Category: Rugby

Toulon have suffered a significant early-season blow after powerful lock Mamuka Gorgodze was ruled out for three months with a ruptured bicep.

The Georgian international suffered the injury during Toulon’s opening Top 14 loss of the campaign, to Racing 92 at Stade Mayol last weekend.

According to Var-Matin, Gorgodze will miss 12 weeks which is a major setback for the forward and his club, who face Pau (away) on Saturday.

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The match officials for this weekend’s action have been confirmed, with Ian Tempest taking charge of the Newcastle versus Saracens clash.

Premiership

Bristol Bears vs Bath
@ Ashton Gate
Referee: JP Doyle
Assistant referees: Adam Leal, Wayne Falla
Television match official: Laurie Bryant

Gloucester vs Northampton Saints
@ Kingsholm
Referee: Matthew Carley
Assistant referees: Jack Makepeace, Greg Macdonald
Television match official: Trevor Fisher

Harlequins vs Sale Sharks
@ Twickenham Stoop
Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys
Assistant referees: Simon McConnell, Roy Maybank
Television match official: David Grashoff

Worcester Warriors vs Wasps
@ Sixways
Referee: Karl Dickson
Assistant referees: Peter Allan, Philip Watters
Television match official: Stuart Terheege

Exeter Chiefs vs Leicester Tigers
@ Sandy Park
Referee: Wayne Barnes
Assistant referees: Paul Dix, Anthony Woodthorpe
Television match official: David Rose

Newcastle Falcons vs Saracens
@ Kingston Park
Referee: Ian Tempest
Assistant referees: Tim Wigglesworth, John Meredith
Television match official: Sean Davey

PRO14

Ospreys vs Edinburgh
@ Liberty Stadium
Referee: John Lacey (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Sean Gallagher (Ireland), Wayne Davies (Wales)
Television match official: Tim Hayes (Wales)

Cardiff Blues vs Leinster
@ Cardiff Arms Park
Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
Assistant referees: Ben Whitehouse (Wales), Gwyn Morris (Wales)
TMO: Jon Mason (Wales)

Zebre vs Southern Kings
@ Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi
Referee: Mike Adamson (Scotland)
Assistant referees: Keith Allen (Scotland), Manuel Bottini (Italy)
Television match official: Stefano Pennè (Italy)

Connacht vs Glasgow Warriors
@ The Sportsground
Referee: Ian Davies (Wales)
Assistant referees: Adam Jones (Wales), Eddie Hogan-O’Connell
Television match official: Olly Hodges (Ireland)

Ulster vs Scarlets
@ Kingspan Stadium
Referee: Marius Mitrea (Italy)
Assistant referees: Andrea Piardi (Italy), John Carvill (Ireland)
Television match official: Leo Colgan (Ireland)

Munster vs Cheetahs
@ Thomond Park
Referee: Dan Jones (Wales)
Assistant referees: Craig Evans (Wales), Mark Patton (Ireland)
Television match official: Simon McDowell (Ireland)

Dragons vs Benetton
@ Rodney Parade
Referee: George Clancy (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Frank Murphy, Simon Rees (Wales)
Television match official: Sean Brickell (Wales)

Top 14

Pau vs Toulon
@ Stade du Hameau
Referee: Pascal Gaüzère
Assistant referees: Jonathan Dufort, Éric Soulan
Television match officials: Éric Gauzins

Castres vs Lyon
@ Stade Pierre Fabre
Referee: Adrien Descottes
Assistant referees: Maxime Chalon, Frédéric Chazal
Television match official: Éric Gonthier

Stade Français vs Bordeaux-Bègles
@ Stade Jean Bouin
Referee: Vincent Blasco Baque
Assistant referees: Pierre Brousset, Laurent Breil
Television match officials: Cédric Marchat

Montpellier vs La Rochelle
@ Altrad Stadium
Referee: Thomas Charabas
Assistant referees: Laurent Millotte, Sébastien Hebert
Television match officials: Akim Hadj Bachir

Grenoble vs Toulouse
@ Stade des Alpes
Referee: Cyrille Lafon
Assistant referees: Mathieu Delpy, Richard Duhau
Television match official: Philippe Bonhoure

Racing 92 vs Clermont
@ U Arena
Referee: Jérôme Garcès
Assistant referees: Laurent Cardona, Jean-Luc Rebollal
Television match official: Sébastien Minery

Mitre 10 Cup

Counties Manukau vs Taranaki
Referee: Nick Briant

Auckland vs Waikato
Referee: James Munro

Wellington vs Southland
Referee: Shuhei Kubo (Japan)

Bay of Plenty vs Canterbury
Referee: Michael Winter

Manawatu vs Otago
Referee: Paul Williams

North Harbour vs Tasman
Referee: Glen Jackson

Hawke’s Bay vs Counties Manukau
Referee: Mike Fraser

Northland vs Taranaki
Referee: Michael Lash

Currie Cup

Blue Bulls vs Golden Lions
@ Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge
Assistant referees: Jaco Pretorius, Ricus van der Hoven
Television match official: Willie Vos

Pumas vs Western Province
@ Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen
Assistant referees: Des van Wyk, Alex Jonker
Television match official: Christie du Preez

Free State Cheetahs vs Sharks
@ Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
Referee: Jaco Peyper
Assistant referees: Ben Crouse, Divan Uys
Television match official: Lourens van der Merwe

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Gloucester head coach Johan Ackermann has confirmed that lock Tom Savage has been ruled out for up to 10 weeks with a knee injury.

Savage sustained the injury in a pre-season friendly against Ulster just over a fortnight ago. Although Savage will miss part of the season, Ackermann is relieved that the injury is not as bad as initially feared.

“It’s about eight to 10 weeks,” Ackermann told Gloucester Live.

“I know it’s not ideal but we’ll take it any day because in the beginning there was fear it could be six to nine months.

“Luckily it’s not so knowing Sav he’ll be back sooner and he’ll be ready to go not long from now.”

Meanwhile, Ackermann will also be without the services of new signings Ruan Dreyer and Jaco Kriel, as well as back three player Tom Marshall, for Saturday’s opening fixture of their Premiership campaign against Northampton Saints at Kingsholm.

Dreyer is a couple of weeks away, having picked up a knock in pre-season, while Kriel is expected to return in four to six weeks. In reference to Marshall’s injury, Ackermann explained it was an “ongoing” issue and therefore difficult to pin a return date down.

“Tom is an ongoing one,” said Ackermann.

“It’s an injury that was only detected a bit later, it’s still an injury coming from last season.

“That is dependable to how he reacts to ongoing rehab. It’s difficult to put a real marker on that.

“Dreyer has got a little niggle that we’ll manage now but hopefully we’ll see him in the next couple of weeks.

“Jaco is probably another good four to six weeks away more or less. It can be sooner, it can be a bit longer.

“It’s quite important we get this one right as he had a second operation already on that shoulder so we’re going to make sure it’s a week too long rather than a week too short.”

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Highlanders head coach Aaron Mauger says he will continue utilising Jackson Hemopo at lock, despite All Blacks coach Steve Hansen deploying him at flank.

Hemopo played at lock in all 16 of his appearances for the Highlanders in Super Rugby last season. And Mauger still believes the 24-year-old’s best position is in the second-row, despite having been selected as a loose forward in Hansen’s Rugby Championship squad.

“We primarily see him as a lock for us with how we want to play our game, who can cover the loose forwards,” Mauger told Stuff.

“The All Blacks obviously see it the other way around, so there’s no issue from our end. It probably suits how they want to play their game.”

There has been talk in some circles that Hansen may instruct Mauger to field Hemopo in the back-row, but the Highlanders boss believes that would be an unlikely scenario.

“Not necessarily,” Mauger said when asked if Hansen might instruct him to play Hemopo at flanker.

“They don’t tend to give us too many, or any, directives around where they want their guys playing. As long as we’re looking after them and keeping them fit and healthy.”

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The Scarlets have been dealt a blow with news that Springbok number eight Uzair Cassiem will miss the opening four weeks of the PRO14 season with a leg injury.

Wayne Pivac signed Cassiem this summer from fellow PRO14 side the Cheetahs, but saw the forward suffer a worrying leg problem in their pre-season defeat at Bath.

There were concerns Cassiem had injured his Achilles and would face a lengthy lay-off.

But those worries have been allayed, with the 28-year-old’s diagnosis revealed as a calf problem which will keep him out for four weeks.

While Cassiem will miss the first few rounds of PRO14 action, he should be back in action at the start of October.

Confirming the news, a Scarlets statement read: “Uzair Cassiem suffered a leg injury in the pre-season friendly against Bath Rugby on Friday 24th August.

“The international Springbok underwent a scan on Tuesday to understand the extent of the injury.

“Scan results have showed that Cassiem suffered a calf injury, he should make a full recovery and return to action within four weeks.”

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The Reds have announced that talented scrum-half Moses Sorovi has re-committed to the Brisbane-based outfit after signing a new contract.

Sorovi will call Ballymore home for at least another two seasons, after signing through to 2020.

Still only 22 years old, Sorovi made his Super Rugby debut last year and further established himself in 2018, featuring in the matchday 23 for the Reds’ last nine games of the season.

Hailing from Yam Island in the Torres Strait, Sorovi moved to Brisbane to further his education at St. Peters Lutheran College, but stayed to pursue opportunities in rugby.

Known for his speed of service and knack for challenging the defensive line, Sorovi has progressed through the Queensland Rugby pathway, excelling with the Queensland U20s and McInnes Wilson Lawyers Brisbane City in the National Rugby Championship, before getting an opportunity in Super Rugby.

“I’m really enjoying my rugby at Ballymore and I feel confident about the way I’m developing as a player,” Sorovi told the Reds’ official website.

“It was good to get a lot of game time at the back end of the Super Rugby season, I got into a good rhythm. I’m looking forward to 2018 and hope I can give more back to the team and the Rugby community.”

Sorovi is one of three scrum-halves in the Reds squad and head coach Brad Thorn said the competition was driving high standards within the group.

“It’s good to see Moses commit to the Reds for another couple of years,” said Thorn.

“He really staked his spot in the squad in 2018 and he is an exciting young player. He’s one of a number of young players who have committed to what we’re trying to do here at Ballymore.

“One of the most pleasing things we’re seeing with this squad is how we’re starting to build depth. There’s genuine competition for spots and that is healthy. You want everyone pushing each other to get the best out of themselves and the team.”

Sorovi has been named in Brisbane City’s squad for the upcoming National Rugby Championship season, which kicks off this weekend with a home match against the Western Force at Norths Rugby Club in Brisbane on Sunday, September 2.

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The All Blacks have suffered a setback with the news that loosehead prop Joe Moody will miss the rest of the Rugby Championship due to injury.

Moody injured his thumb in New Zealand’s Bledisloe Cup-winning Test over Australia in Auckland at the weekend.

All Blacks Head coach Steve Hansen said: “Moods has had an X-ray which has revealed a fracture in his left thumb. He doesn’t need surgery but will be in a cast for six weeks and, unfortunately, will miss the rest of the Rugby Championship. The good news is he’ll be back in time for the Northern Tour to Japan and Europe.”

With All Blacks replacement prop Jeff Toomaga-Allen carrying an injury, Taranaki and Chiefs prop Angus Ta’avao has been called into the All Blacks squad as a replacement.

Hansen said with Moody injured, fellow All Blacks prop Karl Tu’inukuafe would now cover the loosehead prop position, and so the selectors had opted to bring in a tighthead in Ta’avao.

“Angus had a big season for the Chiefs during the Super Rugby season, was part of a very good Chiefs pack and has made big strides on the technical aspects of his position,” he added.

“We look forward to him joining the squad.”

The All Blacks squad will reassemble in Nelson on Sunday to prepare for the Rugby Championship Test against Argentina on Saturday, September 8.

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Marvin Orie will captain the Golden Lions in the absence of Ross Cronje when they take on the Blue Bulls at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

Cronje, who captained the side last weekend, has been left out of the squad altogether because he will tour Australasia with the Springboks next week for the away leg of the Rugby Championship.

The Lions do, however, welcome back centre Lionel Mapoe, who scored his maiden Springbok try last weekend against Argentina, while there are other Boks in the form of Andries Coetzee, Courtnall Skosan and Orie in the side.

Golden Lions: 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Sylvian Mahuza, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Howard Mnisi, 11 Courtnall Skosan, 10 Shaun Reynolds, 9 Dillon Smit, 8 Hacjivah Dayimani, 7 Len Massyn, 6 James Venter, 5 Marvin Orie (c), 4 Rhyno Herbst, 3 Johannes Jonker, 2 Corne Fourie, 1 Sti Sithole
Replacements: 16 Pieter Jansen, 17 Danie Mienie, 18 Jacobie Adriaanse, 19 Reinhard Nothnagel, 20 Vincent Tshituka, 21 Madosh Tambwe, 22 Wandisile Simelane

Date: Saturday, September 1
Venue: Loftus Versfeld
Kick-off: 16:05 local (15:05 BST, 14:05 GMT)
Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge
Assistant referees: Jaco Pretorius, Ricus van der Hoven
Television match official: Willie Vos

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Sharks head coach Robert du Preez has named an unchanged starting line-up for Saturday’s Currie Cup match with the Free State Cheetahs in Bloemfontein.

There is one change amongst the replacements, with Tera Mthembu unfortunately picking up a knee injury (meniscus tear) in the last match. His place on the bench has been taken by Luke Stringer.

The Sharks will once again be captained by Springbok hooker Chiliboy Ralepelle, who is joined in the front-row by John-Hubert Meyer and Juan Schoeman while Hyron Andrews and Gideon Koegelenberg pack down in the second-row.

Dan du Preez starts at number eight alongside Tyler Paul and Wian Vosloo, who are the two flankers, with Robert du Preez at fly-half and Louis Schreuder starts at scrum-half.

Marius Louw and Jeremy Ward are the centre combination while Curwin Bosch continues at full-back with Kobus van Wyk and Lwazi Mvovo on the wings.

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 Luke Stringer, 20 Cameron Wright, 21 Johan Deysel, 22 Aphelele Fassi

Date: Saturday, September 1
Venue: Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
Kick-off: 14:00 local (13:00 BST, 12:00 GMT)
Referee: Jaco Peyper
Assistant referees: Ben Crouse, Divan Uys
TMO: Lourens van der Merwe

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Springbok scrum-half Rudy Paige will captain a new-look Free State Cheetahs side when they host the Sharks in their Currie Cup encounter in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

Paige is one of 12 changes to the Cheetahs’ starting line-up for this encounter made by their head coach Daan Human.

This, after most of their first-choice players were called up to play in the PRO14 which starts this weekend.

Paige forms a new half-back partnership with his former Bulls team-mate Louis Fouche in a backline which has six alterations to the one which started in last weekend’s 32-0 defeat against Western Province in Cape Town.

Meanwhile, the forwards also has six changes with the experienced Niell Jordaan a noticeable inclusion at number eight.

Free State Cheetahs: 15 Adriaan Carelse, 14 Ali Mgijima, 13 Carel-Jan Coetzee, 12 Tersius Kruger, 11 Lloyd Greeff, 10 Louis Fouce, 9 Rudy Paige (c), 8 Niell Jordaan, 7 Gerhard Olivier, 6 Stephan Malan, 5 Dennis Visser, 4 Louis Conradie, 3 Gunther Janse van Vuuren, 2 Reinach Venter, 1 Kevin Stevens
Replacements: 16 Jannes Snyman, 17 Johan Kotze, 18 Luigi van Jaarsveld, 19 Abongile Nonkontwana, 20 Dian Badenhorst, 21 Vuyani Maqina, 22 Reinhart Erwee

Date: Saturday, September 1
Venue: Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
Kick-off: 14:00 local (13:00 BST, 12:00 GMT)
Referee: Jaco Peyper
Assistant referees: Ben Crouse, Divan Uys
TMO: Lourens van der Merwe

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