Thursday Morning Round Up

June 07, 2018
2654
Ultimate Rugby

This morning's news is dominated by the naming of the lineups ahead of this weekend's Test action.

A Former Garbageman, Uber driver and the quiet Crusaders - The Wallabies debuts

Cheika names 3 players on debut for @qantaswallabies

Pete Samu, Caleb Timu & Brandon Paenga-Amosa all make the match day 23 to face Ireland #AUSvIRE https://t.co/NscDkdimKj
— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) June 7, 2018

Retallick to miss June Tests

Steve Hansen will be without the services of Brodie Retallick for the Three Test series against France after scans picked up a small fracture near his shoulder. All Blacks coach Steve Hansen said his lock would likely be out for six weeks with the injury.

Full Story

Trevor Nyakane in doubt for first Test against England

The Cape Times has reported that Springbok tighthead Trevor Nyakane could miss the first test against England after picking up a rib injury in training.

The Springbok squad to face England will be named later today and if Nyakane is unavaliable Wilco Louw is likely to start in his place.

The Incredible story of Karl Tu'inukuafe the All Blacks latest debut

The 25-year-old loosehead prop Karl Tu'inukuafe first came to prominence back in 2010 as part of the massive First XV front row at Auckland's Wesley College, where he propped alongside fellow Chief and All Black Nepo Laulala.

Tu'inukuafe made Counties Manukau age-grade teams and then took a couple of seasons off after school.

During his time off Tu'inukuafe gained so much weight that doctors warned him that at 170kg his weight was life-threating and he had to make a lifestyle change, which saw him return to rugby with North Harbour in 2015

Full Story

South African Quarter join Frans Ludeke at Kubota Spears

Former Bulls coach Frans Ludeke has signed fellow South Africans Gerhard van den Heever, Burger Odendaal, Ruan Botha and Jean Droste ahead of the 2018/19 Top League season.

van den Heever has recently represented the Sunwolves, while Odendaal has been captaining the Bulls this season. Like Odendaal, Botha has also been captaining his Super Rugby side - The Sharks.

Droste joins his Sharks captain and fellow lock from the Durban-based side.

In Case You Missed it: Spain & Romania's appeals both rejected by World Rugby

Following appeals lodged by Romania and Spain, an Independent Appeal Committee has upheld the decision of the Independent Disputes Committee relating to breaches of player eligibility during the European regional Rugby World Cup 2019 qualification process. Full Story

Rassie Erasmus' new era Springboks - What to expect

With Rassie Erasmus set to lead his charges for the first time on home soil, we take a look at a few players set to make their debut for the Springboks against England as well as a few other relatively new faces to the test arena.

Full Story

Test Team Announcements

Peter O'Mahony to captain Ireland against Australia

Robbie Henshaw returns to the team and is reunited with Bundee Aki in the centre. Joey Carbery is named at outhalf with Conor Murray as his half-back partner.

James Ryan and Iain Henderson partner up in the second row. Full Story

Two debutants to start in Wallabies first Test of 2018

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has named Brandon Paenga-Amosa and Caleb Timu to start in the first Test against Ireland, while Pete Samu could make his debut from the bench.

David Pocock returns to the starting lineup having last featured for the side following his sabbatical. Full Story

Barrett Brothers make history in first All Blacks squad of 2018

The Barrett brothers will make All Blacks history this weekend in the first test against France as the first trio of All Blacks brothers to make an All Blacks Test starting XV together. Full story

Morgan Parra returns to France's starting XV