Tag: Rugby

England co-captain Owen Farrell is excited by the return of Manu Tuilagi to the squad and has labelled him ‘unique’ ahead of the November internationals.

Tuilagi has played just five times for England in four years, the last of which came against Wales in 2016, and his inclusion in head coach Eddie Jones’ autumn squad has Farrell upbeat.

“Him (Manu) running in a straight line is difficult to deal with but it’s not just that with Manu; he’s got subtleties to his game too which makes him even more difficult to stop,” explained Farrell of the 26-cap centre.

“He’s not just your predictable big bloke that you can tackle low and stop, he is a brilliant line runner, he has good feet, good feel and he’s unbelievably powerful – he showed that against the Scarlets.”

Recurring injuries have been the reason for Tuilagi’s international hiatus, but rugby fans across the country would have applauded his 13 carries, 89 metres and solitary try in Leicester Tigers’ Champions Cup win over the aforementioned Scarlets so close to the international window.

And Farrell, who has played alongside, and against the 27-year-old on many occasions, describes his demeanour around the current camp in Portugal as ‘calm’.

“He is pretty unique,” added Farrell. “Everybody can see that, he’s a game breaker in terms of making something happen and that is exciting.”

England return to Test match rugby at Twickenham in November after an eight-month absence to face South Africa (3rd), New Zealand (10th), Japan (17th) and Australia (24th), and after sustaining a 2-1 series loss to the Springboks in June, Farrell is looking forward to facing them again so soon.

“We learnt a lot in South Africa, it built up to a decent performance in the last Test which was whole compared to the others,” he said.

“We need to make sure we hit the ground running here so that we can get back onto that learning.

“It’s a lot different now; they’ve spent a lot of time together since then and we haven’t, but we are excited about having them over here and the challenge of that first game. We’re looking to do everything we can now to make sure we are prepared as we can be.”

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Glasgow Warriors fly-half Adam Hastings has paid tribute to his number one rival for the Scotland number 10 jersey Finn Russell as a ‘role model’.

Since Russell departed Glasgow for Paris to join Racing 92 in the Top 14, Hastings has thrived with the added responsibility of donning the Glasgow playmaker’s jersey.

With Russell having not been released by Racing for Saturday’s clash against Wales due to the fact that it falls outside of the international window, Hastings is now set to make his third Test start and hailed the influence that Russell has had on his career.

“Finn was a role model for me at Glasgow and still is now,” he told BBC Sport.

“He is a quality player and we get on really well. It is nice to have someone to chat to about things and a shoulder to lean on.

“I am learning loads. He probably doesn’t realise how much he is helping me. Even when I am just watching him, I am learning from him.”

Hastings has started five of Glasgow’s seven PRO14 fixtures and both their Champions Cup matches. Last season, he was restricted to just nine appearances in total after making the move from Bath.

“I have not played too much rugby so time in the seat obviously helps,” he noted.

“Last year when I was playing every so often and not getting consistent game time, you maybe come in and try too hard, or you might not try enough because you are scared of making mistakes and you are not going to get picked the week after.

“But [Glasgow head coach] Dave Rennie has backed me for a lot of the season and I am thankful for that. Confidence has played a massive part.”

Hastings’ two international appearances have come against Canada and USA, so he is preparing for what should be quite a step up against Wales.

“It was difficult because in international rugby the standards are a lot tougher and everyone either side of you seems to lift their game,” Hastings recalled of his initial transition into the Test arena.

“When the boys pull on an international jersey they are a different animal, and Wales are a prime example of that.

“They are a really good team, very physical, with some really good backs, and forwards as well. It will be a tough game and we will have to match them physically, first and foremost.”

Scotland have not won in Cardiff in nine visits since 2002 and their most recent trip was a 34-7 defeat in the opening game of this year’s Six Nations.

“I am a proud Scotsman and it is not nice to see your country lose, especially to Wales,” Hastings added. “I have got a lot of Welsh mates from when I went to school down south.

“We want to go down there and win – that is no secret. That will be the main priority.”

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Fly-half Johnny Sexton says it is important that Ireland show in the clash with the All Blacks that they are competitive ahead of the World Cup.

Sexton is vital to Ireland’s hopes against the All Blacks, that’s why he’s among seven regular starters who been left out of the side to play Italy in Chicago this weekend.

With scrum-half Conor Murray ruled out due to injury, Sexton’s control of the side will be even more important to Ireland’s hopes of victory and he knows what to expect on November 17.

“Before you play them you know it’s going to be the toughest game of the season, always,” he told the42.ie.

Sexton first took on the All Blacks in 2010, on their June tour of New Zealand, and then in a return Test in Dublin in November.

Ahead 13-9 after 32 minutes, Ireland then faced the All Blacks turning on a pre-half-time assault which took them out to a 19-13 lead before they eventually ran out 38-18 winners.

“I vomited at half-time,” Sexton said.

“It was just an incredible pace to the game, just every collision was ferocious. Every collision was like the first collision of the game.”

But in time, things have changed for Ireland, they have beaten the All Blacks for the first time, in Chicago, and he was part of a British & Irish Lions team that drew their 2017 series in New Zealand.

“I think our levels of fitness now, and our levels of preparation, have gone up a lot since then,” he said.

“We’ve never beaten them in Ireland, so it would be pretty special to be on the first Irish team to beat them here. And I’m sure the crowd, everyone is looking for tickets and the thought of it so as players we need to concentrate on the first couple of games but at the same time it’s going to be a pretty special occasion, I think.”

There’s also the small matter of potentially being up against Beauden Barrett, the World Rugby player of the year for the last two years.

“I don’t know him really that well, I spoke to him after we played in Chicago and that was the only time I’ve ever swapped jerseys with the All Blacks,” he said.

“He’s a nice guy, world player of the year the last two years in a row, he’s the guy to catch.”

Sexton also had some sympathy for the attention paid to Barrett’s goal-kicking.

“I think he gets it bad…even during that Lions tour he got slated for the second Test when he kicked seven from 10 on a windy, wet night in Wellington.

“You know, the game against South Africa (also in Wellington), he only missed a few. But, like, it’s one of the hardest stadiums in the world to kick in, the wind can play absolute havoc. I’ve had sessions there where I’ve barely got a kick.

“So I think he gets a bit of unfair criticism in his kicking, and if you actually look at his statistics or whatever you want to look at, he’s a very good kicker and he’s a world class player. To score four tries in a game [against Australia at Eden Park] is incredible, and he had one disallowed as well, so he had potential to score five.”

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Former captain Will Carling will join England head coach Eddie Jones’ backroom staff for the November internationals as a leadership mentor.

Carling begins the part-time role next week and has been handed the portfolio of developing the skills of the leadership group, which includes co-captains Dylan Hartley and Owen Farrell.

Carling made 72 appearances between 1988 and 1997, including 59 as captain, during which time he led England to three Grand Slams and the 1991 World Cup final.

And if the 52-year-old’s appointment as a mentor proves to be a success, he could stay on until the Rugby World Cup in Japan.

“I have met Will continuously over the last two years and I think he can add value to the senior players in the squad, with his experience,” Jones told Sky Sports.

“He joins the great past of England to the present.

“It is a similar thing to what the All Blacks have done with great players and I think Will can play that role for us.

“Will is a bit of a specialist in leadership. He understands what made English rugby great, so combining the skill of leadership with the knowledge of English history is a nice resource for us to have.

“I’ve thought about doing this all along, particularly because I’m not English. I can’t preach to the players about having pride in England, I don’t attempt to. I have always said that.

“I’ve thought that we have possibly had a gap in that area.”

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Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus says Saturday’s Test against England at Twickenham provides an ideal opportunity to test some new combinations.

Due to the fact that the match falls outside of the international window, European-based players Willie le Roux, Faf de Klerk, Francois Louw and Cheslin Kolbe have not been considered for the clash, while Franco Mostert is also unavailable, as the Lions and Gloucester are still battling to reach an agreement over his services.

In regards to De Klerk’s absence, there is a significant lack of experience in the scrum-half position in particular, with the trio of Embrose Papier, Ivan van Zyl and Louis Schreuder possessing only eight caps between them.

But Erasmus feels the opportunity to test new combinations in the pressured cauldron of an 80,000 capacity Twickenham crowd is an ideal one and will offer his charges a thorough examination.

“Playing against England, under pressure in a full stadium, will be a new experience for some of the players and it will provide me with some good answers,” Erasmus told Sport 24.

“The English are good and physical, they are strong in the mauls and set phases, as well as on defence. They can vary their game and that’s the biggest lesson we learnt from our defeat in Cape Town in June.

“All the players that play in the English Premiership are not available, because the Test is outside the international window. The Japanese players can play, but the French players aren’t available as well.

“When we agreed to this Test match, we knew we were going to be without certain players. But there are some positive spinoffs – not just financially – like getting another Test before the World Cup. With guys like Faf and Willie not available, it does put pressure on us in terms of results.

“In June we played England with an outside centre and two wingers with no caps. We are a bit thin going through a period of not having a lot of experienced scrum-halves. But Ivan and Embrose have been in the system since the beginning of the season, so it’s not a matter of them having to learn everything from scratch.”

When questioned about the lack of experienced number nines in the squad, Erasmus admitted: “We are thin there.

“It’s just one of those cycles that we’re going through where we don’t have a lot of experienced nines.”

Turning his focus once again to Saturday’s clash, he said: “It is conditions that are different to South African conditions and it’s an English team that is desperate, so they will be tested at nine.”

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The Brumbies have announced that Wallabies international front-rower Allan Alaalatoa has extended his stay at the club for a further four years, meaning that the tighthead prop will be wearing Brumbies colours until at least 2023.

The retention of the 24-year-old, who has appeared 59 times for the team since making his debut in 2014 against the Chiefs in Canberra, provides the Brumbies with a cornerstone of their pack for the next four Super Rugby campaigns.

“We are very excited to have Al commit to the club long term,” Head Coach Dan McKellar commented.

“Allan’s going into his sixth season at the Brumbies. When he arrived in 2013 he was a young prop with enormous potential. Now on the back of a lot of hard work he has reached that potential and has become a quality tighthead prop.

“He’s the cornerstone of our set-piece, but Allan’s game offers more than just good scrum, lineout and maul. His numbers each week with ball carry, tackles made, and breakdown involvements are consistently high and his work off the ball is outstanding.

“On and off the field Al is highly respected by all at the Brumbies and he has already shown strong leadership qualities. Without doubt over the next few years we will see Allan become an important leader of our club. We are delighted that he has committed to Brumbies until the end of 2023.”

Alaalatoa has been in fine form over the past few seasons, his quality at the set-piece and impact around the field noted by the national selectors, who catapulted him onto the international stage starting on the bench in the Bledisloe Cup fixture on 20 August 2016 against the All Blacks.

His importance to the Brumbies was evident in 2018 when the amiable prop started every game he was available for, missing only the Hurricanes match in late-June after returning from Australian duty with an ankle injury suffered in training for the Test Series with Ireland.

His physical and dominating presence at scrum time provided ballast for the Brumbies at the set-piece but was only one aspect of a multi-layered skill-set that shone throughout the campaign. That was no more evident than in the 45-21 win over the Reds at GIO Stadium in Round 8 when Alaalatoa’s all-round game, including some brutal hits in open-play, helped pave the way for a man of the match performance.

“I am very happy to have re-signed with the Brumbies up until 2023,” Alaalatoa commented on his contract extension.

“I have enjoyed every minute I have been at the club and have really enjoyed being part of what is an extended family here in Canberra. The players get on very well together and we have an excellent coaching staff.

“The Brumbies gave me my first opportunity to be involved in professional rugby, so to be able to commit to them long term was something I’m grateful for and will never take for granted.

“The fans have also been very good to me and I appreciate their support and am looking forward to creating more memories with them with what is a strong squad pushing for a Super Rugby title.”

The Brumbies begin their Super Rugby season on Friday, February, 15 with the Rebels the visitors to GIO Stadium in Canberra.

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33 new players feature among the 190 professional players contracted by New Zealand‘s five Super Rugby franchises for the 2019 season.

The Blues, Chiefs, Hurricanes, Crusaders and Highlanders have named their 38-strong squads on Wednesday after confirming the last of the remaining spots on their rosters.

Alongside familiar names, the squads include seven sets of brothers, and 33 names new to Super Rugby contracts, including 21 from the 2018 U20 development programme, demonstrating a strength in the emerging talent.

The new recruits signing Super Rugby contracts for the first time are:

Blues: Karl Tu’inukuafe, Ezekiel Lindenmuth, Jacob Pierce, Tom Robinson, Marcel Renata, Hoskins Sotutu, Harry Plummer, Tanielu Tele’a

Chiefs: Reuben O’Neill, Pita Gus Sowakula, Laghlan McWhannell, Jack Debreczeni, Tumua Manu, Bailyn Sullivan, Etene Nanai-Seturo

Crusaders: Whetu Douglas, Leicester Faingaanuku, Harrison Allan, Brett Cameron, Ngane Punavai

Highlanders: Ayden Johnstone, Sef Fa’agase, Marino Mikaele Tu’u, Josh Iosefa Scott, Ray Niuia, Jack Whetton, Folau Fakatava

Hurricanes: Fraser Armstrong, Liam Mitchell, Du Plessis Kirifi, Richard Judd, Billy Proctor, Salesi Rayasi

Several players from the U20 development programme went on to play in this year’s U20 World Championship – Hoskins Sotutu, Caleb Clarke, Harry Plummer, Tanielu Tele’a, Laghlan McWhannell, Bailyn Sullivan, Leicester Faingaanuku, Ngane Punivai and Billy Proctor.

There are seven sets of siblings – the Barretts, Beauden and Jordie (Hurricanes), and Scott (Crusaders); Rieko and Akira Ioane (Blues), Anton (Chiefs) and Daniel (Highlanders) Lienert-Brown; Damian and Marty McKenzie (Chiefs), Sam (Crusaders) and Luke (Highlanders) Whitelock, and twins Jack (Crusaders) and Josh (Blues) Goodhue were listed in the super siblings club in 2018 and this year they are joined by Matt and Billy Proctor (Chiefs).

Players returning from offshore next year are Ma’a Nonu (Blues), James Marshall (Hurricanes), Marty Banks (Highlanders), and Whetu Douglas (Crusaders).

At 36, two-time World Cup winning All Black Nonu, is the oldest of the 190 contracted, while scrum-half and rookie Highlander Folau Fakatava is the most junior at age 18 (19 in December).

Pedigree is strong across the squads:

– Hoskins Sotutu (son of Blues and Auckland speedster Waisake)
– Caleb Clarke (son of former All Black Eroni)
– Akira and Rieko (Manu Samoa dad Eddie & Black Fern mum Sandra)
– Scott, Beauden and Jordie (sons of iconic Taranaki rugby figure, Smiley) Barrett
– Jackson Garden Bachop (son of All Black Stephen and Black Fern, the late Sue Garden Bachop)
– Ethan Blackadder (son of former Crusaders player, coach and All Blacks captain Todd Blackadder)
– Bryn Gatland (son of Waikato stalwart, and Wales & British & Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland)
– Jack Whetton (son of All Black Gary Whetton)
– Thomas and Peter Umaga Jensen (their uncle Tana coaches the Blues)
– Pari Pari Parkinson (his uncle Matua Parkinson was a Maori All Black)

New Zealand Rugby Head of Professional Rugby Chris Lendrum congratulated all 190 players officially confirmed by their respective clubs today.

“It is a real testament to our development programmes across the country that we have so many young players of real quality contracted for the new season,” he said.

“The Under 20 programme continues to be an important pathway for young players, and our Super Rugby clubs and Provincial Unions do an outstanding job in developing players also. There was some great talent on display during Mitre 10 Cup, making the selection job for coaches very difficult.

“Super Rugby continues to deliver world-class rugby viewing and all five New Zealand clubs are constantly innovating and working hard to ensure their teams are exciting, the games are entertaining, and the competition is thrilling.”

Newly contracted players will attend a two-day induction at New Zealand Rugby, before reporting for duty with their new clubs on 29 November.

New Zealand Super Rugby squads for 2019:

Blues:

Forwards: Alex Hodgman, Karl Tu’inukuafe, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Sione Mafileo, Ezekial Lindenmuth, Marcel Renata, Leni Apisai, Matt Moulds, James Parsons, Jimmy Tupou, Patrick Tuipulotu, Scott Scrafton, Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, Josh Goodhue, Jacob Pierce, Hoskins Sotutu, Dalton Papali’i, Blake Gibson, Jed Brown, Akira Ioane, Tom Robinson

Backs: Augustine Pulu, Jonathan Ruru, Sam Nock, Otere Black, Stephen Perofeta, Harry Plummer, Ma’a Nonu, Sonny Bill Williams, TJ Faiane, Levi Aumua, Caleb Clarke, Rieko Ioane, Matt Duffie, Melani Nanai, Michael Collins, Jordan Trainor, Tanielu Tele’a

Chiefs:

Forwards: Kane Hames, Aidan Ross, Reuben O’Neill, Nepo Laulala, Angus Ta’avao, Atu Moli, Sosefo Kautai, Nathan Harris, Liam Polwart, Brodie Retallick, Michael Allardice, Finn Hoeata, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Laghlan McWhannell, Sam Cane, Luke Jacobson, Mitchell Karpik, Teleni Seu, Mitchell Brown, Lachlan Boshier, Pita Gus Sowakula, Tyler Ardron

Backs: Brad Weber, Jonathan Taumateine, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Damian McKenzie, Tiaan Falcon, Marty McKenzie, Baylin Sullivan, Anton Lienert-Brown, Alex Nankivell, Ataata Moeakiola, Jack Debreczeni, Shaun Stevenson, Solomon Alaimalo, Sean Wainui, Tumua Manu, Etene Nanai-Seturo

Crusaders:

Forwards: Joe Moody, Michael Alaalatoa, Harrison Allan, Oliver Jager, Owen Franks, Tim Perry, Codie Taylor, Ben Funnell, Andrew Makalio, Sam Whitelock, Scott Barrett, Quinten Strange, Mitchell Dunshea, Luke Romano, Billy Harmon, Tom Sanders, Matt Todd, Jordan Taufua, Ethan Blackadder, Whetu Douglas, Kieran Read

Backs: Mitchell Drummond, Bryn Hall, Ere Enari, Richie Mo’unga, Mitchell Hunt, Brett Cameron, Ryan Crotty, Jack Goodhue, Tim Bateman, Braydon Ennor, George Bridge, Manasa Mataele, Ngane Punavai, David Havili, Israel Dagg, Will Jordan, Leicester Faingaanuku

Highlanders:

Forwards: Ayden Johnstone, Siate Tokolahi, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Josh Iosefa-Scott, Tyrel Lomax, Sef Fa’agase, Liam Coltman, Ash Dixon, Ray Niuia, Tom Franklin, Jackson Hemopo, Pari Pari Parkinson, Josh Dickson, Jack Whetton, James Lentjes, Marino Makaele Tu’u, Dillon Hunt, Shannon Frizell, Liam Squire, Elliot Dixon, Luke Whitelock

Backs: Aaron Smith, Kayne Hammington, Folau Fakatava, Bryn Gatland, Marty Banks, Josh Ioane, Rob Thompson, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Matt Faddes, Richard Buckman, Sio Tomkinson, Ben Smith, Waisake Naholo, Tevita Nabura, Tei Walden, Tevita Li, Josh McKay

Hurricanes:

Forwards: Ben May, Chris Eves, Jeffrey To’omaga-Allen, Toby Smith, Fraser Armstrong, Alex Fidow, Dane Coles, Ricky Riccitelli, Asafo Aumua, Sam Lousi, Geoff Cridge, Isaia Walker Leaware, James Blackwell, Liam Mitchell, Heiden Bedwell Curtis, Vaea Fifita, Ardie Savea, Sam Henwood, Reed Prinsep, Du Plessis Kirifi, Gareth Evans

Backs: TJ Perenara, Finlay Christie, Richard Judd, Beauden Barrett, Jackson Garden-Bachop, James Marshall, Jordie Barrett, Vince Aso, Ngani Laumape, Billy Proctor, Wes Goosen, Matt Proctor, Fletcher Smith, Ben Lam, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Jonah Lowe, Salesi Rayasi

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Harlequins full-back Mike Brown has been left out of the 25-man England squad retained ahead of this Saturday’s international against South Africa.

Chris Ashton, Elliot Daly, Jonny May and Jack Nowell are preferred as the back three options, with Daly likely to continue at full-back.

In addition Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints) will remain in Portugal with Eddie Jones’ squad as he continues his rehabilitation.

Lawes rejoined the squad in Portugal on Monday night, having returned to England for treatment on a back injury at the weekend.

Forwards coach Steve Borthwick said they were hopeful to have Lawes available for next weekend’s fixture against New Zealand.

The group also includes uncapped forward trio Zach Mercer, Ben Moon and Elliott Stooke, but there is no place for Ben Morgan.

The 23-man matchday squad will be announced on Thursday before returning to London.

Forwards: Tom Curry (Sale Sharks), Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby), Jamie George (Saracens), Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints) co-captain, Alec Hepburn (Exeter Chiefs), Maro Itoje (Saracens), George Kruis (Saracens), Zach Mercer (Bath Rugby), Ben Moon (Exeter Chiefs), Brad Shields (Wasps), Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins), Elliott Stooke (Bath Rugby), Harry Williams (Exeter Chiefs), Mark Wilson (Newcastle Falcons)

Backs: Chris Ashton (Sale Sharks), Danny Care (Harlequins), Elliot Daly (Wasps), Owen Farrell (Saracens) co-captain, George Ford (Leicester Tigers), Jonny May (Leicester Tigers), Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs), Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs), Ben Te’o (Worcester Warriors), Manu Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers), Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)

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Montpellier have suffered an injury blow after hooker Bismarck du Plessis was ruled out for up to two months following neck surgery.

The 34-year-old joins fellow South Africans Johan Goosen, Francois Steyn, Henry Immelman and Jacques du Plessis on the treatment table.

Springbok hooker Du Plessis, who has 79 caps, underwent surgery on a cervical disc herniation, which rules him out of action until December.

He’ll miss Top 14 matches against Racing 92 this Sunday, Agen on November 24 and Clermont on December 1 before the Champions Cup returns.

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Leinster have suffered a blow after wing Fergus McFadden was ruled out of action for four months following a procedure on his hamstring.

Backs coach Felipe Contepomi issued an update on injuries when he spoke to the media ahead of Leinster’s PRO14 fixture against the Kings.

He confirmed that McFadden had a procedure over the weekend on a high-grade hamstring injury and will be out of the game until March.

In other news, Leinster full-back Rob Kearney took a knock to his shoulder in last week’s bonus-point victory over Benetton Rugby. Kearney is in the Ireland squad ahead of the November internationals and will be further assessed by Irish Rugby Football Union medics this week.

Dave Kearney is due to return to full training this week having recovered from his adductor injury.

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