Weekly Round Up

Auckland grab first win

Auckland got their season on track after claiming a 37-15 victory over Northland at Eden Park today.

The game was riddled by injuries for Northland with Pryor going off early, leaving Northland to put on a brave face.

The second half started similarly to the first with Auckland in control and Hickey extended their lead in the 45th minute via another penalty.

Auckland then sealed the game with Vince Aso sliding through to score the 37th point.

The scorers:

For Auckland:

Tries: Collier, Eklund, Luatua 2, Aso
Cons: Hickey 3
Pens: Hickey 2

For Northland:

Tries: Larsen, Macilai
Con: Breen
Pen: Breen

Back injury rules Farrell out

Saracens fly-half Owen Farrell will miss the start of the Premiership season with a back problem sustained during the pre-season.

The 24-year-old will sit out at least the Premiership opener against Worcester on September 3 and possibly additional matches.

Ollie Lindsay-Hague leaves Harlequins

Harlequins have today confirmed that Olympic silver medalist Ollie Lindsay-Hague has left the club to pursue other options in his playing career.

“He leaves with our very best wishes and we were delighted to see him and his team mates win silver in the recent Rio Olympics. I have no doubt he will make a huge impact wherever he continues his career,” said Harlequins Director of Rugby, John Kingston confirming the news.

Ollie made his senior XVs debut for Harlequins in 2009, and went on to make 61 appearances for the club, scoring ten tries.

Knights sign Australian international Beau Robinson

Former Reds and Australia international back-row Beau Robinson has signed a one-year contract with RFU Championship side Doncaster Knights.

Having previously represented NRL outfit Canterbury Bulldogs at U20 level, the 30-year-old Robinson began his Super Rugby career at the Waratahs in 2006.

In the 2011 he joined The Queensland Reds after successfully completing a trial period and went on to make over 50 appearances for Queensland across a four-year period.

Werner Kok joins WP on loan

Olympic Bronze medallist and 2015 World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year, Werner Kok has joined Western Province Rugby on loan after an agreement between Western Province Rugby, SARU and Kok himself, making him available for Western Province until the end of the season.

In addition, Seabelo Senatla has signed a three-year three-part contract with Western Province Rugby and SARU, that will make him available for both Western Province and the Stormers, when he is not representing a national team.

Koch to get Springboks start

Springboks have made only one change for their starting line-up to face Argentina on Saturday, replacing injured Julian Redelinghuys with Vincent Koch.

Koch, who has three Test caps to his name, jumps in for Redelinghuys after he was ruled out of action with a hamstring injury sustained in the first Rugby Championship Test on Saturday.

Giteau faces four months out

After breaking his ankle in last week's defeat to New Zealand, Australia centre Matt Giteau is not expected to return to action for his club, Toulon, until late December.

The 33-year-old will return to France ahead of surgery at the start of next week, Toulon owner Mourad Boudjellal confirmed.

Giteau will miss most of the early months of Toulon's Top 14 campaign, as well as a high number of their Champions Cup pool matches.

Injury blow for Bulls

Blue Bulls centre Dan Kriel is set to be out for three to four weeks after injuring his shoulder against the Kings on Saturday. 

According to the Bulls medical team, he will go see a specialist to determine when he can return.

WP's Van Wyk looks to move to Bordeaux

Hot on the heels of the annoucement that Jaco Taute is set to join Munster comes the rumour of Kobus van Wyk's departure to Top 14 club Bordeaux.

While Western Province has made no formal annoucement, it is understood that Werner Kok is set to replace Van Wyk for Saturday’s Currie Cup clash.

Jaco Taute set to join Munster

Fullback Jaco Taute is expected to leave Western Province to join Irish club Munster.

Taute will go to Munster as an injury replacement for Francis Saili, with Western Province keen in realising him.

According to reports, Munster’s director of rugby, Rassie Erasmus has signed Taute on a five-month deal, with the possibility of an extention. 

All Blacks call up Rieko Ioane as injury replacement

Auckland centre Rieko Ioane has received call-up to the All Blacks squad for Saturday's second Bledisloe Cup Test against the Wallabies.

Ione will replace Ryan Crotty who suffered a head knock against Australia in Sydney.