Changes to the international rugby season will have a major impact on both the Shute Shield and Premier Rugby competitions from next year. From 2019 onwards, southern hemisphere nations will no longer host a Test series in June, allowing Super Rugby to be played continuously from mid February to early July. This means non-international Super Rugby players will be available to play the majority of the back end of club competitions as well as the entire finals series. While the Shute Shield and Premier Rugby draws for next season are yet to be confirmed, based on this year, those players could b ..read more

Queensland Reds coach Brad Thorn has made two changes to his side to play the Highlanders this weekend. 19-year old Harry Hockings returns to the starting side while Izaia Perese has been named on the wing after scoring a match winning try for Easts in Premier Rugby last weekend. “We’ve kept a pretty similar side to last week,” Thorn said. “Kane (Douglas) had a good game last week and he has been in strong form, but we felt the time was right to give Harry (Hockings) an opportunity to start. He has been making great strides in his development and this is the next step for him. Kane will provid ..read more

By Sam Ryan There has been plenty of debate about the future of Super Rugby, SAANZAR and rugby as a whole in the southern hemisphere as the next round of broadcast negotiations approach in 2020. Many think South Africa may soon look north to Europe, others suggest Japan and Argentina must go and some believe Australia should tear the whole thing a part and go it alone. Before we get into that though, it’s worth looking back at how the whole thing started. Earlier this year, I caught up with former ARU Chairman Bruce Hayman, one of a handful of men who essentially created Super Rugby or S ..read more

Since rugby turned professional in 1995, the size and strength of a rugby player has played an increasingly important role in an individuals development and playing career. While most aspiring rugby players spend countless hours on the field and in the gym, they often pay far less attention to what they put into their body, which science has now proven can have just as much, if not more of an effect on an athlete than their training program. Dr Kate Pumpa is an accredited exercise physiologist and sports dietitian who has spent a good portion of her professional career researching how nutritio ..read more

Since rugby turned professional in 1995, the size and strength of a rugby player has played an increasingly important role in an individuals development and playing career. While most aspiring rugby players spend countless hours on the field and in the gym, they often pay far less attention to what they put into their body, which science has now proven can have just as much, if not more of an effect on an athlete than their training program. Dr Kate Pumpa is an accredited exercise physiologist and sports dietitian who has spent a good portion of her professional career researching how nutritio ..read more

The production line of talent through the Shute Shield competition cannot be questioned and as we head towards another Rugby World Cup cycle here’s a team of talented players ready for the next step. There’s going to be a lot of change at the Waratahs over summer following the departures of coach Daryl Gibson and a host of high profile names who are off overseas at the end of the Rugby World Cup in Japan. While a new coach is yet to be named, the Tahs back office will be hard at word putting together their squad for the 2020 season. There’s a lot to like about the young talent currently at Dac ..read more

Former Wallabies No.9 Chris Whitaker has been added to the NSW Waratahs coaching staff ahead of the 2019 season. Whitaker will coach alongside head coach Daryl Gibson, who had his contract extended, and former Norths coach Simon Cron, while 2018 assistant coach Chris Malone will move on. Whitaker’s return to Sydney follows two years as Co-Head Coach of French club Montauban, and stints with Stade Francais and Irish club side Leinster. He played in 118 games for NSW, including 107 for the NSW Waratahs, 48 internationals for Australia between 1998 and 2005, and also represented the Barbarians an ..read more

The inclusion of  forward Jed Holloway at lock is the only change to the starting line-up for Saturday’s Super Rugby match against the Queensland Reds in Brisbane. Holloway came off the bench against the Chiefs in Hamilton last week. His selection means that Tom Staniforth is on the bench alongside young tighthead prop Shambeckler Vui, who replaces Paddy Ryan. NSW Waratahs Coach Daryl Gibson said Holloway’s call-up was a great opportunity for the 25-year-old. “He is getting his first start in the second row, which is a great chance for him. He is athletic and his ability to carry the ball ..read more

Former West Harbour No.10 and 2017 Ken Catchpole Medal winner Tayler Adams has been named to potentially make his Super Rugby debut on Friday night against the Sunwolves. Adams has been named on the bench in a new look Rebels side. Wallabies back Reece Hodge will start at flyhalf and Dane Haylett-Petty at fullback, while Billy Meakes and Jack Maddocks will also start in a reshuffled Rebels backline. Matt Phillip, Sefa Naivalu, Ben Daley and Jordan Uelese also return to the Rebels match day 23. “We’ve picked a side with a nice balance of youth and experience. It’s good to have Da ..read more