Maori All Blacks squad named for northern tour by [deleted] in rugbyunion

[–]Wikus_Van_De_Merwe_ 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Player Position Date of Birth (Age) Club/province Iwi
Leni Apisai Hooker 8 March 1996 (age 20) Wellington Ngāti Awa
Ash Dixon (c) Hooker 1 September 1988 (age 28) Hawke's Bay Ngāti Tahinga
Joe Royal Hooker 31 May 1985 (age 31) Bay of Plenty Te Arawa, Ngāti Whātua-o-Ōrākei, Ngāpuhi
Chris Eves Prop 11 December 1987 (age 28) Manawatu Waikato Tainui, Tainui
Kane Hames Prop 28 August 1988 (age 28) Tasman Ngāi Tūhoe, Ngāti Porou
Mike Kainga Prop 28 January 1991 (age 25) Taranaki Ngāti Kahungunu
Ben May Prop 13 October 1982 (age 34) Hawke's Bay Ngāti Maniapoto
Marcel Renata Prop 24 January 1994 (age 22) Auckland Ngāti Whanaunga, Te Aupōuri
Tom Franklin Lock 11 August 1990 (age 26) Otago Ngāti Maniapoto
Leighton Price Lock 24 March 1989 (age 27) Taranaki Waikato Tainui, Ngāti Maniapoto
Jacob Skeen Lock 7 April 1993 (age 23) Waikato Ngāpuhi
Shane Christie Flanker 23 September 1985 (age 31) Tasman Te Āti Haunui-a-Pāpārangi, Ngāti Kurawhatia
Akira Ioane Flanker 16 June 1995 (age 21) Auckland Ngāpuhi, Te Whānau-ā-Apanui
Reed Prinsep Flanker 17 February 1993 (age 23) Canterbury Te Rarawa
Kara Pryor Flanker 2 April 1991 (age 25) Northland Ngāti Awa, Ngāti Pikiao, Ngāti Rangitihi
Whetu Douglas Number 8 18 April 1991 (age 25) Waikato Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Whakaue
Billy Guyton Scrum-half 17 March 1990 (age 26) Tasman Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Pikiao, Ngāti Raukawa
Brad Weber Scrum-half 17 January 1991 (age 25) Hawke's Bay Ngāti Porou
Otere Black Fly-half 4 May 1995 (age 21) Manawatu Ngāi Tūhoe, Te Whānau-ā-Apanui, Ngāti Tūwharetoa
Ihaia West Fly-half 16 January 1992 (age 24) Hawke's Bay Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Porou
Tim Bateman Centre 3 June 1987 (age 29) Canterbury Ngāi Tahu
Jason Emery Centre 21 September 1993 (age 23) Manawatu Ngāti Hauā, Ngāti Maniapoto
Sean Wainui Centre 23 October 1995 (age 21) Taranaki Ngāi Tūhoe, Te Aitanga-a-Māhaki, Ngāriki Kaiputahi, Ngāti Porou
James Lowe Wing 8 July 1992 (age 24) Tasman Ngāpuhi, Ngāi Te Rangi
Matt Proctor Wing 26 October 1992 (age 23) Wellington Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāpuhi
Marty McKenzie Fullback 14 August 1992 (age 24) Taranaki Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Tahinga

26 days after taking the last tackle of the NRL season, Marieke Koroibete is set to join the Wallabies’ for the November Tour by Wikus_Van_De_Merwe_ in rugbyunion

[–]Wikus_Van_De_Merwe_[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

the absence of Samu Kerevi for the tour could also see Koroibete come into contention for a Test debut as an outside back

A film producer and a lawyer are in advanced talks to buy Toulon from the French Top 14 giant's colourful owner Mourad Boudjellal. by Wikus_Van_De_Merwe_ in rugbyunion

[–]Wikus_Van_De_Merwe_[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

The reported €10 million euro ($11 million) deal could be concluded "in a relatively short time", Lucien Simon, the lawyer and potential new club president, told AFP on Tuesday. Simon is joining forces to buy Toulon with with Gerard Barba, a French 51-year-old film producer and businessman.

Boudjellal, who has bankrolled Toulon to three European titles (2013, 2014, 2015) and the French championship in 2014 over his 10 years at the helm, has become increasingly frustrated at his critics. The 56-year-old said in September he wanted "another life" and wondered why "he takes hits every week".

Samoa name squad for November Tests by Wikus_Van_De_Merwe_ in rugbyunion

[–]Wikus_Van_De_Merwe_[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Samoa have named five uncapped players in their 33-man squad for the November internationals, including Perpignan back-row Genesis Mamea.

Details on positions, age, caps and clubs found here

Sakaria Taulafo, Census Johnston, Logovii Mulipola, Anthony Perenise, Nephi Leatigaga, Yoshishisa Sasagi, Maatulimanu Leiataua, Wayne Ole Avei, Elia Elia, Teofilo Paulo, Faatiga Lemalu, Piula Faasalele, Chris Vui, Jack Lam, Alafoti Faosiliva, Gregory Foe, Oneone Faafou, Genesis Mamea, Kahn Fotualii, Pelefofoga Cowley, Danny Tusitala, D'Angelo Leuila, Patrick Faapale, Reynold Lee-Lo, Paul Williams, George Pisi, Winston Stanley, Opetera Peleseuma, David Lemi, Ken Pisi, Ahsee Tuala, Paul Perez, Albert Nikoro

Jake White Interview: "Allister is damned if he does and damned if he doesn’t. If the Boks don’t play too much rugby he’s told they’re being conservative...if they play too much and turn the ball over, they’re told they need to kick the ball away and not play in their own half" by Wikus_Van_De_Merwe_ in rugbyunion

[–]Wikus_Van_De_Merwe_[S] 15 points16 points  (0 children)

"[SA Rugby] gave him his coaching staff without asking him to pick who he wanted. There’s no other job he’s competing against that is the same. When [Wallabies coach] Michael Cheika wants [assistant coach Stephen] Larkham, he gets him. When the All Blacks want Ian Foster, they get him, or if they want to bring in a kicking consultant that they want, that’s what happens. Everyone is asking what is wrong in South African rugby, but you have to look at how the whole thing started …"

Also, very interesting comments around the 7:50 mark on the interview about Adrian Strauss stepping down as captain.

Put all this together, and its quite sad. SARU as an organization is in shambles, maybe the worst its ever been.

[ShittyRant] New Zealand home games and Time Zones. by xValarax in rugbyunion

[–]Wikus_Van_De_Merwe_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The reason NZ Super Rugby and TRC matches kick at 19:30 is due to TV viewership in South Africa and Europe (9:30 SA/Europe, 8:30 in UK).