Rugby Banter Page weekly round up

Monday 22nd December:

Former Fiji Captain, Smith, Appointed Black Ferns’ Coach:

Former Fiji captain Greg Smith is the new coach of the New Zealand women's rugby team.

Smith replaces Brian Evans, who stepped down after five years in charge in the wake of the Black Ferns' fifth-place finish at this year's women's Rugby World Cup in France.

Nick Cummins Set For Force and ARU Return, According To Reports:

Former Wallabies winger Nick Cummins is set to return to Australia and play for the Western Force.

Reports emanating in Australia claimed the flyer was finalising a move from Japan so he can play Super Rugby in 2015 and potentially be part of the Wallabies' World Cup plans.

Cummins has played five months of rugby with the Coca-Cola West Red Sparks after being allowed a release from his Force contract for compassionate reasons.

He left in order to pick up a rich contract with the Japanese side so he could support several sick family members.

Tuesday 23rd December:

Gopperth Set To Join Wasps:

Leinster fly half Jimmy Gopperth is set to join the newly relocated Wasps as competition for their incumbent fly half Andy Goode, according to reports. The former Hurricane and Junior All Black was deemed surplus to requirement at his current club, Leinster, who had earlier announced the resigning of Irish fly half Jonathan Sexton from French club Racing Metro.

Dylan Hartley Ban Won’t Extend To Six Nations:

The Northampton hooker was red-carded last Saturday, in The Saints victory over Leicester, for use of the elbow on Tigers centre Matt Smith.

There were fears he could be banned for the Six Nations because of his past indiscretions, including a 26-week suspension in 2007 for eye-gouging and 11 weeks for verbally abusing the referee in the 2013 Premiership final. 

But the Saints defended Hartley’s actions at the RFU hearing and he will now miss the club’s games against Harlequins, Newcastle and Sale. 

Wednesday 24th December:

Ospreys Sign Fijian International Lock:

Ospreys have boosted their depleted forward ranks with the signing of Fiji international second row Tevita Cavubati until the end of the season.

The 27-year-old helped his club Tasman Makos reach the ITM Cup Final this year and has won four caps for Fiji, one of which came during last month's narrow 17-13 defeat to Wales in Cardiff.

Friday 26th December:

Welsh Trio Sign Dual-Contracts:

Newport Gwent Dragons back Tyler Morgan, 19, has become the first uncapped player to sign a Welsh rugby dual contract.

Dragons wing Hallam Amos and Scarlets prop Rhodri Jones have also signed.

The trio join Wales captain Sam Warburton and flanker Dan Lydiate on joint deals.

The creation of dual contracts was part of a £60m deal between the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) and regions over funding and governance of the game in Wales.

All three players have represented Wales Under-20s and will remain with their current regions.