Behind the Ruck

Langford 7s Day 2: Aussie girls back in the groove to claim vital silver

They only just fell short at the final hurdle, with a gallant 4pt loss to reigning champions New Zealand in the Cup Final their only loss of the tournament. But the Australian Women’s Sevens team have put together arguably their best weekend of footy of the season in Langford, Canada, picking up a silver medal and crucial World Series points to go towards their automatic qualification for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.
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Langford 7s Day One: ‘Green Machine’ helps Aussies to unbeaten start

The Aussie Women’s Sevens side has got back on track with an impressive unbeaten start to the Langford Sevens in Canada, with Ellia Green playing a starring role with five tries across three pool matches.
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Beachside bonanza as Marlins pip Souths in 80pt thriller

We’ve become used to the Intrust Super Shute Shield delivering a spectacle week after week, but the competition excelled itself with the feast on offer at Manly Oval last Saturday, with 80pts, eleven tries, and five yellow cards as Manly edged Southern Districts 41-39.
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Junior Wallabies down Baby Blacks to claim maiden Oceania title

A superb Junior Wallabies side have downed New Zealand U20s for only the second time in their history, keeping them scoreless at 24-0 to claim the Oceania U20s crown for the first time ever in the process.
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Intrust Super Shute Shield: Hot Shots & Pie-Baggers – Post-Round 4

Who is leading the way in terms of points and tries in 2019?
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What they said… Randwick v Eastern Suburbs

Post-match reaction from both camps with Hadley Jackson, Pauli Taumoepeau and David Vea.
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Beasts tamed as gutsy Randwick claim ANZAC Day derby spoils

With a combined five losses from six to the start the season, neither Randwick nor Eastern Suburbs went into their ANZAC Day derby clash with much in the way of runs on the board for 2019. But it was the Wicks who got rid of the zero in their wins column, prevailing 23-15 in a hard-fought contest where their tenacity at the breakdown rendered them more Grappling Greens than Galloping.
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Meet the New Bloods: Rory O’Connor

Every year a new batch of graduates takes the step up from club land to Super Rugby to achieve their dream of a professional career. But while they are usually well known amongst the grassroots fraternity that has keenly followed their progress from schools and rep footy, they arrive at the next level as largely unheralded potential. So in the first of a new series of Behind the Ruck in-depth interviews, let’s find out a little bit more about NSW Waratahs prop Rory O’Connor – one of the New Bloods!
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Triple Sinclair: Norths’ band of brothers in search of further glory

As if the rarity of seeing three brothers running out for one team wasn’t enough, last weekend’s Intrust Super Shute Shield saw two sets of sibling trios take the field. But while the achievements of Robbie, Charlie and Jacob Abel in turning out together for their new side Gordon are an equally worthy milestone, the path travelled by the Sinclair brothers – Angus, Hugh and Hamish, in order to achieve their dream in the colours of Northern Suburbs, is one that encompasses a tad more groundwork and history.
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Souths lead the way as club rugby returns with a bang

With club rugby going from strength-to-strength in recent years, the start of the 2019 Intrust Super Shute Shield competition had been eagerly awaited ever since the draw was released last November.
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Rugby community pulls together to help flood affected Queensland

Posted on March 23, 2019 by Paul Cook Leave a comment

The rugby community is again coming together to help those in need, with the announcement that Rugby Australia, the Queensland Rugby Union, the Australian Rugby Foundation, and the Classic Wallabies are combining their efforts to help support the game in the flood-ravaged areas of North Queensland.

Wallabies

Classic Wallabies and Wallaroos to light up Moree this weekend

Posted on March 21, 2019 by Paul Cook Leave a comment

Northern New South Wales is the place to be this weekend if you love your rugby and want to see some of the stars of the past lacing up their boots again, as the town of Moree prepares to host both the Classic Wallabies and Classic Wallaroos.

Wallabies

Junior Wallabies’ Oceania U20s Fixtures Announced

Posted on March 21, 2019 by Paul Cook Leave a comment

Australia’s next generation of rugby stars can prepare in earnest for next month’s Oceania U20s Championship, after exciting clashes against Junior Japan, Fiji U20s and New Zealand U20s were confirmed today.

Wallabies

Fast-finishing Jeeps edge Uni in Club Championship thriller

Posted on March 20, 2019 by Paul Cook One comment

The Australian Club Championship spoils have headed back over the Tweed River to Brisbane, after GPS downed Sydney University 37-31 in a thriller in the wet at Ballymore last Saturday night.

Club Rugby

Brumbies back on song to down misfiring Tahs

Posted on March 17, 2019 by Paul Cook Leave a comment

One win from four was not the start the Brumbies had prepared for in the 2019 Super Rugby competition, but they bounced back in style on Friday night to down the Waratahs 19-13 in Canberra, and maintain their hold on the Dan Vickerman Cup.

Super Rugby

NSW Women edge Queensland in grand final rematch

Posted on March 12, 2019 by Paul Cook Leave a comment

The spoils have stayed with NSW for the second time in a weekend, with the Waratahs Women matching the exploits of the men’s side the previous night ,to just about see off a dogged Queensland side 15-7 at Leichhardt Oval on Sunday afternoon.