Rugby Banter Page weekly round up

Monday 1st June:

I’m At No Greater Concussion Risk Than Any Other Player, Says George North:

George North maintains he will be "at no greater risk" of concussion than any other player after his injury enforced lay-off as he prepares a World Cup return.

British and Irish Lions wing North expects to be ready for Wales' World Cup campaign - but is airing on the side of caution and taking every chance to rest before a scheduled return to contact in July.

"The specialist said that if I were to impact again at the end of the season I would be out for three to six months," said North.

"With the World Cup coming up and everything I quizzed him about what would happen.

"My first thought was 'let's get back for Northampton, the end of the season, it being my time of the year when the pitches are quick'.

North revealed he is feeling fine and that he will be primed and ready for World Cup action.

"If I'm honest, after a month I felt fine, mused North.

"It's my ninth week now and I feel back to normal, I feel great.

"So imagine how I'll feel in nearly two months' time before I have to take contact again?

Rob Kearney Plays Down Ireland World Cup Expectations:

Rob Kearney has quelled the hype surrounding Ireland’s upcoming World Cup campaign and believes the squad and, indeed, the Irish fans need to remain level headed about the back to back Six Nations Champions prospects.

“For the next few months all of these media interviews are going to be dominated by people saying ‘no, you’re going to win it, no, you’re going to win it’,” posited Kearney.

“No one wants to win it! No one wants to say that at the minute. So there has been a huge amount of chat about the Irish team, probably because we are back-to-back winners of the Six Nations.

Whilst Ireland have deservedly won the previous two Six Nations campaigns, Kearney admitted that their outcomes could easily have been so different.

“We have been so lucky to win those two Six Nations, they have happened on points difference and a lot of things went our way on the two final days,” said Kearney.

“We could easily have found ourselves in second or third. The problem we have is trying to manage expectations a little. The Irish think ‘back-to-back Six Nations, we are the best in the world now’. Sadly, that’s not the case.

“We can’t really control those expectations: we just have to make sure we have good levels of humility about us.

Tuesday 2nd June:

Euan Murray To Top 14 New Boys Pau:

Scotland prop Euan Murray will be plying his trade in France next season with Top 14 newcomers Pau.

The vastly experienced tighthead, who has 66 caps for Scotland, will join the French Top new boys bfrom Pro12 champions Glasgow Warriors.

"We are very pleased to welcome Euan, who is an experienced prop, into our squad," said Pau coach Simon Mannix.

"He knows the highest level of the game and will be a bonus for our pack."

Murray is the latest of a number of high profile signings made by Pau ahead of their return to the Top 14, including Colin Slade, Conrad Smith and Julien Pierre.

Liam Messam To Throw Hat Into Olympic Sevens’ Ring:

Chiefs captain Liam Messam has reportedly signed a deal to play in Japan after this year's Rugby World Cup but will also look to return home to fulfil his Olympics aspirations by representing the New Zealand Sevens at 2016 Olympic Games in Rio Di Janeiro.

Messam's reputed commitment to New Zealand Rugby follows the long-term deals signed last week by fellow All Blacks Brodie Retallick and Julian Savea.

Reports in New Zealand suggest Messam has informed New Zealand Sevens coach Gordon Tietjens of his Olympic intentions and therefore needs to make himself available for several of next year's HSBC World Sevens Series events in order to meet the squad selection criteria. Messam's Chiefs teammate, Sonny Bill Williams is also rumoured to be considering a Sevens switch.

Wednesday 3rd June:

Chris Masoe To Leave Toulon and Join Racing Metro:

Former New Zealand flanker Chris Masoe is leaving European champions Toulon to join French rivals Racing Metro.

The 36-year-old former All Black- who worked with Racing’s incumbent coaches,  Laurent Labit and Laurent Travers, at Castres- with 20 tests to his name believes he has another year left in him at the top level of European club action.

"My body tells me that I can still do it for one more year!" Masoe, a former Hurricanes standout, said in confirming a deal that has been speculated for some time.

Remi Talles To Join Racing Metro:

French international fly-half Remi Tales, 31,  confirmed on Wednesday that he will replace Ireland No.10 Jonathan Sexton at Racing-Metro next season.

Sexton played his final game for the Parisians- a Top 14 Quarter final defeat to rivals Stade Francais last weekend ahead of his return to his former club, Leinster.

Tales, who worked with Racing Metro’s coaching duo, Laurent Labit and Laurent Travers at Castres, confirmed the move via his Twitter account.

"The Castres adventure is coming to an end, now for a new challenge at Racing," said Tales.

"But first I will do everything to represent France at the World Cup."

Thursday 4th June:

Dane Coles Pens New Contract With NRZU:

All Blacks and Hurricanes hooker Dane Coles has become the third player to commit long-term to New Zealand Rugby, with the front rower re-signing with the national union and the Hurricanes through to 2019.

Coles’ deal follows last week's announcement that his Hurricanes' teammate Julian Savea and Chiefs lock Brodie Retallick had also committed their futures to the All Blacks and their respective clubs on four-year deals.

28-year-old Coles said playing for the All Blacks and Hurricanes was all he'd ever wanted to do, and that his passion for both teams was central to him renewing his deal

"I'm definitely not at the stage where I want to head overseas yet. Both teams mean a huge deal to me and I really want to play for a club, and team, that I have that strong connection with.

Bayonne Prop Muller Signs For Toulouse:

Bayonne's South African prop Gert Muller has signed a one-year deal to join Toulouse, the French top 14 club announced.

The 29-year-old former Golden Lions forward moved to France in 2010, playing for Agen before moving to Bayonne in 2013.

He started 17 times this season for the relegated side.

Friday 5th June:

Blues Prop Ta'avao Joins Waratahs:

Reigning Super Rugby Champions the Waratahs have announced the signing of prop Angus Ta'avao from the struggling Auckland Blues

The 25-year-old tighthead- with 48 Super Rugby games to his name- is leaving the Blues to seek regular game time, having been frustrated in his attempts to nail down the Auckland sides number three jersey.

He has started just four games for the Blues this year, with All Blacks prop Charlie Faumuina and with Ofa Tu'ungafasi the preferred tight-head options.

Ta'avao is eligible to represent the Wallabies national team through his Australian born mother and the former New Zealand U20’s representative move to the Waratah’s was predicated on the 25 year old one day declaring for Australia.

Former All Black Jerry Collins Die In Car Crash:

Former All Black Jerry Collins has died in a car crash in France, along with his wife Alana Madill.

Their three month old daughter is in hospital in a critical condition.

The incident happened in the Hérault department in the south of France. The crash took place on a highway and is believed to have involved a bus.