Category: Rugby

Former Wallabies captain Stirling Mortlock has laughed off Steve Hansen’s suggestion that the All Blacks would start as underdogs for the sides’ Bledisloe opener.

Hansen made the claims when announcing his squad on Monday, despite his side having won 15 of the past 19 meetings between the sides.

“We lost to Australia the last time we played them, so no doubt they’ll have a lot of self-confidence and are worthy of starting as favourites,” Hansen said when announcing his squad on Monday.

His comments sparked guffaws from former players and pundits either side of the Tasman sea, who also pointed to the fact that Australian Super Rugby sides had struggled against their New Zealand counterparts in recent times.

“There’s been a lot of pleasing signs for Australia this year so I’m not going to just write us off,” former Wallabies captain Mortlock told Australian Associated Press this week.

“But I think it’s pretty laughable that Steve could put it out there and claim that they’re underdogs.

“New Zealand’s dominance has been outstanding. Not just against Australia but on a global stage.”

The Rugby Championship kicks off on August 18, with the Wallabies hosting the All Blacks in Sydney and the Springboks clashing with Argentina in Durban.

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Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has scoffed at All Blacks coach Steve Hansen’s suggestion that the Wallabies would start their Bledisloe opener as favourites.

The Wallabies emerged victorious 23-18 the last time the sides met in the third and final Bledisloe of last year, breaking a six-game winless drought stretching back to 2015.

However, the All Blacks have won 15 of the previous 19 encounters between the sides, while New Zealand Super Rugby franchises continue to dominate their Australian counterparts.

And Cheika believes Hansen’s underdog claims are laughable and that not even his own players would believe it all at the end of the day.

“He’s a great coach but I think he may have had that one wrong because I don’t think many of his players would believe it to be honest,” Cheika told the Sydney Morning Herald.

“I don’t think it’s very realistic. It’s pretty irrelevant at the end of the day.”

Meanwhile, Cheika expects Beauden Barrett to start at fly-half and believes that his importance to the All Blacks cause is second to none, despite growing admiration for Richie Mo’unga.

Mo’unga had a fantastic Super Rugby season, guiding the Crusaders to a ninth title but Cheika believes two-time World Player of the Year Barrett is still very much atop the All Black pecking order

“It doesn’t really concern me I suppose but what I do know is this — Beauden Barrett has been the best player in world rugby for the last two years in a row and he’s an exceptional player,” Cheika told reporters in Sydney on Friday.

“I’ve coached teams that have felt his wrath personally and his skill and ability.

“There’s no doubting that Mo’unga – he’s a class player and a good young fella … but Barrett is class and I think there’s no doubt he’s a player the All Blacks value very much and he’ll be out there next Saturday.”

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The Brumbies have bolstered their backline stocks for the 2019 Super Rugby season with the signing of former Waratahs centre Irae Simone.

Simone, a former New Zealand Schoolboys U18 representative, won ten caps with the Sydneysiders making his debut in 2017 against the Western Force in Sydney impressing with his physicality and ability to cross the gain-line.

“We are really pleased to welcome Irae to the Brumbies,” said Brumbies head coach Dan McKellar.

“Irae is a big, strong, powerful centre but importantly he is highly skilled. His footwork and ability to play before or through the defensive line are qualities that we feel will add to our game.

“Irae has been a standout player in both the National Rugby Championship (NRC) and Shute Shield for the last three years and we believe he has the qualities to succeed in Super Rugby.”

Born in Auckland, Irae moved to Australia in 2014 and spent two years playing rugby league with South Sydney. He represented the Rabbitohs in the Auckland Nines that year and played in every position in the backline in the Holden Cup competition.

Upon his switch to Union, he first burst into prominence in 2016 when he was named as Shute Shield Rookie of the Year after a standout season for the 2016 Championship side, Northern Suburbs.

The swashbuckling centre was in fine form as he crossed for nine tries in 21 matches playing a major role as Norths won their first Shute Shield title in 41 years after defeating Sydney University 28-15.

A handy goalkicker, Simone slotted eight conversions and five penalty goals, in addition to his nine tries, bringing his total overall points tally to 76 for the season.

“I am very excited by the opportunity to move to Canberra and to play for the Plus500 Brumbies,” Simone said of the move South.

“The Brumbies are an excellent football team and have an exciting young group of players who I am sure are on the verge of something very exciting. This is a great opportunity for me to break into Super Rugby and I am enthused by the challenge.

“I have heard nothing but praise about the Brumbies culture and am looking forward to get started. I would like to thank the Waratahs for my time spent at the club and am now set for the next stage of my career.”

Simone enjoyed a fine NRC season with the Sydney Rays in 2016 who reached the semi-final with Simone collecting four tries, 104 carries and 511 metres gained on the way to landing the prestigious title of Buildcorp NRC Player of the Year.

Awarded an Extended Playing Squad (EPS) contract with the Waratahs, he made his Super Rugby debut against the Western Force in 2017.

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All the debate over where the favouritism sits ahead of this year’s opening Bledisloe Cup encounter in Sydney next weekend is irrelevant.

That was the word from All Blacks assistant coach Ian Foster ahead of the All Blacks’ ‘Game of Three Halves’ in Christchurch on Friday.

“All I know is we’ve never had an easy game in Sydney and we’ve had a couple of games in my time when the score’s blown out a couple of times and we’ve also been on the back of a couple of losses, so I think that’s probably all we need to focus on,” he told the All Blacks’ official website.

“They’re building and they’re pretty energetic about this game and we need to be as well.”

The Australians would take some confidence from the way the Waratahs finished their Super Rugby campaign. There had been some special patches of rugby in the last two or three weeks but the All Blacks management felt there was more of a pointer from the way they played in a competitive series against Ireland in June and that was where most of their analysis was focused.

It had been a physical series with Ireland looking to take Australia on in close quarter play while Australia would have been happier playing with more width and it had developed into a close series which could just as easily have been 3-0 to Australia or 2-1 to either side.

So far as New Zealand’s dead rubber 23-18 loss to Australia in Brisbane last year was concerned it had been a poor Test from their point of view as the side did not have the edge it needed whereas Australia did and they had absorbed how much the win meant to them.

“What we have taken from last year is that they are a quality team and their ability to play at a level that can upset us is there and we’ve just got to make sure that we don’t go in expecting them to play poorly and go in at the top of our game,” said Foster.

As for Friday evening Foster said there were a number of players the selectors needed to see have a good hit out not having played for a little while and the game would also be a chance to see how everyone shaped after the campaigns they had been involved in.

They were keen that the Crusaders, as the last finishers in the Super Rugby competition have as few minutes as possible, if they played at all.

Foster said given where they were at in comparison to last season at the same time they felt they were in a good position but there was plenty of work to be done before Saturday next week.

“There are some things we want to get out of tomorrow,” he added.

“The primary thing is the physical side of the game to make sure the guys get used to getting tackled and running hard.

“There’ll be some things we’ll put out there with an eye to Sydney just to see what they look like and I guess there’re a couple of combinations we will try but I’d rather not document that at the moment.”

Ardie Savea, who missed the last part of the Super Rugby competition with the Hurricanes, had come through last week’s camp well and had another week under his belt this week.

There was still some understanding of their loose forward resources being sought by the selectors.

“Certainly from the loose forwards there’s a lot of learning from us as coaches about how they go and a lot of learning from them about how they fit in so that’s going to be an evolving beast throughout this campaign,” said Foster.

 

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Northampton Saints have announced the signing of hooker Joe Gray as injury cover until October, the 30-year-old rejoining the club after eight years.

Gray leaves Harlequins, where he made over 150 appearances since joining in 2010, lifting the Premiership title in 2012 – playing all 80 minutes in the final.

Nottingham-born Gray is a Saints Academy graduate, first running out in the Black, Green and Gold back in 2007 and making 20 appearances over three seasons.

During his time with Quins he also represented England Saxons before earning a full cap for the Red Rose against New Zealand in 2014.

“We’re delighted to have secured a player of Joe’s experience and quality for the next three months,” said Saints’ director of rugby Chris Boyd.

“A number of our hookers are carrying niggles heading into the back end of preseason, and we want to make sure they are back to full fitness before they return with a long season ahead. We have three important preseason matches in the coming weeks, so it’s important to make sure we are covered.

“Joe has a proven track record in the Premiership, and I’m sure our younger hookers like Reece and Samson will also relish the opportunity to learn from someone new.”

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Leicester Tigers have further bolstered their front row stocks with the signing of hooker Ross McMillan, adding to a trio of signings in the past few days.

Leicester announced the signing of prop duo Campese Ma’afu and David Feao on Thursday. The 31-year-old McMillan includes Gloucester and Northampton Saints among his previous clubs and worked with current Tigers forwards coach Mark Bakewell in a spell with Bristol.

He will work alongside club captain Tom Youngs, Australia international Tatafu Polota-Nau, Jimmy Stevens and young duo Jake Kerr and Harry Mahoney at Tigers.

Tigers head coach Matt O’Connor said: “Ross is a very experienced player and a good operator. Mark Bakewell knows him well from their days at Bristol and we believe he is a good man to bring into the camp.”

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Former World Cup winner Jaque Fourie has called time on his professional career for the second time after a series of niggles prevented him from featuring for Western Force.

The 35-year-old garnered 72 caps for South Africa and was a crucial part of the 2007 side which claimed the World Cup after defeating England 15-6 in the final.

Fourie’s impact was also decisive in 2009 when they overcame the British and Irish Lions 2-1 before the centre enjoyed a five-year stint in Japan with Kobelco Steelers from 2012 to 2017.

After leaving the Steelers, the South African announced his retirement from playing but a year later he took on a dual role with the Force in Australia.

Despite intending to return to the field, coach Tim Sampson insists that injuries have prevented Fourie from featuring in the side.

“Jaque initially had the intent to play but not long after arriving he had a couple of niggles and just made a decision to call time on his career,” Sampson told rugby.com.au.

“It would’ve been great to get some game time out of him but he certainly fills in a lot at training and likes to think he’s still got it but he’s slowly beginning to be shown up by the lads.”

Fourie has been coaching the defence this season and Sampson says that the former centre has been having an impact in that role.

“He loves it, he’s a guy that gives us a lot of energy and, if you look at his playing days, he was a key link man for the Springboks in that position as a defence captain in the backline and the guys really respond to Jaque,” he added.

“I think it’s been a strength this year, our defence, and hopefully Jaque can continue to put his print on our defensive systems and structures.”

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World Rugby has announced that five legends of the game in Liza Burgess (Wales), Stephen Larkham (Australia), Ronan O’Gara (Ireland), Pierre Villepreux (France) and Bryan Williams (New Zealand) will be inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame in 2018.

The World Rugby Hall of Fame recognises those who have made an outstanding contribution to the game of rugby throughout their careers, while also demonstrating rugby’s character-building values of integrity, passion, solidarity, discipline and respect.

This year’s inductees will be honoured at a special ceremony in Rugby, England, on 12 September. The ceremony will be held at the state-of-the-art physical home of the Hall of Fame, which celebrates the inspirational journey of the game from its humble origins to its global present, played by millions of men, women and children.

O’Gara, Villepreux, Williams and Burgess will attend the prestigious event, which will celebrate their careers and contributions to the game. Larkham, due to his involvement in the Rugby Championship, will receive his accolade at a special ceremony on 17 August in Sydney, the day before Australia’s Bledisloe Cup opener with New Zealand.

These five inductees bring the total in the Hall of Fame to 142 since it began in 2006 – Rugby Odds can be found at brand new betting sites.

World Rugby Chairman and Hall of Fame inductee Bill Beaumont said: “The World Rugby Hall of Fame importantly acknowledges and celebrates the true legends of the game, celebrating those who have made outstanding contributions throughout their careers while embodying rugby’s values.

“On behalf of the rugby family we would like to congratulate this year’s five new inductees, Stephen Larkham, Ronan O’Gara, Pierre Villepreux, Byran Williams and Liza Burgess as they are recognised and honoured for their immense contributions to rugby.

“Each have left their mark on the sport and through their achievements and character, inspired millions to play and support rugby worldwide, and we look forward to honouring them in the coming weeks.”

Fellow World Rugby Hall of Fame inductee and Chairman of the Hall of Fame panel John Eales said: “It is an honour to recognise the contribution of our newest inductees who, over different eras, have inspired generations of rugby players and supporters. Through their induction, they represent the many thousands of men and women who have made our game great.”

For more on the World Rugby Hall of Fame, visit www.worldrugby.org/halloffame.

World Rugby Hall of Fame 2018 inductees
138 – Stephen Larkham (Australia)
139 – Ronan O’Gara (Ireland)
140 – Pierre Villepreux (France)
141 – Bryan Williams (New Zealand)
142 – Liza Burgess (Wales)

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Coach Steve Hansen says Rieko Ioane will remain on the wing for the All Blacks, despite having scored a hat-trick at centre in the ‘Game of Three Halves’.

As part of the ‘Game of Three Halves’, the All Blacks played Canterbury and Otago for 40 minutes each at AMI Stadium in Christchurch on Friday night.

Although it was a pre-season friendly, it means Ioane has now scored consecutive hat-tricks in his last two All Blacks appearances. The 21-year-old has featured predominantly at centre for the Blues in Super Rugby this season.

But Hansen insists it was more about giving everyone a run than a conscious decision to play him there.

“He was all right but we have got enough of them,” said All Blacks coach Steve Hansen after the ‘Game of Three Halves’ in regard to how he felt Ioane played at centre.

“To give everyone a run the logical thing was to put him at centre. We didn’t really care where people played we just wanted them to play and experience burning lungs.”

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Former Blues and Connacht coach Pat Lam is excited for the next challenge of his coaching career in the Premiership with Bristol Bears.

Lam, who made a big impact in Ireland when coaching the Connacht side to a PRO12 competition win, switched to Bristol in English rugby, taking the side out of the Championship last season ready for the Premiership this season.

As the English season gets underway, Lam admitted that starting with the side in the Championship had been a help in ensuring standards were set for the side.

“I’m happy with where we are at the moment, because it was such an important part of the plan to have everyone – players, staff, coaches – all understanding the directions we’re heading and the sense of our vision: ‘inspiring our community through rugby success’,” he told bristolbearsrugby.com.

“I’ve always said, for me, rugby has to be more than a game – it’s who you are and what you do, because that drives you every day and that’s what we’re trying to do with the players.”

Lam said Bristol wanted to be a Champions Cup team, they wanted their qualified players to play for England and they wanted to develop Bristol players.

“So, because I talk to a player about it before he signs, there’s no confusion and nothing takes them by surprise when we say, ‘we’re going to go to a community visit here’. Or ‘we’re going to go and coach Bristol Bears women’, it’s not a problem.

“So, 12 months later, it’s in a really good place. I wasn’t exactly pleased, when I arrived, that we were in the Championship, but it was a huge blessing in disguise because that part of setting up the vision and getting everybody working in the same direction was more important than being in the Premiership last season, so I now feel we have a stronger foundation to build our vision on,” he said.

Lam appears to have struck a chord with locals with season tickets reaching record sales and more than 16,000 tickets sold for the club’s opening game against Bath on August 31.

The community response was encouraging because, he said, “When you’re in the field and in the heat of battle, and you’re winning and hanging on with a minute to go, or you’re losing, and you’ve got to get in – what drives you more is the fact you’re playing for something more than the game, I’m playing for my friends, my family, my neighbours, my community.

“In professional rugby, we all come from different places but if we connect them to our community, they understand what it is – and that’s what I love,” he said.

There was a passion and hunger in Bristol for the team to succeed and that fitted in with what they were trying to achieve.

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