Rugby – BLOGGERPARUNG

Hurricanes change three for Chiefs

Posted on March 6, 2019 by BLOGGERPARUNG

The Hurricanes have made minimal changes to their starting XV for their New Zealand Super Rugby derby with the Chiefs in Hamilton on Friday.

Overall, Hurricanes head coach Chris Boyd has made just three changes to the team that will run on to FMG Waikato Stadium from the one which faced the Blues in the last round.

Prop Jeff Toomaga-Allen is promoted from the bench along with lock Michael Fatialofa in changes to the pack while the competition’s leading try scorer Ben Lam also returns.

Lam is the only change to a backline which produced six tries against the Blues, including a club record equaling four from inside cehtre Ngani Laumape who will again form a midfield combination with Wes Goosen.

Boyd has also made a few tweaks to the bench where Chris Eves, Reed Prinsep and Finlay Christie all return after a week away.

The Hurricanes need to win, get a bonus point or avoid a heavy defeat against the Chiefs to guarantee a home quarter-final the following week.

Boyd said there was real determination in the squad to perform in Hamilton, not only to maintain momentum heading into the play-offs, but to ensure they had a home quarter-final in front of their fans.

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

Date: Friday, July 13
Venue: FMG Stadium, Hamilton
Kick-off: 19:35 local (08:35 BST, 07:35 GMT)
Referee: Mike Fraser
Assistant Referees: Richard Kelly, James Doleman
TMO: Ben Skeen

Brodie Retallick back for Chiefs

Posted on March 6, 2019 by BLOGGERPARUNG

Chiefs head coach Colin Cooper has made several alterations to his starting line-up for Friday’s Super Rugby clash with the Hurricanes in Hamilton.

In the forwards, Sam Prattley gets his first start after effective performances off the replacements bench for most of the season.

Brodie Retallick comes back into the number four jersey after six weeks on the injured list, and Lachlan Boshier gets a start on the blindside flank after returning via the bench last week.

Rounding out the impactful loose trio are Mitch Karpik and Jesse Parete.

In the back-line, Marty McKenzie comes into the number ten jersey, with Cooper confident in his ability to drive the game.

“Marty will be the game driver at number ten, and we are confident that he can control the game really well,” he said.

McKenzie takes over from his younger brother Damian and will form a half-back partnership with Brad Weber. The only other change to the run-on side which faced the Brumbies last weekend sees Anton Lienert-Brown returning at outside centre in place of Sean Wainui.

Chiefs: 15 Solomon Alaimalo, 14 Toni Pulu, 13 Anton Lienert-Brown, 12 Charlie Ngatai, 11 Shaun Stevenson, 10 Marty McKenzie, 9 Brad Weber, 8 Jesse Parete, 7 Mitchell Karpik, 6 Lachlan Boshier, 5 Tyler Ardron, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Angus Ta’avao, 2 Liam Polwart, 1 Sam Prattley
Replacements: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 Karl Tu’inukuafe, 18 Jeff Thwaites, 19 Michael Allardice, 20 Liam Messam, 21 Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 22 Tiaan Falcon, 23 Johnny Faauli

England name squad for Rugby World Cup Sevens

Posted on March 6, 2019 by BLOGGERPARUNG

Head of England Sevens Simon Amor has named the 12 players who will represent their country at the Rugby World Cup Sevens in San Francisco.

The squad includes 10 bronze medallists from the recent Gold Coast Commonwealth Games and six players who represented Team GB at the Rio 2016 Olympics where they secured silver.

Tom Mitchell will captain the team in what will be his second Rugby World Cup Sevens after he and fellow team-mates Mike Ellery, all-time leading try scorer Dan Norton and England Sevens’ most capped player James Rodwell reached the final in Moscow 2013.

“We’ve selected a very exciting team for the Rugby World Cup Sevens,” said Amor.

“There have been some outstanding performances across the board recently and this is backed up by the team’s consistency. Achieving five podium finishes since the Commonwealth Games demonstrates that we’re in a good place going into this World Cup.

“We’ve got a very quick team and one that gives us lots of options in terms of the style of rugby that we can play, and we’re really looking forward to putting this into action in San Francisco.”

England, who are seeded fourth in the World Cup behind South Africa, Fiji and New Zealand will play their first game on Saturday 21 July at 4.09am (BST) against the winner of Samoa v Uganda.

The tournament, which will be held at AT&T Park, follows a straight knock-out format meaning that teams will have to win every match to be crowned World Cup winners.

England Sevens squad: Phil Burgess, Alex Davis, Richard de Carpentier, Will Edwards, Mike Ellery, Harry Glover, Ollie Lindsay-Hague, Ruaridh McConnochie, Tom Mitchell (c), Will Muir, Dan Norton, James Rodwell

Samu Manoa signs for Cardiff Blues

Posted on March 6, 2019 by BLOGGERPARUNG

Samu Manoa is the latest player to put pen to paper at Cardiff Blues as John Mulvihill adds further international quality to his squad.

Following the signings of Dmitri Arhip and Jason Harries, plus a season-long loan to bring Rory Thornton to the Welsh capital, Manoa has handed the Blues another major boost.

The USA international arrives in Wales from Toulon, where he has made 50 appearances, having previously spent four seasons at Northampton Saints.

During his time at Franklin’s Gardens, Manoa established himself as one of the most devastating players in the northern hemisphere.

He won both the Premiership and Challenge Cup in 2014, when he also picked up Northampton’s Player, Players’ Player and Supporters’ Player of the year awards.

Standing at 6ft 7ins and tipping the scales at 20 stone, Manoa brings a formidable physical presence to the pack and provides further competition for the number eight jersey.

Mulvihill said: “This is another significant signal of intent as we build towards the new season and a return to the European Champions Cup.

“Samu is a big, physical man, who will compete with Nick Williams for the number eight jersey and bring an abundance of experience to our pack.

“It is important that we take some of the work-load off Nick and Samu will work in tandem with him, ensuing that we have a real physical presence for the full 80-minutes.

“We’re now looking forward to getting him over here and seeing him in a Cardiff Blues jersey at the Arms Park.”

Manoa, who plays international rugby alongside Blaine Scully, will arrive in Cardiff later this month and is relishing the challenge that lies ahead.

Having spent three seasons at Toulon, he is looking forward to joining his new team-mates and moving his family to the Welsh capital.

Manoa said: “I’m really looking forward to the next chapter and getting stuck in at Cardiff Blues.

“They had great season last year, winning the European Challenge Cup and sealing a return to the Champions Cup, so it is a great time to join.

“I have spoken to both John and Blaine at length, and have heard nothing but good things about the set-up at Cardiff Blues, the city itself and the region.

“My family is the most important thing to me and hearing about how well players and their families are taken care of at the Blues was a big lure. If they are happy, I am happy and can be at my best.

“So I’m really excited about moving them over to Cardiff and then meeting my new teammates, competing for places and contributing to the Blues as they look to build on the success of last season.”

Collin Osborne leaves Harlequins post

Posted on March 6, 2019 by BLOGGERPARUNG

Harlequins have announced that skills coach Collin Osborne has left the club for personal reasons after 13 years with the Premiership side.

Osborne originally joined Harlequins coaching staff in 1996 at the start of the professional era and played a key role in helping introduce the standards of training and commitment required for the team to compete effectively in the changed rugby environment.

His experience was to prove invaluable when the RFU introduced academies in 2002 and Harlequins was successful in being granted an RFU Academy licence. Osborne was instrumental in attracting a group of talented young players to the Academy that have gone on to contribute greatly to Harlequins and achieve international status with England.

Eight seasons ago he was appointed Skills Coach to the first team squad and worked with the players in an era that was the most successful in the club’s professional history.

Five new faces in Sunwolves side

Posted on March 6, 2019 by BLOGGERPARUNG

The Sunwolves have made five changes in personnel for their final Super Rugby clash of the season, against the Reds in Brisbane on Friday.

Two of those are in the backs where full-back Ryuji Noguchi and right wing Semisi Masirewa are replaced by Yoshikazu Fujita and Harumichi Tatekawa, which has caused a reshuffle for Jason Emery and Michael Little, who make the move to full-back and outside centre respectively.

In the forward pack there is a return to action for number eight for Willie Britz, who takes over from Kazuki Himeno, while Wimpie van der Walt and Yusuke Niwai come in at lock and hooker for Grant Hattingh and Jaba Bregvadze as the Sunwolves look to sign off with an away win.

Sunwolves: 15 Jason Emery, 14 Yoshikazu Fujita, 13 Michael Little, 12 Harumichi Tatekawa, 11 Akihito Yamada, 10 Hayden Parker, 9 Yutaka Nagare (c), 8 Willie Britz, 7 Edward Quirk, 6 Michael Leitch, 5 Wimpie van der Walt, 4 James Moore, 3 Takuma Asahara, 2 Yusuke Niwai, 1 Craig Millar
Replacements: 16 Jaba Bregvadze, 17 Keita Inagaki, 18 Hencus van Wyk, 19 Kazuki Himeno, 20 Rahboni Warren-Vosayaco, 21 Fumiaki Tanaka, 22 Rikiya Matsuda, 23 Ryoto Nakamura

Date: Friday, July 13
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Kick-off: 19:45 local (10:45 BST, 09:45 GMT)
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe
Assistant Referees: Damon Murphy, Jordan Way
TMO: Damien Mitchelmore

Reds make two changes for Sunwolves

Posted on March 6, 2019 by BLOGGERPARUNG

Reds head coach Brad Thorn has made two changes to his starting line-up to take on the Sunwolves in their Super Rugby clash in Brisbane on Friday.

Veteran flanker George Smith was unable to recover from a knee injury in time for this Friday’s match, meaning he will be forced to watch from the sidelines before heading offshore to take up a contract with Bristol Bears in England.

The one change to the starting pack sees versatile forward Lukhan Tui return to the starting side in the second-row, with Kane Douglas dropping out of the matchday 23.

In the backs, youngster Tate McDermott has earned his first Super Rugby start at scrum-half, with Moses Sorovi shifting to the bench.

The Reds have also made a number of changes to the reserves, opting for six forwards and two backs.

Australia U20 lock Angus Blyth is in line to make his potential Queensland and Super Rugby debut, after being brought onto the bench, taking the place freed up by Tui’s promotion.

Adam Korczyk has also found a spot in the matchday 23 for the first time since Round 13, when the Reds and Sunwolves last met.

Utility back Teti Tela from Brisbane club Souths is also in line for a potential Queensland and Super Rugby debut, having been named on the bench for the second week in a row.

Thorn said: “We’re excited to be back at Suncorp Stadium this Friday with one last chance to play in front of our home fans in 2018.

“We were all really pleased with the character shown to get the win against the Melbourne Rebels last week and we know we need to back that up with another strong performance against the Sunwolves.

“It’s unfortunate that George doesn’t get an opportunity to play in the Reds’ jersey one final time, but we thought it was in his best interests to listen to his body and sit this one out. He has given plenty to us and to Australian Rugby as a whole and we wish him all the best with the rest of his career.

“We’ve made a couple of changes that probably reflect the depth in the squad and also point a bit to the future. Lukhan Tui returns to the starting side at lock beside Izack Rodda and Angus Blyth gets his first opportunity this week.

“He has been working away, waiting to get a taste at this level. He’s one to watch for the future. Kane Douglas has done a great job for us this season, but with him moving overseas, we felt we should give opportunities to younger players.

“With Tate McDermott and Moses Sorovi, they’re both exciting young players with plenty to offer. This is Tate’s first opportunity in the starting side and we know Moses will provide some spark off the bench.

“We didn’t get a chance to use Teti Tela last week, but hopefully he will get that opportunity this Friday because he has been a great contributor to the squad all season.

“The Sunwolves are a dangerous attacking team. They’ve got some clever plays and a smart kicking game, so we need to be switched on and prepared for anything.”

Reds: 15 Jono Lance, 14 Filipo Daugunu, 13 Jordan Petaia, 12 Duncan Paia’aua, 11 Eto Nabuli, 10 Hamish Stewart, 9 Tate McDermott, 8 Scott Higginbotham (c), 7 Liam Wright, 6 Caleb Timu, 5 Lukhan Tui, 4 Izack Rodda, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 1 JP Smith
Replacements: 16 Alex Mafi, 17 Harry Hoopert, 18 Ruan Smith, 19 Angus Blyth, 20 Angus Scott-Young, 21 Adam Korczyk, 22 Moses Sorovi, 23 Teti Tela

Blitzboks name squad for San Francisco

Posted on March 6, 2019 by BLOGGERPARUNG

Springbok Sevens coach Neil Powell has named a side laden with international experience for the Rugby World Cup Sevens in San Francisco next weekend.

South Africa are the top seeded team for the Rugby World Cup Sevens, which will be played at AT&T Park from 20-22 July, and will travel west as current World Rugby Sevens Series champions.

All 12 players in the squad were involved in the last World Series, played across 10 tournaments around the world, but only the Blitzbok captain, Philip Snyman, has experience of playing at a Rugby World Cup Sevens event. He did so in Dubai (2009) and Moscow (2013), while the rest of the squad will make their debuts at this level.

Snyman will become the first South African to play in three RWC Sevens tournaments. The rest of the team consists of Blitzbok regulars and will see a return from injury for Rosko Specman and Selvyn Davids, both of whom missed the last two World Series events played in London and Paris last month.

Kyle Brown, Cecil Afrika, Chris Dry, Seabelo Senatla (who all played in Moscow in 2013), Tim Agaba and Stedman Gans were all ruled out due to injury, while Kwagga Smith and Sikhumbuzo Notshe were not considered because of their involvement in Super Rugby.

The fact that the Blitzboks used 28 players during the 2017/18 World Series and the Commonwealth Games, which took place in in Australia in April, softened the unavailability of a couple of those veterans.

“I am pleased with the squad,” Powell said from Mossel Bay, where the team are finalising their preparations before departure to the USA.

“The team was picked with this tournament in mind and I am pleased that these 12 players are all on form and best suited for the way we approach the knock-out format of the event.

“A couple of players missed out on final selection, but did contribute to our overall preparations and those efforts are appreciated and acknowledged. Just as all of the 28 players contributed towards our World Series title, all involved did great work in order to get these 12 players ready for next weekend.”

Snyman said the Blitzboks are determined to make the country proud: “We have received wonderful support from our supporters here in the Southern Cape and Gauteng last week and that made us even more determined not to let them down.

“We do not have the greatest of records in this tournament, but that said, we know we will be a very competitive team if we play to our strengths and within our game plan. It is exciting times for all of us and we are ready to do our best for our country.”

The Springbok Sevens team: Ryan Oosthuizen, Philip Snyman (c), Dylan Sage, Zain Davids, Werner Kok, Heino Bezuidenhout, Dewald Human, Rosko Specman, Justin Geduld, Selvyn Davids, Siviwe Soyizwapi, Ruhan Nel

Preview: Reds v Sunwolves

Posted on March 6, 2019 by BLOGGERPARUNG

The Reds will be looking for revenge and to end their season on a high when they take on the Sunwolves at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Friday.

The Sunwolves romped to a 63-28 victory the last time the sides met – back in Round 13 earlier this season. Having just avenged their loss to the Rebels, the Reds will be keen to go back-to-back for the first time since Round Five.

Thus, the Queensland side are on a high coming into the match and will be difficult to stop considering their impressive record at home. They will be delighted to have possibly played a part in preventing the Rebels from making the play-offs after that morale-boosting, redemptive win last weekend.

That does not, however, cover the cracks of what has been another disastrous season for the Reds. But at least they can end it on a positive note here.

It is likely to be another high-scoring encounter, as it usually is when the Sunwolves are involved. There has been an average of 84 points scored per game over the Sunwolves’ last three fixtures.

A much improved team – the Japanese side also boast the best goalkicking success rate in the competition (88 percent), 13 percentage points greater than that of the Reds. Hayden Parker is in the form of his life but you still never know which Sunwolves side are going to turn up on the day.

But there is no doubt they are peaking towards the end of the season. After losing their first nine, they have won three of their last six – not bad at all – and an indicator that they might finally be settling into Super Rugby.

Come Saturday, the Sunwolves will be looking to lay down a marker to the doubters that they belong in the competition as the regular-season draws to its conclusion.

The last time the teams met: The Sunwolves chalked up their first victory of the season with a 63-28 victory in an entertaining encounter in Tokyo back in Round 13. A Hosea Saumaki hat-trick and a new franchise record of 38 points from Hayden Parker masterminded the win as Parker also got himself on the try column along with Grant Hattingh and a penalty try. The Reds dotted down through Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Angus Scott-Young and Filipo Daugunu.

Players to watch:

For Reds: Keep an eye out for Liam Wright, who is firmly establishing himself as George Smith’s successor in the fetcher role. Smith was full of praise when asked about Wright earlier in the week, saying what gives the youngster the edge at the breakdown is the mobility and flexibility in his hips. Expect Wright to come up with a timely pilfer every so often to win back possession for his side.

For Sunwolves: The Reds need to keep an eye on Jason Emery, who has been handed the number 15 jersey this weekend. Emery possesses plenty of gas and his found his try-scoring touch in recent times. The former Highlanders back may be short in stature, but he makes up for that with powerful upper body strength, which along with his low centre of gravity, makes it hard for opposition defenders to bring him down.

Team news: Reds head coach Brad Thorn has made two changes to his starting line-up.

The one change to the starting pack sees versatile forward Lukhan Tui return to the starting side in the second-row, with Kane Douglas dropping out of the matchday 23.

In the backs, youngster Tate McDermott has earned his first Super Rugby start at scrum-half, with Moses Sorovi shifting to the bench.

The Reds have also made a number of changes to the reserves, opting for six forwards and two backs.

Australia U20 lock Angus Blyth is in line to make his potential Queensland and Super Rugby debut, after being brought onto the bench, taking the place freed up by Tui’s promotion.

Adam Korczyk has also found a spot in the matchday 23 for the first time since Round 13, when the Reds and Sunwolves last met.

Utility back Teti Tela from Brisbane club Souths is also in line for a potential Queensland and Super Rugby debut, having been named on the bench for the second week in a row.

Meanwhile, the Sunwolves have made five changes in personnel for their final Super Rugby clash of the season.

Form: The Reds arrested a five-match losing streak with victory over rivals the Rebels last weekend. In fact, prior to victory last weekend, they had won just one of their previous ten. Brad Thorn’s men are now looking for back-to-back wins for the first time since Round Five.

After losing their opening nine fixtures, the Sunwolves have won three of their last six. It is the best form they have been in since they entered the competition in 2016.

Prediction: The home side to avenge their Round 13 defeat and finish the season strong here in front of their home support. Reds by 20.

Previous results:

2018: Sunwolves won 63-28 in Tokyo
2016: The Reds won 35-25 in Brisbane

The teams:

Preview: Chiefs v Hurricanes

Posted on March 6, 2019 by BLOGGERPARUNG

Super Rugby’s Round 19 action gets underway in Hamilton on Friday when the Chiefs host the Hurricanes in what should be a thrilling New Zealand derby.

Although both these teams are already assured of a place in the quarter-finals, there will be no letting up from either side in a bid to claim victory which will also secure the winners bragging rights.

Going by overall competition points, this is sure to go down to the wire and be full of excitement, with the Hurricanes and the Chiefs in second and third place of the New Zealand Conference respectively.

The Hurricanes need to win, get a bonus point or avoid a heavy defeat against their hosts to guarantee a home quarter-final the following week.

Both these sides have entertained throughout the season and it is no surprise that they are amongst the leading attacking teams in the tournament, with the Hurricanes fourth for most tries scored (62) this year while the Chiefs are sixth after crossing the whitewash on 56 occasions.

The Chiefs have also made the second most clean breaks (222) with the Hurricanes fourth (186) in that department as well, while the men from Hamilton have beaten the fourth most defenders (379) with the Wellington-based franchise next best with 350 in that category.

Chiefs head coach Colin Cooper says his side are ready to put on a show for the home crowd but expects a tough challenge from the Hurricanes.

“We’re going out there to put on a great performance, it could be our last game at home,” he said.

“We want to make sure that wherever there is an opportunity, that we grab it. We look forward to playing our own game, and are also aware of what the Hurricanes bring.

“They showed against the Blues how good they are off the set piece – and we’ve done some work around our set piece defence – but with ball in hand, our focus is on what we can do.”

The last time the teams met: The Hurricanes claimed a 25-13 victory in a Round Seven clash in Wellington earlier this year which ended a two-match losing streak against the Chiefs. Beauden Barrett, Ben Lam and Ngani Laumape scored tries for the Hurricanes and Jordie Barrett contributed 10 points courtesy of two penalties and two conversions. Lachlan Boshier scored the Chiefs’ only try and their other points came via a conversion and two penalties from Damian McKenzie.

Players to watch:

For Chiefs: After a six-week stint on the sidelines due to injury, All Blacks enforcer Brodie Retallick will be raring to go when he runs out for this encounter. Retallick is the prototype of the modern day lock, who usually gets through a good shift on attack and defence while his line-out work is amongst the best in the business. The 27-year-old will be keen to hit the ground running in this match with his return a shot in the arm for the Chiefs ahead of the quarter-finals.

For Hurricanes: After being dropped for last weekend’s clash over the Blues, Ben Lam will be a man on a mission as he returns to the Wellington-based franchise’s starting line-up. Lam is currently the tournament’s joint top try-scorer – with Waratahs wing Taqele Naiyaravoro – and he will be determined to showcase his finishing ability in a bid to cement his place in the starting line-up for the play-offs.

Team news: Chiefs head coach Colin Cooper has made several alterations to his starting line-up for this fixture.

In the forwards, Sam Prattley gets his first start after effective performances off the replacements bench for most of the season. Brodie Retallick comes back into the number four jersey after six weeks on the injured list, and Lachlan Boshier gets a start on the blindside flank after returning via the bench last week.

Rounding out the impactful loose trio are Mitch Karpik and Jesse Parete.

In the back-line, Marty McKenzie comes into the number ten jersey, with Cooper confident in his ability to drive the game. McKenzie takes over from his younger brother Damian and will form a half-back partnership with Brad Weber.

The only other change to the run-on side which faced the Brumbies last weekend sees Anton Lienert-Brown returning at outside centre in place of Sean Wainui.

Meanwhile, the Hurricanes have made minimal tweaks to their starting XV. Overall, head coach Chris Boyd has made just three changes to the team which faced the Blues in the last round.

Prop Jeff Toomaga-Allen is promoted from the bench along with lock Michael Fatialofa in changes to the pack while the competition’s leading try scorer Ben Lam also returns.

Boyd has also made a few tweaks to the bench where Chris Eves, Reed Prinsep and Finlay Christie all return after a week away.

Form: Both these teams are already into the quarter-finals with the Hurricanes in fourth position and the Chiefs fifth in the overall standings.

The Chiefs have won 10 and lost five of their 15 matches and have been in fine form since returning to action after the June Test break and beat the Highlanders and Brumbies on successive weekends.

Meanwhile, the Hurricanes have won 11 out of 15 matches and lost four times this year. Last weekend, they claimed an impressive 42-24 victory over the Blues in Wellington which ended a three-match losing streak following a defeat against the Brumbies – in Round 18 – and losses to the Highlanders and Crusaders before the June international break.

Prediction: The Chiefs have rested most of their first-choice players which means the Hurricanes should be victorious. Hurricanes to win by eight points.

Previous results:

2018: Hurricanes won 25-13 in Wellington
2017: Chiefs won 17-14 in Wellington
2017: Chiefs won 26-18 in Hamilton
2016: Hurricanes won 25-9 in Wellington
2016: Chiefs won 28-27 in Wellington
2015: Hurricanes won 21-13 in New Plymouth
2015: Hurricanes won 22-18 in Wellington
2014: Chiefs won 24-16 in Hamilton

The teams: