The Australian Rugby community is mourning the loss of the first Wallabies representative ever selected from Western Australia, Bob “Tommo” Thompson who passed away at his home in Rotorua, New Zealand on Sunday. The Rotorua born and bred hooker has the rare distinction of being the only man to play for both the Wallabies and the New Zealand Maori team, which he represented once in 1968 through his mother’s lineage.
A thee-try burst has set up 26-7 victory for the Qantas Wallabies over Italy in Padova overnight, maintaining Australia’s unblemished Test record against the Italians. Speedster Marika Koroibete crossed for a double in the space of five minutes in the lead up to half time, and hulking prop Taniela Tupou barged over for another five-pointer just after the break to set the Wallabies on course for victory in an otherwise tight contest.
The 2019 Vodafone Super Rugby season will see back to back provincial Rugby at its best with no breaks for Internationals across the 18 rounds of competition kicking off on February 15 and concluding with the Final on July 6.
With the Rugby World Cup kicking off in Japan in September, fans can follow the current Wallabies stars and World Cup squad hopefuls battle it out for a ticket to the game’s showpiece event by leading their Super Rugby teams to glory.
Young guns Jake Gordon and Jordan Petaia are each set to make their Test debut for the Qantas Wallabies in their clash with Italy at Stadio Euganeo on Saturday in Padua, Italy. Gordon will become Wallaby 925 with Petaia to be Wallaby 926, as well as the third-youngest player to ever represent Australia at Test level behind Brian Ford (18 years and 90 days) and James O’Connor (18 years and 126 days).