you have to do is ask them to join for a test drive and they’ll show you how it’s done – even if it’s the toughest on all conditions.

Here comes Josh Van Der Flier on the open flank 7 & Captain Caelan Doris at 8.

They proved to be a massive difference from turning the tide, particularly in the 2nd following the Wallabies’ excellent start, to capping off an unreal win against an improved team under someone they know well before in Joe Schmidt. Now that means business as Ireland continues to keep their spot as their No.1 ranked team.

And it was a close loss from the Wallabies when they need to make quick and clear decisions right from the word go – despite their brilliant start but they’re getting there thanks to Joseph Suaalii (outside 13).

He could’ve won that game had Taniela Tupou been able to pass the ball on time – c’mon Nella, you should be better than that but one of our best tight props also.

Bring on Joseph in a Tahs shirt now because he loves challenges & has done so much with the Sydney Roosters in NRL.

November 30, 2024 0 comment

Rugby

From the weekend: Scotland’s phenomenal attack spells defeat for Joe Schmidt’s Wallabies team at Murrayfield

by Sports Benches November 28, 2024

It wasn’t the weekend the Wallabies wanted at Edinburgh’s Murrayfield Stadium unfortunately when they left it so late to strike those big scores by 27-13 when they were only a few points behind at the break (7-3) courtesy of Harry Potter’s Test debut TRY off the wide left 11 who currently plays for the Western Force.

They could’ve done something better to at least be brave enough against a side who has been at their best in recent years to set the difference between winning and losing. That would have seen them go one step closer towards emulating their winning 1984 grand slam tour against the Home Nations group of teams consisting of England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland.

Now most of the 2024 Autumn Nations Series matches when our Southern Hemisphere teams flew over to play against the North’s best on their home turf across Europe were done and dusted, there’s one more left to wrap it all up this Sunday morning which would be Ireland v Wallabies at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium.

It should be one hell of a cracker no matter what happens in mark of Joe Schmidt’s grand reunion who spent the last decade there as the Irish head coach and now he still has unfinished business at our Rugby Australia HQ in Moore Park. Other than that, it’s been great having him onboard so far who knows how to win games including the last two matches earlier this month against England and of course the beleaguered Wales from a few times before during our home two-match series from July, and if it wasn’t for that poor start, he could’ve helped them win that Bledisloe I on home soil too – more to come in 2025.

Love how Melbourne-born skipper Sione Tuipulotu made his huge family proud in front of his Scottish grandma and brother Mosese, also from the Burn in Frankston with Sione together, who brings tonnes of steel to plow one, push over, and then race one over the line all game on the inside 12.

Meanwhile, Duhan Van Der Merwe has to be the one from the left wing 11, having bossed that cat v mouse game out of the hat – as his contribution allowed the Scots to sign off a successful deal of tries with an excellent pair of hands along the way.

Just couldn’t get enough of the Scottish free-flowing attack every time they crack the code on the counter & the home fans have been buzzing that ended the Wallabies’ good start of this Spring Tour.

And reserve half-back Tate McDermott should’ve been starting just like how his Reds team-mate Fraser McReight made 7 on his own – shame it was at the right place off the back of Harry Potter’s debut TRY but also wrong timing unfortunately.

November 28, 2024 0 comment

Rugby

Joe Schmidt’s Wallabies continue to fly high v Wales once again with the clean sweep win by 20-52 at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium

by Sports Benches November 18, 2024

Another week, another win by the Wallabies’ Green and Gold Army away from home this time being too good against Wales earlier this morning at Millennium Stadium in Cardiff by a mighty 32 points, 20-52.

They fired off well earlier on to give themselves a head start, although Wales weren’t far behind at the same time with a six-point gap between those two going into the break (13-19).

But at the end of the day though, the Welsh still haven’t learnt their lesson with their 11th straight loss in recent matches – that goes back to the last pool stage game during the World Cup last year in France v Georgia.

Meanwhile, the Wallabies continued to be a different beast which was a far cry their worst day out also from the World Cup also at the same time against this Welsh side under Eddie Jones of course.

But safe to say that Joe’s Wallabies is flying high & there’s still two more games left in this Spring Tour in the hope of replicating their golden 1984 Grand Slam tour, with Scotland next up this weekend at Murrayfield before we round it off to Dublin’s Aviva Stadium the weekend after that for his Irish reunion against the No.1 ranked Ireland.

Who loves driving these tractor toys on his way towards scoring tries as if he’s looking after the farm? Well, what a rugby field day it has been from the hooker Matt Faessler after his unbelievable hat-trick haul off line-out and maul time for the Wallabies. Pretty sure he’d be a handy farmer to provide some good fruit & veggies as much him loving rugby and he handled this brilliantly every time the Wallabies were too good, especially when he plays for the Reds & also has played for Randwick before. Look out for Matty F more often in a very busy 2025 season.

There’s another hat-trick star in town at the streets of Cardiff and the turbocharged Brumby Tom Wright continues to be as good as it gets also in a Wallabies shirt from the back at 15. He at the right place at the right time as if the Wallabies let him start the car who has superior skillset handling like individual battles & most importantly, he has the extreme pace to pull off by surprise even from out of nowhere. What more does he want now? Beating Scotland next up and hopefully Ireland to finish the Grand Slam.

And Cardiff’s Ben Thomas has been lighting up the Welsh inside 12 who can play 10, kick conversions & actually tops the midfield stocks out of both teams combined. He’s always so keen to attack as if he wants to win that dodgem carts contest so badly and he’s done that to help get over the line twice. If he was in a winning mentality, then surely we should see more trickery & skill out of his bag – especially with our home Lions tour coming up in a few month’s time. But that might not happen or even be trusted if he does makes it when the Welsh cannot simply hang him up to dry any longer & they still haven’t won for over a year now.

November 18, 2024 0 comment

Rugby

Rugby News Australia: Wallabies kickstart their 2024 Spring Tour with the Ella-Mobbs Trophy after a five point win over England thanks to Max Jorgensen’s game-winning TRY

by Sports Benches November 9, 2024

This morning, the Wallabies couldn’t believe they were over the moon on what has been a win they will always remember after defeating England for the first time since 2012 by five points (37-42) at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium.

The Wallabies will also be able to take home the Ella-Mobbs Trophy since it’s a one-match series as part of the annual Spring Tour in Europe rather than a three-match contest on Aussie soil during the mid-year that usually takes place every once in a while like a few years.

And it’s never been a better time to have NRL convert from the Sydney Roosters onboard in Joseph-Aukuso Suaalili at outside 13. Yes, he’s been established in league across all the backline roles over the years as he hasn’t played union since he was a teen at schoolboy level. But so far, so good from the man who will do whatever it takes to return the Wallabies’ former glory of old like it was in the past.

Now the work isn’t done yet with Wales to come next weekend on a Monday morning at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium. It should be an easy one considering Wales haven’t been that good at all regardless of their next game v Fiji tomorrow, having seen the Wallabies already won all two matches against them back in July on home soil.

Easy to give Len Ikitau the performance he deserves on the inside 12 alongside Rugby League convert Joseph-Aukuso Suaalili at outside 13, whom they’ve both been a brilliant pair to work with together right away for the green & gold. They couldn’t stop grinding with the way they clear off these decks while able to find the right moments as seen a few times throughout the match including that game-winning assist for Max Jorgensen from Ikitau as seen every year with the Brumbies. Now with Joseph onboard, let’s hope this is the first of many fresh starts like this win today v England as still long way to go.

Then there’s Angus Bell who continues to be at his best on the loosehead Wallabies front row. It’s also great to see him clearing & locking up the English pack with plenty more to offer in a Suaalili-led Waratahs side next year under ex-Brumbied coach Dan McKellar. Yes, he had his fair share of injuries over the years but everyone needs him to stay fit. We do need him to make up more game-changing performances going into a jam-packed 2025 including the Home British & Irish Lions tour & today’s series win is the first of many they’ve prepared for v one of the best British teams for Joe Schmidt.

And Chandler Cunningham-South has been a revelation off the back of his outstanding start with two early tries for England in the blindside 6 jersey. He’s also Kiwi made too when growing up who can beat his man at the right place at the right time – no wonder he’s been so destructive there as the towering loose forward. But not his day today when England just couldn’t learn their lesson from last week’s close loss v the ABs & they’ve slipped away once again this time both another loss & also the series trophy.

November 9, 2024 0 comment

Rugby

Rugby News Australia, All Blacks finish off the 2024 Bledisloe Cup Series on a real high v Wallabies by 20 at Sky Stadium in Wellington

by Sports Benches September 28, 2024

Well, the All Blacks had something to finish off their home 2024 campaign on a high after they were simply too good v Wallabies. Yes, the first half was tight with the Wallabies up first thanks to Fraser McReight while the ABs managed to fill up the first half at the right time going into the break by five points (19-13). But at the end of the day, the ABs extended their lead with more and more tries where the Wallabies unable to catch them up as the clock ticks down unlike Game 1 last weekend in Homebush (Accor Stadium).

Even though the Rugby Championship trophy may no longer be within reach with the Springboks or Los Pumas likely favourites to take home later tonight over in South Africa, a win will do it for the ABs to settle fair & square by 20 points (33-13) as all eyes on the South now to take on the North’s best when the Autumn Nations Series begins this November in Europe.

This is the man the All Blacks wanted to see someone pounce all day & it’s Will Jordan from the back at 15. It’s been a while when he couldn’t play for the Crusaders earlier this year due to a pre-existing shoulder surgery. But what we know best about Will is that he has the outstanding pace to lead out all in one go as if he got the chance to drive that fast military tank & he too got the best out of his wide players on what has been a masterclass display tonight.

Then we will move onto someone currently earning his stripes in the All Blacks Way & he’s young too thanks to Wallace Sititi on the blindside 6. He’s had a huge 2024 from guiding the Chiefs to a Grand Final on this same Wellington ground to All Blacks selection and yet Wallace didn’t put a foot wrong every time he runs and smashes hard with the ball as well as his solid defense. Don’t forget he has a brilliant rugby IQ as seen particularly in the second half – more to come in 2025.

All in all, congrats to the ABs with a 2-0 series clean sweep thanks to their comfy Game 2 win by 20 points (33-13). Yes, they still need to improve their breakdowns while retaining ball retention. But other than that, they’re still winning as long as they still have the Bledisloe Cup trophy.

And journeyman Taniela Tupou didn’t back down as one of the two Wallabies main front rowers at tighthead 3. Yes, he may felt such pain on his knee not long after the game was underway but he still kept going to do some damage on the ABs alongside his solid defense off the back of the Wallabies’ fast start. Anyone would love to have the Tongan Thor all day as we’ve seen that before earlier this year with the Rebels, a few years ago at the Reds & now he’s Waratahs-bound next year under Dan McKellar. For now, it would’ve been better if the Wallabies had more ball to score more tries rather than letting the ABs have it if that helps with little to no fight towards the end there.

September 28, 2024 0 comment

Rugby

Rugby News Australia: All Blacks see off late escape to retain the Bledisloe Cup by three points following an excellent Wallabies 2nd half fight at Accor Stadium

by Sports Benches September 21, 2024

What a close game it was to bring out Bledisloe Cup I this afternoon from the grandstand at Accor Stadium where the All Blacks got away with a few early tries while the Wallabies benefitted from a series of handling opposition errors where a win was almost possible but not enough time towards the end unfortunately.

The ABs led the Wallabies by 14 points (14-28) at half-time and the Wallabies made most of these unanswered points later on other than the opposition extra lone penalty goal. The final score was 28-31 as the ABs still get to keep the Bledisloe Cup yet again for the 22nd consecutive time going into the 2nd game that will mark the final round of the 2024 Rugby Championship at Eden Park next Saturday in Auckland, although the overall crown will most likely go to the Springboks off the back of their unbeaten 2024 run.

If there’s one person out there who can unlock these gates while adding some conversion kicking swagger, then it’s Damian McKenzie in the All Blacks No.10 shirt. We’ve seen the best of him as always on the counter-attack with a brilliant quick passage of play that reflected the ABs brilliant start and overall first half performance. He could’ve done any better if it wasn’t for these no tries & these poorly timed fumbles but it’s up for everyone else to help him out as if DMac is playing in a Final again (been there more often over the past two years with the Chiefs but still runners-up) next weekend. Although he had some great memories in Wellington though like that semi-finals win a few months ago over the ladder-leading Hurricanes & sure he’ll do his best to produce another A+ grade run there once again (Sky Stadium) but this time at International level.

Next one up is Sevu Reece over in the starting All Blacks wide flank at 14 where he’s been crashing & running at Wallabies defenders for the most part. He’s the one who the ABs benefitted on the short side areas much like Caleb Clarke on the left wing. He can also read off at the right time like these intercepts as well as his sound defending, having made a name of himself plenty of times before & is still here at the Crusaders. Maybe the ABs need him as their only hope too, even though things haven’t been that great at times like we saw today and that two-week Boks tour lately. But safe to say that he & DMac can hoist the Bledisloe for now.

And oh so close for the Wallabies after a near 2nd half resurgence where they could’ve won if it wasn’t for those referee & TMO roulette games. Hard to choose between Tom (Wright) at 15, Fraser (McReight) on the openside 7 or even Tate McDermott at reserve half-back No.9 but Fraser did the heavy lifting though with physical power and pace. He knows what the ABs can’t do which was giving the ball away & Fraser translated it with tries that really threw the opposition under pressure. Imagine if he was playing in a Super Rugby semi-final? (Add Tom and James Slipper in there with Fraser together if you like) He would put any NZ in a tough contest no doubt. But a bad start unfortunately has put the Wallabies in all sorts of trouble as they will go into a match they haven’t won for a long time in NZ territory. Sure, another spiritual performance is always needed like we saw in the 2nd 40 here & the 1st 40 in Dunedin last year but still no Bledisloe Cup for them yet again.

September 21, 2024 0 comment