Michael Hooper is set to make his sevens debut for Australia at the Hong Kong tournament, as the Wallabies Test veteran bids for a place at the Paris Olympics. Hooper, who played 125 Tests for Australia, has switched to sevens after the loose forward was axed from the Wallabies squad before last year’s 15-a-side Rugby World Cup. Hooper has been included in the 13-man squad for the Hong Kong Sevens, from 5 to 7 April, Rugby Australia said. “For the first time we’ll get to see Michael Hooper in an Australian sevens jersey,” head coach John Manenti said in a statement on Thursday. Hooper joined t ..read more

Rugby Australia boss Phil Waugh has revealed that the Wallabies’ dismal World Cup campaign included an “unapproved” overspend of $2.6 million (R32.2 million) on staff travel and player benefits. The stunning revelation came on the same day that Rugby Australia released a document of 23 recommendations following a review into a horrible 2023 for the Wallabies. Australia won just two Tests in 2023 under Eddie Jones – against Georgia and Portugal – and were hoofed out at the World Cup pool stages for the first time, despite investing heavily to allow Jones to bring in coaching staff on short-term ..read more

Mark Nawaqanitawase has announced he will jump codes and join rugby league powerhouse Sydney Roosters, with Rugby Australia voicing disappointment. The 23-year-old Waratahs winger played 11 Tests and was a standout performer for Australia in their disastrous World Cup campaign under Eddie Jones in France. “We’re delighted to have secured Mark’s services and look forward to welcoming him to our club in 2025,” Roosters head of recruitment Daniel Anderson said in statement of the two-year deal. It follows Roosters’ outside back Joseph Suaalii making the switch to rugby union and the Waratahs, whi ..read more

Hamish McLennan has slammed the Rugby Australia members who ousted him as chairman, in the wake of losing Harvey Norman as a sponsor of the sport in the country. In an article in Australia’s Sydney Morning Herald, McLennan accused the directors of being “arrogant and dopey” for their actions. “Look at what the boneheads have done,” McLennan was quoted by the media outlet. “They are arrogant and dopey.” Harvey Norman chair Gerry Harvey confirmed the sponsorship’s end but denied it was linked to McLennan’s removal. ALSO: ‘Lovely’ Libbok works for Boks – Pollard The loss of this major deal compou ..read more

Rugby Australia chairman Hamish McLennan was on Sunday ousted from his position and replaced by a member of the Wallabies’ 1999 World Cup-winning team. McLennan had rejected calls from six rebellious state unions for his resignation, in the wake of the failed tenure of former Wallabies boss Eddie Jones. MORE: Aussie chairman’s head on the block The unions responded by calling for an extraordinary general meeting of the RA board. A meeting was held on Sunday evening, where, according to the Australian, McLennan was voted out of his position. The businessman will be replaced by 1999 World C ..read more

Six state unions have demanded the immediate resignation of Rugby Australia chairman Hamish McLennan in the wake of the failed tenure of former Wallabies boss Eddie Jones. An open letter signed by six of the eight union chairs called for an extraordinary general meeting of the RA board to oust McLennan if he ignores their call to stand down, saying they have lost “trust or faith in his leadership”. The ultimatum comes in the wake of a miserable year for the Wallabies under Jones in which they won just two of nine Tests and failed to reach the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time. McLenn ..read more

Australian rugby vowed to rebuild on Tuesday after the “bitterly disappointing” reign of Eddie Jones, who has officially quit as Wallabies coach following their calamitous World Cup campaign. Once a powerhouse of international rugby, Australia are in tatters after Jones announced his resignation 10 months into a five-year contract. Rugby Australia can confirm that it has accepted the resignation of Wallabies head coach Eddie Jones, and he will depart the position on 25 November. We thank Eddie for his commitment to the Wallabies in 2023, and wish him the best in his future endeavours. pic.twi ..read more

The embattled Eddie Jones is reportedly set to make a shock return to Japan as the head coach, following Australia’s disappointing World Cup campaign. The Wallabies failed to progress from the pool stage of the tournament for the first time in its history. The Japanese sports newspaper, Sponichi, has reported that Jones is expected to take over the vacant head coach role in Japan, succeeding Jamie Joseph. According to Sponichi, Jones had secretly interviewed with the Japan Rugby Football Union via video call just before the World Cup began. This interview took place days before Australia’s fin ..read more

Suspended Australia playmaker Kurtley Beale says “the truth will come out” after he pleaded not guilty to sexually assaulting a woman at a Sydney pub, reports said. The 95-Test veteran was arrested in January and charged over an alleged incident in the bathroom of a pub the previous month. Rugby Australia suspended him from all forms of the game. On Thursday, the 34-year-old faced Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court charged with three sexual offences after one charge was dropped by prosecutors. ALSO: Kolisi back for World Cup Beale’s lawyer entered not guilty pleas on his behalf to sexual ..read more

Former Wallabies flanker Phil Waugh was named chief executive of national governing body Rugby Australia on Tuesday, three months before the World Cup. The 43-year-old, who made 79 appearances for Australia and played in two Rugby World Cups, is the first Wallabies international to occupy the role. MORE: Sharks reward for Mongalo He replaces Zimbabwe-born former Wales centre Andy Marinos, who announced last month he was stepping down. Marinos had said it was time to move on after returning the governing body to profit for the first time in four years. Waugh, who retired as a player in 2011, ha ..read more