Tuesday Afternoon Round Up

Rob du Preez in charge of Sharks Currie Cup campaign

Director of Rugby Gary Gold, has today confirmed that Robert du Preez will steer the Sharks Currie Cup campaign, which begins next week.

"Having previously played at The Sharks, Ricardo will be making a welcome return to Durban in his new role as Skills Coach. He has enjoyed success in his coaching roles with the Bulls and Springboks and we look forward to having him join our set-up."

In addition to this, former Springbok assistant coach, Ricardo Loubscher, has been appointed as skills coach on a three-year contract.

Ricardo officially joins the team tomorrow, ahead of the start of the campaign.

Waratahs will not be offering Jarryd Hayne a contract for 2017

The Waratahs have decided that Hayne doesn’t fit with the club’s current direction, Foxsports.com.au can confirm.

Australian Rugby Union boss Bill Pulver revealed Hayne had approached the ARU to discuss his career options after the former league and NFL star was overlooked for Fiji’s Olympic sevens squad.

“We’re not going to pursue Jarryd at this present point in time...We've already got 10-plus Wallabies — plus Israel Folau in our team — we feel that there’s enough star-power there at this stage," said Waratahs chief executive Andrew Hore.

Duo sign four-year deals with Newcastle Falcons

Newcastle Falcons have received a huge boost ahead of the new season with the news that club captain Will Welch and back-row comrade Mark Wilson have both signed four-year contracts.

Wilson, the 26-year-old Cumbrian who was the top tackler in last season’s Premiership.

Welch became the Falcons’ youngest ever captain when he assumed the leadership role aged 22 back in 2012, skippering the club to the RFU Championship title in his first season.

Haley commits to Sale Sharks

Sale Sharks have announced that 22-year-old full back Mike Haley has signed a new three-year deal with the club.

“Mike is one of the best full backs in the game and for him to sign a three year deal is great news for the club. He can go all the way to the top," said Director of Rugby Steve Diamond.

Mike has played 57 games for the club scoring ten tries.

Nick Stiles named as Reds coach

The Reds have announced former Wallabies prop Nick Stiles as their head coach for the next two Super Rugby seasons.

“He is a passionate Queenslander who understands the DNA of Queensland Rugby,” said QRU’s Executive General Manager Daniel Herbert .

Stiles has signed a deal for the next two years, staying with the club that he played 12 seasons for, and has been in the coaching system since his retirement in 2005.

Road to Rio Countdown