Tag: Rugby

The Waratahs will look to prevent the Lions from reaching the Super Rugby final for the third successive year when the teams go head-to-head at Ellis Park on Saturday.

Swys de Bruin’s men may have struggled to recapture the performances of the previous two campaigns, but they did just enough to finish top of the South African Conference and then elevated their game in the Qualifiers.

Mario Ledesma’s Jaguares had enjoyed an impressive year, reaching the play-offs for the first time since their inception in 2016, but the Argentines failed to match the South Africans’ physicality.

With Warren Whiteley and Malcolm Marx back to full fitness, De Bruin has a powerful forward eight at his disposal and the ‘Tahs will need to do a better job of negating that threat.

In Tom Robertson and Sekope Kepu, they have props better equipped to handle the qualities of Ruan Dreyer and Jacques van Rooyen, while the back-row of Ned Hanigan, Will Miller and Michael Wells performed excellently in the second-half against the Highlanders.

Although the absence of captain Michael Hooper is a blow, Miller – particularly at the breakdown – has been a nuisance for the opposition and he will need to display that scavenging ability again.

The Lions are rightfully favourites, however, and despite some of the issues that have encompassed the franchise this season, they were much improved in their quarter-final encounter.

De Bruin’s charges have also benefited from the format by having a home semi-final, even though they finished the season with fewer points than the Hurricanes and Chiefs.

Their opponents will also enjoy the fact that they have avoided having to face either the Crusaders or ‘Canes in the last four, but you get the sense that both are playing for second in the competition.

The Johannesburg-based side appear the best equipped to reach the final and should ultimately prevail at Ellis Park on Saturday, but you cannot discount a team that contains the potency of Israel Folau, Bernard Foley and Kurtley Beale behind the scrum.

The last time the teams met: Daryl Gibson’s men produced an appalling performance earlier this year as they succumbed 29-0 to the Lions in Sydney. They struggled for continuity and made a plethora of mistakes as the South Africans kept them scoreless at Allianz Stadium. In contrast, the visitors were excellent and opened the scoring when Madosh Tambwe touched down before Kwagga Smith took them 12-0 ahead. Harold Vorster and Marnus Schoeman added further tries while Elton Jantjies kicked three conversions and a penalty to complete a dominant victory.

Players to watch:

For Lions: Having committed to the franchise this week, despite interest from overseas, Andries Coetzee’s battle with Israel Folau could be crucial to the outcome on Saturday. The Lions full-back has started to hit top form and was excellent in the Johannesburg outfit’s victory over the Jaguares in the Qualifiers. With Folau also close to his best, it should be a great contest. The Australian international is likely to dominate the air and Bernard Foley will look to test the opposition back three with some high balls, so Coetzee will need to negate that threat.

For Waratahs: Daryl Gibson hasn’t made too many changes to the side following their impressive victory over the Highlanders, but Tolu Latu has been chosen over Damien Fitzpatrick. It is a tactical decision, according to the head coach, with Latu’s physicality more suited to the encounter, so automatically there is more pressure on the hooker to deliver. Against Malcolm Marx, who is one of the best front-rowers in the world, it will be a big test of the Tongan-born player’s capabilities.

Team news: Lions head coach Swys de Bruin has made one change to his XV for the Super Rugby semi-final 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.

For the Waratahs, the selection of hooker Tolu Latu is the only change to their line-up for Saturday.

Latu will make his first start of the season, replacing Damien Fitzpatrick, who will be on the bench. Head coach Daryl Gibson said the inclusion of the front-rower 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.

“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.”

Form: Irrespective of their victories in the Qualifiers, both head into the match in good shape having gone into the play-offs in decent form. The Lions have won four of their past five matches, beating the Brumbies, Stormers, Sharks and Bulls, with their only defeat coming in Durban – a 31-24 loss to the Sharks.

The Waratahs have been similarly impressive and have emerged triumphant in five of their last seven encounters. Two of those were against the Highlanders with the latter – a 30-23 victory – securing their place in the last four of the competition. They are certainly a different prospect to the one that went down 29-0 to the Lions mid-season, a result which was the first of three successive defeats.

Prediction: It is no surprise that, as the injuries have subsided, the hosts have started to play far better and they were impressive in the Qualifiers. The Waratahs did well to overcome the Highlanders but Swys de Bruin’s men should make it to a third successive final. Lions by 8.

Previous results:

2018: Lions won 29-0 in Sydney
2017: Lions won 55-36 in Johannesburg
2015: Lions won 27-22 in Johannesburg
2014: Waratahs won 41-13 in Sydney
2011: Waratahs won 29-12 in Sydney
2010: Waratahs won 73-12 in Sydney
2009: Waratahs won 38-33 in Johannesburg
2008: Waratahs won 26-3 in Sydney

The teams:

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

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)

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The Chiefs’ front-row stocks have received a boost with the news that props Aidan Ross and Angus Ta’avao have re-signed with the team.

Ross and Ta’avao have re-committed until 2021 and 2020 respectively.

Ross is very familiar with the Chiefs environment, having progressed through the University of Waikato Chiefs Development programme before entering the 2018 Super Rugby season with a full contract.

The Bay of Plenty prop impressed, playing seven games, before his season was abruptly ended with an ankle injury. The young prop made his debut for the Chiefs in 2017 as a squad replacement player against the Western Force, and has gone from strength to strength since.

The front-rower was ecstatic to re-sign with the club.

“I’m absolutely stoked to re commit to the Gallagher Chiefs – I couldn’t imagine playing my footy anywhere else and I’m pumped to crack into next season,” he said.

Ross represents Bay of Plenty in the Mitre 10 Cup and has played for the New Zealand U20 team and was also in the squad for the New Zealand Provincial Barbarians game against the British & Irish Lions in 2017.

Ta’avao came into the team as a squad replacement player and was hugely significant throughout the season, playing 17 games and clocking up over 1100 minutes. Ta’avao’s contribution both on and off the field didn’t go unnoticed, picking up the Chiefs Personality Award at the 2018 Chiefs Season Celebration.

The 28-year-old is vastly experienced, having played for the Blues and Waratahs throughout his career, as well as being a prominent figure for Taranaki in the Mitre 10 Cup.

Ta’avao thoroughly enjoyed his first season with the team and is excited for the seasons to come.

“It’s an exciting time for my family and I as we thoroughly enjoyed our first season with the Chiefs family and it is great to sign on,” he said.

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Celtic Park will host the 2019 Guinness PRO14 Final on May 25 as the championship takes another historic step, with the showpiece event being held outside of a traditional rugby venue for the very first time.

Fresh from the success of the 2018 Guinness PRO14 Final in Dublin that saw a new record attendance set for the third year in a row, Glasgow will play host as the championship decider returns to Scotland for the first time since 2016.

After the first Guinness PRO14 season brought about increased attendances and audiences across broadcast and social media, the move to host the final at Celtic Park will ensure that fans new and old can experience the thrilling play that the championship decider delivers every season.

With a capacity of 60,832 Celtic Park is known for football, but also hosted athletics and cycling when the site opened in 1892 and today holds a reputation for providing some of the most colourful and passionate atmospheres in all of sport.

On the big day itself, Premier Sports will also be the host broadcaster capturing all of the action that will be seen all around the world.

Martin Anayi, CEO of PRO14 Rugby, said: “Bringing our final to a world-famous stadium like Celtic Park is a truly historic step in the evolution of the Guinness PRO14. Since introducing Destination Final venues in 2015 we have seen the event thrive by making it about fans of rugby and not just the supporters of the two teams competing for the trophy.

“The bid put forward by Scottish Rugby, Celtic FC and the City of Glasgow was compelling from the very beginning and we’re certain that fans across the Guinness PRO14 will share in our excitement. Glasgow has so much to offer in terms of hospitality, culture and heritage and like our previous finals in Dublin, Edinburgh and Belfast we can offer fans so much more than just a rugby experience.

“In the past number of seasons we have made many bold decisions which have transformed the Guinness PRO14 for the better and the choice of Celtic Park as the venue for the 2019 final is yet another signal of our ambition to provide the best club rugby tournament possible for our clubs and our fans.”

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The RFU have given head coach Eddie Jones an ultimatum that England must deliver a successful autumn campaign after a poor 2018 thus far.

The Red Rose endured a disappointing Six Nations campaign in which they finished fifth before losing a three-Test series 2-1 in South Africa in June.

England’s rugby bosses showed their loyalty to Jones in the face of fierce criticism, but have warned Jones that he is on thin ice.

“We plan to win every game we play. We expect success in the autumn,” RFU chief executive Steve Brown said.

“I don’t want to predict failure, I’d rather predict success, but that’s not in blind faith. They’re all big matches. We’re planning to come out of the other side successful.”

And Brown made it clear although this year’s decline was unacceptable, one must look at it as a very short period in an otherwise highly successful tenure.

“I’ve reflected over the time Eddie has been at his post and his win rate (80 per cent). The win rate is still very high – it’s significant and it’s hard to argue against it,” Brown said.

“It’s important that we don’t just make a judgement on what’s happened in the very short term. Nevertheless, it was a pretty poor run of results.

“We showed great character for the result in Cape Town but the series result was disappointing, there’s no question about it. So was the Six Nations. Coming fifth in the Six Nations was a pretty difficult situation.

“The last result in South Africa was important, but not critical to any decisions we make about the future.

“The confidence comes from the history to date and talking to Eddie about the plans for the autumn and the World Cup and how to get back to that win rate.

“I’ve discussed this with Eddie and I’m confident those disappointing results are behind us and can be turned around.”

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With the semi-finals of Super Rugby now a thing of the past, it is time for us to pick out which players shone over the past weekend.

After their dominant victories in the last four, the Crusaders and Lions unsurprisingly dominate the XV with Julian Savea the only representative of either the Hurricanes or Waratahs to get in.

Super Rugby: Team of the semi-finals

15 David Havili (Crusaders): It was another polished performance from the All Black as he was solid in all areas in their win over the Hurricanes. Outplaying Nehe Milner-Skudder on the day, he also edges Andries Coetzee and Israel Folau to this spot after excellent kick returns, a steeliness in defence and great option taking throughout. Capped his game with a smart try as he ran an intelligent, hard line.

14 Julian Savea (Hurricanes): The lone Hurricane in our line-up, Savea signed off on a positive note from a personal point of view, although he would have traded his own performance for a place in the final. A superb finish in the right-hand corner saw him bring up 50 tries for the ‘Canes in Super Rugby. Although he’s lost a yard of pace in recent times, his incredible power remains a valuable bullet in his gun.

13 Jack Goodhue (Crusaders): Surely the long-term option for New Zealand at outside centre. Goodhue impressed yet again for the Crusaders as his hard running and tough defence was complimented by smarts and skills. Beat four defenders on attack while defensively he made the third most tackles for his side with 12, as he combined brilliantly with Ryan Crotty to win the crucial midfield battle with ease.

12 Ryan Crotty (Crusaders): Speaking of the veteran back, Crotty nullified Ngani Laumape in Christchurch as the latter made just 11 metres with ball in hand. Crotty had 10 carries for 49 metres and was again the glue as others grabbed the scores.

11 Aphiwe Dyantyi (Lions): Only played 40 minutes but what a 40 minutes that was as his individual try will live long in the memory of Lions supporters. George Bridge also impressed and came close to taking this spot after another workmanlike performance, but Dyantyi is our left wing. The Lions are now sweating on whether their Springbok finisher can shake off a hamstring issue in time for Saturday’s final.

10 Richie Mo’unga (Crusaders): Mo’unga is now surely the next-in-line to Beauden Barrett for the All Blacks as he put in another commanding display at the weekend, scoring a try, setting up another, while kicking two penalties and two conversions for a total haul of 15 points. Took his try excellently with a beautiful step and created Braydon Ennor’s score with a wonderfully instinctive cross-field kick. Comes in ahead of the Lions’ Elton Jantjies, who shone for the Lions for the second week in a row.

9 Ross Cronje (Lions): A wonderful performance from Cronje as he spotted the gaps around the fringes of the ruck with expert precision, beating six defenders – the second most in the match, second only to Kwagga Smith’s tally of 10 tackle busts made on the day. Cronje was highly efficient at the breakdown, providing quick ball which allowed his outside half-back partner Jantjies to flourish. Beats out Bryn Hall, who was in fine form against the Hurricanes.

8 Kieran Read (Crusaders): This was a special performance from the All Black captain, but one that might have gone unnoticed to the untrained eye. Read made 16 tackles (none missed) as well as 16 carries in a typically industrious display. His work at the line-out was immaculate as ever, while he contributed an offload, a clean break and one tackle-bust, as he linked seamlessly with the backline, displaying his superb all-round skill-set. Looks to be back to his best.

7 Kwagga Smith (Lions): Talismanic performance from the Sevens superstar, who showed all his qualities from the shorter format of the game on Saturday as he shrugged off defenders with impunity (beating 10 in total). Struck twice either side of half-time to bring the Lions roaring back into the contest – both magnificent individual efforts. Meanwhile, Gareth Evans backed up his quarter-final performance with another big shift but was unlucky to be on the losing side this time out.

6 Marnus Schoeman (Lions): Talk about having an impact. Many were puzzled by Schoeman’s omission from the starting XV and one could see why when the blonde-haired blindside came on in the 53rd minute for Lourens Erasmus and immediately impressed with some barnstorming carries. Beat three defenders and made two offloads for 33 metres from seven carries in his lovely little cameo. Beats out Ned Hanigan of the Waratahs, who scored a try and created Tom Robertson’s score with good work at the line-out.

5 Franco Mostert (Lions): A difficult call between him and New Zealand international Sam Whitelock but we’ve gone for the South African, who was once again excellent. Mostert was solid in the line-out and made 13 tackles in defence as the defending champions dominated their rivals. Whitelock was similarly influential for the Crusaders but we have gone for the Lions man.

4 Scott Barrett (Crusaders): Another impressive display from the All Black, who proved to be a more than able deputy for Brodie Retallick during the June internationals. In fact, on this form, he may challenge Retallick for the shirt after carrying well throughout Saturday’s game and being a reliable source of line-out ball. Marvin Orie showed up well for the Lions but it’s Barrett once again who gets a slot in the XV.

3 Owen Franks (Crusaders): Both the Crusaders and Lions’ front-rows dominated and are a large reason as to why they made the final. Ruan Dreyer was therefore close to selection but Franks just about edges it after making his mark in the scrum. Toby Smith had a torrid time in the set-piece as the Crusaders’ impressive pack laid the platform for a comfortable victory over New Zealand’s second best team.

2 Malcolm Marx (Lions): While there were debates over the other positions in the front five, there was no such query at hooker with Marx showing his quality once more. Following a dominant display against the Jaguares, the South African international followed it up with another fine effort. Although the two tries he scored came via excellent teamwork at the maul, the front-rower excelled in other facets after running for 36 metres in the loose and being a nuisance at the breakdown.

1 Jacques van Rooyen (Lions): Perhaps tough on Joe Moody, who did a similarly excellent job in the scrum for the Crusaders, but we felt that Van Rooyen was slightly more destructive. In the loose, there was not much in it, with both props proving useful assets when carrying in close quarters, but the Lions prop’s performance opposite experienced Australian international Sekope Kepu was very impressive.

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South Africa have received a setback ahead of the Rugby Championship after Warrick Gelant revealed that he requires surgery on his shoulder.

The Bulls full-back, who enjoyed a solid Super Rugby season, is expected to miss several months due to the operation, which he confirmed on Twitter.

South Africa kick-off the Rugby Championship with a home game against Argentina in Durban on August 18, with Willie le Roux set to continue in the number 15 shirt after an impressive June series.

Turn a setback into a come back. I will undergo surgery soon on my shoulder. Will be out of action for a few months. pic.twitter.com/GFgCy2nBjx

— Warrick Gelant (@WarrickGelant) July 29, 2018

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Rugby Australia confirmed on Monday that Perth’s new Optus Stadium will make history when it hosts the city’s first Bledisloe Cup test in 2019.

The All Blacks versus Wallabies clash will take place on August 10 as part of a shortened schedule with the Rugby World Cup in Japan in mind.

CEO Raelene Castle said the fact that Western Australia would be hosting a Bledisloe was something that was long overdue.

“We’re looking forward to next year’s Test at Optus Stadium,” Castle said.

“It’s proven itself to be one of the best venues in the world to watch sport and that’s a credit to the West Australian Government.

“Through Tourism Western Australia, the WA Government have already put on some terrific major events that have showcased Perth to the globe and we’re proud that we can add to that on August 10 next year.

“This isn’t just any test match, this is one of the most important games that the Wallabies will play next year.

“Not just because it’s against our traditional rivals, the All Blacks, but also because it’s one of the last chances to prepare before the Rugby World Cup kicks-off in Japan the following month.”

It will be the 15th Wallabies match played in Perth, but first involving the All Blacks.

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This week we will mostly be concerning ourselves with the RFU’s ‘ultimatum’, and the Super Rugby Final in Christchurch this Saturday.

Why now, RFU?

So, barely two years on from a rugged, competitive and belligerent Grand Slam win, it has come to this: win more games Eddie, or get on yer bike.

“We plan to win every game we play. We expect success in the autumn,” said RFU CEO Steve Brown, displaying a breathtaking disregard for the unpredictability of the sporting industry and how it can play out. England play South Africa, New Zealand, Japan and Australia later this year.

But there are three parts to this situation, only one of which can really be attributed to Jones.

We’re all pretty cognisant of the fact that Jones has been pushing the squad mercilessly since he arrived, mentally and physically. In fact, he seems to have been pushing all around him mercilessly, as the high staff turnover and extraordinary injury rate indicates. It’s his style, but it’s often too much for many over time. This is Jones’ weakness, he doesn’t seem to know when to slow down, doesn’t seem to know when to manage, rather than challenge and cajole.

What is not Jones’ fault is the schedule foisted upon him by the proliferation of seasons and competitions and commitments he and his players have to endure. We’ve harped on about this enough over the past few months, but it has never done Jones any favours since his arrival. And this middle season, on the back of a Lions tour in which many of his players were involved, was always going to be a test of management that Jones’ style would struggle to pass.

And finally, what is also not Jones’ fault is what appears to be some financial pressures on the RFU. It’s been no secret that the RFU broke the bank to get their man, but the bank in general is creaking at the moment.

Brown is overseeing a redundancy process that involves 62 people losing their jobs and which will apparently save the RFU GBP2-3m per year.

“Lots has been said about what’s going on at the union. We’ve not seen a drop in income yet but the people who support us, invest in us and spend money here are suffering out there,” he added.

Now, we’re not suggesting that there’s some form of pressure on Jones simply because the RFU needs to save cash, but when times get tough, the salaries and value of the highest-paid execs become a lot more scrutable.

Jones commands significant chunks of cash for his work, much more than many others, but when there’s a pinch on, the value he delivers has to be just as significant. That value has fallen away at the worst possible time.

And for us, that might be a clincher as to why this ultimatum has come little more than a year before Jones takes England to the World Cup he was employed to deliver. For it’s a strange time to consider changing coaches, and a very strange time of the year to issue a sudden ultimatum.

The procession rolls to an end

On Saturday in Christchurch, the Crusaders will once again be crowned Super Rugby champions. It’s as sure a thing as a TMO getting a crucial call wrong once a week.

But it’s just as sure a thing that fewer people than ever before will even pay it much attention.

We’ve said it enough before, but this is a competition that has badly lost its way. We had one semi-final which by rights should have been the final, while the other semi-final was contested between two teams that would have finished, respectively, fourth and fifth in the New Zealand Conference. This cannot be a healthy competition.

Unfortunately, it’s a little tough to know exactly what to do with it. South Africa’s teams complained that the travel schedule under the old round robin format was punishing to them, but now they travel less that has clearly proved not to be the case.

Australian rugby desperately needs some investment – the ARU and Andrew Forrest need to kiss and make up quickly – while the Sunwolves have proved a premature waste of money and the Jaguares, while a breath of fresh air, might not be doing the Argentinean Test team much good.

But at least a round robin format and the abandonment of the conferences would provide us with the knockout rounds the teams and observers deserve, rather than manufactured interest and ultimate anti-climax.

Loose Pass compiled by Lawrence Nolan

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An All Blacks wider training camp is being held in Christchurch over the next two days ahead of the Rugby Championship, without Crusaders players.

The Crusaders are busy preparing for this weekend’s Super Rugby final against the Lions in Christchurch.

The Hurricanes’ Dane Coles will make his long-awaited return from injury as the most high-profile inclusion in the camp, having ruptured his ACL back in November.

Sonny Bill Williams has been included, but All Blacks coach Steve Hansen confirmed that his star centre won’t be available for the first two Bledisloes as he battles back from a shoulder injury – the latest complaint in a rotten run of injuries of late for the 33-year-old.

All Blacks training camp:

Forwards

Hookers: Dane Coles, Liam Coltman and Nathan Harris

Props: Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Karl Tu’inukuafe and Ofa Tuungafasi

Locks: Brodie Retallick and Patrick Tuipulotu

Loose forwards: Sam Cane, Vaea Fifita, Shannon Frizell, Jackson Hemopo, Akira Ioane, Ardie Savea, Liam Squire and Luke Whitelock

Backs

Scrum-halves: TJ Perenara, Aaron Smith and Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi

Fly-halves: Beauden Barrett and Damian McKenzie

Centres: Ngani Laumape, Anton Lienert-Brown and Sonny Bill Williams

Outside backs: Jordie Barrett, Rieko Ioane, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Waisake Naholo and Ben Smith

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Bulls head coach John Mitchell has reportedly asked the Bulls board for R90million to bolster the struggling three-times Super Rugby winners’ squad.

According to Netwerk24, Mitchell made the request at a meeting with the union’s executive. The report added that the request did not go down well with the union’s top brass.

However, the board have moved to strongly deny any division and insist Mitchell has their full backing.

The Bulls finished bottom of the South African Conference and 12th on the overall standings, winning six of their 16 games in 2018.

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