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About Rupert Guinness
About Rupert Guinness
Rupert Guinness has been a sports journalist for more than 25 years and has been writing about rugby union since 2002. A Walkley Award commended journalist, he has been working for The Sydney Morning Herald as a rugby writer since January, 2007. He is also a leading authority on rowing and cycling - having covered 19 Tours de France, and is the author of eight books of which the last - "The Flying Grocer" which is based on the story of a Australian Lancaster bomber pilot and his crew in WWII - has just been released. Rupert, who began his career at News Ltd (working on both The Australian and Daily Telegraph newspaper), also lived in Belgium and France for nine years from 1987 to 1996 covering sports as a freelancer. He speaks fluent French, is married and lives in Sydney.
Tuqiri doubt could let in bolter
THE Wallabies squad for the end of season tour to Hong Kong and Europe could include an extra player when it is announced tomorrow.
Tah very much: Davidson worthy of NSW
Sydney University captain Tim Davidson says he "won't hold my breath" for a Super 14 contract despite proving he deserves a second chance to play for the Waratahs in the Shute Shield grand final on Saturday.
Uni juggernaut rolls on
WHATEVER anyone may say about Sydney University, with their riches of talent and money to recruit, the Students yesterday proved it has been well invested when they defeated Randwick at Concord Oval.
Students do it again
Sydney Uni are the Shute Shield champions after defeating Randwick in the decider.
Wicks tailor pressure game for Uni
RANDWICK have vowed to make Sydney University pay the price for their pressure-free run to today's Shute Shield grand final at Concord Oval.
A battle looms for Waugh as heavyweights get ready
PHIL WAUGH loves playing Shute Shield grand finals but he regards this year's title decider between Sydney University and Randwick as a vital opportunity to shore up his selection future in the Wallabies line-up.
Each harbours an ambition, but only one will be victorious
They both wear No. 8, and for Stephen Hoiles and Tim Davidson, representative honours have slipped through their grasp.
French not rushing star recruit Gaz
MARK GASNIER may not be required to play for Stade Francais in his
first week with the Paris-based Top 14 side, but he will still get
a solid reminder this week of the pressure that will be on him in
his new rugby career.
Wallabies defence hasn't adapted to speed of new laws: Burke
AUSTRALIAN rugby legend Matt Burke suspects the recent lapses in
the Wallabies' defence could be partly due to them having trouble
adapting to the speed and intensity of Test football under the
experimental law variations.
Burke's tuition helps Uni put boot into Beasts
IF THE Shute Shield grand final between Randwick and Sydney University on Saturday is decided by accurate goal kicking rather than tries, Daniel Halangahu knows who to thank if the Students win.
Fava puts quokkas and Force behind him
It is not the record Scott Fava was aiming for when he made his
Super 14 debut for Queensland eight years ago.
Cordingley looks to Reds' revival for inspiration
FOR Wallabies halfback Sam Cordingley it is not the colour of the jersey he wears that will determine the value he places on any game, but the strength of his and his teammates' performance.
Sheehan injury scare
Brett Sheehan will be the first player to meet the team doctor
after he gave coach Robbie Deans a scare.
Loser label fires up Pirates
WEST HARBOUR captain Ben Martin has become accustomed to hearing the doomsayers of Sydney club rugby forecasting humiliation for most of their Shute Shield matches this season.
No tug-of-war over Gaz: Ewen
EWEN McKENZIE says he will not stand in the way of Robbie Deans should the Wallabies coach seek the release of Mark Gasnier from Stade Francais to play for Australia during the end-of-season tour of Europe.
Loss helps our finals assault: Easts
EASTERN SUBURBS' loss to Randwick in the final round of the Shute Shield was one they needed to have if they are to earn a back-to-back shot at the Sydney club title, coach Scott Bowen said.
Holy Shute, there's a Wallaby in the opposition ranks: Hoiles's club finals get spicier
THERE was one sight Stephen Hoiles had hoped he would not see when he and the Galloping Greens run on to play Warringah in their Shute Shield semi-final on Sunday - that of Wallaby Brett Sheehan among the opposition.
Kasprowicz leaves Japan under a cloud
Former Waratahs and Eastwood player Simon Kasprowicz has left Japan
amid allegations of illegal drug use and faces arrest on his
return, according to Japanese newspaper and online reports at the
weekend.
Poidevin flays NSW union over player points system for clubs
Wallabies and Randwick great Simon Poidevin has rebuked the NSW
Rugby Union for yesterday approving a player points system it
believes will make the club championship a more even competition
next year.
Cleared agent chases Giteau for fees
The Rugby Union Players' Association has cleared the former manager of Wallabies Matt Giteau and Drew Mitchell over a complaint understood to involve alleged secret payments.
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