Tuesday Round-Up

El Mago to Toulon: Reigning European and French Top 14 champions Toulon have confirmed the signing of Juan Martin Hernandez on a six month contract from January until the close of the season. The Argentinean star, who can operate across multiple positions in the backline, is currently an unattached player having left Racing Metro earlier this year. Having spent six years in the French domestic league with Stade Francais, before making the move to high spenders Racing, the man affectionately known as ‘El Mago’ (the magician), will link up with the galactic os of Stade Felix Mayol to replace James O’Connor. O’Connor, who joined on a similar temporary contract, recently announced he will be returning to Australian rugby at the beginning of the next calendar year, as he looks to regain his spot in Ewen McKenzie’s World Cup squad.

Harris gets the nod: All Backs head coach Steve Hansen has handed a call up to rookie hooker Nathan Harris ahead of the remainder of his side’s current Rugby Championship campaign. Harris, who plies his trade with the ITM Cup outfit Bay Of Plenty, has recently been involved in the wider training squad for much of the All Blacks presage work, but has yet to be involved in a match day squad. However, with Dane Coles expected to return home for the birth of his child ahead of the clash with South Africa in Johannesburg, it is widely believed that Harris’ name will feature amongst the replacements at Ellis Park. Amongst the other changes to his squad, Hansen was able to recall the likes of experienced quartet, Liam Messam, Jerome Kaino, Sam Whitelock and Ryan Crotty. While the former Welsh head coach Hansen was able to call on the likes of the aforementioned quartet, he will be without the services of Dan Carter, as the game’s best flyhalf continues to operate for Cantebrury as he looks to regain full match fitness ahead of the impending tour of the United States and Britain. The All Blacks play Argentina in La Plata on September 27th, before travelling to Jo’burg a week later on October 4th, where they may well lift the Rugby Championship trophy for the third successive season. 

Ryan Sheady