Thursday Afternoon Round Up

Waratahs re-sign recent Wallaby call-up, Jack Dempsey for two seasons

Waratahs have announced the re-signing of powerful back rower, Jack Dempsey who will stay with the Tahs for another two seasons.

Dempsey has recently been called up as one of four development players to join the Wallabies in this year’s Spring Tour of Europe, together with his Waratahs teammate, Andrew Kellaway.

Dempsey first joined the Club back in 2015 before he was named on the bench for the round 14 clash against the Sharks last year at 21 years of age.

Western Force sign Academy member Chance Peni

The Western Force have signed former Western Force Academy member and Wests Tigers Rugby League young gun Chance Peni for the 2017 Super Rugby season.

The 22-year-old began his rugby career in Western Australia with Wests Subiaco and played West Australian Schoolboys.

Allan Bunting appointed Head Coach of Black Ferns Sevens

Experienced Sevens coach Allan Bunting has been appointed as the new Head Coach of the Olympic silver medal winning Black Ferns Sevens, New Zealand Rugby announced today.

Bunting has been the assistant coach of the women’s sevens team since 2012, during which time the team won three World Series title, the Sevens World Cup and silver at the Rio Olympics. Bunting replaces Sean Horan who stepped down in September after coaching the team for five years.

The World Rugby HSBC 2016-2017 Women’s Sevens Series kicks off in Dubai on 1-2 December 2016 then moves to Sydney 3-4 February 2017, Kitakyusyu, Japan 22-23 April 2017, Langford, Canada 27-28 May 2017 and concludes in Clermont-Ferrand, France 24-25 June 2017.

Andy Robinson suspended as Bristol DOR

Former England and Scotland head coach Andy Robinson has been suspended from his role as Bristol's Director of Rugby after disappointing start to the season. The Club will carry out an immediate review of their coaching needs and requirements.

In the mean time, the club has decided to appoint Mark Tainton as Acting Head Coach with immediate effect.

"This is clearly a very difficult time for the Club, but we remain confident we can retain our position in the Premiership.  The support for the Club this season has been outstanding and that continued backing is very important going forward. Thank you,” commented Club Chairman, Chris Booy.

Mark Tainton, who is the club's all-time leading points scorer, has previously coached at International level with Ireland, as well as with Wasps and London Irish in the Aviva Premiership.

Gethin to captain Wales against Australia

Gethin Jenkins will captain Wales against Australia in Cardiff on Saturday.

The Wales’ most capped player of all time will lead his country for a seventh time as the first of four matches kicks off at Cardiff's Principality Stadium.

Wales: 15 Leigh Halfpenny, 14 Alex Cuthbert, 13 Jonathan Davies, 12 Jamie Roberts), 11 George North, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Rhys Webb, 8 Ross Moriarty, 7 Justin Tipuric, 6 Dan Lydiate, 5 Luke Charteris, 4 Bradley Davies, 3 Samson Le, 2 Ken Owens, 1 Gethin Jenkins

See full team here

Canterbury Rugby appoints Glenn Delaney as Head Coach

The Canterbury Rugby Union has announce the appointment of Glenn Delaney as Head Coach for the 2017 season. Delaney replaces Scott Robertson who, following a successful 2016 Mitre 10 Cup campaign, now takes the helm as Head Coach of the Crusaders.

Prior to this, Delaney was Director of Rugby at Nottingham RFC where he helped take the organisation from a part time rugby club through to a fully operating professional rugby program. 

He will join Canterbury Rugby on a 3 year term from 1 December 2016. 

Fainga’a twins to reunite at Brumbies in 2017

The Brumbies have announced that they have signed experienced centre Anthony Fainga’a on a one-year contract for the 2017 season, joining his twin brother Saia on a return to the nation’s capital.

Currently playing with Kintetsu Liners in Japan, Anthony has represented the Wallabies at the Rugby World Cup, lifted the Super Rugby trophy with the Queensland Reds and played 93 career Super Rugby matches.