Weekly Round Up

Rebels boost 2017 squad with Garden-Bachop

The Melbourne Rebels have finalised their squad for the 2017 Super Rugby season with the signature of New Zealand fly-half Jackson Garden-Bachop.

The 22-year-old, son of former All Black Stephen Bachop, and nephew of Graeme Bachop, has put pen to paper on his first Super Rugby contract – a two-year deal with the Melbourne club.

The versatile fly-half made 11 appearances and scored two tries for the Wellington Lions in the 2016 Mitre 10 Cup on the way to being named the 2016 Lions Supporters Club player of the season.

Alofa extends with Harlequins

Harlequins have announced that Alofa Alofa has signed a contract extension with the London club.

“Alofa has impressed me hugely in both his attitude towards his necessary rehabilitation in the summer and now his day to day training and playing standards," said John Kingston, Harlequins Director of Rugby,  announcing the news.

“He is a fabulous talent and I have made the swift decision to extend his original one-year contract."

The three-time capped Samoan centre has made seven appearances for Harlequins since making his debut during the victory over Bristol Rugby at the London Double Header.

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.

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.

Bath bring in Allinson on loan

Bath have signed Darren Allinson on a short-term loan from Championship side London Irish, the club announced today (Wednesday).

The scrum-half comes in after having made over 120 appearances to date for the Exiles, and will join up with the West Country side this week.

Todd Blackadder, Director of Rugby at Bath, is looking forward to Allinson arriving: “Darren is a strong player, and he’ll bring a fresh outlook to the squad.

"We’re a bit light at scrum-half due to the November internationals and injury, we wanted to bring someone in to the half-backs with a bit of experience, and Darren fits that bill really well.” 

Force release Ben Tapuai

The Western Force can confirm that Ben Tapuai has been released from his contract a year early to continue his career with English club, Bath Rugby.

Western Force Head Coach, Dave Wessels said: “Bath made a fantastic offer to Ben and that provided an opportunity to free up some money in the salary cap for us to explore a few other options, so it was of mutual benefit for both parties."

The 27-year-old departs Australian rugby with 78 Super Rugby caps to his name including 12 for the Force in his single season with the Western Australian club, scoring 22 points including four tries and a conversion.

The Western Force will announce the final player names for the 2017 squad in the weeks to come.

Bordeaux-Bègles suffer double injury blow

Bordeaux-Bègles have suffered a double blow after both Jandré Marais and Ian Madigan were sidelined following their defeat to Castres.

Marais has been ruled out for at least three months due to a calf problem, with Ireland international fly-half Madigan suffering with tendonitis in his groin, which is set to keep him off the field for four weeks.

Bordeaux-Bègles currently sit in sixth place on the Top 14 table and are preparing to face Stade Français at home this coming Saturday.

Haag resigns as England U20 Head Coach

Martin Haag will leave the Rugby Football Union after resigning from his position as Head Coach of the England Under 20 side.

Haag took up the role at the end of last season ahead of the World Rugby U20 Championships in Manchester which saw England win the trophy after beating Ireland 45-21 in the final.

“I have really enjoyed my time with the RFU and being involved in winning the World Rugby U20 Championship on home soil in Manchester," said Haag.

“However I have decided to move on. I wish all of the players, coaches and management the best for this season ahead of the Six Nations and World Rugby U20 Championship in Georgia."   

The RFU will begin recruiting for the role with immediate effect.

Warburton out of Australia Test

Wales captain Sam Warburton will not play against Australia this weekend after injuring his neck.

The flanker has been released back to Cardiff Blues to get game-time under his belt after suffering a neck injury – ruling him out of Saturday’s game against the Wallabies. 

He is now set to feature for the Blues in the PRO12 at Treviso on Friday and a decision on who will captain Wales at the Principality Stadium on Saturday will be made later in the week.

Sharks new signings and re-signings

 

As the Sharks begin pre-season training, Head Coach Robert du Preez, has announced new signings and re-signings for the new season.
 
Commenting on the new signings, du Preez said: “The new players who have joined us will ensure that we have much needed depth in certain positions.We welcome them to our family and we look forward to their positive contributions going forward.
 
“Clement Poitrenaud brings with him a wealth of experience at both international and club level. He is a good acquisition for us and he will provide great mentorship and be a calming influence on the young and exciting, fullbacks in our team, who are relatively inexperienced.

New signings:

Clement Poitrenaud (1 year)

Enoch Mnyanga (2 years)

Jacques Vermeulen (3 years)

Jeremy Ward (2 years)

Johan Deysel (2 years)

Kobus van Wyk (3 years)

See full list of re-signings here