Rugby Australia appoint three-person panel to conduct review after World Cup failure
Rugby Australia has appointed a three-person panel to lead a thorough review of the Wallabies' 2019 season, after another disappointing Rugby World Cup campaign. The governing body has announced the review panel will consist of former Wallaby Nathan Sharpe, former Wallaby and experienced sports administrator Pat Howard and four-time Olympian and leading high performance professional Bo Hanson.
© Getty Images Marika Koroibete poses with the John Eales Medal Electric winger Marika Koroibete has won the battle of the Fijian-born backs to see off Samu Kerevi and claim the John Eales Medal at the Rugby Australia Awards in Sydney.
Koroibete's stunning form at the Rugby World Cup was enough for him to become the first winger bestowed with the country's premier player prize, awarded since 2002.
The former Melbourne Storm rugby league star came alive midway through his third season in rugby union, producing a series of scintillating performances.
Long-range tries against Samoa in Sydney and Georgia in Shizuoka were among the most spectacular solo scores of the year while clean breaks were a regular feature during his four appearances at the global tournament.
Rio Ferdinand interview: “I sulked for three weeks when I was moved to centre-back”
The former Manchester United and England defender tells FourFourTwo that he actually wanted to be a midfielderDuring a highly successful 20-year playing career, Ferdinand twice became the world’s most expensive defender, won the Champions League with Manchester United and collected 81 caps for England. Only two centre backs - Bobby Moore and Billy Wright - have represented England more often.
Pictures: 25 of the best rugby players in the world
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Owen Farrell
Major teams: England, British and Irish Lions
Positions: Center, Fly-half
Matches played: 69
Points scored: 757
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Johnny Sexton
Major teams: Ireland, British and Irish Lions
Position: Fly-half
Matches played: 84
Points scored: 743
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Beauden Barrett
Major teams: New Zealand
Position: Fly-half
Matches played: 73
Points scored: 595
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Israel Folau
Major teams: Australia
Position: Fullback
Matches played: 73
Points scored: 185
Former Wallabies coach comes out swinging at departing Rugby Australia chairman
A former Wallabies coach has called on Rugby Australia chairman Cameron Clyne to leave the organisation immediately following the announcement of his imminent departure on Monday.Clyne announced on Monday he won’t stand for re-election at the completion of his difficult term in March.
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Kurtley Beale
Major teams: Australia
Position: Utility back
Matches played: 83
Points scored: 151
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Kieran Read
Major teams: New Zealand
Position: Back-row
Matches played: 118
Points scored: 125
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Rieko Ioane
Major teams: New Zealand, New Zealand Māori
Position: Wing
Matches played: 24
Points scored: 110
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Stuart Hogg
Major teams: Scotland, British and Irish Lions
Position: Fullback, Center
Matches played: 65
Points scored: 102
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Michael Hooper
Major teams: Australia
Position: Flanker
Matches played: 91
Points scored: 85
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Aaron Smith
Major teams: New Zealand, New Zealand Māori
Position: Scrum-half
Matches played: 82
Points scored: 82
Australia had discussions with Eddie Jones before hiring Dave Rennie according to RA boss Raelene Castle
Raelene Castle discussed Australia's attempt to try to lure Eddie Jones back to the Wallabies.RA confirmed the appointment of New Zealander and Glasgow Warriors boss Rennie as Michael Cheika's replacement on Wednesday.
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Conor Murray
Major teams: Ireland, Ireland XV, British and Irish Lions
Position: Scrum-half
Matches played: 72
Points scored: 74
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Jonathan Davies
Major teams: Wales, British and Irish Lions
Position: Center
Matches played: 74
Points scored: 70
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Sam Cane
Major teams: New Zealand
Position: Back-row
Matches played: 60
Points scored: 65
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Leone Nakarawa
Major teams: Fiji, Fiji XV
Position: Lock
Matches played: 53
Points scored: 60
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Alun Wyn Jones
Major teams: Wales, British and Irish Lions
Position: Lock
Matches played: 129
Points scored: 45
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Taulupe Faletau
Major teams: Wales, British and Irish Lions
Position: Back-row
Matches played: 76
Points scored: 40
Rennie needs space for rebuild: Connolly
Former Wallabies coach John Connolly says there needs to be realistic expectations placed on Australia's incoming head coach, New Zealander Dave Rennie.Rennie's contract takes him through until the end of the 2023 World Cup, but he won't take over the job until he completes his commitments to Scottish side Glasgow Warriors in mid-2020.
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Sam Warburton
Major teams: Wales, British and Irish Lions
Position: Back-row
Matches played: 79
Points scored: 25
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Sam Whitelock
Major teams: New Zealand
Position: Lock
Matches played: 108
Points scored: 25
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Brodie Retallick
Major teams: New Zealand
Position: Lock
Matches played: 75
Points scored: 20
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Victor Vito
Major teams: New Zealand
Position: Back-row
Matches played: 33
Points scored: 20
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Courtney Lawes
Major teams: England, British and Irish Lions
Position: Lock
Matches played: 70
Points scored: 5
Folau roasted by Auckland restaurant
An Auckland restaurant has revealed how Israel Folau's meal payment was donated to a queer and gender diverse youth organisation.Banished Wallabies star Israel Folau has unwittingly donated to a queer and gender diverse youth charity because of fast thinking from staff at an Auckland restaurant.
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Maro Itoje
Major teams: England, British and Irish Lions
Positions: Lock, back-row
Matches played: 29
Points scored: 5
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Tadhg Furlong
Major teams: Ireland, British and Irish Lions
Position: Prop
Matches played: 31
Points scored: 5
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Mako Vunipola
Major teams: England, British and Irish Lions
Position: Prop
Matches played: 57
Points scored: 5
Rennie won't make excuses for rebuilding Wallabies
Rennie won't make excuses for rebuilding WallabiesThe New Zealander was handed the reins on a three-and-a-half year deal on Wednesday and will take over a Wallabies team in transition after their quarter-final exit from the Rugby World Cup Japan.
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Mikheil Nariashvili
Major teams: Georgia
Position: Prop
Matches played: 54
Points scored: 5
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The 27-year old polled 200 votes from his Wallabies teammates, 50 clear of second-placed Kerevi, the powerhouse Queensland Reds back who was earlier crowned Australian Super Rugby player of the year.
Another Reds midfielder, Jordan Petaia, was named rookie of the year after his highly-promising maiden Test performances at the Rugby World Cup.
Captain and standout No.8 Grace Hamilton was crowned Wallaroos player of the year while the women's Super W gong went to another back-rower, rising Brumbies star Tayla Stanford.
The men's sevens prize went to the elusive Maurice Longbottom and the women's to accomplished playmaker Charlotte Caslick.
Legendary Wallabies halves pairing George Gregan and Stephen Larkham were inducted into the Wallabies Hall of Fame.
RUGBY AUSTRALIA AWARDS WINNERS
John Eales Medal: Marika Koroibete.
Wallaroos player of the year: Grace Hamilton.
Super Rugby player of the year: Samu Kerevi.
Super W player of the year: Tayla Stanford.
Rookie of the year: Men - Jordan Petaia. Women - Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea.
Sevens player of the year: Men - Maurice Longbottom. Women - Charlotte Caslick.
Junior Wallabies player of the year: Fraser McReight.
Back our Kiwi Wallabies coach, says Lynagh .
Former World Cup winner Michael Lynagh is urging Australian rugby fans to get behind the Wallabies' new Kiwi coach Dave Rennie.Critics have been quick to predict more doom and gloom after the five-year reign of fellow well-credentialled New Zealander Robbie Deans ended in 2013 without a single Bledisloe Cup series win.