Lampard names one Chelsea man that keeps surprising him
Frank Lampard says that he “did not expect” the level of performances Mason Mount is producing for Chelsea. The Blues had peppered the Brighton goal throughout the first half but only made the breakthrough when Jorginho tucked in a penalty five minutes after half-time. Willian’s well-taken second secured a maiden three points at home for…
Reds excited about future Super stars
For a team that just lost their eighth game of the season and are out of Super Rugby finals contention, the Queensland Reds are surprisingly excited. Skipper James Slipper and interim co-coach Nick Stiles liked what they saw in parts of Friday night’s 43-24 loss to the Brumbies. They heaped plenty of pressure on the…
All in the mind for Western Force
Psychology will be key for the Force as they search to salvage something in 2016, after another loss on Saturday night. The WA franchise has made a habit of inconsistent performances this season, with opponents blowing out margins late in matches. Coach Michael Foley said Saturday’s 49-13 loss to the Waratahs was especially frustrating because,…
Waratahs' season not lost: Gibson
Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson says his side’s season is not a lost cause, despite a 2-3 start to the year. The Waratahs clawed their way back from 21-3 down to trail by just four points in the final stages, before falling just short of the Rebels on Sunday. NSW heads into its second bye now…
Hurricanes laud Perenara's form
Beauden Barrett versus Aaron Cruden warrants top billing when positional clashes are measured for the Hurricanes-Chiefs Super Rugby semi-final. But Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd reckons it’s worth looking one place further in, at the collision of two arch-rival halfbacks in Wellington on Saturday. Boyd believes his effervescent No.9 TJ Perenara is in career-best form and…
Highlanders vs Rebels: Five things we learned
It was another Kiwi domination, as the Highlanders beat the Rebels on Friday night. What have we learned from the Dunedin clash? 1. Bottom spot for another week There are few positives for the Rebels after a fifth 2017 loss on Friday night. The results means they will stay anchored to the bottom of the…
Dempsey re-signs with Waratahs
Emerging backrower Jack Dempsey has re-signed with the Waratahs for two seasons. The flanker, who had a breakout Super Rugby season before injury curtailed his progress, is currently on Spring Tour as a development player with the Wallabies. Dempsey overcame a shoulder injury in the back end of the year to be a standout for…
Hanson pumped for Latu battle
They packed down together for the Sydney Stars and now James Hanson and Tolu Latu will come face to face in a crunch debut match on Friday night. Hanson is set to play his 100th Super Rugby game in the clash with the Waratahs but it’s the battle with his former teammate he’s most looking…
Smith injured as Highlanders lose to Chiefs
The Chiefs have broken a three-year Super Rugby drought against the Highlanders, opening their 2017 campaign with an unlikely 24-15 victory. Despite never looking the better side in Dunedin, the Chiefs pulled three tries from nowhere, including two James Lowe intercepts, to claim a bonus point. The Highlanders will rue wasted opportunities on home turf…
World stars to come to Brisbane: reports
World rugby’s global stars will descend on Brisbane in 2017, with reports of a new global rugby 10s tournament to be played at Suncorp Stadium. Brisbane will host the Australian Super Rugby teams and sides including Top 14 powerhouses Toulon, to be held in the second week of February, following the Sydney Sevens the Courier-Mail…