Premiership
Wiese excited to take on world’s best
Jasper Wiese is not thinking or talking about Jasper Wiese.
He’s not interested in the plaudits that have come his way, thick and fast, in recent days, since coming off the bench in a player of the match performance for Leicester Tigers last Friday night at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.
The No.8’s cameo was pivotal in securing a place in the Heineken Champions Cup quarter-finals, by defeating Edinburgh, but he doesn’t see it that way.
“Wiggy asked me to bring some energy off the bench and so I just wanted to go out and do that,” said Wiese.
“My role was to add something to what the guys who started had begun doing and hopefully I did that.
“It doesn’t matter if you start or you come on from the bench, you have a job to do for the team and need to focus on what you can do that is best for the team. That was just my job last week for the group.”
Discussing last season’s encounter, Wiese said: “Last season, they got out to a 20-point lead in 20 minutes and you just cannot let that happen.”
“They are so clinical, so disciplined and I would say that they are the best club team in the world.
“You can’t give the best that kind of headstart and just expect to fight back and win it.
“They dominated us last season, we know that, and they are probably a better team now, a year later, and we need to front up better this time around.”
Looking ahead to his first appearance at the Aviva for the club, the soft-spoken Wiese admitted to being “excited” for the fixture.
“It is a brilliant opportunity, for all of us, and we are really excited,” he said.
“This is a great challenge to see where we are at as a team, against the best in the world, on a stage that we haven’t played at a lot – I know I haven’t for Tigers and don’t think many have – so we are looking forward to taking the challenge on, head on.”
Speaking about the club’s recent run of good form, of which Wiese has played a key part, the back-rower said it came down to hard work.
“Sometimes the ball bounces your way, some it doesn’t bounce your way,” Wiese said.
“You can’t be a few percent off and expect to win, you have to be on it for every minute of every game.
“We have improved that, we are working hard but we haven’t changed much, we haven’t changed everything, we are working just as hard but we are making the most of our opportunities and doing it better.”
Content & Images from – Leicester Tigers Rugby
Sale Sharks have agreed a deal to sign Fiji captain Waisea Nayacalevu from French Top14 side Toulon.
The explosive centre, who starred for his country during the recent World Cup, has signed a one-year contract with an option for a further year.
He will join up with Alex Sanderson’s Sharks squad ahead of the start of the 2024/25 Gallagher Premiership season.
Waisea, 33, said: “I’ve watched the Premiership for a long time and it’s always been in the back of my mind that I would love to play there one day and experience rugby in England.
“Now that opportunity has arrived and I’m really, really happy and grateful. I’m so excited to get over there and join the boys and see how I can contribute to the team.
“I have spoken to Telusa Veainu and he only has positive things to say about the club and about Manchester.
“I’m looking forward to playing with some of the guys I’ve played against, like Tom Curry and George Ford. But I also know there are a lot of really talented young players in the Sale Sharks squad and I’m excited to share my experience and help them develop as much as I can.
“I told Alex that it’s what I’ve been doing for the last few years of my career and it’s something I’m passionate about.”
Nayacalevu, who stands at 6’4” and weighs in at 16st 7lb, spent ten years at Top14 side Stade Français before making the switch to Toulon in 2022.
He has won 34 caps for Fiji, slotting in at both centre and on the wing, and captained his country at last year’s World Cup, where the Pacific Islanders made the quarter-finals, losing 30-24 to England in Marseille.
He also famously scored for Fiji in their memorable pre-World Cup win against England at Twickenham.
Images & Content from Sale Sharks Rugby
Phil Brantingham to join Saracens
Prop-forward Phil Brantingham will leave Newcastle Falcons in the summer to join Saracens.
The 22-year-old has played 25 games for his home town club, and leaves with the thanks and best wishes of everyone at the Falcons.
Chairman of rugby Matt Thompson said: “Phil has done well for us and we made him a good offer to stay here.
“We respect his decision and wish him all the best for his move in the summer, but between now and then he will be fully committed to finishing the season strongly for Newcastle Falcons.”
Source – Newcastle Falcons Rugby
Sale Sharks can confirm that forward Cobus Wiese will leave the club at the end of the season to return to South Africa.
The 26-year-old lock has played almost 80 games for the club and scored five tries since joining from the DHL Stormers ahead of the 2020/21 season.
He played a key role last year as Sale reached the Premiership final, and this season he has featured a further 13 times for Alex Sanderson’s side.
Alex said: “Cobus will be missed by all of us on so many levels. He’s the most polite and courteous of people off the field, but the most wildly excitable man on the field, and on a night out.
“To say Cobus wears his heart on his sleeve is to do him a disservice with regards to his emotional commitment for which his body has paid the price on occasion.
“He leads by example and has earnt the respect and adoration of the group both on a professional and a personal level. We wish him every success and happiness with his move back home.”
Everyone at Sale Sharks would like to thank Cobus for his contribution to the club and the team during his time here and we wish him all the very best for the future.
Images & Content from Sale Sharks Rugby
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