International

Late change for Boks before physical French Test

Published

2 years ago

November 11, 2022

Springbok captain Siya Kolisi and SA Rugby Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus said physicality and sticking to their structures would be vital when they line up against France in Marseille on Saturday in their second Castle Lager Outgoing Tour Test, while the Boks were forced to make a late change after Jasper Wiese had been withdrawn from the squad.

Erasmus explained that Wiese had a suspected concussion, which means Kwagga Smith has been promoted from the replacements to the No 8 jersey, while Deon Fourie has been called up to the bench.

“We were waiting on Jasper to pass the required concussion protocols, and given the late decision, we though it made sense to select Deon on the bench,” said Erasmus.

“We didn’t foresee Jasper not being available, as we thought he had a very good chance to play. But this is the first time we encountered such a situation and with these concussion protocols I’m sure it will happen more going forward.

“We opted for Kwagga because he is an out-and-out No 8, and when we train, he is our second choice No 8. Over and above that he can cover a few positions.”

Of the challenge France posed, Erasmus said: “They kick a lot, and they have a lot of belief in what they do. They also have a good coach and young team that remains steady when things go well or not, so it is going to be a good test for us.”

Kolisi shared Erasmus’ views: “I think the physicality is going to be the biggest aspect this weekend. Both teams are physical, and France, in particular, know what they are good at, and they do those things well. They also know how to impose their plan on opposition teams.

“We’ll certainly try to match that. The scrums and lineouts are going to be important aspects of this game, so it is going to be a tough match.”

Kwagga Smith will start at No 8 for the Boks in Marseille.

Kolisi added: “France’s game plan has definitely changed over the years. They kick more and they save their energy to play in your half.

“They have strong forwards, so they have good set pieces, and they have everything one wants in a team. That said, we have also evolved as a side, and we are looking forward to testing ourselves against them.”

Kolisi said this match was not only important for the Boks to test themselves, but also to experience playing in Marseille before the Rugby World Cup next year.

“Playing against France on their home patch a year before the World Cup is good for us all because everyone will get a taste of what it will be like next year,” said Kolisi.

“It’s going to be a massive game with the fourth ranked team playing against the second ranked team in the world, and as the Springboks we want to win every game and make the country proud. We may have lost last week’s Test and the SA ‘A’ game, but there is pressure every week, and we need to adapt to it.”

Erasmus adopted a different view to the criticism leveled at the team about their goal kicking and said: “Playing international rugby brings extra pressure, and the only way one can get things right, such as the goal kicking, is to know what to expect and to experience kicking at this level.

“We are going through the same things we experienced as a team as in 2018 and the important thing is that if we reach a stage next year where we lose three goal kickers, we would have been in that situation before and we will be prepared.”

Content & Images from – South Africa Rugby

Up Next

IRFU Announces Operating Surplus Of €5.9 Million For Year Ended 31st July 2022

Don't Miss

All Blacks named for Healthspan Elite Northern Tour clash with Scotland

#AD

International

Slipper to become most capped Wallaby of all-time in Bledisloe One

Published

6 hours ago

September 19, 2024

Huge Rugby

Gold Coast junior and Wallaby number 843 James Slipper will become the most capped Wallaby of all-time when he runs out for his 140th Test on Saturday afternoon at Accor Stadium.

Making his debut in 2010 against England as a 21-year-old, Slipper will surpass George Gregan’s record after being named as the replacement loosehead prop for the first Bledisloe Cup Test against New Zealand in Sydney.

A stalwart of Australian Rugby, Slipper is one of just three Wallabies to feature in four Rugby World Cups and earlier this year broke the record for the most capped Test prop ever in International Rugby.

In further team news, Queensland pair Fraser McReight and Hunter Paisami return to the starting side after fully recovering from their injuries. The openside flanker is yet to feature in the 2024 Rugby Championship, while Paisami’s knee injury kept him out of the tour to Argentina.

Maitland junior Nic White will start at scrumhalf, partnering with Noah Lolesio who returns at flyhalf, while Tom Wright has overcome an ankle complaint to earn his spot at fullback.

Wright’s return sees Andrew Kellaway shift back to the right wing, with Marika Koroibete remaining on the left edge. Len Ikitau will reignite his combination with Paisami in the midfield.

Apart from McReight, the starting forward pack is unchanged with Angus Bell, Matt Faessler and Taniela Tupou the run on front row, with the side set to wear their First Nations jersey for the second time this year.

Nick Frost and Jeremy Williams will continue their partnership as the run on locks, with blindside flanker Rob Valetini and skipper Harry Wilson, joining McReight as the loose forward trio.

Western Sydney’s Brandon Paenga-Amosa will pull on the gold jersey for the first time since 2021after returning to Australian Rugby from France earlier this year. He’ll join Slipper and Allan Alaalatoa in an experienced replacement front row.

Lukhan Salakaia-Loto has also overcome injury to be selected as the substitute second rower, with Langi Gleeson to cover the backrow.

Reds duo Tate McDermott and Tom Lynagh are the replacement halves for the second straight Test, with Wiradjuri man Dylan Pietsch rounding out the matchday 23.

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt said: “The players have reconnected well this week for our last game on home soil this year.”

“We’ve acknowledged the poor finish to our time in Argentina and we’re keen to turn that around on what will be a particularly special day for James and his family.”

Watch all the action on Stan Sport with every Wallabies Test streaming ad-free, live and on demand with Wallabies at home in 4K UHD. Wallabies matches will also be shown live on the Nine Network.

Wallabies team to play New Zealand at Accor Stadium in Sydney on Saturday September 21 at 3:45pm AEST

Angus Bell (31 Tests) – Hunters Hill Rugby
Matt Faessler (10 Tests) – USQ Saint
Taniela Tupou (54 Tests) – Brothers Rugby
Nick Frost (19 Tests) – Hornsby Lions
Jeremy Williams (6 Tests) – Wahroonga Tigers
Rob Valetini (46 Tests) – Harlequin Junior Rugby Club
Fraser McReight (20 Tests) – Albany Creek Brumbies
Harry Wilson (c) (17 Tests) – Gunnedah Red Devils
Nic White (69 Tests) – Maitland Blacks
Noah Lolesio (23 Tests) – Tuggeranong Vikings
Marika Koroibete (62 Tests) – Nasinu Secondary College, Fiji
Hunter Paisami (29 Tests) – Harlequin Junior Rugby Club
Len Ikitau (33 Tests) – Tuggeranong Vikings
Andrew Kellaway (33 Tests) – Hunters Hill Rugby
Tom Wright (31 Tests) – Clovelly Eagles

Substitutes
Brandon Paenga-Amosa (14 Tests) – Southern Districts
James Slipper (139 Tests) – Bond Pirates
Allan Alaalatoa (74 Tests) – West Harbour Juniors
Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (35 Tests) – Randwick
Langi Gleeson (7 Tests) – Harbord Harlequins
Tate McDermott (35 Tests) – Flinders Rugby Club
Tom Lynagh (3 Tests) – University of Queensland
Dylan Pietsch (2 Tests) – Leeton Phantoms

Wallabies 2024 Tests

July Tests

Wallabies 25 defeated Wales 16, Saturday July 6 at Allianz Stadium, Sydney

Wallabies 36 defeated Wales 28 on Saturday July 13 at AAMI Park, Melbourne

Wallabies 40 defeated Georgia 29 on Saturday July 20 at Allianz Stadium, Sydney

The Rugby Championship/Bledisloe Cup

Wallabies 7 defeated by South Africa 33, Saturday August 10 at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Wallabies 12 defeated by South Africa 30 on Saturday August 17 at Optus Stadium, Perth

Wallabies 20 defeated Argentina 19 on Saturday August 31 at Estadio Uno Estudiantes de La Plata, La Plata

Wallabies 27 defeated by Argentina 67 on Saturday September 7 at Estadio Colon, Santa Fe

Wallabies v New Zealand, 3:45pm AEST, Saturday September 21 at Accor Stadium, Sydney

Wallabies v New Zealand, 5:05pm AEST, Saturday September 28 at Sky Stadium, Wellington

End of Year Tour

Wallabies v England, 2:10am AEDT, Sunday November 10, Twickenham, London

Wallabies v Wales, 3:10am AEDT, Monday November 18, Principality Stadium, Cardiff

Wallabies v Scotland, 12:40am AEDT, Monday November 25, Murrayfield, Edinburgh

Wallabies v Ireland, 2:10am AEDT, Sunday December 1, Aviva Stadium, Dublin

Tickets to the Wallabies 2024 Home Tests are available to purchase here.

The Bledisloe Cup in Sydney is supported proudly by the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.

Content & Images from – Australia Rugby

6 Nations

Easterby Names 33-Player Emerging Ireland Squad For South Africa Tour

Published

2 days ago

September 18, 2024

Huge Rugby

Head Coach Simon Easterby has today named a 33-player Emerging Ireland squad for the upcoming three-match Tour to South Africa.

Easterby, along with the National Coaching Team, have identified high potential players from across the four Provinces to assemble for camp at the IRFU High Performance Centre next week, before departing for Bloemfontein on Saturday, 28 September.

Munster’s Alex Kendellen, who previously captained Ireland U20s, has been named as Tour captain.

Two players who were part of Andy Farrell‘s Ireland squad for the recent Summer Tour of South Africa – Sam Prendergast and Cormac Izuchukwu – are included in the travelling party, while former Ireland U20 captains Gus McCarthy and Evan O’Connell are named by Head Coach Easterby.

Ulster forward Izuchukwu is one of two players set for their second Emerging Ireland Tour alongside Leinster back row James Culhane.

Emerging Ireland will face the Pumas in their campaign opener on Wednesday, 2 October (Kick-off 4pm local time/3pm Irish time), before going head-to-head with Super Rugby outfit Western Force on Sunday, 6 October (Kick-off 1pm local time/12pm Irish time).

Easterby’s side will then conclude the Tour against defending Currie Cup champions the Cheetahs on Wednesday, 9 October (Kick-off 7pm local time/6pm Irish time), with all matches being played at Toyota Stadium.

The Tour schedule is designed to challenge the players in a National Team environment, providing them with a window to impress the coaches and train and play to the National Team’s tactical and technical approach, while presenting them with access to meaningful game time in a green jersey.

Broadcast details for Emerging Ireland’s three matches will be confirmed in due course.

Emerging Ireland Squad:

Forwards (18):

Jack Aungier (Lansdowne FC/Connacht)
Jack Boyle (UCD RFC/Leinster)
James Culhane (UCD RFC/Leinster)
Jordan Duggan (Naas RFC/Connacht)
Sean Edogbo (UCC RFC/Munster)
Ronan Foxe (Garryowen FC/Munster)
Cormac Izuchukwu (Ballynahinch RFC/Ulster)
Sean Jansen (Connacht)
Alex Kendellen (UCC RFC/Munster)(captain)
Gus McCarthy (UCD RFC/Leinster)
Darragh Murray (Buccaneers RFC/Connacht)
Evan O’Connell (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster)
Conor O’Tighearnaigh (UCD RFC/Leinster)
Danny Sheahan (Cork Constitution FC/Munster)
Harry Sheridan (Dublin University FC/Ulster)
Stephen Smyth (Old Wesley RFC/Leinster)
Alex Soroka (Clontarf FC/Leinster)
Scott Wilson (Queen’s University Belfast RFC/Ulster)

Backs (15):

Shayne Bolton (Connacht)
Hugh Cooney (Clontarf FC/Leinster)
Ethan Coughlan (Shannon RFC/Munster)
Matthew Devine (Corinthians RFC/Connacht)
Cormac Foley (Lansdowne FC/Leinster)
Hugh Gavin (Galwegians RFC/Connacht)
Jack Murphy (Clontarf FC/Ulster)
Tommy O’Brien (UCD RFC/Leinster)
Sean O’Brien (Clontarf FC/Munster)
Ben O’Connor (UCC RFC/Munster)
Andrew Osborne (Naas RFC/Leinster)
Jude Postlethwaite (Banbridge RFC/Ulster)
Sam Prendergast (Lansdowne FC/Leinster)
Rob Russell (Dublin University FC/Leinster)
Zac Ward (Ballynahinch RFC/Ulster/Ireland Sevens).

Emerging Ireland Tour Fixtures:

Wednesday, 2 October: Emerging Ireland v The Pumas, 4pm local time/3pm Irish time
Sunday, 6 October: Emerging Ireland v Western Force, 1pm local time/12pm Irish time
Wednesday, 9 October: Emerging Ireland v The Cheetah, 7pm local time/6pm Irish time.

Images & Content from Irish Rugby & Images © Inpho Photography

6 Nations

Munster Rugby Announce Contract Deals For Murray, Daly & Gleeson

Published

6 months ago

April 3, 2024

Huge Rugby

Munster Rugby and the IRFU are pleased to confirm contract extensions for Conor Murray and Jack Daly with Brian Gleeson to be promoted from the Academy to the senior squad next season.

Murray and Daly have signed one-year extensions with Gleeson moving up to the senior squad on a two-year deal.

Gleeson is one of five Academy players moving up to the senior squad next year with Tony Butler, Ethan Coughlan, Mark Donnelly and Edwin Edogbo also signing two-year deals.

Conor Murray is one of the most decorated scrum-halfs in world rugby with 116 Ireland caps and three British & Irish Lions tours to his name.

A former St Munchin’s College student, the Garryowen man won his fifth 6 Nations title with Ireland last month and earned his second league title with Munster last season.

The 34-year-old has made 185 Munster appearances and scored 34 tries for the province to date and was named on World Rugby’s Team of the Decade in 2019.

25-year-old flanker Jack Daly came up through the ranks at Castleisland RFC and made his Munster debut against Zebre in 2020.

Daly joined the Academy in 2018, moved up to the senior squad in 2021 and plays his AIL rugby with Garryowen. A former Ireland U20 international, he made his Champions Cup debut against Toulouse in the quarter-final at the Aviva Stadium in 2022.

20-year-old Gleeson moves up to the senior squad after just one year in the Academy that has seen him score one try in nine senior appearances.

Currently out of action with an ankle injury, he had already made three Champions Cup appearances before turning 20.

The powerful back-row forward was a Grand Slam winner with the Ireland U20s last year. plays his AIL rugby with Garryowen and came up through the ranks at Thurles RFC and Rockwell College.