Monday Afternoon Round Up

Karpik and Tiatia commit to the Steamers until 2018

The Bay of Plenty Rugby Union have announced that loose forward Mitchel Karpik and full back Chase Tiatia have committed with the Union through to the end of the 2018 Mitre 10 Cup, following their naming in the 2017 Chiefs squad.

21-year-old Karpik had an outstanding 2015 season and was named in the 2016 Chiefs Squad. However, he suffered a knee injury during a Chiefs pre-season match against the Waratas in Rotorua ruling him out for the season. Karpik will be hoping to stamp his mark in his Super Rugby competition and debut for the Chiefs and later the Bay of Plenty Steamers.

Full back Chase Tiatia was an impact player for the Bay of Plenty Steamers this season. The 21 year old stamped his mark in his Provincial Rugby debut last year, securing himself a contract with the franchise and has been renewed for 2017. He has played 14 games for the Bay, and will be returning from injury after suffering a broken ankle in the Mitre 10 Cup Semi Final.

Andy Robinson sacked by Bristol

After news that he was suspended 4 days ago, Andy Robinson has now been sacked by Bristol Rugby after the board "lost confidence" that he would be able to retain the club's Premiership position.

Robinson joined the club in March 2013, helping Bristol win the Championship and earn promotion to the Premiership in May 2016.

But the club have lost their opening seven top-flight games and sit bottom of the table.

Club chairman Chris Booy said: “We thank Andy for his contribution to the overall coaching set up at the Club. Unfortunately, the board lost confidence that Andy would retain the Club’s Premiership position, bearing in mind the results to date.
 
"Andy departs with the knowledge that he made a significant contribution in helping Bristol return to the Premiership this season. Andy leaves with the Club’s very best wishes and we all wish him every success in the next chapter of his career.”

Western Force sign Polatu-Nau

The Western Force have signed 68-Test Wallaby hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau for the 2017 Super Rugby season.

Polota-Nau left the Waratahs after 11 seasons and was heading overseas to Bristol, but the move faltered when he needed surgery after breaking his right forearm twice this season.

The 31-year-old will visit Perth in coming weeks and join Force training in the new year after finishing rehab on the surgery he had three weeks ago.

Moala to miss rest of All Blacks tour

Midfielder George Moala will fly back to New Zealand after being ruled out of the remainder of the end of year tour due to elbow injury.

The Aucklander was forced out of Sunday's game against Ireland in the first half, with further testing revealing torn ligaments and tendons off the elbow.

His fellow centre Ryan Crotty will stay with the team and undergo further assessment after straining a hamstring in the 29-40 loss to Ireland in Chicago.

The All Blacks have said Seta Tamanivalu, who is fresh from the Barbarians' 31-31 draw against South Africa, will join the squad as cover.