Tuesday Afternoon Round Up
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Kieran Read injured for six weeks
Kieran Read has had surgery on a fracture at the base of his right thumb. He will travel with the Crusaders team to Johannesburg tomorrow before returning to New Zealand.
Read’s anticipated return to play will not be known until post-surgery assessments are done, however surgery of this sort would generally require approximately 6 weeks of recovery.
Read more here
Justin Forwood injured for 9 months
The Southern Kings will be with out the services of in-form prop Justin Forwood. Forwood picked up a knee injury during the Kings 44-3 victory over the Melbourne Rebels
Other injuries following the match see Lionel Cronje facing a race against time to fit to face the Sharks on May 13, following a head knock that saw him unable to finish the match.
See the full injury report here
Newcastle Falcons sign Tevita Cavubati
The 29-year-old has been capped 15 times by his country and has made 24 appearances in his two seasons with Worcester, having played for Welsh Pro 12 side Ospreys pre-Rugby World Cup 2015.
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Aaron Mauger joins Highlanders coaching staff
Former All Black Aaron Mauger has signed on as Highlanders assistant coach for the next two seasons.
Mauger was recently the head coach of English side Leicester Tigers before being replaced in March.
"I'm absolutely thrilled to be joining the Highlanders next season," Mauger said.
Full story here
Cheetahs lose Nico Lee for 4-6 weeks
Cheetahs centre Nico Lee has picked up an ankle injury and is expected to be out of action for 4-6 weeks.
Lee sustained the injury during his side's 48-21 defeat to the Crusaders in Bloemfontein and is likely to return following the June internationals.
Fred Zeilinga has recovered from his injury and is expected to be available for Friday’s clash against the Highlanders.
Click HERE to see our Guinness Pro 12 Weekend Round-Up
Rob Buchanan extends Harlequins stay
Cementing his place as a first-team squad member, the 25-year-old has made 28 appearances during the current season, scoring three tries.
“I am really happy to have re-signed with Harlequins,” Buchanan said.
Read more here
Chris Vui to join Bristol Rugby from Worcester Warriors
Vui has been a standout performer for the Warriors since joining on a short-term deal and will make the switch to Ashton Gate ahead of the 2017/18 campaign.
The 24-year-old earned his first cap during the 2016 November internationals.
Kyle Baillie signs for London Scottish
The second-row/flanker trialled with Saracens back in January 2017, following his impressive performance in Canadian colours during the November tests. He dislocated his shoulder while playing for Saracens in the LV Cup and missed the opportunity to pick up a long-term contract
The 26-year-old who has eight caps for his country is known for his high work rate in defence and willingness to carry the ball at pace. A natural at both lock and blindside, Kyle is a threat at the set piece, offering himself as an option at line-out time and a powerful scrummager.
Huw Taylor signs Warriors first-team deal
Huw Taylor has graduated from the Warriors Academy after signing the first-team deal from the summer of 2017.
Having joined the Senior Academy in 2014, Taylor has been an ever-present for Worcester Cavaliers, having captained the side and helping them to the A League final in 2015.
Taylor made his first-team debut against Nottingham Rugby in the British & Irish Cup in 2014 and played a significant role in helping the team win the competition that season, making six appearances.
Click HERE for more details
Boom Prinsloo joins the Bulls
Prinsloo has signed a two-year contract that will see him stay at the Bulls until October 2019.
Prinsloo represented the Cheetahs in 51 matches in Super Rugby, as well as the Springbok Sevens team for two years.
Read more here
Matt Protheroe, Dan Thomas & Sam Bedlow join Bristol
Bristol Rugby has further strengthened their side for the 2017/18 season by signing three highly rated young players with Matt Protheroe, Dan Thomas and Sam Bedlow signing for the club.
20-year-old fullback Mat Protheroe and 23-year-old back rower Dan Thomas arrive from Gloucester.
21-year-old centre Sam Bedlow joins from Sale Sharks, where he made eight first team appearances since graduating through the Club’s Academy system.
Full story here
Sam Whitelock suspended for 2 weeks
A SANZAAR Judicial Committee Hearing has found that Sam Whitelock of the Crusaders contravened Law 10.4(a) Striking another Player with the arm, after he was cited during the Super Rugby match against the Cheetahs at the weekend.
Whitelock has been suspended for 2 weeks, up to and including 13 May 2017.
Worcester Warriors announce 18 departures
Warriors can confirm that 18 first-team and five Academy players will leave the Club this summer when their contracts at Sixways come to an end.
"I would like to place on record my thanks to every departing player for their efforts on and off the pitch during their time at Sixways. We wish them the very best of luck in the future,” said Warriors Director of Rugby Gary Gold.
Social Media Round-up
New Zealand captain Kieran Read faces up to six weeks out with broken thumb - https://t.co/6rNHzIhVW4 pic.twitter.com/6uVNRlmFUI
— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) May 2, 2017