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Foley set to return0:24
Super Rugby: Bernard Foley set to return
- March 16th 2017
- 21 hours ago
- /video/video.news.com.au/sourceId/613211/
Scott Fardy of the Brumbies wins lineout ball.
THE Brumbies have made three changes for their Super Rugby derby with the Waratahs with Wallabies flanker Scott Fardy set to make his return after being rested.
Check out all the latest team news.
CRUSADERS v BLUES in Christchurch, Friday 5.35pm AEDT
THE Crusaders will tackle the next six weeks of Super Rugby without fullback Israel Dagg as he recovers from knee surgery.
Dagg was injured in last week’s 22-20 victory over the Reds in Brisbane and an MRI scan confirmed a posterior cruciate ligament and lateral meniscal tear to his right knee.
“He has been seen by a specialist who has recommended a small operation to assist his recovery,” the Crusaders said in a statement.
“He is expected to be ready to return to play in approximately six weeks.”
Coach Scott Robertson has made seven changes to the starting line-up which will take on the Blues in Christchurch on Friday.
Owen Franks returns at tighthead prop, while Jordan Taufua and Jed Brown join Whetu Douglas in the loose forward trio.
Bryn Hall will start at halfback this week against his former team, with Mitchell Drummond on the bench.
Manasa Mataele will make his Super Rugby debut, replacing injured uncle Seta Tamanivalu — out with a hamstring strain — on the right wing.
George Bridge will line up on the other wing, with Digby Ioane also ruled out after injuring a finger and David Havili steps into fullback for Dagg.
Wyatt Crockett will make his impact off the bench, providing prop cover alongside Michael Alaalatoa while Pete Samu provides loose forward cover, and Sean Wainui will cover the backs.
Meanwhile, Blues five-eighth Ihaia West has been dumped from the starting XV for his Super Rugby side’s clash with the Crusaders.
The 25-year-old playmaker had a night to forget against the Highlanders on Saturday, turning over the ball three times as the Blues dourly lost 16-12.
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Piers Francis of the Blues is tackled by Aaron Cruden of the Chiefs.Source:Getty Images
In his place will step Piers Francis, who Blues boss Tana Umaga felt had injected much-needed offensive thrust off the bench last week.
“We believe Ihaia has the skills, it’s just making sure there’s that performance, what you put out there on the track,” Umaga told reporters.
“Piers gets an opportunity now to do the same thing and he’s going to be in the middle of the cauldron.”
Elsewhere, Umaga has switched up his loose forward trio for the battle in Canterbury, with Test flanker Jerome Kaino to play at No 8.
Jimmy Tupou will switch from lock to Kaino’s blindside role, while Gerard Cowley-Tuioti slots back into the second row next to Patrick Tuipulotu.
Umaga said the changes were made to nullify the Crusaders’ fearsome set-piece ability, particularly with all-Test locking duo Sam Whitelock and Scott Barrett.
“We’ve got to try and match that and obviously ours isn’t going too well, so we want to give ourselves more options,” Umaga said.
“We just want to add some more height, it’s nothing against what Murphy (Taramai) did, we thought he worked his butt off.”
In the backline, Melani Nanai returns to the left edge in place of Rene Ranger, who has dropped out of the matchday squad entirely.
The former All Black struggled on the wing against the Highlanders and would be redeployed in midfield if George Moala or Rieko Ioane become unavailable.
Former New Zealand under-20s midfield back TJ Faiane has been named on the bench after overcoming several long-term injuries and will likely make his debut.
“Bringing (Rene) off the bench probably wouldn’t serve us, we’ve got an opportunity for him to play 80 minutes in the development game,” Umaga said.
“We want to see the best of him.”
CRUSADERS (15-1): David Havili, Manasa Mataele, Jack Goodhue, Ryan Crotty, George Bridge, Mitchell Hunt, Bryn Hall, Whetu Douglas, Jed Brown, Jordan Taufua, Sam Whitelock (c), Scott Barrett, Owen Franks, Codie Taylor, Joe Moody
Reserves: Ben Funnell, Wyatt Crockett, Michael Alaalatoa, Luke Romano, Pete Samu, Mitchell Drummond, Marty McKenzie, Sean Wainui
BLUES (15-1): Michael Collins, Matt Duffie, Rieko Ioane, George Moala, Melani Nanai, Piers Francis, Augustine Pulu, Jerome Kaino, Blake Gibson, Jimmy Tupou, Patrick Tuipulotu, Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, James Parsons (c), Pauliasi Manu
Reserves: Matt Moulds, Sam Prattley, Sione Mafileo, Akira Ioane, Murphy Taramai, Billy Guyton, Ihaia West, TJ Faiane
Referee: Brendon Pickerill (NZ)
Hodge a shining light in 20175:06
Rugby: Reece Hodge has been a shining light in 2017 and he reveals what his secrets are behind his good form.
- March 14th 2017
- 3 days ago
- /video/video.news.com.au/News/
REBELS v CHIEFS in Melbourne, Friday 7.45pm AEDT
CHIEFS coach Dave Rennie has made sweeping changes for the fourth-round Super Rugby match against the Rebels.
It will be the unbeaten Chiefs’ first trans-Tasman game of the season, following opening wins over the Highlanders, Blues and Hurricanes.
In the forwards, Bay of Plenty hooker Sabastian Siataga earns his first Super Rugby start after impressing in his debut off the bench in last week’s 26-18 win over the Hurricanes in Hamilton.
Siataga will pack down between Kane Hames and Nepo Laulala, starting props for the fourth consecutive week.
The second row remains unchanged from the opening three rounds, with Dominic Bird and Brodie Retallick set to continue their impressive locking partnership while co-captain Sam Cane will don the No 7 jersey in his second appearance of the season.
Tom Sanders and veteran Liam Messam complete the loose forward trio.
Tawera Kerr-Barlow makes his fourth consecutive start of the season at halfback, while Damian McKenzie will marshall the backline from No 10 with Stephen Donald at inside centre.
Anton Lienert-Brown shifts out to centre while 21-year-old Northland outside back Solomon Alaimalo will make his Super Rugby debut on the left wing.
Meanwhile, Rebels coach Tony McGahan has made four changes to the starting line-up from the side that went down to the Hurricanes with local home-grown prop Fereti Sa’aga handed his Super Rugby run-on debut, Culum Retallick promoted to lock and the return of Sefa Naivalu and Laurie Weeks from injury.
Naivalu, who was sidelined for the first two games of the season with a leg infection, will partner childhood friend Marika Koroibete on the Rebels wing for the first time while Weeks returns from a cork.
Injury to Lopeti Timani (knee) will see Retallick make his first start of the 2017 season and Tom English shifted back to the midfield after a head knock to Mitch Inman.
REBELS (15-1): Jack Debreczeni, Sefa Naivalu, Tom English, Reece Hodge, Marika Koroibete, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Nic Stirzaker (c), Amanaki Mafi, Colby Fainga’a, Jordy Reid, Steve Cummins, Culum Retallick, Laurie Weeks, James Hanson, Fereti Sa’aga
Reserves: Pat Leafa, Cruze Ah-Nau, Tyrel Lomax, Murray Douglas, Jake Schatz, Ben Meehan, Sione Tuipulotu, Ben Volavola
CHIEFS (15-1): Shaun Stevenson, Toni Pulu, Anton Lienert-Brown, Stephen Donald, Solomon Alaimalo, Damian McKenzie, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Liam Messam, Sam Cane (c), Tom Sanders, Brodie Retallick, Dominic Bird, Nepo Laulala, Sabastian Siataga, Kane Hames
Reserves: Hika Elliot, Siegfried Fisi’ihoi, Atu Moli, Mitchell Brown, Mitchell Karpik, Finlay Christie, Aaron Cruden, Johnny Faauli
Referee: Federico Anselmi (ARG)
Sunwolves score in 30 seconds0:42
Rugby: The Sunwolves took just 30 seconds to open their account against the Cheetahs.
- March 12th 2017
- 5 days ago
- /video/video.news.com.au/Sport/Rugby Union/Super 15/
BULLS v SUNWOLVES in Pretoria, Saturday 4am AEDT
BULLS coach Nollis Marais has made wholesale changes to his team to face the Sunwolves, naming different combinations in every area of the park.
Among the backs, the return of Springboks World Cup midfielder Jan Serfontein is the most significant.
He will play his 49th Super Rugby match, but only his first this season, after a delayed start due to injury.
He replaces Dries Swanepoel in the midfield.
Warrick Gelant will also earn a first start for the year in place of Jesse Kriel, who will start off the bench, while Piet van Zyl will start at scrumhalf for the first time this season.
Up front, Lood de Jager has recovered from the concussion he sustained in the opening weekend of the season and will start at lock with Jason Jenkins.
“The likes of Jan will be keen to get going, while those who is starting for the first time this season will enjoy the extended time on the field,” Marais said.
“I believe this will freshen up our effort, which did not deliver the right results for us in the opening two matches.
“The Sunwolves were unlucky against the Cheetahs and gave the guys in Bloem a bigger fright than we did.
“We cannot underestimate them and there can be no excuses, but for us to deliver a good performance.”
Sunwolves coach Filo Tiatia has made three changes to his starting side.
Sam Wykes starts at lock with Liaki Moli dropping to the bench, and Timothy Lafaele is handed the No 12 jersey in place of Derek Carpenter.
At outside centre, Jamie-Jerry Taulagi replaces William Tupou, who is set to miss at least a week with a calf injury.
“Taulagi has taken every opportunity presented, and this will be another for him to take the bull by the horns so to speak,” Tiatia said.
BULLS (15-1): Warrick Gelant, Travis Ismaiel, Jan Serfontein, Burger Odendaal, Jamba Ulengo, Handre Pollard (c), Piet van Zyl, Hanro Liebenberg, Renaldo Bothma, Ruan Steenkamp, Lood de Jager, Jason Jenkins, Trevor Nyakane, Edgar Marutlulle, Pierre Schoeman
Reserves: Adriaan Strauss, Lizo Gqoboko, Jacobie Adriaanse, RG Snyman, Jannes Kirsten, Ivan van Zyl, Tian Schoeman, Jesse Kriel
SUNWOLVES (15-1): Shota Emi, Takaaki Nakazuru, Jamie-Jerry Taulagi, Timothy Lafaele, Kenki Fukuoka, Hayden Cripps, Keisuke Uchida, Willie Britz, Shuhei Matsuhashi, Ed Quirk (c), Uwe Helu, Sam Wykes, Yasuo Yamaji, Yusuke Niwai, Koki Yamamoto
Reserves: Atsushi Sakate, Masataka Mikami, Heiichiro Ito, Liaki Moli, Yoshitaka Tokunaga, Kaito Shigeno, Jumpei Ogura, Ryohei Yamanaka.
Referee: Jamie Nutbrown (NZ)
Sopoaga's costly try saver0:49
Super Rugby: Highlights from the Super Rugby.
- March 11th 2017
- 6 days ago
- /video/video.news.com.au/Sport/Rugby Union/Super 15/
HURRICANES v HIGHLANDERS in Wellington, Saturday 5.35pm AEDT
THE injury-ravaged Highlanders can finally breathe a sigh of relief after skipper Ben Smith was cleared to play the Hurricanes in their Super Rugby clash on Saturday.
The All Blacks vice-captain was briefly knocked out in his side’s round-one loss to the Chiefs and has missed their subsequent matches against the Crusaders and Blues with concussion.
He’ll now be re-injected by boss Tony Brown into the Highlanders’ XV as they look to nab their second win of 2017.
Elsewhere, Lima Sopoaga’s hamstring injury in the side’s 16-12 win over the Blues last week has opened up a spot for young gun Fletcher Smith.
The 22-year-old five-eighth will make just his third Super Rugby appearance, lining up against incumbent World Rugby player of the year Beauden Barrett. Aaron Smith will resume his role as halfback.
“Fletcher has trained well and showed some good form in pre-season,” Brown said. “He’s a young player with a lot of potential, and we back him to do a job for the team on Saturday.”
All Blacks winger Waisake Naholo also injured his hamstring in the Eden Park wet and has been replaced by Richard Buckman, who moves over from fullback.
Brown has shuffled his deck in the loose forwards as well, with Elliot Dixon switching back to his preferred blindside role and Dillon Hunt selected as No 7.
Gareth Evans moves to the bench, while lock Joe Wheeler will play from the first minute due to the injury of Alex Ainley.
Ben Smith of the Highlanders on the counter-attack.Source:Getty Images
Highlanders regulars including Liam Squire, Shane Christie, Ash Dixon, Dan Pryor and James Lentjes and Jason Emery remain on the sidelines.
Meanwhile, Test apprentice Jordie Barrett will step in for the injured Nehe Milner-Skudder at fullback for the Hurricanes.
Barrett has already pulled on the No.15 jumper once for the Wellington-based side in their crushing round-one win over the Sunwolves in Tokyo.
The 20-year-old utility has since come off the bench twice in the Canes’ demolition of the Rebels and tempestuous loss to the Chiefs. World Cup-winner Milner-Skudder will miss at least the next six weeks after landing awkwardly and fracturing his foot in the Hamilton wet.
The luckless utility back, who scored a hattrick against the Rebels, had previously missed much of the 2016 campaign with a shoulder injury.
Openside flanker Ardie Savea will play in the unfamiliar position of No 8 in Wellington, with Reed Prinsep moving to the reserves.
Manawatu loosie Callum Gibbins will take Savea’s No 7 role.
In a third change to the starting XV that fell 26-18 to the Chiefs, loosehead prop Chris Eves will start in place of the injured Loni Uhila.
The Tongan Bear suffered a calf issue last week and will sit out the match.
Sam Lousi, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Wes Goosen and Mike Kainga have all been promoted to the reserves bench.
HURRICANES (15-1): Jordie Barrett, Vince Aso, Matt Proctor, Ngani Laumape, Julian Savea, Beauden Barrett, TJ Perenara, Ardie Savea, Callum Gibbins, Brad Shields, Michael Fatialofa, Mark Abbott, Jeffery To’omaga-Allen, Dane Coles (c), Chris Eves
Reserves: Ricky Riccitelli, Ben May, Mike Kainga, Sam Lousi, Reed Prinsep, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Otere Black, Wes Goosen
HIGHLANDERS (15-1): Ben Smith (c), Richard Buckman, Malakai Fekitoa, Rob Thompson, Tevita Li, Fletcher Smith, Aaron Smith, Luke Whitelock, Dillon Hunt, Elliot Dixon, Tom Franklin, Joe Wheeler, Siate Tokolahi, Liam Coltman, Daniel Lienert-Brown
Reserves: Sekonia Pole, Aki Seiuli, Guy Millar, Jackson Hemopo, Gareth Evans, Kayne Hammington, Marty Banks, Matt Faddes
Referee: Angus Gardner (AUS)
Kepu set to play 100th match4:46
Rugby: Sekope Kepu is in studio to discuss his 100th game milestone.
- March 14th 2017
- 3 days ago
- /video/video.news.com.au/News/
WARATAHS v BRUMBIES in Sydney, Saturday 7.45pm AEDT
THE Waratahs will welcome back powerful forwards Will Skelton (lock) and Jed Holloway (No 8) to their starting side at Allianz Stadium.
But the decision on whether Bernard Foley (concussion) will play will be decided on Friday, with coach Daryl Gibson still monitoring his star five-eighth closely.
Foley, yet to play this season after getting a head knock against the Highlanders in pre-season, has been bracketed with Bryce Hegarty in the No 10 jersey.
“For Bernard it’s all about how he pulls up after training today (Thursday),” Gibson said.
“We are hopeful he will start but if there are any doubts we will give him another week.
“It is a different side for us this weekend with Will, Jed and Ned (Hanigan, reserve forward) back from injury.
“For Jed it has been a particularly long road back and he’s eager to get back on the field.
“The Brumbies week is always a big week for our team with such a strong rivalry.
“For our team there is extra cause for celebration with Sekope (Kepu) celebrating his 100th game for the NSW Waratahs and both Michael (Hooper) and Nick (Phipps) marking 100 Super Rugby caps.”
Gibson has opted for a 6-2 split on his bench.
Bernard Foley during Waratahs training.Source:News Corp Australia
Meanwhile, the Brumbies have made three changes with Wallabies flanker Scott Fardy set to make his return after being rested.
While Fardy’s inclusion is a boost to the Brumbies’ forward pack, they will be without the in-form Chris Alcock who was concussed in the Brumbies’ first victory for the season over the Western Force last week.
Coach Stephen Larkham said Alcock had tried to train earlier in the week but had felt ordinary after Tuesday’s session.
“That set him back and it was a race against the clock,” Larkham said.
“It was too much of a risk for the player that he is and what he contributes to the team.
Lolo Fakaosilea will replace Alcock at openside flanker with Larkham describing the pair’s style as similar.
“(Lolo’s) very aggressive with ball carry, particularly with his defence and at the breakdown he’s a bit of a nuisance for the opposition,” Larkham said.
Winger James Dargaville has been omitted in favour of Nigel Ah Wong who spent the off-season with Suntory Sungoliath in Japan.
“He’s been pushing ever since he came back,” Larkham said.
“He blew us away in terms of the physcial shape he was in.”
Saturday night’s match at Allianz Stadium will carry extra significance with the two teams playing for the Dan Vickerman Cup to honour the former Wallabies star who died aged 37 last month.
It will be played against the backdrop of uncertainty for the Brumbies who are one of three Australian teams facing the axe from the competition, while the Waratahs have a point to prove after returning from South Africa for the first time in 21 years without registering a point.
Wallabies prop Scott Sio will spend another match on the sidelines due to a hamstring injury with his return date yet to be locked in.
“He was pretty close this week, his contacts weren’t up to where they needed to be,” Larkham said.
“He looks very fast and very fit at the moment so I expect we should be pretty close next week but it is week-by-week.”
WARATAHS (15-1): Andrew Kellaway, Reece Robinson, Israel Folau, Irae Simone, Rob Horne, Bernard Foley/Bryce Hegarty, Nick Phipps, Jed Holloway, Michael Hooper (c), Jack Dempsey, Will Skelton, Dean Mumm, Sekope Kepu, Tolu Latu, Tom Robertson
Reserves: Hugh Roach, Paddy Ryan, David Lolohea, David McDuling, Ned Hanigan, Michael Wells, Jake Gordon, Hegarty/David Horwitz
BRUMBIES (15-1): Aidan Toua, Henry Speight, Tevita Kuridrani, Kyle Godwin, Nigel Ah Wong, Wharenui Hawera, Joe Powell, Jordan Smiler, Lolo Fakaosilea, Scott Fardy, Sam Carter (c), Rory Arnold, Allan Alaalatoa, Josh Mann-Rea, Ben Alexander
Reserves: Robbie Abel, Nic Mayhew, Leslie Leulua’iali’i-Makin, Blake Enever, Ben Hyne, De Wet Roos, Jordan Jackson-Hope, Andrew Smith
Referee: Glen Jackson (NZ)
Crusaders edge Reds at siren1:20
Rugby: Reds fans were heart broken as the Crusaders slotted a penakty in the 90th minute to steal the win.
- March 12th 2017
- 5 days ago
- /video/video.news.com.au/Sport/Rugby Union/Super 15/
LIONS v REDS in Johannesburg, Sunday 2.15am AEDT
REDS coach Nick Stiles has handed a start to promising hooker Andrew Ready, with Wallabies captain Stephen Moore expected to come off the bench in the second half at Ellis Park.
“We’ve got complete faith in Andrew starting and having a guy of Stephen’s quality on the bench provides unmatched experience at the back end of the game,” Stiles said.
Young gun Izack Rodda’s head knock sees Wallaby Kane Douglas return at lock in the only other starting change to the side that was beaten on the buzzer by the Crusaders last weekend.
LIONS (TBC):
REDS (15-1): Karmichael Hunt, Izaia Perese, Samu Kerevi, Duncan Paia’aua, Eto Nabuli, Quade Cooper, Nick Frisby, Scott Higginbotham, George Smith, Hendrik Tui, Kane Douglas, Rob Simmons, Sam Talakai, Andrew Ready, James Slipper (c)
Reserves: Stephen Moore, Markus Vanzati, Taniela Tupou, Lukhan Tui, Adam Korczyk, James Tuttle, Jake McIntyre, Chris Kuridrani
Referee: Mike Fraser (NZ)
Sharks maul Tahs in Durban0:56
Rugby: The Waratahs will return home battered and beaten after being mauled by the Sharks in Durban.
- March 12th 2017
- 5 days ago
- /video/video.news.com.au/Sport/Rugby Union/Super 15/
SHARKS v KINGS in Durban, Sunday 4.30am AEDT
THE Sharks are reeling from the loss of star playmaker Pat Lambie to a long-term injury but should still have too much firepower for the lowly Sharks in Durban.
Sharks coach Robert du Preez has given a shake-up to the side that outclassed the Waratahs last week.
“Injuries and Springbok player rest protocols have necessitated changes to our team this week,” du Preez said.
“Obviously losing a player of Pat’s calibre is a massive loss for us, but we have some exciting youngsters in that position and we are looking forward to seeing them make the step up.
“We are not underestimating the Kings and although some of their results have not gone their way, they have been playing some good rugby.
“We’ve spoken about wanting to improve each week and our focus will be on finishing our opportunities and being more clinical.
“The players loved playing at home last week and the vibe was fantastic.
“We want to show great intent and make our fans proud.”
SHARKS (15-1): Curwin Bosch, Kobus van Wyk, Lukhanyo Am, Andre Esterhuizen, Odwa Ndungane, Benhard Janse van Rensburg, Cobus Reinach, Tera Mtembu (c), Jean-Luc du Preez, Jacques Vermeulen, Ruan Botha, Stephan Lewies, Lourens Adriaanse, Chiliboy Ralepelle, Thomas du Toit
Reserves: Stephan Coetzee, Juan Schoeman, John-Hubert Meyer, Etienne Oosthuizen, Daniel du Preez, Michael Claassens, Jeremy Ward, Garth April
KINGS (TBC):
Referee: Egon Seconds (SA)
Heartbreak for Sunwolves0:42
Super Rugby: Highlights from the super Rugby.
- March 12th 2017
- 5 days ago
- /video/video.news.com.au/Sport/Rugby Union/Super 15/
JAGUARS v CHEETAHS in Buenos Aires, Sunday 6.40am AEDT
JAGUARS (TBC):
CHEETAHS (TBC):
Referee: Paul Williams (NZ)
Hot Rod Challenge (14/3/17)1:59
Rugby: George Gregan is on this weeks edition of the Hot Rod Challenge.
- March 14th 2017
- 3 days ago
- /video/video.news.com.au/News/
BYES: FORCE, STORMERS
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Originally published as Week four teams: Fardy back for Brumbies
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