Thursday Morning Round Up
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SARU President: SA Teams "better off" playing in the Northern Hemisphere
South African rugby president Mark Alexander has fueled the debate over his country's future direction in the sport.
At the PRO14 launch, Alexander said his players are "better off" playing in northern hemisphere championships. Full story
Moody Blow For All Blacks
All Blacks loosehead prop Joe Moody will miss the remainder of the Rugby Championship after injuring his thumb in Saturday night's Bledisloe Cup-winning Test.
He has been replaced in the squad by Taranaki and Chiefs prop Angus Ta'avao. Full story
Sergio Parisse's red card has been rescinded
Sergio Parisse's red card has been rescinded in light of an additional report from match referee Laurent Cardona, which stated that - in hindsight - a red was not warranted.
Parisse received the card during Stade Francais' opening match of the season.
GOOD NEWS - Sergio Parisse's red card has been rescinded in light of an additional report from match referee Laurent Cardona, which stated that - in hindsight - a red was not warranted. Parisse free to play at weekendhttps://t.co/x6vCWa0cDP https://t.co/PjnJGO2aUB
— James Harrington (@Jamesonrugby) August 29, 2018
Watson required second Achilles operation
England and Bath back Anthony Watson required a second operation on his Achilles tendon after re-tearing it during a commercial photo shoot. Full Story
Sorovi Signs New Reds Deal
Talented young scrumhalf Moses Sorovi will call Ballymore home for at least another two seasons, after signing with the Queensland Reds through 2020. Full Story
Wayne Barnes to retire after the Rugby World Cup
England referee Wayne Barnes revealed to the Guardian that the upcoming Premiership season in England will be his last as he eyes a fourth a final World Cup. Full Story
England lose two more key staff members
The Times has revealed that another two senior members of Eddie Jones’s management team have left their posts with the Rugby World Cup in Japan kicking off in just over a year.
The Times has reported that Dean Benton is to leave his post as head of sports science while psychologist Dan Abrahams has already left. Full Story
Big Hits from round one of the Top 14