With so many players and clubs doing media each day, it can be hard to keep on top of a lot of the stories coming out.
Rugby is filled with them across all levels of the game and whilst most are covered through some form of media, there are others that might have slipped off the radar.
One Percenters returns as Rugby.com.au looks at everything you might have missed from the week of Rugby.
After their classic in round two, the Waratahs-Reds rivalry is set to go to another level with Wallabies captain Michael Hooper targeting the Suncorp clash for his return.
Hooper hasn’t featured in Super Rugby Pacific for the Waratahs due to a combination of a previously-agreed rest period and the foot injury which ended his international season early.
However, the flanker is slowly working his way back into training and told SEN he already has a date in mind.
“I am training at the moment doing a lot of rehab but I’ll be back in two weeks for round six against Queensland,” he told The Show and Go with former Wallaby Drew Mitchell and AquaRugby founder Jimmy Galvin.
“From there, it’ll just be a return-to-play situation with this foot that’s given me a lot of grief over this break, getting that back to where it needs to be.”
Last week’s narrow win over the Force will always be a special occasion for hooker Matt Faessler, becoming Red #1386.
However, he wasn’t short of familiar faces when he ran on with eight fellow Brothers teammates on the field, with Lawson Creighton shortly making it ten four minutes later. This includes Harry Wilson, Fraser McReight, James O’Connor, Hamish Stewart, Josh Flook, Harry Hoopert, Taniela Tupou and Ryan Smith.
The feat tied a club record of 10 representatives set back in 1919 and has occurred 3 separate times since, last achieved in 1974.
“We actually got a message after the game that it was equal with the club record…it was awesome,” Faessler said.
“I was playing junior footy with (Harry) Hoopert and Hamo (Hamish Stewart) since 12 and went to school with them. That combined with the family stuff, it’s super special to get out there and play with a couple of guys I played club footy with for quite some time, it was awesome.”
Congratulations to Matt Faessler who made his Queensland Reds and Super Rugby debut on Saturday night against the...
Posted by Brothers Rugby Club on Sunday, March 6, 2022
With Rugby Australia confirming a partnership with Sportable, there has never been a time where stats have been more rich and available to clubs, coaches and fans.
As we prepare for its launch on Friday, take a look at some of the more interesting and unique stats heading into round four, courtesy of Opta.
- Whilst the Brumbies are renowned for their strengths at lineout time, it’s actually their opponents the Rebels who enjoy a better strike rate in terms of success (86.7% v 83.3%). This can be attributed to the work Matt Philip has done to establish himself as a consistent target, winning a comp-high 21 line outs, two more than Darcy Swain and seven more than third-place Jed Holloway and Izack Rodda
- Continuing with the line out theme, number eight Tim Anstee is the key man to watch for a steal, leading the stat sheet with three in his first three games. Anstee also is tied for most turnovers won (4) with Kurt Eklund and Vinaya Habosi.
- If you planning to watch the Reds-Drua, make sure you are quick in your seat after half-time. The Drua are the most prolific team in the comp after the break, averaging 0.7 tries between the 40th and 60th minute, double of second-place Brumbies (0.3). The team that concedes the most in that period? Also the Drua, conceding on average 2.0 tries during the same period.
- Reece Hodge is a welcome addition to a Rebels backline lacking experience. Friday’s clash at AAMI Park is the perfect spot for his return, having scored five tries in his last five home games against the Brumbies, including four line breaks.
- The Reds have a habit of thriving against expansion clubs, winning five of their last six against new teams. Their only loss came against the Jaguars (22-8) in 2017.
- The Waratahs have heavily relied on their kicking game under pressure, with no team exiting their 22 via the boot more than Darren Coleman's side (30). This has powered Ben Donaldson to the top of the kicking table (894 metres), nearly 100 more than second-place Jordie Barrett. As for the Force, Manasa Mataele has been a major threat from within his own 22, leading the comp in carries (10), metres (134) and defenders beaten (7)
Rugby has a funny way of bringing people together - Just ask Gilitins forwards Christian Poidevin and Sean McNulty.
The pair found themselves rooming together in LA, almost 40 years after their fathers faced off in the Hong Kong Sevens.
Both managed to find their father’s jerseys that they swapped on the day, which remain in near-perfect condition in their place.
Speaking of the Poidevin's, Goulburn Rugby Club is set to unveil the new 'Klem Oval' alongside 'Simon Poidevin Oval' on Saturday.
Klem Oval recognises the Klem family’s outstanding contribution to rugby in Goulburn, particularly tireless President Matt Klem, Matt’s father Dave Klem and his uncle, and Classic Wallaby, John Klem.
It is a full competition size ground that will look to host state and Sevens competitions for both junior and senior Rugby.
For more information, click this link or go to Goulburn Rugby Club's website
