Friday Afternoon Round Up

Collins handed Super Rugby contract

The former Scarlets back Michael Collins has been handed a Super Rugby contract with the Auckland-based Blues side for next year.

After a season with the Scarlets in which he scored three tries in 17 appearances — including a match-winning double against Ulster in Belfast — Collins returned to honour his provincial contract with Otago, where he has been one of the stars of their Mitre 10 Cup campaign,  playing in Otago's 21-14 Mitre 10 Cup win over Manawatu.

The 23-year-old is qualified to play for Wales - his late grandfather is from Llanelli and he holds a British passport.

Sir Gordon Tietjens named Samoa 7s coach

Alex King leaves Saints

Northampton Saints has announced that Alex King has left the club by mutual agreement.

The former England international, who has been the club’s attack coach since arriving from Clermont Auvergne in 2013, has left Franklin’s Gardens with immediate effect.

“As of today, both myself and Northampton Saints have reached a mutual agreement that I will be leaving the club,” he said.

“Helping Saints win the Premiership in 2014 is one of my career highlights and I wish both the players and staff all the success for the coming season.”

“Alex has been a valued member of the coaching staff,” said Saints chief executive Allan Robson.

“He played a big role in our Aviva Premiership and Challenge Cup titles and finishing top of the table in 2015. However we feel that the time is right to move on, and Alex leaves with our thanks and best wishes for the future.”

Nottingham Secure Tigers Trio

Nottingham Rugby are pleased to announce the signing of South African international prop Pat Cilliers on a short-term loan deal from Leicester Tigers, whilst fellow teammates, centres George Worth and Charlie Thacker, have also signed dual-registration contracts with the club.

Cilliers joined the Tigers from Top 14 side Montpellier at the start of the season, and has been loaned to Nottingham to help regain his match fitness. The 29 year-old has six Springbok caps to his name, having featured in victories over England, Ireland and Australia in 2012.

20 year-old, former England Under-20 international Thacker came through junior rugby with Lutterworth RFC and made his senior debut for Tigers in an Anglo-Welsh Cup tie at London Irish in November 2014.

Charlie's older brother Harry, is a regular in the Tigers first team and has also played for Nottingham, having spent some time on loan with the Green and Whites during the 2013/14 season.

Also 20 years-old, Worth joined the senior squad at Tigers for the first time in the 2015 pre-season and made his England Under-20s debut during the 2016 Six Nations, playing at centre alongside Thacker.

Anaru Rangi signs with Force

The Western Force today announced the signing of local player Anaru Rangi for the 2017 Super Rugby season.

The 27-year-old had a remarkable 2016, from working as a scaffolder and playing for local Pindan Premier Grade team Nedlands on the weekend, to being injected into the Force squad in April and then going on to make his Super Rugby debut against the Bulls in Round 10 at the ‘Force Field’ nib Stadium.

The Wellington-born front rower went on to play a further four games for the club, bringing an intensity and physicality that saw him gain the respect of his fellow teammates.

Wallabies 31-man squad for Test vs NZ

Wallabies Head Coach Michael Cheika has named a 31-man squad for the final Bledisloe Cup Test against New Zealand in Auckland.

David Pocock (hand) and Sean McMahon (ankle) both return from injury as the Wallabies aim to break their drought at Eden Park.

Pocock hasn't played since facing Argentina a month ago, after he broke his hand during the first half of the 36-20 win at nib Stadium.

The Wallabies Test against New Zealand will also mark an historic occasion as the first-ever double-header, with the Wallaroos to face the Black Ferns at Eden Park.

See full team here