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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.
It's not in my contract to finish in the finals: Hickey
The new Tahs coach tells Rupert Guinness he wants to be judged on
more than results.
Waratahs win before the season even starts
THE Waratahs know they are in for a tough season next year, but their fortunes took a turn for the better yesterday with the release of the 2009 Super 14 draw after months of delay.
Truth of Twickenham revealed
Two former Wallabies props believe Al Baxter and Matt Dunning have unfairly carried the blame for the scrum fiasco against England three years ago, reports Rupert Guinness.
Norton-Knight admits it's back to square one for the reborn Waratahs
SAM NORTON-KNIGHT can see the size of the challenge facing the Waratahs next season, despite the Super 14 finalists boasting as many as 16 Wallabies on their 2009 playing roster.
School of thoughts: Prairiewood's dream near reality after a flood of donations
THE Prairiewood High School First XV's bid to raise $70,000 to fund their trip to the World Youth Tournament in Japan has attracted almost $30,000 in support since the Australian and NSW rugby unions gave $10,000 each.
No excess baggage as Tahu returns early
TIMANA Tahu has what it takes to play in the centres despite being sent home from the Wallabies' European tour after tearing a hamstring.
Hoiles the big loser as beef-up plan fails
FOR two years Wallabies coach John Connolly badgered Stephen Hoiles to stack on the weight, insisting he needed more bulk and strength if he wanted to continue to be a Wallabies back-rower.
Giacheri can't see an upset
AUSTRALIAN-BORN Mark Giacheri played 49 Tests for Italy with all the pride and passion he could muster, but not even he will dare forecast an upset between the Wallabies and Azzurri in Padova tomorrow morning, Sydney time.
On a wing and a Prairiewood: battlers need help to fulfil their dream
JARRED HODGES is confident some of the unknown teenagers he is coaching on the Prairiewood High School team have the potential to one day become marquee players in Super 14 and Wallabies teams.
After rugby, it's all downhill for Rathbone
BRUMBIES winger Clyde Rathbone has some way to go before his rugby days are over, but he is warming to the possibility of a new sporting career after his retirement from the game - as an Olympic bobsledder.
Wise words: Beale told he's in for a battle
WARATAHS five-eighth Kurtley Beale has been told by NSW assistant coach Scott Wisemantel that he "has his work cut out" if he is to stop Daniel Halangahu from taking his No.10 jersey for the start of next year's Super 14 season.
NSW line up Fijian side for extra trial match
The Waratahs hope to play Fiji in an extra pre-season trial match
next year now that SANZAR has rejected a proposal to hold a
six-team finals series, meaning that the Super 14 season will start
one week later.
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.
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