Wednesday Afternoon Round Up
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Faosiliva set for disciplinary hearing
Alafoti Faosiliva of Worcester Warriors will appear before an RFU disciplinary panel this evening (Wednesday), with charges of striking Gloucester's Mariano Galarza with the arm and/or elbow.
Faosiliva was sent off by referee Luke Pearce in the second half of Worcester vs Gloucester Premiership clash and was referred to the TMO for review before the back rower was red carded.
Connacht sign new back Stacey Ili
Connacht and the IRFU have today announced the signing of Auckland utility back Stacey Ili.
"As we look to challenge in both the PRO12 and European Champions Cup, the addition to our squad of a player like Stacey increases our options all across the back line. Stacey is someone we've been looking at for a while now. He is an exciting and skillful player who will complement the game we want to play," said Connacht Rugby head coach Pat Lam.
In March came the announcement that flyhalf Marnitz Boshoff has signed a two-year deal with Connacht for the 2016/17 season, but it seems like the Golden Lions have refused to grant him an early release to join the Irish club.
The setback means Boshoff will only be able to join up with the defending PRO12 champions after the conclusion of this year’s Currie Cup.
Tana Umaga appointed as Maori All Blacks assistant coach
Maori All Blacks Head Coach Colin Cooper has announced the coaching and management team for the Maori All Blacks' 2016 northern tour at the end of this year.
Former All Blacks captain and Blues Head Coach Tana Umaga has been appointed Assistant Coach and former All Blacks prop and Waikato Forwards Coach Carl Hoeft has been appointed Assistant Forwards Coach.
See full Maori All Blacks Management team here
Sean Horan steps down as NZ Women's 7s coach
Horan is stepping down from coaching the Black Ferns Sevens just after the team’s silver medal success at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janiero.
Under Horan, New Zealand has won three out of the first four Women’s Sevens Series titles, and finished second in the fourth season of the new look series this year.
He has coached the team for nearly five years and said now was the right time to look for a fresh challenge.
Alby Mathewson joins Canterbury squad
Former All Black halfback Alby Mathewson has joined the Canterbury Mitre 10 Cup squad as injury cover for Mitchell Drummond.
Mathewson has most recently been playing for the Western Force Super Rugby team, but previously represented the All Blacks for 4 tests in 2010 and has played for Wellington, Auckland and Hawke’s Bay in the national provincial competition.
