Tag: Rugby

SANZAAR have highlighted the use of the Television Match Official as a major concern for them ahead of their annual season-conclusion review.

At the conclusion of each season SANZAAR conducts a thorough review of its competitions and looks to continually enhance and improve the product for its stakeholders.

The past four weeks of international and domestic rugby have highlighted some challenges within the match officiating processes in the game of rugby, in particular with regards to the use of the Television match official.

SANZAAR CEO Andy Marinos stated: “Match officiating is a very important component of our game that undergoes continuous review to keep abreast of law changes and specific directives passed down from World Rugby.

“The performances of the guys in the middle and those on the sidelines, and behind the TV monitor, are regularly reviewed and appraised to ensure the best referees and officials are officiating in Super Rugby matches.

“Like a player, match officials who consistently do not perform to the level required are stood down from time to time, with specific game related work then done to get them back to performing consistently.

“A major concern for us at present is the practical implementation of the Television Match Official (TMO) protocols. The protocols are clearly not working and a specific review is required in this area.

“SANZAAR believes the appointed referee needs to remain the key decision maker on the field and that TMO interventions only provide context to the match officials’ decision making.

“We need better consistency in the application of the protocols and most would agree that perhaps this is not the case. The aim of the review will be to drive some operational changes to the protocols to ensure this consistency so that better outcomes are delivered.

“SANZAAR is not empowered to adjust any protocols that have a direct affect on the Laws of the Game. However, we are keen to lead the discussion in this important area and following our review we will take our recommendations to World Rugby, the guardians of the Laws of Rugby, to ensure beneficial outcomes are achieved for the game.

“In terms of the Super Rugby finals SANZAAR will shortly appoint the four referees for the Super Rugby quarter-finals. These will be merit-based appointments and their selection has included direct input from the Super Rugby head coaches.”

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Former Hurricanes utility back James Marshall is returning to the club for next season, joining Reed Prinsep and Alex Fidow in signing up.

Marshall played the last of his 44 matches for the Hurricanes when the club won its first Super Rugby title in 2016 before he headed to the United Kingdom to link up with London Irish.

The 29-year-old joins loose forward Prinsep and prop Fidow in the Hurricanes 2019 playing squad.

“I’m very excited to be heading back to the Hurricanes, a team that I’ve always loved and supported since I was a kid,” Marshall told the Hurricanes’ website.

“I feel that it’s the best environment for me to play to my potential being surrounded by the quality players and management that they have.”

John Plumtree, who will take over as Hurricanes head coach in 2019, was delighted to have someone with Marshall’s experience return to the squad.

“James has a real ability to play a number of positions to a really high ability while he’s a great thinker and a really good communicator on the field,” Plumtree said.

“The coaching group think he will be a really good asset next season. He will have no trouble fitting back into the squad.”

Prinsep, who has signed on with the Hurricanes until the end of the 2020 season, had no hesitation in recommitting to the club.

“I feel my personal game continues to grow in this environment and I really want to be a big part of the Hurricanes going forward,” he said.

Fidow’s 2018 season might have been heavily impacted by injury but the 20-year-old was even more determined to return next season.

Plumtree said Prinsep and Fidow would also play important roles in the squad next season.

“We have already seen what Reed is capable of and how well he has gone this season and we are sure Alex will get a better crack at it next season after what has been a frustrating time for him because of injuries.”

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The match officials for this weekend’s Super Rugby action have been confirmed, with Glen Jackson refereeing the Hurricanes v Chiefs clash.

Super Rugby Qualifiers

Hurricanes [4] v Chiefs [5]
@ Westpac Stadium, Wellington
Referee: Glen Jackson
Assistant Referees: Nick Briant, Paul Williams
TMO: Glenn Newman

Crusaders [1] v Sharks [8]
@ AMI Stadium, Christchurch
Referee: Mike Fraser
Assistant Referees: Ben O’Keeffe, Brendon Pickerill
TMO: Shane McDermott

Waratahs [3] v Highlanders [6]
@ Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Referee: Angus Gardner
Assistant Referees: Nic Berry, Will Houston
TMO: George Ayoub

Lions [2] v Jaguares [7]
@ Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg
Referee: Jaco Peyper
Assistant Referees: Marius van der Westhuizen, Egon Seconds
TMO: Marius Jonker

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The Wallabies have been dealt another blow to their midfield stocks after Tevita Kuridrani was ruled out for three months with a pectoral injury.

Kuridrani sustained the injury in the Brumbies’ 40-31 victory over the Waratahs in Sydney on Saturday and joins Reds star Samu Kerevi on the sidelines, who is also out for three months, having undergone surgery on a torn bicep earlier this month.

The Waratahs’ Curtis Rona and Rebels’ Reece Hodge now appear to be in a two-man race for the Wallabies’ number 13 jersey ahead of the Rugby Championship, which starts on August 18.

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Wales’ record try-scorer in sevens, Luke Morgan, will link up with the Ospreys following his involvement in this month’s World Cup in San Francisco.

The 26-year-old from Bridgend ended the 2017/18 World Rugby Sevens Series second in most tries scored (44) – with only the USA’s Carlin Isles touching down on more occasions (49) across the campaign.

Morgan, who came through the development pathway at the Ospreys and played one senior game for his home region as a teenager, follows former Wales Sevens teammate Sam Cross, who joined the Liberty Stadium-based region last pre-season, with Cross’ move being made permanent in March.

Head coach Gareth Williams says the agreement with Ospreys is another example of the good relationship between the sevens programme and regional rugby, and how it aids player development as a part of the pathway.

“This is a great opportunity for Luke following his achievements on the World Series,” says Williams. “It’s another good example of what the programme can achieve in bringing players through during those formative years post-Academy.

“Luke originally joined us from the Ospreys many years ago and he has progressed to being one of the best finishers on the Series. It will be exciting to see him take this next step in his career and I have great faith in him making a huge impact in the opportunities he will be given.”

Dan Griffiths, rugby general manager of the Ospreys, welcomed the news, saying: “Luke progressed through the pathway at the Ospreys and we are delighted to welcome him back.

“As a young man he was given the opportunity to refine his game on the sevens circuit and has developed into a world-class finisher. We are looking to add speed and game breaking ability to the squad and Luke certainly has the potential to give us that X-factor in the wide channels.

“This is a great opportunity for him to come into the full-time fifteens environment again and show what he can do. As we’ve seen with Sam Cross, there is potential for talented sevens players to develop here into quality regional players and we hope that Luke takes his chance this season.

“Once again, it’s great that the union and region can work togethe, and provide opportunities for players in Wales to fulfil their potential.”

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The Cheetahs have announced that Bulls centre Dries Swanepoel will be joining the Bloemfontein-based outfit on a two-year contract.

Similar to Grey College school mates and Cheetah stalwarts, Francois Venter and William Small-Smith, Swanepoel joined the Blue Bulls where he played for their U19 team in 2012.

He received a call-up to the SA U20 side for the 2013 IRB Junior World Championship and scored five tries in 14 appearances for the Blue Bulls U21 side. He made his Currie Cup debut for the Blue Bulls in 2014 and represented the side in their Vodacom Cup, Currie Cup and Super Rugby campaigns.

Swanepoel also had a small taste of Guinness PRO14 action when he joined Munster in April this year on a short-term loan as cover for injuries at the Irish club.

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Sharks head coach Robert du Preez has been able to name a completely unchanged 23 for Saturday’s Super Rugby quarter-final clash with the Crusaders.

A good effort against the Jaguares at Kings Park last weekend saw the Sharks through to the knockout stage courtesy of an eighth place finish.

Assistant coach Dick Muir, speaking from the team’s base in Christchurch ahead of Saturday’s match, said: “There’s a lot of excitement, the team had a long haul getting to Christchurch but everyone is in good spirits. We’re coming off a good win and the team is ready to have a go.”

The big games, particularly against New Zealand sides, have brought out the best in the Sharks this season and Muir expects nothing different on Saturday against the Crusaders.

“Absolutely, they have the players but our expectations are pretty high as we get to the business end of the competition,” he added. “Not too many people are giving us a chance so it’s a great opportunity to prove them wrong.”

Tendai ‘Beast’ Mtawarira will play his 150th Super Rugby game in a Sharks jersey. He holds the record for being the most capped Super Rugby player for a single province and is just behind Adriaan Strauss, who is the most capped South African Super Rugby player with 156.

Sharks: 15 Curwin Bosch, 14 Kobus van Wyk, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Robert du Preez, 9 Louis Schreuder, 8 Daniel du Preez, 7 Jacques Vermeulen, 6 Philip van der Walt, 5 Ruan Botha (c), 4 Tyler Paul, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Akker van der Merwe, 1 Tendai Mtawarira
Replacements: 16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 Juan Schoeman, 18 John-Hubert Meyer, 19 Hyron Andrews, 20 Wian Vosloo, 21 Cameron Wright, 22 Marius Louw, 23 Makazole Mapimpi

Date: Saturday, July 21
Venue: AMI Stadium, Christchurch
Kick-off: 19:35 local (08:35 BST, 07:35 GMT)
Referee: Mike Fraser (New Zealand)
Assistant Referees: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand), Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand)
TMO: Shane McDermott (New Zealand)

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The Highlanders welcome back All Blacks Ben Smith, Aaron Smith and Luke Whitelock among others for Saturday’s quarter-final against the Waratahs in Sydney.

Rob Thompson and Ash Dixon also return at outside centre and replacement hooker respectively.

This is the fifth consecutive year the Highlanders have made the play-offs, finishing in sixth position at the end of the round robin stage. They are in the familiar position of being on the road having played only two play-off games at home since the inception of Super Rugby (1999 and 2015).

Coach Aaron Mauger is excited by the opportunity they have this weekend.

“These are the opportunities the guys work hard all year for and there are no second chances,” he said.

“It’s simply about putting our best performance on the field on Saturday. The Waratahs are a quality side playing at home which presents an awesome challenge for our guys, but like I said, these are the games we love to play.”

Highlanders: 15 Ben Smith (cc), 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 Rob Thompson, 12 Teihorangi Walden, 11 Tevita Li, 10 Lima Sopoaga, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Luke Whitelock, 7 James Lentjes, 6 Liam Squire, 5 Tom Franklin, 4 Jackson Hemopo, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Liam Coltman, 1 Daniel Lienert-Brown
Replacements: 16 Ash Dixon (cc), 17 Aki Seiuli, 18 Kalolo Tuiloma, 19 Shannon Frizell, 20 Elliot Dixon, 21 Kayne Hammington, 22 Josh Ioane, 23 Matt Faddes

Date: Saturday, July 21
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Kick-off: 20:05 local (11:05 BST, 10:05 GMT)
Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
Assistant referees: Nic Berry (Australia), Will Houston (Australia)
TMO: George Ayoub (Australia)

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Ross Cronje and Aphiwe Dyantyi will start for the Lions against the Jaguares at Ellis Park on Saturday as they look to make a third successive semi-final.

They have replaced Courtnall Skosan and the injured Nic Groom in the starting line-up as boss Swys de Bruin makes two changes to the XV.

De Bruin has also altered the bench slightly following Groom’s enforced absence with Dillon Smit among the replacements, while prop Dylan Smith is selected ahead of Jacobie Adriaanse.

The Lions and Jaguares have one win apiece from their respective clashes in 2018 but the hosts claimed a 47-27 triumph in Johannesburg in Round Two.

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 Cyle Brink, 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 Lourens Erasmus, 20 Marnus Schoeman, 21 Dillon Smit, 22 Courtnall Skosan, 23 Howard Mnisi

Date: Saturday, July 21
Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Kick-off: 15:05 local (14:05 BST, 13:05 GMT)
Referee: Jaco Peyper
Assistant Referees: Marius van der Westhuizen, Egon Seconds
TMO: Marius Jonker

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Rebels duo Amanaki Mafi and Lopeti Timani have each been given a $15,000 fine by their club following an incident in Dunedin last weekend.

According to Fox Sports, 28-year-old Mafi appeared in Dunedin District Court on Monday charged with injuring with intent to injure over the incident which took place after the Rebels’ loss to the Highlanders.

The Japan international entered no plea and was granted bail.

The terms of his bail mean he cannot associate with Timani and the number eight’s case is scheduled to return to court on Friday, August 3.

“The alleged victim received moderate injuries following the incident,” a NZ Police spokeswoman told Fox Sports.

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