Category: Rugby

The seven best tries from the Women’s Rugby World Cup Sevens in San Francisco.

With thanks to World Rugby

---

The Rugby Football Union will trial the new tackle laws in the second tier of English Rugby next season in a bid to make the game safer.

The height of a legal tackle in rugby union will be lowered to below the armpits rather than the line of the shoulders. The move comes as a result of growing concern about the safety of the game and more research being done into concussions and brain injuries.

“We believe lowering the height of the tackle will benefit both the ball carrier and the tackler,” said RFU professional rugby director Nigel Melville.

“The Championship Cup provides an opportunity for us to assess the impact of lowering the height of the tackle on the elite adult game.

“It will be a critical part of helping us develop game-wide approaches to concussion and injury reduction.”

Meanwhile, World Rugby chairman and former England captain Bill Beaumont hailed the RFU for their ground-breaking trial.

“We applaud the RFU and the Championship Cup clubs for embracing this important trial,” Beaumont said.

“The global game is committed to an evidence-based approach to injury prevention. The outcomes from this trial will provide comprehensive data and feedback to inform our continued commitment to further reducing concussion risk in rugby.”

---

The seven best tries from the Men’s Rugby World Cup Sevens in San Francisco.

With thanks to World Rugby

---

Click:prevent hairloss

Lions head coach Swys de Bruin has made one change to his XV for the Super Rugby semi-final against the Waratahs in Johannesburg.

Despite reports coming out of the camp earlier in the week suggesting that flanker Cyle Brink would be fit to face the Australian franchise, he has been replaced in the team by Lourens Erasmus.

Brink suffered a stinger against the Jaguares and was replaced at the interval by Marnus Schoeman, but has not recovered in time to take on the ‘Tahs.

Schoeman remains on the bench, however, with Erasmus, who usually plays in the second-row, chosen ahead of the flanker.

Elsewhere, the hosts are unchanged, although back-rower Hacjivah Dayimani is among the replacements because of Erasmus’ elevation to the first team.

Lions: 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Ruan Combrinck, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Aphiwe Dyantyi, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Ross Cronjé, 8 Warren Whiteley (c), 7 Lourens Erasmus, 6 Kwagga Smith, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Marvin Orie, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Jacques van Rooyen
Replacements: 16 Corne Fourie, 17 Dylan Smith, 18 Johannes Jonker, 19 Hacjivah Dayimani, 20 Marnus Schoeman, 21 Dillon Smit, 22 Courtnall Skosan, 23 Howard Mnisi

Date: Saturday, July 28
Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Kick-off: 15:05 local (14:05 BST, 13:05 GMT)
Referee: Glen Jackson (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa), Rasta Rasivhenge (South Africa)
TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)

---

Retired wing Drew Mitchell was asked down to Wallaby training this past week and found the going tough as he was put through his paces.

Boss Michael Cheika wanted the former Australia international to attend as an experienced head as they build towards the Rugby Championship.

But Mitchell found the session difficult and admitted he vomited as he struggled to keep up with the Wallaby youngsters. It’s all over now, Drew.

Video credit: rugby.com.au

---

Check out the team line-ups ahead of the Super Rugby semi-finals.

Crusaders v Hurricanes
@ AMI Stadium, Christchurch

Crusaders: 15 David Havili, 14 Seta Tamanivalu, 13 Jack Goodhue, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 George Bridge, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Bryn Hall, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Matt Todd, 6 Jordan Taufua, 5 Sam Whitelock (c), 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Joe Moody
Replacements: 16 Andrew Makalio, 17 Tim Perry, 18 Michael Alaalatoa, 19 Luke Romano, 20 Pete Samu, 21 Mitchell Drummond, 22 Mitchell Hunt, 23 Braydon Ennor

Hurricanes: 15 Nehe Milner-Skudder, 14 Julian Savea, 13 Jordie Barrett, 12 Ngani Laumape, 11 Ben Lam, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Blade Thomson, 7 Gareth Evans, 6 Brad Shields (c), 5 Sam Lousi, 4 Michael Fatialofa, 3 Jeff To’omaga-Allen, 2 Ricky Riccitelli, 1 Toby Smith
Replacements: 16 James O’Reilly, 17 Chris Eves, 18 Ben May, 19 Vaea Fifita, 20 Ardie Savea/Reed Prinsep, 21 Jamie Booth, 22 Ihaia West, 23 Wes Goosen

Lions v Waratahs
@ Ellis Park, Johannesburg

Lions: 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Ruan Combrinck, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Aphiwe Dyantyi, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Ross Cronjé, 8 Warren Whiteley (c), 7 Lourens Erasmus, 6 Kwagga Smith, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Marvin Orie, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Jacques van Rooyen
Replacements: 16 Corne Fourie, 17 Dylan Smith, 18 Johannes Jonker, 19 Hacjivah Dayimani, 20 Marnus Schoeman, 21 Dillon Smit, 22 Courtnall Skosan, 23 Howard Mnisi

Waratahs: 15 Israel Folau, 14 Alex Newsome, 13 Curtis Rona, 12 Kurtley Beale, 11 Taqele Naiyaravoro, 10 Bernard Foley (c), 9 Nick Phipps, 8 Michael Wells, 7 Will Miller, 6 Ned Hanigan, 5 Rob Simmons, 4 Jed Holloway, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Tolu Latu, 1 Tom Robertson
Replacements: 16 Damien Fitzpatrick, 17 Harry Johnson-Holmes, 18 Paddy Ryan, 19 Tom Staniforth, 20 Brad Wilkin, 21 Jake Gordon, 22 Bryce Hegarty, 23 Cam Clark

---

The selection of hooker Tolu Latu is the only change to the Waratahs’ starting line-up for Saturday’s Super Rugby semi-final against the Lions in Johannesburg.

Latu will make his first start of the season, replacing Damien Fitzpatrick, who will be on the bench.

Waratahs head coach Daryl Gibson said the inclusion of Latu was a reflection of the type of game the Lions were likely to play.

“This match will be a very physical encounter, particularly with the breakdown and scrum being key battlegrounds. These are areas where Tolu excels. We are expecting a real set piece battle so we need to be good in this area to compete with the Lions’ scrum and lineout,” Gibson said.

Gibson revealed that he did not envisage the Lions changing their game plan.

“I can’t see the Lions changing what has worked for them all season. We learnt a great deal from the last time we played them when they won easily, and when their strengths led them to victory. We have again focused on our defence this week as we see that as key to victory.”

The Waratahs advanced to the final four after turning a 17-point deficit at half-time into a seven-point victory against the Highlanders.

“You cannot look past the support of our loyal members and fans who got the ‘NSW’ chant going and helped our team win that match last week,” Gibson added.

“And add to that the fighting traits of our team, the way we managed the yellow card period and the excellent tries we scored. We are going into Saturday’s match with the message of not having any regrets.”

Meanwhile, winger Taqele Naiyaravoro is set to play his 50th Super Rugby match this weekend.

Waratahs: 15 Israel Folau, 14 Alex Newsome, 13 Curtis Rona, 12 Kurtley Beale, 11 Taqele Naiyaravoro, 10 Bernard Foley (c), 9 Nick Phipps, 8 Michael Wells, 7 Will Miller, 6 Ned Hanigan, 5 Rob Simmons, 4 Jed Holloway, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Tolu Latu, 1 Tom Robertson
Replacements: 16 Damien Fitzpatrick, 17 Harry Johnson-Holmes, 18 Paddy Ryan, 19 Tom Staniforth, 20 Brad Wilkin, 21 Jake Gordon, 22 Bryce Hegarty, 23 Cam Clark

Date: Saturday, July 28
Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Kick-off: 15:05 local (14:05 BST, 13:05 GMT)
Referee: Glen Jackson
Assistant Referees: Marius van der Westhuizen, Rasta Rasivhenge
TMO: Marius Jonker

---

The Blues have announced that All Black and North Harbour prop Karl Tu’inukuafe will join the Super Rugby side for the next three years.

Tu’inukuafe has enjoyed a meteoric rise in rugby since his debut for North Harbour in 2015. His advancement in the 2017 Mitre 10 Cup under coach Tom Coventry and form as a replacement for the Chiefs led to his selection for the All Blacks this year.

“It is exciting for my family and me to be coming home. I think we have a strong squad for next year. I have my Harbour coach Tom Coventry coming in to take the forwards and I get to stay in the region,” said Tu’inukuafe.

“The set-up at the Blues looks great and I am going to enjoy being part of this club and hopefully I can do my part in helping the club do well.”

Tu’inukuafe has struck up a strong relationship with Blues prop Ofa Tuungafasi in the All Blacks and is keen to be part of a maturing forward pack at the Blues, he said.

“Karl has been one of the real finds in New Zealand rugby in the last couple of years, and will only get better and better,” said Blues coach Tana Umaga.

“He will be a really strong addition to our pack and gives us real depth in our front row the likes of Ofa and Alex Hodgman. While Karl is comparatively new to the sport at this level, he will provide leadership to our young front-rowers emerging in the club.”

All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen added: “It’s fantastic news for Big Karl and New Zealand Rugby. He really impressed us in his first campaign with the All Blacks in June. He’s a humble man and very low-key but he went about his work in a very professional manner. We all saw how destructive he can be as a scrummager but he’s also nailing his other core roles, he’s eager to learn and he made great strides in the black jersey. We look forward to working with Karl in the future.”

Tu’inukuafe has enjoyed his time at Harbour and wanted to stay loyal to the Mitre 10 Cup side that gave him his opportunity, and the coaching support he received there.

North Harbour CEO David Gibson said: “We are thrilled how it has worked out for Karl and his family. The 2018 season has been huge for Karl and his rise from Takapuna Rugby Club to the All Blacks has been amazing to watch. Our community is delighted to have played some part in that journey. We know Karl will continue to be a massive part of Harbour, both on and off the field, over the next few seasons.”

---

Former England and Northampton full-back Ben Foden has signed a deal with Rugby United New York and will play in the 2019 Major League Rugby season.

Foden started his career in 2004 with Sale Sharks before he made the move to the Northampton Saints in 2008 and has spent the last 10 seasons with the club. Over that time, he made over 250 appearances across all competitions, while finding the try-line 59 times.

The 33-year-old earned 34 caps for the England national team between 2009 and 2013, starting in 29 of those matches. In England’s 2011 World Cup campaign, Foden started every match and showed his finishing ability by crossing the whitewash twice.

Foden made his last appearance for the national team against the New Zealand All Blacks in November 2013. He scored seven tries over the course of his international career.

“We’re absolutely delighted Ben has signed for us,” Rugby United New York general manager James English said. “As one of the most influential and talented fullbacks in the Premiership over the last decade, the opportunity of signing him was too good to turn down.

“Ben brings a wealth of Premiership and international experience to Rugby United New York. His signing is a real statement of intent by the club. We’re looking forward to the impact he can have on the field, culturally, and off the field, aiding in the development of young talent in the tristate area. We look forward to welcoming Ben to New York.”

“I’m excited to announce that I’ll be joining MLR next season with Rugby United New York,” Foden said. “It’s a new franchise in the most exciting city in the world.

“After my experience playing in the English Premiership for 14 seasons, the opportunity to broaden horizons, in both a playing sense, as well as taking a step into the coaching role, seems like the right move.

“I fully believe America to be the next big rugby playing nation and can’t wait to help develop young talent through the professional ranks. My family and I have always wanted to venture over across the pond to America, and now have the opportunity, which we look forward to seizing with both hands.”

---

The Crusaders host the Hurricanes at AMI Stadium in Christchurch in what should be a titanic all-New Zealand Super Rugby semi-final.

This is a final before a final in that it arguably features the two best sides in the competition – both having accumulated the most points – but they are to meet in the last four due to the inequitable Conference system.

The Hurricanes may have won six of the last nine games against the Crusaders, but they haven’t won a finals fixture against the men from Christchurch in four attempts.

The Crusaders, meanwhile, remain undefeated in 20 successive finals fixtures on home soil and the fact that each of the previous 11 all-New Zealand semi-finals in Super Rugby have been won by the hosts on the day bodes well.

The ‘Saders showed last weekend how merciless they can be from turnover ball but, in the Hurricanes, they are facing the competition’s best defence, apart from their own. With an efficient line speed and impressive tackle success rate, the ‘Canes may just be able to thwart a confident and clinical Crusaders’ outfit.

Besides a solid defence and Ben Lam, there is not much else counting in the Hurricanes’ favour. And worryingly for them, the Crusaders’ pack is back to full strength, with Kieran Read having shone last week, while the final piece has been added to the jigsaw this Saturday with the return of Joe Moody.

The visitors will be well aware of the Crusaders’ tendency to score in the periods before and after half-time. The head-to-head stats, in terms of average points per game, etc, shows how close the sides are and it should be a tight game. For example, the Crusaders have let in 39 tries, to the ‘Canes 43.

But remarkably, the defending champions have not conceded more than 13 points in any of their last eight home play-off fixtures and considering they haven’t failed to score less than 13 points in the past two seasons, one would not bet against them.

There are key individual battles all over the park, but the most mouth-watering one has to be between Ryan Crotty and Ngani Laumape in the midfield. Both are in top form ahead of the clash and keen to lay down a marker for the 2019 Rugby World Cup as two virtual All Black sides go head-to-head in a do-or-die encounter.

The last time the teams met: The Crusaders prevailed 24-13 and by three tries to one in a forward-based slugfest at AMI Stadium in a match played in atrocious conditions. Tries from Scott Barrett, Michael Alaalatoa and Heiden Bedwell-Curtis proved too much for the Hurricanes, who scored through Reed Prinsep late on.

Players to watch:

For Crusaders: Owen Franks showed all of his experience last weekend against the Sharks in his first game back from an injury lay-off. The All Black hardman won his personal battle with the Beast comfortably on the day and was key to ensuring his side got plenty of clean ball at the set-piece in particular. With Joe Moody returning to boost the front-row, it is a fearsome prospect with all fit and raring to go.

For Hurricanes: Ben Lam will be looking to pull away from Taqele Naiyaravoro, whom he sits level with at the top of the Super Rugby try-scorers charts. The pair have 15 apiece, while the Crusaders’ George Bridge is in close pursuit with 14. With both occupying the number 11 shirts for their respective side, Lam comes up against Seta Tamanivalu. Both are supreme athletes, but Lam may just have the edge in terms of pace.

Team news: The Crusaders welcome the return of All Blacks prop Joe Moody, who has recovered from injury to start at loosehead prop. Fellow All Blacks front-rower Tim Perry will provide cover on the bench.

Head coach Scott Robertson said there is no shortage of excitement in camp in the build up to this match: “This game is going to be huge, it doesn’t get any bigger than a New Zealand derby match in the knockout stages of Super Rugby.

“Everyone who has worn the jersey for us this season has performed so this was the hardest team to name because of the great depth we have in our squad. Joe has worked extremely hard to get back in time for Finals footy, and he joins a powerful forward pack, who are ready for the challenge on Saturday night.

“It’s always a privilege to play at home, but to host a semi-final in front of our fans adds another level of anticipation and pride to the mix. Our fans have been right behind us all season and we’re excited to once again play for them in this week’s semi-final.”

Meanwhile, the Hurricanes have named an unchanged starting XV. After defeating the Chiefs 32-31 in last week’s quarter-final, head coach Chris Boyd has resisted the temptation to change a winning combination as they prepare to take on the defending champions.

The bench is also settled, although there is potential for one change with Ardie Savea bracketed with Reed Prinsep.

Savea has not played since he suffered a high ankle sprain in the All Blacks’ third Test against France on June 23.

Boyd said Savea had worked extremely hard to return to the Hurricanes campaign and a decision on whether he would take his place in the matchday squad would be made later in the week.

Form: The Crusaders are looking for their 14th successive win – their longest winning streak of 16 spanned across the 2005 and 2006 seasons. Meanwhile, the Hurricanes have lost four of their last six, having won their 10 previous on the bounce. Three of those defeats have come against New Zealand opposition (Highlanders, Crusaders and Chiefs).

Prediction: With a full-strength pack back, we can’t see past the defending champs. Crusaders by five.

Previous results:

2018: Crusaders won 24-13 in Christchurch
2018: Hurricanes won 29-19 in Wellington
2017: Hurricanes won 31-22 in Wellington
2017: Crusaders won 20-12 in Christchurch
2016: Hurricanes won 35-10 in Christchurch
2015: Crusaders won 35-18 in Christchurch
2015: Hurricanes won 29-23 in Wellington
2014: Hurricanes won 16-9 in Wellington

Crusaders: 15 David Havili, 14 Seta Tamanivalu, 13 Jack Goodhue, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 George Bridge, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Bryn Hall, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Matt Todd, 6 Jordan Taufua, 5 Sam Whitelock (c), 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Joe Moody
Replacements: 16 Andrew Makalio, 17 Tim Perry, 18 Michael Alaalatoa, 19 Luke Romano, 20 Pete Samu, 21 Mitchell Drummond, 22 Mitchell Hunt, 23 Braydon Ennor

Hurricanes: 15 Nehe Milner-Skudder, 14 Julian Savea, 13 Jordie Barrett, 12 Ngani Laumape, 11 Ben Lam, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Blade Thomson, 7 Gareth Evans, 6 Brad Shields (c), 5 Sam Lousi, 4 Michael Fatialofa, 3 Jeff To’omaga-Allen, 2 Ricky Riccitelli, 1 Toby Smith
Replacements: 16 James O’Reilly, 17 Chris Eves, 18 Ben May, 19 Vaea Fifita, 20 Ardie Savea/Reed Prinsep, 21 Jamie Booth, 22 Ihaia West, 23 Wes Goosen

Date: Saturday, July 28
Venue: AMI Stadium, Christchurch
Kick-off: 19:35 local (08:35 BST, 07:35 GMT)
Referee: Jaco Peyper
Assistant Referees: Mike Fraser, Ben O’Keeffe
TMO: Shane McDermott

---