Adaptable to the end, David Pocock will start his last tournament for Australia in an unfamiliar position. Pocock was selected at No. 6 for the Wallabies' Rugby World Cup opener against Fiji in Sapporo on Saturday, meaning one of the most dynamic — and versatile ...
Wallabies captain Michael Hooper would embrace chance to revive partnership with David Pocock
Australia captain Michael Hooper has said he would welcome the chance to revive his back row partnership with David Pocock at the Rugby World Cup, having been impressed with his fellow openside flanker's return to test rugby against Samoa. Coach Michael Cheika had Hooper and ...
Australia outplays Samoa in teams' final test match before Rugby World Cup
Australia survived a second-half comeback attempt by Samoa to beat the South Pacific islanders 34-15 Saturday in the teams' final test match before the Rugby World Cup. The Wallabies led 22-3 at halftime before Samoa scrumhalf Dwayne Polataivao scored two second-half tries to bring the ...
Australia's rugby hierarchy is set to reconsider the so-called "Giteau Law" that defines restrictions on the eligibility of overseas-based players to represent the Wallabies. The Wallabies are selected primarily from players contracted to Australian Super Rugby franchises, but the Giteau law allows foreign-based players with ...
Wallabies coach Michael Cheika upbeat for RWC despite heavy defeat to All Blacks
Australia's confidence looking ahead to the Rugby World Cup was not dented after a 36-0 thrashing at the hands of the All Blacks on Saturday, according to coach Michael Cheika, because there was still plenty of improvement left on the side. The Wallabies had entered ...
For Wallabies, a win could end venue hoodoo, losing run and All Blacks' No. 1 ranking
Australia could not only regain the Bledisloe Cup and end an Eden Park hoodoo with a win over the All Blacks on Saturday but also end New Zealand's decade-long reign at the top of the world rankings. The Wallabies put one hand on the symbol ...
Wallabies clobber 14-man All Blacks in Rugby Championship test
Australia gave itself a huge boost ahead of the World Cup when it stunned a New Zealand side reduced to 14 men for half the match 47-26 in a thrilling Rugby Championship test on Saturday. Lock Scott Barrett's dismissal for a dangerous tackle just before ...
Wallabies flyhalf Bernard Foley said Friday he was leaving the NSW Waratahs to head overseas, reportedly joining Quade Cooper and a retiring Will Genia in accepting a lucrative Top League club contract. Foley, a 68-test veteran who is part of Australia's squad for the 2019 ...
Wallabies to wear indigenous-themed jersey at Rugby World Cup
The Wallabies will wear an indigenous-themed jersey for at least one Rugby World Cup match, it was revealed Thursday. Australia has donned a shirt paying tribute to Aborigines' role in rugby twice before — at home against the All Blacks in 2017 and away to ...
Wallabies great George Smith, who earned 111 test caps, retires
Wallabies great George Smith announced his retirement Tuesday after a stint with Bristol in the England Premiership, retiring after nearly 20 years playing rugby. The veteran Australian flanker, who made his Super Rugby debut for the ACT Brumbies in 2000 and went on to win ...
Wallabies icon George Gregan preaches value of preparation in quest for RWC title
George Gregan has experienced the full gamut of Rugby World Cup emotions, but the Australian legend knows what he is looking forward to most when Japan hosts the tournament later this year. "Just being in Japan," the 45-year-old, who was part of the Australia teams ...
Michael Cheika will survive the ax as Wallabies coach but his powers will be curtailed with Scotland-based Scott Johnson appointed director of rugby above him, a report said Friday. Cheika has faced a mounting backlash from dismayed fans and former players after winning just four ...
