Late rush of points gives Queensland narrow win over NSW
January 24, 2010
Despite scoring three tries to two, the HSBC Waratahs have gone down 26-24 to the Queensland Reds in their season-opening trial match at Oakes Oval in Lismore on Saturday night.
The Reds scored 10 points in the final four minutes to claim the victory against a Tahs side which finished the match with a host of rookies and club players on the field.
Ben Daley to captain QR Reds in Lismore
January 20, 2010
QR Reds prop Ben Daley will captain an extended 30-man squad in Queensland’s first hit-out for 2010 against the NSW Waratahs in Lismore on Saturday (kick-off 6:40pm Queensland time – 7:40pm local time).
The squad contains 19 Reds contracted players, six QAS Reds Academy players and five players from the newly introduced Wider Training Squad (WTS), a group of elite Premier Rugby players who have been given the opportunity to train and play with the extended group during preseason.
Head coach Ewen McKenzie has selected two teams to play a half each, with four replacements set to cover both periods – hooker Heath Tessman, centre Michael Bond, and flyhalves Dallan Murphy and Jono Lance.
Four players have also been selected to start both halves: scrumhalf Richard Kingi – the newest member of the contracted Reds squad – Academy back-rower Jake Schatz, and experienced locks Adam Byrnes and Van Humphries.
Queensland Reds v Waratahs in Lismore: schedule released
January 19, 2010
Excitement is building on the Far North Coast where reserved seating has already sold out for the HSBC Waratahs’ opening match of 2010. The trial is part of a Festival of Rugby in Lismore which kicks off when the team touches down from Sydney later this week.
After the team arrives in town on Friday, they will hold their Captain’s Run training session in the afternoon at Oakes Oval, the venue for Saturday’s Super 14 trial against the Queensland Reds.
The session will be open to the public, and following training players will remain to sign autographs for local rugby enthusiasts at the ground.
On Friday evening, players will attend the Dine With the Waratahs Dinner at Southern Cross University. While they will not take part in the opening trial match of the year, captain Phil Waugh and Wallabies vice-captain Berrick Barnes will also be in Lismore to attend the dinner. Limited seats are still available – see details below for more information.
McKenzie pursues change at QR Reds
January 6, 2010
With Queensland Reds head coach Ewen McKenzie looking to shake things up in 2010, competition for places has heated up as the Reds prepare for their first trial game, against New South Wales in Lismore on January 23.
McKenzie is keeping an open mind on the make-up of that team and those that will follow in trials against the Crusaders (Ballymore, Jan 29) and Western Force (Perth, Feb 5) and in their opening Investec Bank Super 14 match against the Waratahs at Suncorp Stadium on February 13.
“People like to do the mathematics of it all, work it out based on what has happened in the past, but what has happened in the past hasn’t been good enough. We can’t just roll out the same team and expect to be massively different,” McKenzie said.
“I’m open-minded, but I don’t expect we’ll necessarily run the same people out there just because they did it last year and the year before that.
Lismore hosts big-time rugby
December 19, 2009
The HSBC Waratahs take on the Queensland Reds at Oakes Oval in Lismore on Saturday 23 January 2010, in a pre-season rugby union fixture presented by Southern Cross University.
It will be the third consecutive year the two sides have faced off against each other in the opening match of the season, with NSW setting up their campaigns with victories on both occasions.
With the two sides meeting again three weeks after the trial in round one of the Super 14, the match holds extra significance.
A number of events will be conducted in association with the historic fixture including curtain-raisers on Oakes Oval and the adjacent Crozier Field, as well as the ‘Dine with the Waratahs’ dinner on Friday 22 January.
Ballina Rugby Announces Coaches for 2010
December 15, 2009
Ballina Rugby Union Club has announced that Mick McGregor, past first grade halfback and second grade coach in 2009 will be coaching first grade in 2010. He will be supported in the role by John Doktor as assistant coach and by Shane Preston as manager.
Mick has said that after the success of the rebuilding year for Ballina with ten wins in a row in first grade, that he is expecting a much strong end of the season for the upcoming year.
Second grade coach is Brent Horan, assisted by Lincoln Raudonikis with Troy Taylor as manager.
The club has already commenced recruitment for the 2010 season and will be starting the preseason training early. The club expects to be sending teams to several local preseason tournaments.
Ballina Rugby starting early
November 17, 2009
Several of Ballina Rugby Union’s players have started pre season strength and conditioning training under the close watch of local personal trainer Mick Muir. The group which is now in its sixth week has been showing excellent results, with Jake Smith and Josh Lupton showing standout performances.
When asked about the objective of the sessions, Mick said he “was hoping to improve the overall condition of the younger players especially”, noting that he “impressed by the level of commitment and improvement, a good sign for 2010″.
With the training sessions running four times a week until Christmas, Mick is hoping that the players involved in the group will be able to boost the overall fitness level within the club, which was telling towards the end of last season.
Far North Coast starts preparation for 2010 Country Championships
November 17, 2009
The Far North Coast region has started its preparation for the assault on the Country Championships.
After several years of struggling at the top level to compete against the larger regions, the Zone has invested the resources to improve the overall standing.
A training squad of 35 is being picked for the initial training with this squad being reduced to 25 in anticipation of the games ahead.
The team is expected to play the Gold Coast Breakers development squad prior to the Championship as well.
The team will also be playing the curtainraiser, in Lismore, for the NSW versus Queensland game 23 January, against Hunter Valley, winners of last year’s country championship. An earlier indicator of the progress of the team.
SCU women’s rugby back on the field at Byron 7s
October 16, 2009
It has been six years since Southern Cross University has fielded an all-female rugby team – but the women are back on the field.
The revival is due to the University’s involvement as a key supporter of the women’s division at this year’s Byron Bay Rugby Sevens tournament, being held this weekend at Byron Bay.
It is also part of the Byron Bay Sevens 20-year anniversary celebrations – which include a reunion dinner this weekend for former Southern Cross University Rugby Club members that will see a host of SCU alumni attending, as well as Vice Chancellor Professor Peter Lee.
Also playing this weekend are two SCU men’s division X Rats teams, so it should be a very successful weekend for the Southern Cross University club.
Byron Bay celebrates 20 years of Rugby 7s
October 15, 2009
This weekend the Byron Bay Rugby 7s tournament will celebrate 20 years of presenting fast, ferocious and entertaining Rugby in Australia.
The ARU reports that the two-day tournament kicks-off at 9am on Saturday (17th) at the Recreational Grounds on Marvell St in Byron Bay, with finals commencing from 1pm on Sunday (18th).
The fun carnival atmosphere of the Byron Bay 7s, as well as the beautiful location, live entertainment and friendly locals has helped the popularity of this tournament grow over the past 20 years.
Southern Cross University, Sloths Rugby and Macarthur Old Boys have all participated in the tournament for 10 or more years.
