Category: Rugby

Wallabies head coach Michael Cheika has made four changes to his starting line-up for Saturday’s Bledisloe Cup Test against New Zealand in Auckland.

Brumbies duo Folau Faingaa and Tom Banks are in line to make their Wallabies debuts in a team featuring an overhauled front-row – with Scott Sio returning from injury and Allan Alalaatoa also promoted to the starting front row – and Jack Maddocks’ elevation to the starting team.

Sio and Alalaatoa have replaced Tom Robertson and Sekope Kepu, who drop back to the bench after starting in the first Bledisloe Cup Test in Sydney.

Rising Reds prop Taniela Tupou was not included on the bench after failing to overcome a hamstring injury picked up in the lead-up to the first Test.

In the backs, an ankle injury to full-back Israel Folau has also forced a re-shuffle, with Dane Haylett-Petty moved to the number 15 jersey and Maddocks given the job of starting wing.

Cheika has also given Faingaa and Banks the chance to make their debuts at Eden Park by naming the pair on the reserves bench.

Banks has been an excitement machine at full-back for the Brumbies this season and was the star performer in the Wallabies’ trial match against the Super Rugby selection at Leichhardt Oval.

The likely debut of Faingaa caps a remarkable year for the 23-year-old, after only making his debut for the Brumbies this season. He was signed by the Canberra-based outfit on a one-year EPS deal but now finds himself on the verge of playing against the All Blacks at Eden Park.

Faingaa comes into the side at the expense of Tolu Latu, whose poor throwing contributed to the Wallabies’ lineout losing eight on their throw last weekend.

Australia: 15 Dane Haylett-Petty, 14 Jack Maddocks, 13 Reece Hodge, 12 Kurtley Beale, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Will Genia, 8 David Pocock, 7 Michael Hooper (c), 6 Lukhan Tui, 5 Adam Coleman, 4 Izack Rodda, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Scott Sio
Replacements: 16 Folau Faingaa, 17 Tom Robertson, 18 Sekope Kepu, 19 Rob Simmons, 20 Pete Samu, 21 Nick Phipps, 22 Matt Toomua, 23 Tom Banks

Date: Saturday, August 25
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
Kick-off: 19:35 local (08:35 BST, 07:35 GMT)
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)
Assistant referees: Jaco Peyper (South Africa), Luke Pearce (England)
TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)

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The Queensland Reds have announced that rampaging Wallaby loose forward Caleb Timu has re-committed to the union for the 2019 season.

The 24-year-old emerged as a genuine attacking threat during last year’s National Rugby Championship-winning campaign with Bond University Queensland Country, where he was named player of the tournament.

He carried that form into the 2018 Super Rugby season and was recognised as one of the Reds’ best forwards.

His contributions at the Reds earned him a Wallabies call up in June and he made his Test debut against Ireland, featuring in the first two matches of the series.

“I’m feeling at home at Ballymore. It is a great place to develop as a Rugby player,” said Timu.

“I feel like I’ve grown as a player in the last 12 months and I really want to continue to learn and contribute to the team.

“I’m looking forward to the NRC season, it’s a great opportunity to play footy and work on your game. It will be a good chance to continue to learn and improve and hopefully I can carry that form into the next Super Rugby season with the Reds.”

Timu joined the Reds from the Brisbane Broncos midway through 2016, but a serious knee injury meant 2018 was his first full season of Super Rugby, making his Wallabies debut all the more impressive.

Reds head coach Brad Thorn was full of praise for Timu and said his best is still ahead of him.

“It’s great to see Caleb commit for another season. He really came into his own during last year’s NRC and backed it up with a strong season for the Reds.

“Probably the most pleasing thing about Caleb is he hasn’t yet reached his full potential. We’ve seen glimpses of what he is capable of, but he definitely has a lot more to offer the Reds and the Wallabies. He’s a great man who works hard to better himself as a player and a person.”

Timu has been named in Queensland Country’s squad for the upcoming National Rugby Championship season, which kicks off with an away match against Canberra Vikings on Saturday 1 September.

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Gloucester fly-half Danny Cipriani will face no further sanction from the RFU following a five-hour hearing that took place on Wednesday.

Cipriani appeared before an independent disciplinary panel charged with conduct prejudicial to the interests of the game contrary to RFU Rule 5.12. This followed his conviction for common assault and resisting arrest in Jersey on a pre-season tour with Gloucester on August 16.

Cipriani contested the charge but the panel comprising Gareth Graham (chair) with Mike Curling and Olly Kohn decided to uphold it. The panel imposed no further sanction over and above Gloucester’s sanction and actions of the court.

“Danny Cipriani is expected to behave in line with the core values of the game which include respect and discipline,” said panel chair Graham.

“Those core values are not empty words or slogans as the panel were reminded during the hearing.

“By his guilty plea before the criminal court, Mr Cipriani accepts that he behaved in a way that, in the panel’s view, fell below the standard of behaviour expected of a rugby player. The panel were supported in reaching that decision by Gloucester Rugby’s own internal disciplinary hearing finding that his behaviour fell below the standard that the club expects.

“Mr Cipriani is a role model and by committing an act of common assault and by resisting arrest, the panel find his actions are prejudicial to the interests of the game.

“The panel took in to account the sanction imposed upon Mr Cipriani by the court and the sanction imposed by Gloucester Rugby and when considering the totality of both, do not impose any further sanction.

“However, the panel do not agree that this is a ‘minor’ incident or ‘trivial’ and whilst they endorse the actions of Gloucester Rugby in fining Mr Cipriani and ordering that he complete 10 hours of work in the community, find that the decision of the RFU to bring a charge under Rule 5.12 was appropriate.”

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France teenage prodigy Matthieu Jalibert’s return to the game has been halted after he suffered a recurrence of a knee ligament injury.

Jalibert burst onto the scene when he was named as starting fly-half for France’s Six Nations encounter against Ireland in February 2018. However, he would tear his posterior cruciate ligaments in that game, which would prematurely end his season.

And Bordeaux-Begles have announced that Jalibert sustained a recurrence of the same injury in last Friday’s pre-season clash against the Sharks in Durban.

A statement on the club website said: “The examinations diagnosed a recurrence of posterior cruciate ligament injury requiring surgical reconstruction. He will be unavailable for a minimum of six months.

“We wish Matthieu good luck in this new instance, which he will undoubtedly get through with the competitor’s mind we know he has.”

It means that Jalibert will miss France’s November internationals against South Africa, Argentina and Fiji.

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Jesse Kriel will play his first Currie Cup match since 2014 when he starts for the Blue Bulls against the Sharks at Kings Park in Durban on Saturday.

Kriel has not played in South Africa’s premier domestic competition for four years because of his involvement with the Springboks, but he has since fallen down the pecking order at national level and will get a chance to impress for his union on Saturday.

Blue Bulls coach Pote Human was delighted to welcome the 24-year-old back in to the fold.

“Of course it is great to have Jesse back in the team. He is a world class player and we welcome him back with a smile on our faces,” said Human.

“That said, this remains a team game and a team effort. We need to make sure we create the opportunities and space for someone like Jesse to perform. The Sharks also have a couple of Springboks in their squad, so they will be a pretty tough team to beat, especially in Durban, where they hosted the final last year.”

Kriel comes in for JT Jackson, who drops to the bench, while Human also handed a start to Hendre Stassen to fill the void left by the injured Ruben van Heerden.

Lastly, Jaco Visagie moves in to the starting lineup at hooker, with Edgar Marutlulle shifting to the reserves.

Captain Hanro Liebenberg said they will focus on the positive start in Bloemfontein in which they beat the Cheetahs 34-12.

“We have a tough opening spell in the Currie Cup with away games in Bloemfontein and Durban to start with.

“We did well in Bloemfontein and that was good for the confidence, but if we don’t pitch up in Durban, it could be a step back again. So we are pretty determined to apply ourselves and continue with the good work done against the Cheetahs.”

Blue Bulls: 15 Divan Rossouw, 14 Jade Stighling, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Johnny Kotze, 11 Jamba Ulengo, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Andre Warner, 8 Hanro Liebenberg (c), 7 Thembelani Bholi, 6 Ruan Steenkamp, 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Hendre Stassen, 3 Conrad van Vuuren, 2 Jaco Visagie, 1 Matthys Basson
Replacements: 16 Edgar Marutlulle, 17 Dayan van der Westhuizen, 18 Eli Snyman, 19 Jano Venter, 20 Raegan Orange, 21 Tony Jantjies, 22 JT Jackson

Date: Saturday, August 25
Venue: Kings Park, Durban
Kick-off: 15:00 local (13:00 GMT)
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen
Assistant referees: Archie Sehlako, Vusi Msibi
TMO: Christie du Preez

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Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus has made just one alteration to his starting line-up for their Test with Argentina in Mendoza on Saturday.

The return of Franco Mostert at lock is the only change to South Africa’s run-on side which faced los Pumas in their Rugby Championship opener in Durban last weekend.

Mostert was rested for that victory over in Durban following his heavy workload so far this year. He will form a second-row partnership with Eben Etzebeth, which sees Pieter-Steph du Toit moving to the bench as cover.

There are two more changes amongst the forward replacements. RG Snyman (lock) makes a return to the matchday 23 in place of Marvin Orie, who is not touring, while Wilco Louw (prop) rotates places with Thomas du Toit.

Erasmus explained the inclusion of Mostert in the starting XV, saying: “Franco needed rest after Super Rugby and the June internationals and we therefore didn’t consider him for Durban. He’s been our first-choice No 5 lock and that’s why is starting on Saturday.”

Erasmus kept his backline unchanged and also resisted the temptation to tweak his loose forward combination.

“I want to us to build more continuity and those combinations now have another opportunity to play together and gain more experience,” he added.

Regarding Saturday’s challenge against Argentina, Erasmus said: “We’ve always rated them as a very physical team and we felt the game (in Durban) was physical. They’re going to step it up and I think they will come hard at our mauling, scrums and the breakdowns.”

South Africa: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Makazole Mapimpi, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 André Esterhuizen, 11 Aphiwe Dyantyi, 10 Handré Pollard, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Warren Whiteley, 7 Siya Kolisi (c), 6 Francois Louw, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Tendai Mtawarira
Replacements: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 21 Embrose Papier, 22 Lionel Mapoe, 23 Damian Willemse

Date: Saturday, August 25
Venue: Estadio Malvinas Argentinas, Mendoza
Kick-off: 16:10 local (20:10 BST, 19:10 GMT)
Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
Assistant referees: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand), Andrew Brace (Ireland)
TMO: Simon McDowell (Ireland)

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Dillyn Leyds will lead Western Province as they get their Currie Cup title defence underway against the Free State Cheetahs on Saturday.

The versatile Leyds will be on the left wing – the same position he played in the final in Durban last year – for the clash with the Bloemfontein side at Newlands.

SP Marais is at full-back, with JJ Engelbrecht on the right wing and Sergeal Petersen set to make his Western Province debut should he come off the replacements bench.

In the midfield, Sevens Springbok Ruhan Nel links up with Dan Kriel, with Dan du Plessis among the replacements.

Josh Stander will partner the experienced Jano Vermaak at half-back, with Herschel Jantjies providing scrum-half cover.

Sikhumbuzo Notshe has returned from the Springbok camp to take his place in the loose trio alongside Kobus van Dyk and Juarno Augustus.

In the second-row Salmaan Moerat will partner JD Schickerling, with Ernst van Rhyn set to provide an impact in the second-half.

Up front props Ali Vermaak and Michael Kumbirai start on either side of hooker Scarra Ntubeni, with Caylib Oosthuizen, Neethling Fouche and Chad Solomon on the replacements bench.

Western Province head coach John Dobson said that his side is determined to start their campaign on a positive note.

“We have had a good pre-season in preparation for this campaign so everyone is very keen to go out there and implement what we have planned,” he said.

“It is great to start the season at DHL Newlands and the players are keen to make an impression in front of our loyal supporters.”

Western Province: 15 SP Marais, 14 JJ Engelbrecht, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Dan Kriel, 11 Dillyn Leyds (c), 10 Josh Stander, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Juarno Augustus, 7 Kobus van Dyk, 6 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 5 JD Schickerling, 4 Salmaan Moerat, 3 Michael Kumbirai, 2 Scarra Ntubeni, 1 Ali Vermaak
Replacements: 16 Chad Solomon, 17 Caylib Oosthuizen, 18 Neethling Fouche, 19 Ernst van Rhyn, 20 Herschel Jantjies, 21 Dan du Plessis, 22 Sergeal Petersen

Date: Saturday, August 25
Venue: Newlands, Cape Town
Kick-off: 17:15 local (16:15 BST, 15:15 GMT)
Referee: AJ Jacobs
Assistant referees: Cwengile Jadezweni, Nathan Swartz
TMO: Shaun Veldsman

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All Blacks coach Steve Hansen admits his side would be interested in NRL superstar Kalyn Ponga if he were to make the switch to Rugby Union.

Hansen was responding to comments made by Ponga in the media during the week that one day he could make the switch to the 15-man code and that eventuality his main goal would be to represent the All Blacks.

The 20-year-old played rugby union in his youth and admits it would be the ‘pinnacle’ to represent the All Blacks.

“Obviously, that [playing for the All Blacks] would be a huge goal, if I was to come back to union I’d want to tick,” Ponga told TVNZ on Wednesday.

“But I’m not too sure what my future holds whether I’m going to stay in league or change codes.

“But if I was to go back to rugby union I’d probably want to strive for that black jumper, it’s the pinnacle.”

Hansen says he follows Rugby League mainly due to his son’s passion for the game and is ‘aware’ of the huge talent Ponga possesses.

“You’ve got to be aware of him,” Hansen told Stuff.

“He’s a special player and I quite like watching league. I’ve got a son that plays it and therefore interested in it.

“He’s had a super Origin.

“He’s a Kiwi boy and he’s just come out and said that maybe one day he might want to come out and play rugby.

“If that’s his choice when he makes that choice, then of course whoever is around at that time would definitely be interested, because he’s a talented athlete.”

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The Sharks side to take on the Blue Bulls in their opening Currie Cup fixture at Kings Park on Saturday features six Springboks in the starting XV.

The Bulls opened their account last weekend with a victory over Free State and Sharks scrum-half Louis Schreuder believes that the importance of starting the Currie Cup well cannot be overstressed.

“It’s just one round with six games and the first is at home which we’re looking forward to, but we know we can’t afford not to win our home games,” he explains. “We want to start well and after the warm-up game against Bordeaux, we are in a good place but know there is a massive challenge ahead of us this week against the Blue Bulls.

“The Bulls are a very good team, I think they’re going to be very competitive in the Currie Cup. We watched their game against the Cheetahs last week when they did very well in Bloemfontein against a strong outfit, a Pro 14 team.”

Schreuder is one of a number of players with Super Rugby experience behind them and there is no shortage of Test match experience either. Those players will provide calm heads for the younger players who will bring youthful exuberance too the team.

Indeed Schreuder, Robert du Preez, Lwazi Mvovo, Daniel du Preez, Chiliboy Ralepelle and Curwin Bosch are all capped by the Boks and make this a strong Sharks team.

With the men from Durban having reached the final last year, there is only one way to improve and that’s winning the tournament. But the team isn’t feeling the pressure of expectation based on previous history.

“We’re not really focusing on last season,” Schreuder explains. “We have our own expectations and goals, but right now we can’t think semi-finals or finals, we have to get through the pool stages and win as many games as possible. We’ll be looking to get as many points as possible to get ourselves into a good position for the knock-out rounds. But that’s in the back of our minds.”

And the 28-year-old says that the Sharks are ready for the campaign ahead.

“We had a good break after Super Rugby, a time to refresh, rest the body and importantly, get the mental break after a long tournament. We’ve come back and been training hard, but not overtraining, more functional stuff.

“It was good to get a warm-up match under our belts and build a bit of momentum going into this weekend,” added Schreuder.

Sharks: 15 Curwin Bosch, 14 Kobus van Wyk, 13 Jeremy Ward, 12 Marius Louw, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Robert du Preez, 9 Louis Schreuder, 8 Daniel du Preez, 7 Tyler Paul, 6 Wian Vosloo, 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 Gideon Koegelenberg, 3 John-Hubert Meyer, 2 Chiliboy Ralepelle (c), 1 Juan Schoeman
Replacements: 16 Kerron van Vuuren, 17 Khutha Mchunu, 18 Andrew Evans, 19 Lubabalo Mtembu, 20 Cameron Wright, 21 Johan Deysel, 22 Aphelele Fassi

Date: Saturday, August 25
Venue: Kings Park, Durban
Kick-off: 15:00 local (13:00 GMT)
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen
Assistant referees: Archie Sehlako, Vusi Msibi
TMO: Christie du Preez

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Your one-stop spot for all the Rugby Championship team line-ups, updated as they are released.

Saturday

New Zealand v Australia
Eden Park, Auckland

New Zealand: 15 Jordie Barrett, 14 Ben Smith, 13 Jack Goodhue, 12 Ngani Laumape, 11 Waisake Naholo, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read (c), 7 Sam Cane, 6 Liam Squire, 5 Samuel Whitelock, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Joe Moody
Replacements: 16 Nathan Harris, 17 Karl Tu’inukuafe, 18 Ofa Tuungafasi, 19 Scott Barrett, 20 Ardie Savea, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 Damian McKenzie, 23 Anton Lienert-Brown

Australia: 15 Dane Haylett-Petty, 14 Jack Maddocks, 13 Reece Hodge, 12 Kurtley Beale, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Will Genia, 8 David Pocock, 7 Michael Hooper (c), 6 Lukhan Tui, 5 Adam Coleman, 4 Izack Rodda, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Scott Sio
Replacements: 16 Folau Faingaa, 17 Tom Robertson, 18 Sekope Kepu, 19 Rob Simmons, 20 Pete Samu, 21 Nick Phipps, 22 Matt Toomua, 23 Tom Banks

Argentina v South Africa
Estadio Malvinas Argentinas, Mendoza

Argentina: 15 Emiliano Boffelli, 14 Bautista Delguy, 13 Matias Moroni, 12 Bautista Ezcurra, 11 Ramiro Moyano, 10 Nicolas Sanchez, 9 Gonzalo Bertranou, 8 Javier Ortega Desio, 7 Marcos Kremer, 6 Pablo Matera, 5 Tomas Lavanini, 4 Guido Petti, 3 Juan Figallo, 2 Agustin Creevy (c), 1 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro
Replacements: 16 Facundo Bosch, 17 Santiago Garcia Botta, 18 Santiago Medrano, 19 Matias Alemanno, 20 Tomas Lezana, 21 Tomas Cubelli, 22 Jeronimo de la Fuente, 23 Juan Cruz Mallia

South Africa: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Makazole Mapimpi, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 André Esterhuizen, 11 Aphiwe Dyantyi, 10 Handré Pollard, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Warren Whiteley, 7 Siya Kolisi (c), 6 Francois Louw, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Tendai Mtawarira
Replacements: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 21 Embrose Papier, 22 Lionel Mapoe, 23 Damian Willemse

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