Archive for the Players News Category
Fourie finds contract loophole
Jaque Fourie could be on his way out of the Lions to join Western Province after an independent arbitrator ruled that a contract with his current employers is not binding, his lawyer has confirmed.
The South Africa centre has been trying to leave Johannesburg in recent months, but his franchise insisted that they had a deal [...]
Richie McCaw happy with shuffle
New Zealand captain Richie McCaw is backing the change in coaching duties for Graham Henry, Steve Hansen and Wayne Smith.
Hansen is now working on attack with Wayne Smith taking over defensive duties from Henry, who has a more hands-on role with the forwards.
McCaw is adamant the onus is not just on the coaches to improve [...]
Rokocoko and Gear vow to bounce back
Discarded New Zealand wingers Joe Rokocoko and Hosea Gear have vowed to fight their way back into the black jersey.
This was after both of them were dropped for the end-of-season tour to Japan and Europe.
The pair were overlooked for newcomers Zac Guildford and Ben Smith in the squad named on Sunday for Tests against Australia, [...]
Phillips adds to Gatland woes
Wales’ autumn Test plans have been dealt a huge blow with the loss of their British and Lions scrum-half Mike Phillips.
Phillips, a star performer during the Lions’ gripping Test series against world champions South Africa this summer, faces at least 12 weeks out because of ligament damage.
He limped off before half-time in the Ospreys’ 25-24 [...]
New Zealand expecting big losses
Losses from the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand are expected to increase to almost NZ$40 million, tournament organisers say.
Rugby New Zealand 2011 Limited (RNZ 2011) chief executive Martin Snedden told the Weekend Herald that the forecast loss has grown $9.3m from an original $30m largely due to a downgraded expectation of ticket sales.
Ticket sales [...]
Gatland laments Phillips injury
Wales coach Warren Gatland may be dealt another major injury blow ahead of his team’s autumn Test series opener against New Zealand.
With less than three weeks to go before Wales face the All Blacks, Gatland is now sweating on British and Irish Lions scrum-half Mike Phillips’ fitness.
Gatland has already lost Phillips’ fellow Lions Lee Byrne [...]
Mortlock sets eyes on Ireland
Former Australia captain Stirling Mortlock has been ruled out of the first two internationals of his team’s spring tour.
But he is targeting next month’s clash with Ireland for a return.
The 32-year-old will remain in Australia to treat the injury as the Wallabies take on New Zealand in Tokyo on October 31.
He will also miss the [...]
Palu not heading to Japan
Australia enforcer Wycliff Palu has denied he is set to turn his back on his country to take up a lucrative contract in Japan.
The 27-year-old, who still has a year to run on his Australian Rugby Union contract, has reportedly been targeted by Japanese clubs in recent weeks.
But Palu claims he has no knowledge of [...]
Rugby player death accused bailed
Two teenagers have appeared in court charged with causing the death of a talented young rugby player by dangerous driving.
Richard Wilkinson, 17, died in the smash in the Borders on the way home from playing in a rugby sevens tournament on 4 April.
His Hawick Wanderers team-mate Sean Goodfellow, and also Murray McAllan, appeared at Jedburgh [...]
Hazem El Masri Announces his Retirement
Club legend Hazem El Masri’s boots impossible to fill
NOT so long ago, more cameras spelt more problems for the Bulldogs. It seemed the only light at Belmore Oval through the recent murk of salary cap rorts, sex scandals and player atrocities emanated from the ever-present bank of flash bulbs stationed outside training.
But there [...]