Posts Tagged Rugby league positions
Saracens win battle of the leaders
Saracens produced an impressive second-half comeback to win the battle between the English and French league leaders 23-9 in Castres on Friday.
Saracens trailed 9-3 at half-time at Stade Pierre Antoine but kept their opponents scoreless after the break as tries from replacements Andy Saull and Schalk Brits sealed a vital win that keeps their hopes [...]
Donald content to change roles
Stephen Donald admits he is contemplating a shift to inside centre with game time in the New Zealand number 10 jersey appearing limited.
The Chiefs and Waikato fly-half is facing the prospect of little time in the pivot’s role with star playmaker Daniel Carter back from injury and Chiefs team-mate Mike Delany seemingly overtaking him in [...]
Guildford to make All Blacks debut
Hawke’s Bay winger Zac Guildford will make his Test debut as one of six changes in the New Zealand line-up to face Wales at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday.
Fly-half Dan Carter has proved his fitness to start and lock Jason Eaton makes his first start for the All Blacks since August 2006, replacing Tom Donnelly.
Guildford [...]
Fullback slot holds no fear for Hook
James Hook has no reservations about stepping in at fullback for Wales’ Test against New Zealand at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday, insisting that he is ready for any aerial bombardment that the All Blacks are lining up for him.
Hook, who has 32 caps at fly-half or centre and one at fullback, has been using [...]
Prop James receives shock Wales call
Ospreys prop Paul James has been handed a shock start in Wales’ front-row to face New Zealand at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday. Wales are again out to break their winless streak against the All Blacks, dating back to 1953, but do so without a host of first-choice players.
James will win his second cap as [...]
Hansen: We accept the penalties
Steve Hansen has no argument with the one-match bans handed out to Tony Woodcock and Sitiveni Sivivatu.
The duo were punished for their violent behaviour in the All Blacks’ 32-19 win over Australia in Tokyo.
Hansen accompanied the pair to the judicial hearing where judicial officer Peter Hobbs, of Wellington, found Woodcock guilty of striking George Smith [...]
Michalak called up by France
Frederic Michalak has been recalled to the France squad for next week’s Test against world champions South Africa in Toulouse.
The fly-half has been handed a chance to impress with Lionel Beauxis out through injury.
Under-21 captain Alexandre Lapandry is also in the squad, but there is no place for centre Mathieu Bastareaud.
The 21-year-old has apologised for [...]
Kidney unveils Ireland squad
Ireland head coach Declan Kidney has named nine uncapped players in his 39-strong squad for the November Tests against Australia, Fiji and South Africa.
Connacht duo Sean Cronin and Brett Wilkinson and Leinster pair Cian Healy and John Forgarty will all be hoping to force their way into the reckoning for a place in the [...]