Tag Archives: super rugby

The worst kept secret in rugby has been confirmed as James O’Connor has signed a two and half year deal with the Queensland Reds and Rugby Australia.  The utility back was granted a release from his contract with Gallagher Premiership side the Sale Sharks as he wanted to give himself the best opportunity to represent the Wallabies at the upcoming …

The Melbourne Rebels are in with a strong shout to claim a Super Rugby playoff spot after overcoming the Sunwolves 52-7 in Tokyo.  The Rebels are currently second in the Australian conference and failed to overtake the Brumbies who themselves recorded a win over the Bulls in Canberra this weekend. The Rebels take on rivals the Waratahs next weekend and …

Chiefs and All Blacks flanker Sam Cane has been named on the bench for the Super Rugby side as he prepares to return from a horrific neck injury sustained against South Africa in October 2018. Cane has been out of action for the last eight months after he fractured a vertebra in a collision with South African Francois Louw during …

New Zealand flanker, Sam Cane, has been cleared for contact training six months after suffering a broken neck during their narrow win over South Africa. The 27-year-old underwent surgery after he sustained a small fracture in a vertebra on the lower right side of his neck in the 32-30 win in Pretoria last October but has been involved in light …

An ambitious bid to set up a Pacific Islands Super Rugby team has failed after competition organisers decided it was not commercially viable, the Fiji Rugby Union said Thursday. Including a Pacific team in the southern hemisphere competition was seen as a game-changer for rugby in the islands, a hotbed of talent where top players have long headed overseas to chase more …

Over the last number of years Argentinian Super Rugby side Jaguares have consistently delivered with beautifully eye-catching kits, and it looks as though the 2019 season is going to be no different. This year’s edition showcases a striking new look as well as sporting a new logo as Jaguares look to build on their solid seventh-placed finish last season. Away from …

English Premiership side Bath have signed South African prop Jacques van Rooyen from Super Rugby finalists the Lions. The 31-year-old started the Super Rugby final in Christchurch on Saturday, when the Lions suffered a 37-18 defeat to the Crusaders. Van Rooyen has made more than 60 appearances for the Johannesburg-based Lions, making his debut four years ago. He will enhance …

Aphiwe Dyantyi has a penchant for scoring brilliant tries, and his effort against Waratahs yesterday was no different. The South African has been steadily building his name in Super Rugby. A spell at the Golden Lions was followed by a move to Lions earlier this year, and his form caught the eye of Rassie Erasmus. Dyantyi earned three caps for …

The NSW Waratahs staged a second-half comeback to reel in the Otago Highlanders and reach the Super Rugby semi-finals on Saturday. The Waratahs, trailing 23-6 at half-time, stormed home to down the Highlanders 30-23 in Sydney and face either the Golden Lions or Argentina’s Jaguares in the last four. Skipper Bernard Foley scored 25 points from two tries, three conversions …

TJ Perenara scored a double as Wellington Hurricanes bounced back into form to beat Waikato Chiefs 32-31 in their Super Rugby quarter-final in Wellington on Friday. After limping into the competition’s knockout phase with four losses from five matches, the Hurricanes led from the outset against the Chiefs. Julian Savea set up the victory with a try in the first …

The All Blacks retained two of their top young talents on Monday when Ardie Savea and Jordie Barrett agreed to stay with the world champions for their Rugby World Cup defence in Japan next year. New Zealand Rugby (NZR) said Savea and Barrett signed contract extensions with the All Blacks and Wellington Hurricanes Super Rugby team until the end of …

Five talking points after Super Rugby’s final round of regular-season games. Is the physicality in the game lessening? Queensland Reds coach Brad Thorn and his opposite number Tony Brown both questioned Ed Quirk’s dismissal after the Sunwolves forward was red-carded for a seemingly innocuous challenge in Brisbane. The Sunwolves flanker was sent off for using closed right fist on the …

Melbourne Rebels forward Amanaki Mafi was arrested and faces assault charges after an altercation with teammate Lopeti Timani in New Zealand, Rugby Australia said on Sunday. The brawl followed the Rebels’ 43-37 Super Rugby loss to the Otago Highlanders in Dunedin on Saturday. RA said in a statement: “Rugby Australia and the Melbourne Rebels are aware of an incident involving …

Five talking points ahead of this week’s games in Super Rugby: _____ Folau won’t go to ground High-flying Wallabies fullback Israel Folay isn’t likely back out of any aerial challenges as he returns from his one-match ban, NSW Waratahs assistant coach Simon Cron says. Folau was suspended over a mid-air challenge with Ireland’s Peter O’Mahony in the final Test in …

Canterbury Crusaders flanker Pete Samu appeared to have lost his chance to play for Australia against Ireland this month after New Zealand Rugby said Saturday its demands for his release have not been met. In a trans-Tasman tug-of-war, neither country has officially revealed New Zealand’s stipulations to release Samu, but it is believed they sought NZ$50,000 (US$35,000) to release the …

​Highlanders' wing ​Tevita Nabura​ received a six-week suspension Friday for his mid-air karate kick to the face of Waratahs' Cam Clark.