{"id":759630,"date":"2026-06-25T15:48:24","date_gmt":"2026-06-25T15:48:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/759630\/"},"modified":"2026-06-25T15:48:24","modified_gmt":"2026-06-25T15:48:24","slug":"fridays-rugby-news-green-gold-rugby-8","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/759630\/","title":{"rendered":"Friday’s Rugby News. – Green & Gold Rugby"},"content":{"rendered":"

Good evening, good morning and g\u2019day to wherever this Friday\u2019s Rugby News finds you. Not a lot happening on the field this week, but plenty off it. Today we dive straight into selection musings with \u2018Pull the other one Joe!\u2019. Prepare for changes in the G&GR universe in \u2018Pocket Change\u2019. Get ready to party with RA like it\u2019s 2029 in \u2018Coke Addicts!\u2019 Cast an eye over the dutch into Kiwi rugby with \u2018The enemy of my enemy are also sheep shaggers\u2019. Preview this weekends SRW with \u2018How long before the Tahs get the trophy?\u2019. Before wrapping it all up with a heaving \u2018Friday\u2019s Goss with Hoss\u2019 following Karl\u2019s lead with controversial podcast interviews: first up with the grand dragon of the Australian chapter of the Klan, just as soon as she\u2019s finished in Canberra.<\/p>\n

\"\"\u2018May us wull giv thus wun a yink I ruckin\u2019<\/p>\n

Pull the other one Joe!<\/p>\n

It plays Jingle Bells in F-minor 7th!<\/p>\n

Ok, selection opinions from us fans are purely subjective at the best of times. But when Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, the form lock of all Oz Rugby get\u2019s overlooked for Wallaby squad selection, even Tahs fans need to take pause and say: \u2018come again\u2019? This is the guy (LSL) who always makes metres in close, in the real tough stuff. The one who stings in defence, and has opposition sides wary of his presence, yet cannot find a spot in St Joe\u2019s last ever Wallaby squad? And we are told he (LSL) doesn\u2019t make it because of his \u2018speed to jump\u2019 at the lineout? I gotta say, it more than makes you scratch your head!<\/p>\n

Whispers abound that all but St Joe wanted LSL in their Wallaby squad. Les Kiss wanted him and fellow selectors felt the same, however St Joe exercised his powers of veto to exclude the big unit for the Nations Championship . The only question is why? Really: why? You can stick the \u2018slow to jump\u2019 bit up your clacker, in the time Joe has been here, I reckon its the first time he has genuinely spoken out his arse. In a squad (and possible matchday 23) that contains a combination of Williams, Shaw, Wilson & Valetini (with Cale likely on the pine), so what if your 125kg monster is a fraction off the pace at lift-off! At any one time you would seem to have 3 other genuine lineout options available as well, giving you four in total. And besides, if that were genuinely the case with LSL, just why did St Joe continue to pick Will Skelton? What were his numbers like for the same KPI? And on top of that, Chuck Norris (as he is a famous \u2018Walker\u2019) Nella Tupou is back in the fold after reportedly doing not much up north. What breathtaking KPI\u2019s did he achieve to warrant a return to gold? Especially at the expense ox Maximus Gluteus, a kid that already has the same impact at set piece, but offers 318.76% more impact around the field, and dis not prone to giving away multiple ruck penalties!<\/p>\n

The whole thing (LSL\u2019s non-selection) speaks to me of some sort of grievance or agitation between LSL and Joe. LSL was outstanding against the Lions and got no reward. Similarly, he has been in stellar form this season (some of his one handed line out wins have been sensational) and his contribution to matches has seen consistently high impacts over big minutes: so what gives. And to one step further, what about the other attributes LSL offers over and above the other locks choses? Surely there should be some \u2018weighting\u2019 given to the overall contributions across an 80 minute game, as opposed to fragments of seconds here and there!<\/p>\n

For LSL to miss out on squad selection, over nanoseconds at lineout time, but to include Amotosero in the squad instead, (who contributed three fifth\u2019s of fudge-all for the entire season, and remember, I write this having a slight Tahs bias to my rugby views) is perhaps the single dumbest selection call I can remember over the past 10 years. It (LSL\u2019s omission) lacks genuine rugby credibility. It\u2019s short-sighted. And perhaps when combined with the same surprise omission against the FUKIRS last year might also speak to a degree of \u2018personality clash\u2019 in there as well. The whole thing is made even more difficult to swallow, given the Wallabies are coming off their first winless northern tour since 1959 and must beat the Oirish to set the tone from now through to the RWC.<\/p>\n

LSL being omitted because he is \u2018too slow to jump\u2019? Pull the other one Joe.<\/p>\n

\"\"Every man has his price.<\/p>\n

Pocket change.<\/p>\n

A reminder to all that from next Wednesday July 01st, G&GR is moving to a subscription (pay to access) rugby site. For the 15-16 readers of Monday-Thursday\u2019s Rugby News, as well as the 2.85 million Friday disciples, you will note the change prompting you to set up an account and payment details, when you try to access from next Wednesday. All payments will be processed using \u2018Stripe Payments\u2019 and none of your payment details, will be captured or kept on record by G&GR, unless Chinese hackers want to buy it from us.<\/p>\n

There are two G&GR Access All Area\u2019s options available to choose from:<\/p>\n

$7.99 \/ month. Unlimited access to all articles, competitions, fantasy leagues, tipping comps, live match blogs & a whole lot more (coming soon). For your rugby viewing pleasure, you will also be exempt from any \u2018Google ads\u2019 on your feed. Giving you a more premium G&GR experience.<\/p>\n

You gotta admit that\u2019s pretty good value! And a lot less than some daily coffees, let alone the snooty attitude you get from the man-bun wearing, hot water pourer, because you don\u2019t want to try the new dehydrated goats semen in your daily cup of ambition. You can cancel your monthly subscription at any time and head over to the ROAR instead.<\/p>\n

Or you can choose to pay $64.99 for a full years* access: get the same access as above, but at a reduced price. (*G&GR has limited coverage during the Australian rugby \u2018off-season\u2019 (usually mid Nov \u2013 mid Jan))<\/p>\n

Should you have Scottish ancestry and find parting with aforementioned monthly or annual pittance far too emotional to countenance, you will still be able to access up to 4 articles\/month for free. However, you will not be able to view, nor participate in any of the conversations for said article. Nor will you be able to participate in Fantasy League or Tipping competitions.<\/p>\n

For regular users of The Forum and listeners to our terrific podcasts, nothing changes, access still remains free.<\/p>\n

And we\u2019d also invite you to follower us on Instagram and Facebook as our new Social Media Ambassador kicks off in the role from July 01st as well.<\/p>\n

I understand and appreciate not all will choose to stay with G&GR from July 01st. So whether you\u2019ve been an active reader, a commenter, or you\u2019ve flirted with us occasionally, I simply say \u2018thank you\u2019 for your support, and we hope to welcome you back one day. As for the rest: strap yourselves in, it\u2019s going to be a hoot!<\/p>\n

\"\"\u2018Now I\u2019m awake, and I could kill a caramel tart!\u2019<\/p>\n

Coke addicts.<\/p>\n

In more off-field, commercial success for RA, The Badger this week announced a partnership with Coca-Cola through to at least the end of 2029 as the \u2018exclusive non-alcoholic ready-to-drink (NARTD) beverage partner for the men\u2019s RWC 2027\u2019<\/p>\n

I must admit to throwing up a bit in my mouth at this stage, with all the flowery corporate words, and stopped reading, but I imagine the release went on to say something like: \u2018since first being released as a cocaine derivative to help self-medicate bored house wives in the 30\u2019s, Coca Cola has come on in leaps and bounds and has single handedly seen more people enter dentistry to help cater for increased tooth rot and cavity issues. Indeed their success in stimulating need for a cure for type two diabetes, has been recognised by the WHO. And we look forward to supporting another bunch of fatties, in their quest for the rugby Holy Grail.<\/p>\n

This reporter also understands that since the release, RA has been inundated with requests from Loig player agents, with offers for their cattle to switch over to union for free, noting that Coke is now in guaranteed supply.<\/p>\n

\"\"\u2018What rivalry cuz?\u2019<\/p>\n

The \u2018enemy of my enemy\u2019 are also sheep shaggers.<\/p>\n

The Kiwi\u2019s have named a fair-to-middling squad to kick start their Nations Championship, and first-ever campaign under the coach formally known as Moses, but now referred to as Judas. Judas has picked his squad of 34 for the upcoming three tests, but acknowledged the squad will be increased to 44 when they leave for the \u2018Greatest Rivalry Tour\u2019 of the lands of the descendants of the Dutch Dirt Farmers.<\/p>\n

Props:\u00a0Ethan de Groot, George Bower, Xavier Numia*, Tyrel Lomax, Fletcher Newell, Pasilio Tosi<\/p>\n

Hookers:\u00a0Asafo Aumua, Codie Taylor, Samisoni Taukei\u2019aho<\/p>\n

Locks:\u00a0Tupou Vaa\u2019i, Patrick Tuipulotu, Josh Lord, Sam Darry<\/p>\n

Loose forwards:\u00a0Peter Lakai, Simon Parker, Ardie Savea (captain), Wallace Sititi, Luke Jacobson, Anton Segner*<\/p>\n

Halfbacks:\u00a0Cam Roigard, Cortez Ratima, Kyle Preston<\/p>\n

Five-eighths:\u00a0Ruben Love, Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie<\/p>\n

Midfielders:\u00a0Jordie Barrett, Quinn Tupaea, Billy Proctor, Anton Lienert-Brown<\/p>\n

Outside backs:\u00a0Caleb Clarke, Fehi Fineanganofo*, Leroy Carter, Josh Moorby*, Will Jordan<\/p>\n

\"\"The battle for second to fifth.<\/p>\n

How long before the Tahs get the trophy?<\/p>\n

It\u2019s round 18 or something of \u2018filling in time until the Tahs get the trophy: again\u2019 this weekend:<\/p>\n

Saturday June 27 2:05 pm AEST \u2013 Queensland Reds v Fijiana Drua at Ballymore Stadium, Brisbane, Stan Sport<\/p>\n

Reds may as well change team mascot to \u2018Winnie\u2019, because they are poo. Fiji are also poo, especially when travelling. So I guess, she who poos least, will poo best.<\/p>\n

Fearless Prediction: Drua by 13<\/p>\n

REDS (1-15):\u00a0Jordan Neal, Zophronia Setu, Eva Karpani, Lucy Thorpe, Vineta Teutau, Jemma Bemrose (c), Zoe Hanna, Tiarna Molloy, Sarah Dougherty, Akira Kelly, Piper Flynn, Ava Wereta, Briana Dascombe, Aroha Spillane, Harmony Vatau<\/p>\n

Replacements:\u00a0\u00a0Mary Tuaana, Hayley Glass, Tanya Kalounivale, Dillyn Blackburn, Sarah Riordan, Evie Sampson, Charity Wightman-Beaven, Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea<\/p>\n

DRUA (1-15):\u00a0Karalaini Naisewa, Keleni Marawa, Tiana Robanakadavu, Mereoni Nakesa, Carletta Yee, Nunia Daunimoala, Salaseini Railumu, Sulita Waisega, Kolora Lomani (c), Varanisese Qoro, Aqela Raitubu, Josivini Naihamu, Merewairita Neivosa, Atelaite Buna, Michella\u2019e Stolz<\/p>\n

Replacements:\u00a0Bitila Tawake, Zipporah Sorokacika, Keri Lawavou, Karavaki Lutumaibau, Alfreda Fisher, Evivi Senikarivi, Verenaisi Ditavutu, Litiana Vueti<\/p>\n

Saturday, June 27 4:05 pm AEST \u2013 Western Force v NSW Waratahs at Tompkins Park, Perth, Stan Sport<\/p>\n

The Force are reportedly building quiet the rugby program in the badlands of WA, so that should give them no excuses at full time then. Should it!<\/p>\n

Fearless Prediction: Tahs by 44<\/p>\n

FORCE (1-15):\u00a0Allana Sikimeti, Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke, Alapeta Ngauamo, Sera Naiqama, Michaela Leonard, Pia Tapsell, Nami Dickson, Seina Saito, Samantha Wood (co-c), Grace Freeman, Brooklyn Teki-Joyce, Trilleen Pomare (co-c), Cecilia Smith, Adi Vani Buleki, Ngamihi Monk<\/p>\n

Replacements:\u00a0Jiowana Sauto, Hannah Palelei, Zoe Elliot, Yuna Sato, Taylor Waterson, Ai Dickson, Atawhai Hotene, Teiana Mainwaring<\/p>\n

WARATAHS (1-15):\u00a0Brianna Hoy,\u00a0Brittany Merlo, Faliki Pohiva, Leilani Nathan, Kaitlan Leaney (c), Piper Duck, Taj Heald, Nicole Nathan, Piper Simons, Pleuni Klevit, Desiree Miller, Rosie Ferguson, Georgina Friedrichs, Amelia Whitaker, Waiaria Ellis<\/p>\n

Replacements:\u00a0Nancy Volkman, Emily Robinson, Bridie O\u2019Gorman, Grace Gillies, Ruby Anderson, Martha Harvey, Lusiana Vesikula, Edie Burke<\/p>\n

\"\"You heard it here first eventually!\u2019<\/p>\n

Friday\u2019s Goss with Hoss.<\/p>\n

Chill Cuz.<\/p>\n

Classic case of the social media fun police on full alert over in Unzud and just waiting to be outraged, with a few celebratory Canes obliging. Some players celebrated their astounding season by taking to the water in a boat this week, with two of them (Jordie Barrett and Callum Harkin) spotted not wearing life jackets. Now, naturally the righteous masses on social media then engaged in a competition of who could be the most outraged by it all, however the NZ Coastguard (a guy named Phil, who has a Suzuki Swift and \u2018Bronze Star\u2019 in swimming, plus a \u2018fully sic kinoo brew\u2019) telling people to chillax. That the players weren\u2019t doing anything illegal and it was \u2018good to see\u2019 many of them wearing life jackets. Besides, they walk on water anyway don\u2019t they? stuff.chur.cuz.nz <\/a>has the video: oh the horror.<\/p>\n

Goodnight and thanks for mutton.<\/p>\n

News this week that Saders captain and AB discard Dave Havili is heading for the lands of the rising sun to pursue his rugby. Havili had the option to terminate the last year of his contract in NZ to pursue other rugby options and having missed out on the initial AB squad of the year, he has decided a change is as a good as a holiday.<\/p>\n

How spoiled for riches are the Kiwi\u2019s when you can \u2018overlook\u2019 someone like Havili! If only he\u2019d played rugba league over here, then he\u2019d certainly be a Wallaby centre by now.<\/p>\n

Marky-Mark marked for more.<\/p>\n

Just as the average mungo fan was learning to pronounce his name correctly, Mark Nowaggaroadstowhatse looks set to make his Wallaby return for this years return Northern Tour. Well at least if The Badger has his way anyway. The Badger would like to see the big unit back in gold for a number of reasons, including:<\/p>\n

He makes the team better.<\/p>\n

That it stops the Pasta Lovers and the Fijians from using ancestry selection rule 68b.ii: That allows anyone who can spell the name of another country being able to be selected if its been three years since they last represented their nation of birth. <\/p>\n

That gaol ball would also be rather keen to keep his services.<\/p>\n

Now in Marky-Mark\u2019s case, his three years since last playing for the Wallabies ends in October 2026, so essentially he would be available for selection by Italy or Fiji. I would expect RA to act with some haste here. Given that he is the most prolific try scorer in Loig history wit 37 tries in 34 games at 1.08 tries\/match. Which is also the best try scoring rate since 1980. Interesting times.<\/p>\n

Force find foreign fatty.<\/p>\n

The Force have announced the rather useful signing of Chiefs prop Reuben O\u2019Neill on a two year deal from 2027. With 56 SRP caps and ability to cover both sides of the scrum, the tighthead prop brings experience, cheating skills, and an abnormal fondness for livestock to the WA side, as they look to build on a solid 2026 season.<\/p>\n

Australia A: how good.<\/p>\n

RA has announced our second stringers will take on the gun-totin\u2019 kiddie shooters of Seppo land in October this year in a glorified training run for our lot and to assist the Seppos realise just how much they suck at rugby as they prep for the 2031 RWC on their lands (should the Iranians deem it allowable to do so):<\/p>\n

Australia A v USA Eagles, 9:00 am AEST on Sunday 25 October at Geodis Park Stadium, Nashville<\/p>\n

Australia A v USA Eagles, 10:00 am AEST on Saturday 31 October at Sports Illustrated Stadium, New Jersey.<\/p>\n

Until next week.<\/p>\n

Hoss \u2013 out.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Good evening, good morning and g\u2019day to wherever this Friday\u2019s Rugby News finds you. Not a lot happening…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":759631,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[567],"tags":[64,63,760,85],"class_list":["post-759630","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-rugby","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-rugby","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/759630","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=759630"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/759630\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/759631"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=759630"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=759630"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=759630"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}