WITH THE Lions clubbing together in a few weeks and finals throughout Europe coming up fast, attention must once again turn to those in the thoughts of Wallaby coach Robbie Deans. The tour feels close now. Closer than a saran-wrap scarf.
Australia
Lions 2013: Rugby World’s Lions squad
Posted 22 days ago
AFTER FOUR years, the waiting is finally over. In less than 24 hours, the names of 37, or 38 players will be read out to a media scrum in South-West London. It will mark the start of another chapter in a 125-year journey for the most celebrated jersey in rugby, the British and Irish Lions.
Lions 2013: The Wallabies name a squad…
Posted 40 days ago
PULSES HAVE been set racing south of the equator as Robbie Deans named a preliminary Australia squad to meet for an ‘exercise’ this Sunday, omitting Quade Cooper but naming Waratah Israel Folau in his 30-man group.
Lions 2013 squad options: Flankers
Posted 44 days ago
IN THE aftermath of the 6 Nations and with time running out we are all confronted with the starkest of choices: who are our Lions? An obvious point of conjecture, there were at least some standouts in recent weeks. So in the interest of making clear what Warren Gatland, Graham Rowntree, Rob Howley and Andy Farrell face before the squad announcement on April 30, Rugby World will sift through the runners and riders in each key position.
Summer Tours 2013: The men in the middle
Posted 56 days ago
WHEN THE news broke yesterday that referee Steve Walsh would handle the Lions first match of the summer against the Barbarians in Hong Kong and that South Africa’s Craig Joubert would take charge of the second test against Australia in Melbourne, there was a ripple of indignation.
Rugby World TV: Post 6 Nations Lions XV
Posted 56 days ago
WITH THE RBS 6 Nations now consigned to history, there is just over a month to go until the announcement of the Lions squad meaning in pubs up and down the land, rugby fans will be arguing over their pork scratchings over the make-up of the celebrated touring team.
RWTV wanted to join in the fun, so decided to throw their hat…
Hong Kong celebrates record Sevens series audience
Posted 57 days ago
FIJI WON the on-field plaudits by sneaking past first-time Cup finalists Wales 26-19, to successfully defend their HSBC Sevens title. In a thrilling final, the South Sea Islanders scored four unopposed second-half tries to come back from a half-time deficit of 19-0.
However, the entertainment wasn’t just limited to the field of play, the fans made sure they got noticed in…
Lions 2013: Who’s hot and who’s not, Down Under?
Posted 57 days ago
BEFORE THE weekend there was a wee bit of chatter under the equator about whether or not the Australian conference was the weakest of the three Super Rugby pools. However, even if this were true – it’s the kind of assumption that idle Europeans would be best to avoid at any cost – there are sublime players in each franchise.
Lions 2013: Who’s Hot Down Under?
Posted 70 days ago
THERE MAY just be one week of the RBS 6 Nations left. Players may be dropping like flies and suddenly we are reshuffling our pecking order of favourites for a summer tour.
However, it is perhaps now time to start seriously looking at those impressing down under. This is not to say that after a handful of rounds in Super Rugby we will know which gold-clad team will oppose the Lions in the first test, but we all like to be kept abreast of the situation.
Michael Lynagh’s marathon mission
Posted 111 days ago
MICHAEL LYNAGH is going to run the London Marathon on 21 April – almost a year to the day that he suffered a stroke. Look at the former Wallabies fly-half now and there are no outward signs of the trauma he suffered in Australia last April; he’s made a remarkable recovery, although he has lost nearly half the sight in his left eye.
