Kurtley Beale said confusion will remain over tackles which merit a red card until there is consistency from referees. The Australia centre was speaking after the furore generated by Owen Farrell’s challenge on André Esterhuizen at the end of England’s victory over South Africa. England’s co-captain went into the challenge with his right shoulder and…
Author: THEJOHNANTONIOBLOG
Michael Cheika survives as Scott Johnson is named Wallabies’ director of rugby
In the stock market they call it the “Santa Rally” – the bounce in optimism two weeks out from Christmas. Rugby Australia’s own version may have come with the appointment of Scott Johnson to the newly-created position of director of rugby just eight days away from Christmas. The game in Australia certainly needs some festive…
Eddie Jones splits captaincy between Dylan Hartley and Owen Farrell
Eddie Jones has claimed the England captaincy has become too big for one man after taking the surprise decision to split the role between Dylan Hartley and Owen Farrell for the autumn internationals and revealing he is considering doing so at next year’s World Cup. Just when England rugby needs clarity the waters have been…
Joey Carbery helps Munster kick battling Exeter Chiefs out of Europe
Saracens will again be the only English club in the quarter-finals of the European Champions Cup after Exeter lost narrowly in a gruelling match at Thomond Park. The Chiefs did not just have to win to top the group and progress but deny Munster a bonus point. It was mission improbable but 14 minutes from…
Gloucester’s Johan Ackermann urges Eddie Jones not to drop Danny Cipriani
Eddie Jones has been urged to hold talks with Danny Cipriani, and judge the fly-half on form rather than his off‑field “mistake” in Jersey, when considering his England future. Cipriani made his Gloucester debut in a 40-31 pre-season friendly victory over the Dragons on Thursday night after escaping sanction at a Rugby Football Union disciplinary…
England 37-18 Australia: how the players rated at Twickenham
England Elliot Daly 7 He may move back to the wing when Anthony Watson is fit. Daly has had a mixed month but he picked a nice line to score a superb try after the break that turned things England’s way. Joe Cokanasiga 7 Made a try-scoring debut against Japan but this was always going…
England players’ £25,000 match fees may be cut to reduce RFU spending
England players’ £25,000 match fees may take a hit in the future, according to the Rugby Football Union’s departing chief executive, Steve Brown, after the governing body announced a loss of £30.9m on Monday. Brown also admitted that an overspend on the England squad, largely as a result of a high turnover of players rather…
Shaun Edwards says defenders should be given more breakdown protection
Wales’ defence coach, Shaun Edwards, wants players who compete for turnovers at the breakdown to be given equal protection from referees as attacking players in the tackle. Edwards, who is rejoining Wigan in rugby league after next year’s World Cup, fears the move to a more open and attacking game has come at a cost…
England’s Eddie Jones admits spying on rivals in past – but has no use for it now
Eddie Jones has admitted spying on opponents in the past, but says he stopped doing so a decade ago because it had become a waste of time. Stuart Lancaster: ‘I haven’t decided if I’ll go to watch England play Ireland’ The England coach was speaking after listening to the Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa reveal…
Wales 21-13 England: Six Nations player ratings from Cardiff
Wales Liam Williams A dangerous runner from deep but made effective contributions in defence too, not least in the air. Wales’s best back. 9 George North We take a collective breath when he is on the ball but struggled to escape shackles. No weaknesses exposed by England though. 7 Jonathan Davies A classy operator. Plays…