Category: Rugby

Check out the final day highlights of the Men’s RWC Sevens.

Video credit: World Rugby

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The Melbourne Rebels have suspended rookies Hunter Paisami and Pone Faamausili after the pair were involved in a late-night brawl on Saturday night.

The altercation led to one man being admitted to hospital with serious injuries, while the pair have admitted to being at the scene at the time. Faaumasili has given a statement to police, but Paisami is yet to. Charges have not yet been laid.

According to a Facebook post from the victim’s sister, the pair hit the man on the back of the head and left him unconscious and bleeding on the floor, but there are conflicting reports of the incident.

This is the second time in as many weeks a member of the Rebels’ playing staff has landed themselves in hot water after Amanaki Mafi’s arrest in Dunedin last weekend for the alleged assault of teammate Lopeti Timani.

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New Zealand have claimed back-to-back Rugby World Cup Sevens titles after they beat England 33-12 at AT&T Park in San Francisco on Sunday.

Scores from Sione Molia (2), Joe Ravouvou, Akuila Rokolisoa and Trael Joass saw the All Blacks Sevens follow their Women’s team to glory.

The English crossed the try-line through Mike Ellery and Ruaridh McConnochie in defeat.

England were hugely impressive in beating South Africa 29-7 before New Zealand saw off Fiji 22-17 in their respective semi-final fixtures.

South Africa would go on to pip Fiji 24-19 to take the Bronze while fifth place was claimed by Argentina, who beat USA 33-7 to that spot.

Scotland overcame France 29-24 in extra-time to seal seventh place while Ireland impressed in beating Australia to the Challenge Trophy.

Men’s Day Three Results

Bowl 21/24 Place
Tonga 31-5 Zimbabwe
Papua New Guinea 52-7 Jamaica

Bowl Semi-Finals
Chile 20-17 Uganda
Uruguay 5-31 Hong Kong

Challenge 13/16 Place
Kenya 17-19 Samoa
Japan 20-26 Russia

Challenge Semi-Finals
Canada 7-19 Australia
Ireland 27-12 Wales

Championship 5/8 Place
Scotland 0-28 USA
Argentina 26-15 France

Championship Semi-Finals
South Africa 7-29 England
Fiji 17-22 New Zealand

Bowl 23/24 Place
Zimbabwe 33-21 Jamaica

Bowl 21/22 Place
Tonga 14-31 Papua New Guinea

Bowl 19/20 Place
Uganda 38-28 Uruguay

Bowl Final
Chile 20-7 Hong Kong

Challenge 15/16 Place
Kenya 14-26 Japan

Challenge 13/14 Place
Samoa 22-17 Russia

Challenge 11/12 Place
Canada 12-35 Wales

Challenge Trophy Final
Australia 14-24 Ireland

Championship 7/8 Place
Scotland 29-24 France (AET)

Championship 5/6 Place
USA 7-33 Argentina

Bronze Final
South Africa 24-19 Fiji

Championship Final
England 12-33 New Zealand

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With the Super Rugby Qualifiers now a thing of the past, it is time for us to work out which players shone over the past weekend.

The Crusaders were at their imperious best as they dispatched the Sharks and a number of individuals also stood out in the Lions’ victory over the Jaguares.

Kurtley Beale and Israel are rewarded for inspiring the Waratahs’ comeback while the Hurricanes-Chiefs encounter produced several impressive performances from both sides.

Super Rugby: Team of the Qualifiers

15 Israel Folau (Waratahs): Has such a brilliant understanding with Kurtley Beale, running a sublime support line to latch on to the latter’s pass for his try. Then Folau turned creator with a magnificent step off his right foot as he cut inside to get his side close to the try-line for Bernard Foley’s second. Beats out a strong list of contenders, including Andries Coetzee (Lions), David Havili (Crusaders) and Solomon Alamailo (Chiefs).

14 Julian Savea (Hurricanes): Although it is clear he has lost a yard or two, the Bus still gets himself over the advantage line with regularity. Showed great anticipation and reading of the game for his two intercepts – one of which resulted in a try. Made two tackle-busts and offloads on the day. Elsewhere, Ruan Combrinck appears to be hitting form just at the right time for the Lions while Kobus van Wyk was one of the Sharks’ standout performers in a losing cause on Saturday.

13 Ryan Crotty (Crusaders): Having played at 12 but able to do the job at 13, we couldn’t leave Crotty out after a superb performance on Saturday. The All Blacks centre showed impressive upperbody strength and vision when assisting David Havili’s try. Beat five defenders and made three offloads as well as 14 passes. Defensively sound in conjunction with Jack Goodhue – keeping the Sharks to just the one try. Meanwhile, Anton Lienert-Brown shone for the Chiefs and deserves a mention.

12 Kurtley Beale (Waratahs): So often has the Wallaby centre been the one to lift his side and he did it again on Saturday. Trailing 23-6, it was Beale who sparked the fightback, creating two tries in the space of six minutes to bring his side storming back into the contest. First, he delivered a deft, pop pass for Bernard Foley to go in under the sticks and soon afterwards busted Tei Walden’s tackle in midfield before running 30 metres and playing the final pass for Israel Folau to finish in the corner. Also took a lot of responsibility off Foley by switching to first receiver. Edges out Ngani Laumape, who was colossal once again against the Chiefs.

11 Ben Lam (Hurricanes): Taqele Naiyaravoro ran for 75 metres, beat five defenders and made two clean breaks but surprisingly didn’t get himself on the try column against the Highlanders. Lam did, however, and it was his 69th minute five-pointer that would eventually make the difference for the Hurricanes as they edged the Chiefs 32-31. As it happens, Lam has now drawn level with Naiyaravoro on 15 tries for the season as the two battle it out for the crown of Super Rugby’s top marksman.

10 Elton Jantjies (Lions): While Bernard Foley took his brace well and Lima Sopoaga impressed in a losing cause, Jantjies’ classy performance at Ellis Park on Saturday ensures he claims the fly-half jersey in our team. The Lions’ pivot didn’t put a foot wrong throughout, contributing 20 points in total in a flawless kicking perfomance off the tee, while he also laid on two tries for his teammates. Springbok fans will be wondering why he can’t replicate the same form in green and gold.

9 TJ Perenara (Hurricanes): The sniping dart is really becoming something of a trademark of Perenara’s, as he scored both of his tries on the weekend in this fashion. The talismanic scrum-half is very difficult to stop from close range. Meanwhile, Crusaders’ Bryn Hall scored an excellent try and brilliantly created another in his side’s win over the Hurricanes, while Brad Weber also got himself on the scoresheet for the second week in a row. There is no lack of quality scrum-halves in New Zealand right now.

8 Kieran Read (Crusaders): Part of a clinical and efficient performance by the Crusaders’ pack, the New Zealand captain was typically industrious having made 31 metres from eight carries. Opposite number on Saturday, Dan du Preez, put himself about for the Sharks while Luke Whitelock produced a good display in the Highlanders’ defeat to the Waratahs, but Read was the most consistent number eight at the weekend.

7 Gareth Evans (Hurricanes): With Beauden Barrett off colour and, as a result, their backline lacking its usual slickness, the Canes’ victory against the Chiefs was primarily down to their defence and work at the breakdown. Evans duly came to the fore after making 14 tackles and being a constant threat at the contact area. Elsewhere, Tomas Lezana was hugely influential for the Jaguares but he couldn’t prevent the Argentinians from succumbing to defeat.

6 Lachlan Boshier (Chiefs): Despite defeat, there were some impressive performances by the Waikato-based outfit and the flanker was one of those to display his qualities, particularly in broken field. Pablo Matera did his best to wrestle control in the second half of the Jaguares’ game in Johannesburg but Boshier’s efforts were even greater. As well as running for 73 metres, which included an assist, the blindside was also excellent in defence, making 13 tackles without missing.

5 Franco Mostert (Lions): A tough call between him and the Crusaders’ Sam Whitelock, who always made ground with ball in hand and kept the Sharks’ defence honest with his ability to shift the point of contact on the gain line. However, in the end we went for Mostert after his remarkable defensive effort which saw him make a superb match-high 23 tackles. Also carried hard and was part of a dominant scrum that helped them control the majority of the first half.

4 Brodie Retallick (Chiefs): We could have selected another Crusaders player with Scott Barrett continuing his fine form and being part of a lock pairing which has been so effective this season, but we’ve gone with Retallick. The premier second-row in the world did his best in a losing cause and always made it over the gain line after running for 30 metres from 15 carries. Michael Fatialofa also showed up well in the same game as the Hurricanes made the semi-finals, but Retallick was even better despite defeat.

3 Owen Franks (Crusaders): On paper, the Sharks have an excellent front-row, one which has been pretty dominant over recent weeks, but they were soundly beaten in the set-piece by Franks and co. The tighthead had Tendai Mtawarira in all sorts of trouble at the scrum and it allowed the hosts to control possession and territory. It was a similar story in the Lions-Jaguares encounter where Ruan Dreyer shone, but the Crusaders prop did a fine job in dealing with a top class operator.

2 Malcolm Marx (Lions): The injury the hooker sustained in May, which kept him out of action for a few weeks, doesn’t seem to have affected the South African, who enjoyed his quarter-final clash against the Argentines. Marx scored a try, made 56 metres and was excellent in the set-piece as he took the position from Ricky Riccitelli, who put in a fine effort for the Hurricanes.

1 Jacques van Rooyen (Lions): Not too many looseheads stood out at the weekend, even if both Tim Perry (Crusaders) and Toby Smith (Hurricanes) enjoyed the upper hand in the scrum, but Van Rooyen was the best of the lot. Despite only being on the field for 53 minutes, the prop sent his opposition tighthead regularly into reverse as the Lions dominated the front-row battle.

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Harlequins has announced that defence coach Nick Easter has left the Twickenham Stoop outfit for personal reasons after 14 years’ service.

During this time Easter played 281 games for the club over 12 seasons, playing a major part in the club’s success in that period. He represented England 54 times, featuring in three World Cups.

Since finishing playing two years ago he was appointed the club’s defence coach. However, it has now been confirmed that he will leave his post.

“Harlequins would like to thank Nick for his contribution, innovation and hard work in this role and wish him well in his promising coaching career,” read a club statement.

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Check on all the ins and outs ahead of the new PRO14 season.

Benetton:

In: Marco Zanon (Mogliano), Iliesa Ratuva Tavuyara (Waikato), Derrick Appiah (London Scottish), Giuseppe Di Stefano (Fiamme Oro), Giovanni Pettinelli (Calvisano), Antonio Rizzi (Petrarca), Dewaldt Duvenage (Stormers)

Out: Filippo Filippetto (retired), Marty Banks (NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes), Whetu Douglas (Crusaders), Matteo Zanusso (Calvisano), Francesco Minto (released), Michael Tagicakibau (released)

Cardiff Blues:

In: Dmitri Arhip (Ospreys), Jason Harries (Edinburgh), Rory Thornton (Ospreys), Samu Manoa (Toulon), Liam Belcher (Dragons)

Out: Alex Cuthbert (Exeter Chiefs), Damien Welch (Cross Keys), Taufa’ao Filise (retired), Sam Warburton (retired)

Cheetahs:

In: Dian Badenhorst (Free State Cheetahs), Aidon Davis (Bayonne), Louis Fouché (Kubota Spears), Lloyd Greeff (Free State Cheetahs), Sibabalo Qoma (Free State Cheetahs), Clinton Swart (Toyota Verblitz), Boan Venter (Free State Cheetahs), Henco Venter (Toshiba Brave Lupus), Tian Schoeman (Bordeaux), Dries Swanepoel (Bulls)

Out: Francois Venter (Worcester Warriors), Johan Goosen (Montpellier), Uzair Cassiem (Scarlets), Clayton Blommetjies (Scarlets), Tom Botha (Ospreys), Reniel Hugo (Toyota Verblitz), Niel Marais (Yamaha Júbilo), Clinton Swart (Toyota Verblitz), Henco Venter (Toshiba Brave Lupus), Carl Wegner (Toyota Verblitz)

Connacht:

In: Peter Claffey (Academy), Cillian Gallagher (Academy), Conán O’Donnell (Academy), Robin Copeland (Munster), Kyle Godwin (Brumbies), David Horwitz (Melbourne Rebels), Joe Maksymiw (Leicester Tigers), Jonny Murphy (Rotherham Titans), Sevu Reece (Waikato), Colby Fainga’a (Melbourne Rebels)

Out: New Zealand Jake Heenan (Bristol Bears), John Muldoon (retired), Pita Ahki (Toulouse), Andrew Deegan (Western Force), Naulia Dawai (Otago), Cormac Brennan (released), Denis Coulson (released), Steve Crosbie (released), Stacey Ili (released), Pat O’Toole (released), JP Cooney (released), Andrew Browne (released)

Dragons:

In: Jordan Williams (Bristol Bears), Rhodri Williams (Bristol Bears), Ross Moriarty (Gloucester), Rhodri Davies (Rotherham Titans), Richard Hibbard (Gloucester), Huw Taylor (Worcester Warriors), Josh Lewis (Bath), Ryan Bevington (Bristol Bears), Aaron Jarvis (Clermont), Dafydd Howells (Ospreys), Tiaan Loots (RGC 1404), Jacob Botica (RGC 1404), Rhys Lawrence (Ealing Trailfinders), Brandon Nansen (Stade Francais)

Out: Sarel Pretorius (Southern Kings), Phil Price (Scarlets), Scott Andrews (Neath), Luke Garrett (Neath), Adam Hughes (retired), Pat Howard (Ealing Trailfinders), Rhys Buckley (Bargoed), Barney Nightingale (Bargoed), Keagan Bale (Bargoed), Angus O’Brien (Scarlets), Nicky Thomas (Scarlets), Dorian Jones (Angoulême), Charlie Davies (Northampton Saints), Lloyd Lewis (Pontypool), Sam Beard (Canterbury), Thomas Davies (Cardiff), Ashley Sweet (Ebbw Vale), Liam Belcher (Cardiff Blues), Sam Hobbs (released), Robson Blake (released), Carl Meyer (released)

Edinburgh:

In: John Barclay (Scarlets), Simon Hickey (Bordeaux), Matt Scott (Gloucester), Juan Pablo Socino (Newcastle Falcons), David Cherry (Stade Niçois), Pietro Ceccarelli (Oyonnax), Pierre Schoeman (Bulls), Senitiki Nayalo (London Irish), Luke Hamilton (Leicester Tigers), Henry Pyrgos (Glasgow Warriors), Jason Baggott (Academy), Charlie Shiel (Academy), George Taylor (Academy)

Out: George Turner (Glasgow Warriors), Jordan Lay (Bristol Bears), Cornell du Preez (Worcester Warriors), Junior Rasolea (Grenoble), Neil Cochrane (retired), Duncan Weir (Worcester Warriors), Elliot Millar-Mills (Ealing Trailfinders), Jason Tovey (Cross Keys), Sam Hidalgo-Clyne (Scarlets), Jason Harries (Cardiff Blues), Kevin Bryce (Glasgow Warriors), Matt Shields (retired), John Hardie (released), Glenn Bryce (released), Phil Burleigh (released), Robbie Fruean (released), Tom Galbraith (released)

Glasgow:

In: George Turner (Edinburgh), DTH van der Merwe (Newcastle Falcons), David Tameilau (Narbonne), Nick Frisby (Reds), Robbie Nairn (Academy), Bruce Flockhart (Academy), Adam Nicol (Academy), Kevin Bryce (Edinburgh), Thomas Gordon (Currie)

Out: Finn Russell (Racing 92), Ryan Grant (retired), Pat MacArthur (retired), Richie Vernon (London Scottish), Lewis Wynne (London Scottish), Henry Pyrgos (Edinburgh), Leonardo Sarto (released)

Leinster:

In: Jordan Larmour (Academy), Vakh Abdaladze (Academy), Caelan Doris (Academy), Josh Murphy (Academy), Joe Tomane (Montpellier), Will Connors (Academy)

Out: Jordi Murphy (Ulster), Jamie Heaslip (retired), Isa Nacewa (retired), Richardt Strauss (retired), Oisin Heffernan (Nottingham), Joey Carbery (Munster), Cathal Marsh (released), Peadar Timmins (released)

Munster:

In: Tadhg Beirne (Scarlets), Calvin Nash (Academy), Liam O’Connor (Academy), Fineen Wycherley (Academy), Mike Haley (Sale Sharks), Neil Cronin (Garryowen), Arno Botha (London Irish), Joey Carbery (Leinster)

Out: Simon Zebo (Racing 92), Robin Copeland (Connacht), David Johnston (Ealing Trailfinders), Gerbrandt Grobler (Gloucester)

Ospreys:

In: Scott Williams (Scarlets), Aled Davies (Scarlets), Lesley Klim (Doncaster Knights), Tom Botha (Cheetahs), George North (Northampton Saints), Gheorghe Gajion (Trelissac), Guido Volpi (Narbonne), Giorgi Nemsadze (Bristol Bears), Luke Morgan (Wales Sevens)

Out: Brian Mujati (retired), Dan Biggar (Northampton Saints), Rhys Webb (Toulon), Kieron Fonotia (Scarlets), Ashley Beck (Worcester Warriors), Ben John (sabbatical), Eli Walker (retired), Rowan Jenkins (Yorkshire Carnegie), Guy Mercer (Bath), Dafydd Howells (Dragons), Hugh Gustafson (retired), Dmitri Arhip (Cardiff Blues), Rory Thornton (Cardiff Blues), Jeff Hassler (released), Jay Baker (released), Brendon Leonard (released)

Scarlets:

In: Kieron Fonotia (Ospreys), Blade Thomson (Hurricanes), Uzair Cassiem (Cheetahs), Clayton Blommetjies (Cheetahs), Phil Price (Dragons), Sam Hidalgo-Clyne (Edinburgh), Kieran Hardy (Jersey Reds), Angus O’Brien (Dragons), Ed Kennedy (Randwick), Matthew Davies (Neath)

Out: Tadhg Beirne (Munster), John Barclay (Edinburgh), Scott Williams (Ospreys), Aled Davies (Ospreys), Billy McBryde (RGC 1404), Jack Condy (retired), Tom Grabham (retired), Emyr Phillips (retired), Tom Varndell (Angouleme), Geraint Rhys Jones (Ebbw Vale), Tom Williams (Wales Sevens)

Southern Kings:

In: Sarel Pretorius (Dragons), Meli Rokoua (AEIS Agronomia), JC Astle (Mont-de-Marsan), Schalk Oelofse (Mont-de-Marsan)

Out: Piet-Louw Strauss (Maties), Siya Mdaka (Eastern Province Elephants), Rowan Gouws (Eastern Province Elephants), JP Smith (Eastern Province Elephants), Joe Smith (Leopards), Njabulo Gumede (Free State XV), Anthonie Volmink (Golden Lions XV), Jacques Nel (Aurillac), Martin du Toit (SWD Eagles), Alshaun Bock (SWD Eagles), Dayan van der Westhuizen (Blue Bulls XV), Etienne Swanepoel (Valsugana)

Ulster:

In: Marty Moore (Wasps), Jordi Murphy (Leinster), Nick Timoney (Academy), Will Addison (Sale Sharks), Alexander Thompson (Terenure), Billy Burns (Gloucester)

Out: Charles Piutau (Bristol Bears), Tommy Bowe (retired), Callum Black (Worcester Warriors), Brett Herron (Jersey Reds), Paul Marshall (retired), Callum Patterson (Cornish Pirates), Andrew Trimble (retired), Stuart Olding (Brive), Jared Payne (retired), Paddy Jackson (Perpignan), Robbie Diack (released), Aaron Cairns (released)

Zebre:

In: Edoardo Padovani (Toulon), Nicolas De Battista (Cornish Pirates), Massimo Ceciliani (Viadana), Samuele Ortis (Rovigo Delta), Giovanni Licata (Fiamme Oro), Giosuè Zilocchi (Calvisano), Daniele Rimpelli (Calvisano), Jimmy Tuivaiti (Calvisano), Paula Balekana (Sydney Rays), Apisai Tauyavuca (Fijian Drua), Matu Tevi (North Harbour), Francois Brummer (Bulls)

Out: James Tucker (Waikato), Failaga Afamasaga (Colorno), Andrea Manici (retired), Andrea De Marchi (I Medicei), Valerio Bernabò (retired), Jacopo Sarto (Colorno), Rory Parata (Cornish Pirates), Matteo Pratichetti (retired), Tommaso D’Apice (released), Serafin Bordoli (released), Derick Minnie (released)

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The match officials for this weekend’s action have been confirmed, with Jaco Peyper taking charge of the Crusaders versus Hurricanes clash.

New Zealander Glen Jackson will referee the Lions versus Waratahs clash in Johannesburg.

Crusaders [1] v Hurricanes [4]
@ AMI Stadium, Christchurch
Referee: Jaco Peyper
Assistant Referees: Mike Fraser, Ben O’Keeffe
TMO: Shane McDermott

Lions [2] v Waratahs [3]
@ Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Referee: Glen Jackson
Assistant Referees: Marius van der Westhuizen, Rasta Rasivhenge
TMO: Marius Jonker

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Wales will host the opening night of the new PRO14 season when the first of 152 international club games take place in Cardiff and Swansea.

The Welsh capital will play host to a clash of European Champions as Cardiff Blues (Challenge Cup winners) welcome defending PRO14 title holders and Champions Cup winners, Leinster, to Cardiff Arms Park.

The second game on Friday, August 31 will see Ospreys open the campaign with a visit of Richard Cockerill’s Edinburgh, who reached the PRO14 Final Series for the very first time just two months ago.

Round One sees a full set of terrific match-ups with two clashes of former champions when Connacht host Glasgow Warriors while Scarlets, 2017 title winners and last season’s beaten finalists, travel to Kingspan Stadium to face the 2006 Celtic League winners, Ulster.

Munster will take on the Cheetahs while the Cheetahs’ South African compatriots, the Southern Kings, start their season in Parma when they tackle Zebre.

Finally, Dragons fans will have high hopes to see what the region can achieve in season two of Bernard Jackman’s tenure as they face a challenging opener against Benetton Rugby, who are aiming to build on last season’s record number of wins to make a real push for the PRO14 Final Series.

For the first time ever the Championship has also been able to announce kick-off times and dates for the first 17 rounds of the PRO14 which is a big win for clubs and their supporters. Click here to view them.

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Sharks coach Robert du Preez has tipped the Crusaders for Super Rugby glory, saying that he can’t see any team dethroning the defending champions.

The Crusaders downed the Sharks 40-10 in their Christchurch quarter-final clash, setting up a semi-final against the Hurricanes. Should they win that game, they will face either the Lions or the Waratahs at home.

Although the Lions will be competing in a third successive Super Rugby final if they see off the Waratahs, Du Preez doesn’t see much hope for them of finally claiming their maiden title.

“The Crusaders are an excellent attacking and defending side and I can’t see any other team beating them,” Du Preez said, according to Sport24. “Their set piece is so good, line-out wise particularly, they scored tries from that and you have to front up physically.

“We weren’t quite there and that was the story of our season. We just can’t keep patient. I guess that’s the sign of a young, growing team. But I’m really proud of the boys, they put a big effort in and for that, I’m proud of them.”

Last season, the Crusaders beat the Lions 25-17 in the final in Johannesburg. They will be looking to secure a 13th final on Saturday and add to their eight Super Rugby titles if they do.

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Samoa Sevens player Gordon Langkilde has been arrested and charged with assault following the tunnel bust-up at the Rugby World Cup Sevens that left three Welsh players injured.

The incident occurred in the tunnel at AT&T Park on Saturday after Samoa’s 24-19 defeat to Wales. The apparently unprovoked attack left Wales player Tom Williams with tournament-ending injuries – a broken nose and fractured cheekbone, while another 26-year-old Welsh player sustained facial injuries along with a 24-year-old team-mate, police said.

A statement from the San Francisco Police Department said Langkilde had been charged with aggravated assault and battery causing serious bodily injury.

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