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 looks at everything you might have missed from the week of Rugby.
Former Wallabies and Waratahs flyhalf Bernard Foley has admitted the fire still burns for a national call-up.
Foley is currently plying his trade in Japan for Kubota Spears, eligible for selection under the new overseas policy.
Whilst he was full of praise for the current players selected in the 40-man squad, he told SEN the chance to return, similar to Drew Mitchell and Matt Giteau in 2015, excited him.
“I think it was a pretty exciting squad,” Foley told The Show and Go.
“It rewarded guys who have done well in Super Rugby and taken their chances so it’s an exciting time for those selected to attend the Wallaby camp. For those new guys, it’s a great experience and what they’ve been living for.
“For me, there’s always ambition looking at the World Cups and playing alongside (Drew Mitchell) and Matt Giteau when they came back, it was great to see the experience and influence that they were able to add in 2015.
“There’s always ambition. I look at the World Cups and Wallabies games and love watching them. There is that fire that burns within as well.”
Force CEO Tony Lewis has confirmed reports backrower Fergus Lee-Warner will look to leave the club at the end of the year.
Lee-Warner was a shock omission from the Wallabies 40-man squad, with Lewis suggesting the back-rower had been 'frustrated' by a lack of communication from selectors as to where he stands.
With this in mind, the 28-year-old is eyeing a move to English club Gloucester according to his CEO.
“I’ve spoke to Fergus (Lee-Warner) on numerous times over the last year…it’s very frustrating but if he’s not going to make the Wallabies team then someone’s going to come out of the woodworks and offer the most staggering amount of money I’ve seen, it’s a hard call for him,” Lewis told The Rugby Wrap.
“He’s probably near the end of his Rugby career, probably four or five years to go, and he could stay here to become a Wallaby or he takes the money and that’s what he’s decided to do.
“We tried to turn him around, but he wants to set himself up for the future. I’m not sure going to Gloucester compared to Perth is a good idea and I’m gutted that he’s going but it’s something we have do to better (to retain these players).”
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 data continued to develop, take a look at some of the more interesting and unique stats heading into round seven, courtesy of Opta.
- The Reds have turned Suncorp into a fortress, particularly against the Brumbies. Brad Thorn’s men have won their last 12 home matches against Australian opposition, last losing in May 2019 (40-32 v Waratahs), whilst beating the Brumbies in their last six home games.
- Harry Wilson continues to shine in 2022, showing his rapid improvement. The number eight leads the way with 90 carries, 21 more than his nearest rival (Matt Philip - 69). He also sits in the top five for tackles whilst sixth for metres gained.
- Meanwhile, the Brumbies remain one of the most clinical teams in Super Rugby, leading the way with 4.5 tries per game. Despite this, it’s interesting to note they only sit fourth for line breaks, seventh for tackle busts and 11th for carry metres, backing coach Dan McKellar claims there are further improvements to be found.
- The line out remains a key weapon for the visitors, with Nick Frost (34) leading the way for line out wins, closely followed by Darcy Swain in fourth. Both sit in the top two for line out wins per 80 minutes (min 150 minutes), with 6.5 and 6.0 respectively. Frost also is tied for most steals, nabbing 5 at an average of 1 per game.
- The Waratahs are out to end an incredible losing streak on the road. They have lost eight straight away from home, with the last time they went on a longer streak occurring from March 1996-May 1997 (9 games).
- One of the keys for this to end will be improving their scrum success rate, sitting at 86%. This is second lowest in the comp (Western Force - 83%) and well below the Fijian Drua, who sit top with 96%.
- In the all important ruck arrival stats, Charlie Gamble is second in the competition for attacking rucks (56), one behind comp leader Tom Christie.
Friday's match against the Fijian Drua will have special significance for Waratahs winger Mark Nawaqanitawase.
Nawaqanitawase carries Fijian heritage through his father, with his cousin Jone Koroiduadua in the Drua squad.
“I’m pretty excited,” Nawaqanitawase said about playing the Drua.
“I’ve been following them from the start and my cousin is in the team so it’ll be good to go up against him.
“I haven’t said anything yet to him. I’ll properly surprise him in the game, throw some chat there.”
Whilst Koroiduadua was not named, Nawaqanitawase was still expecting a brutal encounter.
“Yeah there’s not many I want to be getting in contact with,” he said with a smile.
Former Wallabies and Waratahs hooker Adam Freier lit up the LA Marathon for all the right reasons.
The LA Giltinis GM completed the 42kms on his 42nd birthday in under 4 hours, running to raise money for Rugby Australia stalwart Tony Harris.
If you've ever attended a Wallabies test match, Harris was the man making sure it ran smoothly, taking charge of matchday operations. Unfortunately, he was forced to amputate his right leg, due to life-threatening vascular disease last year, which could have resulted in Tony dying.
The Rugby community has rallied around Harris and Freier, raising close to $40,000 as part of The Harris Hammer, with people still encouraged to donate via the link
