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Super Rugby

December 2024

Rugby Australia CEO Phil Waugh.

Bledisloe win every two years: Waugh’s lofty plan for Rugby Australia

The governing body wants to win the British and Irish Lions tour, Olympic medals and the Bledisloe Cup every two years under an ambitious new four-year strategy.

  • Zoe Samios

August 2024

Joe Schmidt with Laurie Fisher bring a wealth of experience to the Wallabies.

Why the stars are finally aligning for the Wallabies

Australia’s challenge against South Africa on Saturday is huge, but coaching changes and new rules designed to speed up the game bode well for the Wallabies.

  • Simon Poidevin

May 2024

The Melbourne Rebels have been shut down.

Legal action vowed against Rugby Australia after Melbourne Rebels axed

Troubled rugby union club Melbourne Rebels has been shut down after 14 seasons.

  • Updated
  • Gus McCubbing and Zoe Samios
The future of the Melbourne Rebels was decided at a creditors’ meeting on Friday.

Melbourne Rebels survive but fight with ATO, Rugby Australia not over

Former Melbourne Rebels director Georgia Widdup said the decision meant plans for a “financially sustainable future” could progress.

  • Zoe Samios

February 2024

Rugby Australia CEO Phil Waugh said the governing body has met its obligations.

Rugby Australia boss rejects Rebels’ tax, underfunding claims

Phil Waugh pushed back at suggestions Rugby Australia was to blame for the Rebels’ demise and said it was not trying to destroy its club competition.

  • Zoe Samios
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January 2024

New Wallabies Head Coach Joe Schmidt at a press conference on Friday.

Kiwi Joe Schmidt tasked with Wallabies rebuild

The former Ireland mentor and World Rugby high-performance boss was unveiled on Friday, only a week after expressions of interest for the position closed.

  • Murray Wenzel

November 2023

New Rugby Australia chairman Dan Herbert pictured in Brisbane on Monday, the day after taking over from ousted chairman Hamish McLennan.

New Rugby boss Dan Herbert says ‘everyone recognises’ game is broken

But deposed chairman Hamish McLennan, who was ousted in a boardroom coup on Sunday, has warned his exit will lead to “more division ... not less”.

  • Updated
  • Kylar Loussikian and Zoe Samios
Rugby Australia chairman Hamish McLennan.

Hamish McLennan and rugby’s conflicts and coincidences

The Rugby Australia chairman has apologised, but all will hinge on a review being conducted by a panel with ties to the game.

  • Mark Di Stefano

September 2023

Australia’s humiliating defeat at the hands of Wales in Lyon effectively dumped the Wallabies out of the World Cup and sparked a wave of recriminations.

The future of Australian rugby is in Queensland’s hands

There is a solution to Australian rugby’s crisis that everyone can see, so why have years gone by without anyone doing it? It’s time for Ballymore to get on board.

  • Simon Poidevin
Eddie Jones (far right) with Wallabies  at a training camp in April. Left to right: Jed Holloway, Michael Hooper, Andrew Kellaway, Allan Alaalatoa, James Slipper and Nic White.

For Eddie Jones, Wallaby salvation will come from ‘on-the-run’ rugby

Eddie Jones is trying to build a team that plays more intuitively, as teams did so successfully in the ’80s and ’90s.

  • Updated
  • Simon Poidevin

August 2023

Rugby Australia chairman Hamish McLennan and CEO Phil Waugh will attempt the most significant restructure of the sport in Australian history.

Rugby Australia to oversee Super Rugby clubs in bid to boost game

The planned restructure is the biggest since rugby union went professional.

  • Zoe Samios

July 2023

Cigno Australia’s latest offering.

Payday-loan venture turns to cash prizes amid ASIC probe

The business owner of Cigno Australia has slammed the corporate regulator, saying he will pursue other ventures elsewhere.

  • Liam Walsh and Lucas Baird

July 2021

Having backed payday loan operations, now one controversial player is eyeing helping retirees.

What does payday-loan backer do next? Eyes retirees

Some payday lending ventures have had brushes with regulators but now their backers are eyeing a new venture with retirees.

  • Liam Walsh

February 2021

Rugby Australia CEO Andy Marinos and chairman Hamish McLennan are preparing for a new era for the sport in Australia.

Rugby Australia prepares for ‘new dawn’

The 2021 Super Rugby AU season kicks off with a Friday night double header – NSW Waratahs v Queensland Reds, and Western Force v ACT Brumbies. 

  • Max Mason

September 2020

The return of rugby league - Foxtel boss Patrick Delany says - marked the recovery point for Kayo,

Kayo rebounds from shutdown exodus to pass 600,000 subscribers

Foxtel's boss says sports subscribers across the group – Kayo, broadcast Foxtel and Foxtel Now – have hit their highest level in the 25 years of Foxtel's existence at just under 2 million.

  • Max Mason
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June 2020

The Waratahs will kick of the revised season on July 3.

Foxtel locks in Aussie-only Super Rugby TV deal

The NSW Waratahs, Queensland Reds, Melbourne Rebels, ACT Brumbies and returning Western Force will play over 12 consecutive weeks.

  • Max Mason

May 2020

Going, going gone. Peter Wiggs as resigned from the board of Rugby Australia.

Rugby's woes continue as rebuffed Wiggs resigns

Rugby Australia's push for financial survival has been dealt a blow with the resignation of businessman Peter Wiggs from the board.

  • Mark Ludlow

April 2020

Rugby union is on the verge of collapse in Australia.

Why winter sport will never be the same

Coronavirus could well be fatal for at least one of Australia's four football codes.

  • Angus Grigg and Max Mason

March 2020

"Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" is available on Foxtel.

Foxtel frees up movies to sports subscribers

With live sport essentially cancelled for 2020 due to COVID-19, Foxtel is giving all of its sports subscribers access to the network's movie channels for free.

  • Natasha Gillezeau
Reed Mahoney of the Eels (right) after scoring a try at Bankwest Stadium.

Sporting bodies, broadcasters prep for crowd-free matches

The NRL, AFL and Super Rugby games could be played behind closed doors or pushed forward.

  • Updated
  • Max Mason

Original URL: https://www.afr.com/topic/super-rugby-62d