RUGBY.com.au brought you the story of the Stockman Rugby Club last month and we're happy to report the team is absolutely flying after their first four matches.
The Chris Roche coached outfit won both starts in New Zealand - against Papakura RFC and the Auckland Police Union - in the space of two days, before heading to Argentina and claiming a win against Los Tordos RFC in Mendoza and Atletico RFC in Rosario on Saturday.
The win against the Auckland Police Union is of particular note, as they rolled out two ITM Cup players, a pair of Samoan Sevens representatives and two former Super Rugby stars and still couldn’t get over the line against a group of country rugby players that came together just five days before their first match.
Josh Adams claimed the time honoured ‘Vegemite Award’ in that win, a plush koala wearing a cork hat the prize for his man of the match performance.
We also hear a rousing rendition of Waltzing Matilda has followed each of their four wins to date.
The Stockman will push to keep their undefeated tour alive in their final match against DAOM Rugby in Buenos Aires on Tuesday.
RESULTS
October 23
Stockman 36 - Papakura RFC
October 25
Stockman 27 - Auckland Police Rugby Union
October 31, Mendoza
Stockman 33 - Los Tordos RFC 17
November 3, Rosario
Stockman 62 - Atletico RFC 0
Tongan Thor's life lessons
Taniela Tupou is already a cult figure in rugby, but he's gained extra status this week, with a picture doing the rounds of some advice he left at his alma mater in Auckland.
Tupou left some tips in his old boarding school dormitory, to inspire the next generation.The tips read:
Sup Boys,
This room once belonged to D. Tupou (Nela). This college is the best thing that happen (sic) to me and I am truely greatful (sic) for what it has done for me. Here are some rules that wil get you through the mighty Sacred.
1. Respect the Brothers. They will always love you and pray for you.
2. Do whatever you can for the school
3. Go HARD - GO HOME
Sacred Heart is not for the faint hearted. Whatever you do, do it to the best of your abilities.
4. No regrets
5. It's not what you know but who you know. All your friend (sic) at school will be with you forever and will become your family.
These will get you through school.
Much Love from SHC's Finesto
Daniel Tupou (Nella)
Chile turn the heat up
¡Triunfazo! Chile π¨π± venció por 7-0 a los All Blacks de Nueva Zelanda en torneo de Rugby 7 πen Silicon Valley πΊπΈ¡Felicitaciones! pic.twitter.com/YgAUToAqbz
— Deportes (@MindepChile) November 4, 2017
Chile shocked New Zealand in Silicon Valley 7s overnight, beating the heavyweights 7-0 in California.
The South Americans, playing as one on 12 teams in the invitational tournament, bested one of the World Series powerhouses and reminded punters and players that any team can win on any day.
Arnold on the mend
Rory Arnold is back in Australia as his Wallabies teammates travel Japan and the UK this month, after a knee injury curtailed the back end of his year.
The mammoth lock was out at Viking Park on Saturday, watching on as the Vikings made the NRC final, knee brace and all.
Arnold underwent knee surgery last week, expected to be out for around a month, before being able to hit the track again.
Super Rugby reunions in Japan
There were plenty of ex-Super Rugby players dotted around Yokohama Stadium on Saturday afternoon, when the Wallabies took on Japan.
Some of the keen watches included Sunwolves skipper and former Reds backrower Ed Quirk and Queensland back Campbell Magnay, who recently joined Suntory.
Brumbies backrower Jordan Smiler is also based in Japan now and took the opportunity to show some of his Canberra teammates around this week.
Golden reveal
The #GC2018 medal design has been revealed! Head over to our website to read the full story behind the design π₯π₯π₯https://t.co/x5EbyyZKg8 pic.twitter.com/xoBQFBnnPP
— Gold Coast 2018 (@GC2018) November 4, 2017
The Commonwealth Games are nearing and preparation for the competition took a major step this week, with the unveiling of the medals for the tournament.
Australia will be hoping it grabs two of the gold in the Sevens, which runs concurrently
The medals were designed by Stradbroke Island artist Delvene Cockatoo-Collins, and were based on Queensland's iconic coastlines.
Hodgson racking up the miles for IP Rugby
There has been public silence on the Rugby Australia front since Twiggy Forrest unveiled his plans for the Indo-Pacific Rugby Championship, putting the ball in the ARU court to approve certain elements by the end of last week.
IP Rugby released a statement on Sunday night, saying that the competition would be run concurrently with Super Rugby, as progress continues to go on in the background, reportedly ticked off by the national body.
Whatever the progress, player relations manager Matt Hodgson has been working to build some new relationships in the territories they're planning to establish teams in, posting his endeavours in recent days.
World Rugby defends recommendation process
World Rugby has hit back at France president Bernard Laporte, who blew up deluxe after the anouncement that the World Rugby panel had recommended South Africa to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Laporte questioned the legitimacy of the process, ahead of a final vote on November 15, that has historically always followed the World Rugby recommendation.
World Rugby defended itself on Sunday, after his comments, and said it seek to address the issue with Laporte in the coming weeks.
"While disappointment and high emotion following the announcement of a recommendation is understandable, such comments are both unfounded and inaccurate," a statement read.
"World Rugby has implemented a transparent, objective, professional and robust host selection process. The comprehensive technical evaluation has been undertaken by a team of World Rugby and third-party experts, independently scrutinised by The Sports Consultancy against agreed scoring criteria. The process was supported by the host candidates, the Rugby World Cup Board and Council throughout.
"We will be raising our concerns on this matter with the FFR and look forward to the World Rugby Council appointing the Rugby World Cup 2023 host on 15 November with a clear, comprehensive and objective recommendation to consider. "
Ireland finished third in the recommendation, but has said in recent days it's still optimistic of a surprise result on November 15.