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Wallabies halfback Nic White is out of next month’s Test series against France, while fellow veterans Matt Toomua and James O’Connor are also battling injuries, potentially robbing the side of almost 150 Test caps. White has returned home to Canberra after suffering a MCL injury at training during their Gold Coast camp, and Toomua is already there with his injury being checked by Rugby Australia’s chief medical officer, Warren McDonald. Toomua is expected to rejoin the squad on Sunday with the Wallabies hopeful the playmaker will be available for the first Test on July 7. O’Connor, who has carried the injury from Super Rugby Trans-Tasman, is being managed through training but the five-eighth is expected to play. With White out, Queensland’s Tate McDermott is now set for his first Test start after two matches off the bench, while Brumbies No.9 Ryan Lonergan is likely to make his debut. Waratahs halfback Jake Gordon is in camp but is also recovering from a MCL injury and remains an ...

Wales flanker Justin Tipuric comes into the British and Irish Lions side to play Japan on Saturday after Scotland's Hamish Watson is ruled out by a training-ground concussion. Original source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/57582450 https://therugbystore.com.au/british-and-irish-lions-v-japan-justin-tipuric-replaces-hamish-watson-in-line-up/

The British and Irish Lions will have eight debutants in their team to face Japan on Saturday. Original source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/57567198 https://therugbystore.com.au/british-and-irish-lions-eight-debutants-to-face-japan/

Any enigma about the physical preparation and the evolution of the Springboks’ game will be revealed when they face the British and Irish Lions. Given the Springboks have not participated in any competitions since the end of 2019, and with most of their key players playing abroad, it is difficult to analyze the medium-term prospects that would deposit them at the gates of the Rugby Championship 2021. In principle, one of the keys to dismantling the South African defensive game lies in avoiding or controlling the rapid pressure they exert through no’s. 6-8 and no. 9: fast and direct through the shortest channel until crashing into the opponent’s attack. Physicality on the occasion of contact is the central axis of the South African strategy, with almost 98 per cent effectiveness in ruck and 85 per cent in positive tackles. At the last Rugby World Cup in 2019, the Springboks left their qualifying group behind by playing good rugby but mostly focused on the potential to score points....

What used to be one of the most anticipated moments of my life has now evolved into a modicum of enthusiasm. It may be because I am now a New Zealander living in Australia where the media attention for rugby is so much less than NZ, but I feel that the naming of the All Blacks squad is less of a big deal than previously. And no, I have not become an AFL fan, I have tried hard to like it and know enough to fake a conversation, but still do not get the enthusiasm for it. I remember the heated debates with mates and fellow workers as to who would make the team and there was always a “Pick the All Blacks” competition running somewhere. If the team named by the public could ever take the field who knows what the result would be. I would say that several Kiwis could pick a better team than what Ian Foster and co have just done. I believe I never ever managed to select the whole squad as named by selectors but did come close. There was always a bolter in there. Bolters usually do not wo...

Tom Youngs accepts a charge of disrespecting a match official during Leicester's game with Bristol in June. Original source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/57554547 https://therugbystore.com.au/tom-youngs-leicester-hooker-accepts-two-week-ban-for-disrespecting-match-official/

Manu Tuilagi is included in Eddie Jones' updated 36-player England squad for their summer Tests against the USA and Canada. Original source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/57547865 https://therugbystore.com.au/manu-tuilagi-england-coach-eddie-jones-adds-sale-centre-to-squad-for-july-tests/

Harlequins stage a thrilling fightback from 28-0 down to beat Bristol after extra time and reach the Premiership final. Original source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/57484199 https://therugbystore.com.au/premiership-semi-final-bristol-bears-36-43-harlequins-aet-quins-reach-twickenham-after-stunning-fightback/

The inaugural Super Rugby Trans-Tasman season is done and dusted, so we’re counting down the days until the international fixtures kick off in this week’s edition of Coach’s Corner. Every Friday, our rugby analyst here on The Roar , Nick Bishop, answers your questions about the goings-on across the rugby world Miss the latest issue of Coach’s Corner? Catch up right here! With the first Test against France now just a fortnight away, all eyes turn to the Wallabies as they prepare to try and stun France at the SCG. The European powerhouse won’t be at full strength, thanks to results in the Top 14; Toulouse’s semi-final win meaning stars Antoine Dupont and Romain Ntamack, among others, won’t make it through Australia’s overseas quarantine in time for the first Test at least. Do the Aussies have a chance of getting the jump on Les Bleus? Or will their All Blacks-esque squad depth hold the visitors in good stead? In other Wallabies news, captain Michael Hooper has issued a warning that ...

This article is in response to the recent article by Brett McKay highlighting calls by various coaches and personalities to bring back the NRC. Apart from the obvious fact Rugby Australia doesn’t have the money to reprise the NRC – or ARC, for that matter – I’ve always disputed its legitimacy on the grounds it duplicated unnecessary resources. Southern hemisphere rugby, including Australian rugby, took a wrong turn back in 1995. Everything they’ve done since has created extra expenses, required extra funds, which in turn meant seeking out extra, impractical revenue streams that were unnecessary. How for example, is it a victory for South African Super Rugby teams to move offshore to Europe, to be soon followed presumedly by the Springboks? Back in 1995 the southern hemisphere had a structural set-up that was close to perfect. What it required was fleshing out and building upon the solid footings and foundations already long established, not displacing them, as occurred when the gam...

Former British and Irish Lions captain Sam Warburton backs Warren Gatland to cement his legacy in South Africa. Original source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/57505885 https://therugbystore.com.au/british-and-irish-lions-2021-sam-warburton-backs-warren-gatland-to-make-history/

It’s the question that just won’t go away: should Australian rugby’s overseas contingent be eligible to play for the Wallabies? The argument fired up again this week with the announcement of the first Test squad for 2021. Feelings run hot on both sides. Those championing head coach Dave Rennie’s ‘local only’ approach fear a stampede for the exit if eligibility restrictions end. On the other hand, after a run of less-than-stellar results over the past couple of decades, others believe the Wallabies simply can’t afford to exclude our overseas elite – particularly with players increasingly making the move abroad in their peak years. Imagine what Rory Arnold, Tolu Latu and Sean McMahon would bring to the Wallabies, they argue. South Africa picked players from wherever and won a World Cup. Why can’t that be us? Making a choice: Then and now 30 years ago, Wallabies fans lived in fear of the next headline announcing that this rugby star or that emerging talent had signed to play league. ...

If the main issue for New Zealand Rugby is increased injuries and player welfare due to the intensity of a straight Super Rugby Aotearoa, then simply follow the European model and play Super Rugby Trans-Tasman throughout Super Rugby Aotearoa on designated weekends. This would give the New Zealand teams plenty of breaks from playing each other. It would also allow Australia to keep Super Rugby AU while getting continual exposure to the New Zealand teams throughout. Because there are only 18 weeks or so in which to fit any model between the end of February and the July Tests, Super Rugby Trans-Tasman would be divided into three divisions: Cup, Shield and Plate (for want of better names). In the Cup division, you would have the top two teams from Super Rugby Aotearoa and the top two from Super Rugby AU. In the Shield division, you would have the next two best teams (third and fourth) from each and in the Plate division, you would have teams placed fifth and sixth from each. Within eac...

The British and Irish Lions squad receive their first coronavirus vaccinations before the summer tour of South Africa. Original source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/57261092 https://therugbystore.com.au/british-and-irish-lions-2021-touring-party-vaccinated-before-south-africa-tour/

England will open their Rugby World Cup campaign next year against debutants Fiji at Eden Park in New Zealand. Original source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/57273290 https://therugbystore.com.au/rugby-world-cup-2021-england-open-campaign-against-fiji-in-new-zealand/

With the first two rounds of Super Rugby Trans-Tasman completed, it might be assumed that the problem for the Australian Super Rugby teams is they have been too insular by only playing against themselves in Super Rugby AU, and that the solution is more exposure to the New Zealand teams in a full-season Trans-Tasman competition. Yes, the Australian teams do need exposure to the New Zealand teams to improve, but it’s worth noting that they would not be playing against the New Zealand teams in a full-season Trans-Tasman anymore than they are this year in Super Rugby Trans-Tasman. So, suggesting that the only alternative to embracing a full-season Trans-Tasman is shrinking back to play with your own ball in your own space is a bit of a false dichotomy. Another option is simply retaining the current format of Super Rugby AU followed by Super Rugby Trans-Tasman. However, the argument can still be made that playing against the New Zealand teams in a full-season Trans-Tasman would be a lot...

Rob Burrow, Stephen Darby and Doddie Weir talk to BBC Breakfast's Sally Nugent about their bond and fight for motor neurone disease (MND) awareness. Original source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/57227301 https://therugbystore.com.au/rob-burrow-stephen-darby-doddie-weir-on-their-bond-and-fight-for-mnd-awareness/

WRU chief executive Steve Phillips hopes 10,000 fans can watch each of Wales's three Tests in July at Principality Stadium. Original source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/57244935 https://therugbystore.com.au/welsh-rugby-union-hopes-for-10000-at-canada-and-argentina-games/

Melbourne are relying on the Victorian-New Zealand travel bubble reopening by Saturday or a travel exemption to play their Super Rugby Trans-Tasman match against the Highlanders in Queenstown on Sunday. The Rebels were set to fly out of Melbourne on Friday morning ahead of their round-three clash but the New Zealand government announced the bubble would be paused for 72 hours from Tuesday 6pm AEST after a COVID-19 outbreak in Melbourne. Initially told of a later NZ deadline, the club started scrambling to get out of the state on Tuesday night, looking to relocate to Sydney before going on to Queenstown later in the week. But the Rebels and SANZAAR officials were caught out by the early cut-off and couldn’t find enough seats for all players and staff on a flight departing by 6pm. Rebels boss Baden Stephenson said they remained hopeful the match would go ahead as planned, with both countries’ prime ministers set to attend. “We will now fly out on Saturday which is a day later than s...

After another disappointing weekend for Australian rugby, we need your questions for this week’s edition of Coach’s Corner. If you’re new here, Coach’s Corner is the weekly Friday column where our very own rugby guru Nick Bishop answers all your questions about the greatest game. » Didn’t see Coach’s Corner last week? Get up to speed on all the talking points here A second clean sweep for the New Zealand sides in Super Rugby Trans-Tasman has led to plenty of doom and gloom about the state of the sport in Australia, with even Crusaders coach Scott Robertson bemoaning the gulf in class from across the ditch. Are there any positives to take out of the weekend’s action, and can someone – anyone – step up to break the duck? This week’s matches are headlined by the Reds looking for redemption from their horror loss to the Crusaders when they battle the Chiefs, while the Force and the Brumbies will each be hoping they can be the ones to secure that long-awaited Lucky Country victory. Els...

Why did the Super Rugby AU side cross the road? To avoid another loss to an Aotearoa team. This is getting very close to being ridiculous. One round of all Kiwi victories was one thing but with two rounds of convincing wins now in the can, it’s getting to that awkward part of the School Sports Day where the staff are wondering if they’ve brought enough participation trophies. However, despite the one-sided league table and talk from people like Scott Robertson of the gulf between the two competitions, there’s still plenty to argue about, so let’s get stuck in. Stop kicking the ball away One of the consistent factors that has caused the Australian teams issues has been their poor kicking. Whether it’s exiting their 22 or box kicks or cross field kicks, every week sides are putting themselves under so much pressure with poor kicking. Ryan Lonergan was guilty of this a lot this week against the Chiefs but his poor kicking from the base of the ruck is repeated by far too many Aussie ...