Tag: Rugby

Utility back Cam Clark has signed a new deal with the Waratahs, as he commits to his third Super Rugby season with the Sydneysiders.

The 25-year-old has re-signed with the club as he continues to challenge for a regular spot in the match-day 23.

“That is one of the reasons I want to continue playing rugby in NSW (New South Wales). The environment creates healthy competition for positions, and it drives us to prove ourselves to the coaches and compete for those starting positions,” Clark said.

“I am enjoying being part of this group, love pulling on the sky blue jersey and I’m thankful for the opportunity to stay with a team I grew up supporting,” said Clark, who is also a proud Northern Suburbs club representative.

He made his debut for the State in 2017 and has earned 25 caps for NSW, including 23 Super Rugby matches.

“Personally I think I’ve grown a lot in the past two seasons here so I’m really focused on having a solid pre-season and play my part in our success in 2019.”

“This off-season is about recovering from niggling injuries and getting my body ready for pre-season and beyond. We have a great group of guys here who are determined to improve on our 2018 season and push for the Super Rugby title.”

Waratahs head coach Daryl Gibson said Clark has demonstrated sheer determination in 2018.

“Cam has an outstanding work ethic and that was evident in how he battled back from a shoulder injury to play this year. His focus needs to be on taking his game to the next level. It is great to have him in the mix and give the coaches a few headaches come selection time,” Gibson said.

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All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen has announced a strong 51-player squad for the team’s upcoming end-of-year tour to Japan and Europe.

Hansen has named a 32-man squad of players who will go to Yokohama where they will face the Wallabies in their third and final Bledisloe Cup Test on October 27.

After that match, 22 of the squad will go to London to prepare for their Test against England at Twickenham on November 11. 10 players from the 32-man squad will remain in Japan where they will be joined by a secondary squad of 19 players – who will travel after the Mitre 10 Cup Premiership and Championship finals – for a Test against the Brave Blossoms.

Hansen said: “This is a hugely exciting Northern Tour we’re about to embark on and one which we’re all looking forward to.”

The key feature of the 32-man All Blacks squad is the selection of new All Black, 21-year-old Auckland loose forward Dalton Papalii, as well as the return of several senior All Blacks from injury.

Papalii gets his opportunity after an impressive Super Rugby season followed by a strong Mitre 10 Cup season. He comes in following injuries to Sam Cane (neck surgery) and the unavailability of Shannon Frizell and Tasman loose forward contender Jordan Taufua.

Loose forward Matt Todd has also been selected after being granted an exemption by the New Zealand Rugby (NZR). The board noted his significant long service to New Zealand Rugby and the fact he is contracted to return to New Zealand and the Crusaders in 2019.

“We thank the NZR Board and Panasonic for supporting the selection of Matt,” said Hansen.

“It’s much appreciated.”

Meanwhile, a number of All Blacks make eagerly-awaited returns from injury.

Hooker Dane Coles is back after missing most of the 2018 season and coming through his Mitre 10 Cup match on Friday. Props Nepo Laulala and Joe Moody also return to the national side after injury-hampered seasons, with both players also returning to Mitre 10 Cup action on the weekend, while lock Brodie Retallick and loose forward Liam Squire also return from recent injuries.

“We congratulate Dalton on being named in the 32-man squad for the Tour,” added Hansen.

“He has played outstanding rugby this year and deserves his opportunity.

“We also congratulate those new All Blacks named in the wider squad for the Japan Test. All these players and their families can be proud of the hard work, commitment and dedication that has led to this point.”

??Have you heard the news!???Dalton has made the 32 man @AllBlacks squad for the northern tour!! ??????#BluesAllDay #AllBlacks pic.twitter.com/ikHSG4dfT4

— The Blues (@BluesRugbyTeam) October 15, 2018

The seven new All Blacks in the wider squad are: Tasman prop Tyrel Lomax and fellow prop, Taranaki’s Reuben O’Neill, Hawke’s Bay loose forward Gareth Evans, North Harbour scrum-half Bryn Hall, Canterbury fly-half Brett Cameron, Wellington midfielder Matt Proctor and Canterbury wing George Bridge.

Also returning are three players who played non-Tests on last year’s Northern Tour: Wellington hooker Asafo Aumua, North Harbour loose forward Dillon Hunt, and Canterbury scrum-half Mitchell Drummond.

These players will be complemented by a core of recent Test players in forwards Liam Coltman, Tim Perry, Angus Ta’avao, Luke Romano, Luke Whitelock and Jackson Hemopo; and backs Nehe Milner-Skudder, David Havili and Ngani Laumape.

“Having the extra group come to Japan will allow us to send the bulk of our main squad to London early to acclimatise and prepare for what will be three big Test matches in the Northern Hemisphere, starting with England,” explained Hansen.

“Bringing in the wider squad players also allows us to grow our player depth and will expose them to the international arena, which we think will be great for their development and, in turn, will benefit New Zealand Rugby in the long-term.

“We’ll also be using the Japanese leg of our Tour to road test a few things ahead of next year’s Rugby World Cup, as we will be using the same hotels and training facilities while we are there. We’re also playing Australia and Japan at two of our Rugby World Cup venues.

“We’re also looking forward to experiencing the Japanese culture again and what it has to offer and catching up with our supporters up there.”

The make-up of the 32-man All Blacks squad sees 18 forwards selected (three hookers, five props, four locks and six loose forwards) and 14 backs (three scrum-halves, three fly-halves, four midfielders and four outside backs) and has a total of 1,061 Test caps experience, an average of 33 Test caps per player and average age of 26.

There is also a wide spread of players from New Zealand’s rugby provinces in the squad, with 13 of the Mitre 10 Cup teams represented.

All Blacks 32-man squad:

Forwards: Dane Coles, Nathan Harris, Codie Taylor, Owen Franks, Nepo Laulala, Joe Moody, Karl Tu’inukuafe, Ofa Tuungafasi, Scott Barrett, Brodie Retallick, Patrick Tuipulotu, Samuel Whitelock, Vaea Fifita, Dalton Papalii, Kieran Read (c), Ardie Savea, Liam Squire, Matt Todd

Backs: TJ Perenara, Aaron Smith, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie, Richie Mo’unga, Ryan Crotty, Jack Goodhue, Anton Lienert-Brown, Sonny Bill Williams, Jordie Barrett, Rieko Ioane, Waisake Naholo, Ben Smith

19 additional players:

Forwards: Asafo Aumua, Liam Coltman, Tyrel Lomax, Reuben O’Neill, Tim Perry, Angus Ta’avao, Luke Romano, Jackson Hemopo, Gareth Evans, Dillon Hunt, Luke Whitelock

Backs: Mitchell Drummond, Bryn Hall, Brett Cameron, Ngani Laumape, Matt Proctor, George Bridge, David Havili, Nehe Milner-Skudder

All Blacks 2018 end-of-year tour schedule:

Saturday, October 27: v Australia – Yokohama
Saturday, November 3: v Japan – Tokyo
Saturday, November 11: v England – London
Saturday, November 18: v Ireland – Dublin
Saturday, November 25: v Italy – Rome

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Worcester Warriors have suffered a blow after centre Ashley Beck broke his leg during their Challenge Cup victory at Stade Francais on Saturday.

Beck, who is a Welsh international, was forced from the field in the third minute as the Warriors went on to see off their opponents 38-27.

But the Premiership club has since revealed that the 28-year-old, who arrived from PRO14 region Ospreys ahead of 2018/19, is ruled out.

“We wish Ash all the best for a speedy recovery,” Worcester tweeted.

Worcester’s next Challenge Cup fixture comes on Saturday against Beck’s ex-side, Ospreys, as they look to go two from two in the pool.

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Check out the video highlights from Round One of the Champions Cup.

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Saracens got their Champions Cup campaign off to a winning start with a 13-3 victory over Glasgow Warriors at Scotstoun on Sunday.

All the points of the match were scored in the second half. Despite Glasgow growing more and more into the encounter as the game went on, they were unable to get past a solid Saracens outfit, who produced a brilliant defensive performance.

It took 10 minutes before the pace and width of Saracens’ game began to wear Glasgow Warriors down. Michael Rhodes went over in the left-hand corner after a move that swept from left to right and back. Owen Farrell added the extras for the 7-0 lead.

Five minutes later, Warriors were pinged for offside and Farrell made no mistake with the easy penalty attempt after a quarter of an hour. Seven minutes later, Glasgow fly-half Adam Hastings responded with a penalty as this time Saracens were penalised for offside.

The hosts were beginning to gain more territory with a couple of incisive forays upfield but could not breach the Saracens’ try-line. The visitors, meanwhile, were coming closer and closer to their second but for some heroic last-ditch defending by Glasgow.

However, it would remain 10-3 until the 38th minute before a silly bit of dissent by Ryan Wilson gifted Farrell the easy three as Saracens took a 13-3 lead into the interval as referee Mathieu Raynal brought to an end a rather fractious first-half.

Glasgow enjoyed the majority of the possession in the second half but were unable to breach a staunch Saracens’ defensive line. In fact, it remained scoreless for the entire 40 minutes.

There was no time to stage a comeback, but Glasgow could have come away with the losing bonus-point. However, it was not to be as the visitors’ defence stood firm, with Saracens closing out a comfortable 13-3 victory.

The scorers:

For Glasgow Warriors:
Pen: Hastings

For Saracens:
Try: Rhodes
Con: Farrell
Pens: Farrell 2

The teams:

Glasgow Warriors: 15 Ruaridh Jackson, 14 Lee Jones, 13 Huw Jones, 12 Alex Dunbar, 11 DTH van der Merwe, 10 Adam Hastings, 9 Ali Price, 8 Matt Fagerson, 7 Callum Gibbins (cc), 6 Ryan Wilson (cc), 5 Jonny Gray, 4 Rob Harley, 3 D’Arcy Rae, 2 Fraser Brown, 1 Oli Kebble
Replacements: 16 George Turner, 17 Alex Allan, 18 Petrus du Plessis, 19 Greg Peterson, 20 Chris Fusaro, 21 George Horne, 22 Pete Horne, 23 Rory Hughes

Saracens: 15 Alex Goode, 14 David Strettle, 13 Alex Lozowski, 12 Brad Barritt, 11 Sean Maitland, 10 Owen Farrell, 9 Richard Wigglesworth, 8 Billy Vunipola, 7 Mike Rhodes, 6 Maro Itoje, 5 George Kruis, 4 Will Skelton, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Jamie George, 1 Mako Vunipola
Replacements: 16 Christopher Tolofua, 17 Richard Barrington, 18 Titi Lamositele, 19 Nick Isiekwe, 20 Jackson Wray, 21 Ben Spencer, 22 Nick Tompkins, 23 Liam Williams

Referee: Mathieu Raynal (France)
Assistant referees: Alexandre Ruiz (France), Thomas Charabas (France)
Television match official: Philippe Bonhoure (France)

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Versatile forward Luke Jones will return to the Melbourne Rebels in 2019 for two seasons, following a two-year spell in France with Bordeaux-Begles.

The 27-year-old made a name for himself as a versatile lock and blindside flanker during a six-season stint at the Rebels that began in 2011. His departure for the Top 14 was considered a huge loss for Australian Rugby, with the talented youngster seemingly on the cusp of consistent representative honours.

“Having observed the transformation of the club over the last year, it’s obvious the Rebels have taken massive steps forward on and off the field and I want to be a part of that,” stated Jones.

“I’m not content with my rugby as yet and to continue my development as a player, the most important consideration for me was to find a world class rugby program that would help take my game to the next level. Speaking with David Wessels and a few of my former team-mates and looking at the quality of the list at the Rebels, it’s going to be a great challenge for me week to week to earn my spot.”

He added: “I wanted to return to Australia and the fact that I get to return to Melbourne just makes it that much more satisfying. I’m really looking forward to reconnecting with old friends at the club and running out again onto AAMI Park. I have such fond memories of my previous time with the Rebels, but I want to add greater new memories too.”

With 74 Super Rugby caps already to his name, Jones will bolster a pack already brimming with talent. Jones’ experience is just one of the factors that has Rebels GM of Rugby Nick Ryan so excited.

“To be able to bring back to Melbourne a player of Luke’s quality is a reflection of the quality rugby program and momentum we are building at the Rebels,” said Ryan.

“Luke left Melbourne as a very good player and his game has developed further over in Europe. He is versatile and athletic and he is one of us. He’s returning because he can see the potential in us and we want him back because we can see the potential in him.”

Jones’ signing adds another dimension to a potent 2019 Melbourne Rebels back-row which will feature recent Wallaby tourist Angus Cottrell, Wallaby Richard Hardwick, and new recruit Isi Naisarani amongst a host of other talented players.

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England and Saracens number eight Billy Vunipola has been ruled out for 12 weeks after suffering a broken arm against Glasgow on Sunday.

Vunipola will be joined on the sidelines by brother Mako and Nick Isiekwe after all three were forced off in Saracens’ 13-3 Champions Cup win.

Isiekwe suffered an ankle sprain and is waiting to be assessed by a consultant with regards to the full extent of the injury, while prop Vunipola picked up a calf strain and his progress will be monitored.

The injury news is not only a setback to Saracens but also England as they prepare for their upcoming November international showdowns against South Africa, New Zealand, Japan and Australia.

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Wallabies back-row Lukhan Tui has confirmed he will prioritise family and not return from a break to play on Australia’s end-of-year tour.

Tui stood down from Wallabies duty after the side’s defeat to Argentina in September, after losing his stepfather in the week of the game.

The Reds flanker played the game in his stepfather’s memory but his raw emotions were evident when Tui became embroiled in an ugly scuffle with an abusive fan post-match.

Tui informed the Wallabies he planned to take the rest of the year off to support his family, although coach Michael Cheika said the door was always open for him to change his mind and return to the squad for the upcoming tour of Japan and Europe.

However, Tui confirmed on Twitter over the weekend that he will not be returning and instead will stay in Australia to be with his number one priority – his family.

“I’ve always been & forever will be #FamilyOverEveything, hence the choices I’ve made,” Tui tweeted.

“Stepping away from the game of rugby for the remainder of the year is a decision that is for my siblings and for my Mum. Rugby will always be there & at the end of the day it is only just a game.

“Because there’s honestly no atmosphere, experience, money or jersey that could ever separate me from doing what I love and that’s looking after my family.

“This is also to show my younger siblings that Family is truely (sic) above everything and setting an example for them to follow.

“This isn’t about putting myself last, it’s about putting them first which has always been the case. 1 month ago my family and I lost our Dad. He raised my siblings & I to be the people we are today and set the perfect example that we live by.

“He made my dream of playing rugby come true and taught me how to be a man and further to that a family man.

“This is something I’m humbled by and will forever be grateful for.

“I have a young family and I’m now the man of out home, I have self-expectations and a role to play that not many people can relate to or ever understand.

“My purpose in life has always been to make my family proud and to ensure that they are safe.

“Rugby is only a game and my family is everything to me.

“In saying that, I’ll be back next year to continue playing ruby for my Dad, Qld and hopefully for Australia again.

“Until then I will be contributing to helping finish what my dad started.

“I LOVE YOU DAD.”

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Newcastle Falcons wing Tom Arscott hailed his side’s camaraderie after they claimed a dramatic Champions Cup victory over Toulon at Stade Mayol on Sunday.

Arscott said their team spirit was the vital ingredient following the 26-25 triumph, which was only the second time Toulon had tasted defeat at their home venue in the Champions Cup.

Although the Falcons have started the competition with a win leading bookmakers Bet365 still have them as rank outsiders to do any real damage, they’re currently priced up at 100/1 to lift the trophy and will have to overcome fourth place favorites Montpellier (9/1 with Bet365) if their to top the group and guarantee progression. You can see full odds here but make sure you bag the bonus at Bet365 if you plan to join as there’s up to £100 in bet credits available for new customers.

“It’s a great result for us,” he told Newcastle Falcons’ official website after the match.

“Obviously it has not been going the best for us in the Gallagher Premiership, so to come away from home in Europe and achieve a result like this is massive.

“There aren’t too many sides who come to Toulon and beat them on their own patch so it’s a huge result for us, but it’s only a start. We have to back it up now against Montpellier on Sunday at Kingston Park.”

Drilling down into a game which had a bit of everything, he added: “There’ll be a few people thinking this is an unexpected result but they won’t be in our changing room, because we always knew we were capable.

“There was a massive amount of togetherness out there, and I think that was the key.

“It might sound like a weird thing to say but you could really feel the team spirit on the field – especially in the last five minutes. Everyone dug in for each other, and ultimately that is what won us the game.

“Yeah, it’s a great result, but we’re already on with next weekend and focusing on Montpellier next Sunday.”

Newcastle Falcons are next in Champions Cup action on Sunday, October 21 when they host Montpellier.

Photo credit: Newcastle Falcons’ official website

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Connacht have announced that Ireland international Quinn Roux has signed a two-year contract extension up to the end of the 2020/21 season.

He has made 85 appearances for the province and has earned six caps for Ireland since arriving in the Sportsground.

The 27-year-old South African-born lock previously played with the Stormers, Western Province and Leinster. He joined Connacht initially on a loan deal in 2014 before signing a full-time contract in 2015. He was a central figure in Connacht’s PRO12 win in 2016 and made his Ireland debut on the tour to South Africa in the same year.

Announcing the contract extension, Connacht head coach Andy Friend said: “Quinn has been a massive player for Connacht. He is the ultimate professional and is unrelenting in his preparation and his attention to detail. As one of the established players in the squad he is leading by example both on and off the field. His signing is another huge boost for us and I have no doubt that Quinn will be a key player for us in the seasons ahead.”

Following his contract signing Roux added: “I am delighted to be extending my contract with Connacht. I have enjoyed my time in the Sportsground and believe that we are capable of bringing further success to the province in the seasons ahead. My time here has also led to my international debut which I am hugely proud of. I am looking forward to the next two seasons with Connacht and hope to continue to establish myself as a part of the Irish squad.”

Photo Credit: Official Connacht website

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