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About Greg Growden
About Greg Growden
Greg Growden has been the Chief Rugby Correspondent for the The Sydney Morning Herald since 1987. He started writing about rugby union in 1981, and in more than 25 years has reported on more than 200 test matches and covered countless Wallaby tours. He has chronicled the big changes in rugby: The birth of the World Cup, the turn to professionalism, the rise of the Super 14 and Tri-Nations tournaments and the return of South Africa to the international fold. France 2007 will be Growden's sixth World Cup.
This is Mumm's calling - Deans
In regards to his first starting Test appearance, new Wallabies
second-rower Dean Mumm could not have been given a more formidable
assignment.
Turner told to turn down the buzz
Before the Wallabies began their captain's run at Suncorp Stadium yesterday, they went through the usual ritual of posing for the team photo.
Kiss and tell prompts turnaround
WALLABIES winger Lachie Turner has credited departing NSW assistant coach Les Kiss for helping him attain his first Test cap.
Mumm replaces injured Sharpe in very green and gold second row
WARATAHS second-rower Dean Mumm is preparing for his first run-on Test after Nathan Sharpe last night withdrew from the match against France in Brisbane tomorrow night with a groin injury.
Hoiles on the boil for a rare run-on start for Wallabies
STEPHEN HOILES, the new Wallabies No.8, is not going to mess up this chance. Frustrated that he hasn't taken his opportunities in the past, Hoiles wants to convince Wallabies selectors he is not just a dogsbody, but a viable international starter.
Our young guns will have last laugh: Chabal
The Caveman, Seabass or whatever he is called has had a rollicking time during his short stay in Australia, punctuated by giggling fits as one of his French teammates valiantly attempted to explain that he didn't actually want to pull down Lote Tuqiri's pants.
Burgess knows pass marks aren't good enough
Luke Burgess appears to be assured of a long Test career. But he is the first to admit he is short of the required mark just now and that, if he doesn't improve quickly, it may be all taken away from him.
Hit-outs crucial, says trainspotter Deans
WALLABIES coach Robbie Deans has warned his players it is not just what they do on the playing field that will determine the longevity of their Test careers. As crucial will be how they perform at training.
Cap lock: debutant Turner freezes
LACHIE TURNER thought his eyes were playing tricks on him. The Waratahs winger went into meltdown when he was inadvertently given a hint that he was about to become the 826th Wallaby.
Private NSW takeover offside, says O'Neill
THE Australian Rugby Union will not allow private-consortium takeovers of any of the four Australian Super 14 provinces.
Tuqiri, Palu in doubt for second Test
SERIOUS doubts over whether winger Lote Tuqiri and No.8 Wycliff Palu will play in the second Test against France in Brisbane on Saturday night have enhanced the chances of Australian A players, including Stephen Hoiles, Lachie Turner and Digby Ioane.
Why Homebush doesn't feel like home
IF THE Australian Rugby Union believed the first Test against France would convince Sydneysiders to again head out in droves to Homebush Bay, they would have been bitterly disappointed.
The primal directive: knock out Caveman
THE Wallabies certainly know which Frenchman they have to contain. No surprises. It's Le Caveman.
Australia shrug off a bad case of the wobblies
A second-half no-contest enabled the Wallabies to enjoy an easy win over France last night, but dampening it all was a dreadful first term that must have caused plenty of concern for coach Robbie Deans.
Victory but much to do
A second-half no-contest enabled the Wallabies to enjoy an easy win over France last night, but dampening it all was a dreadful first half that would have only distressed coach Robbie Deans.
Palisson is pulled up on pants threat
WALLABIES captain Stirling Mortlock has warned that French rookie Alexis Palisson's threat to pull down Lote Tuqiri's pants could see the visitor left red-faced and holding only a fragment of Le Strides during tonight's first Test at ANZ Stadium.
Homebush factor keeps fans away
THE NSW rugby public's reluctance to travel to Homebush Bay to attend Tests other than Bledisloe Cup fixtures is unlikely to change for the first Australia-France international tonight.
Oggy Doggy changes his spot
THE French Test team to play the Wallabies are clearly at sixes and
sevens.
Officials going cold on hot start
SUPER rugby will soon no longer be a summer sport. Australian and
New Zealand officials agree the Super season, expected to be
expanded to a six-month competition in 2010, should not start in
February.
Giteau to spark the Wallabies' firepower
The drama over Firepower and money owed may be playing on the mind
of the five-eighth but it didn't show against Ireland.
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