Thursday Morning Round Up
- 1997
Wallabies name team to face New Zealand
Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has made just the one forced change to his starting side ahead of Saturday night’s Bledisloe Cup decider with New Zealand at Eden Park in Auckland.
Adam Coleman comes into the second row for his first Test start of 2019 after a hand injury ruled out towering lock Rory Arnold. Coleman made his return from injury in last week’s clash at Optus Stadium.
*99 not out - Steve Hansen's record as All Black head coach by the numbers
All Blacks' head coach Steve Hansen will take charge of his 100th test match as New Zealand's head coach this weekend in the second Bledisloe Cup of the year.
Hansen took over from former head coach Graham Henry at the end of the 2011 Rugby World Cup and has gone on to win the Rugby Championship six times, retain the Bledisloe Cup every year since and retained the Rugby World Cup.
All Blacks name team for the deciding Bledisloe Cup Test against Australia
In changes from the All Blacks 23 which played the first Bledisloe Cup Test in Perth, Nepo Laulala comes in for Owen Franks at tighthead prop, with Ofa Tuungafasi coming in for Atu Moli on the bench.
Patrick Tuipulotu will start at lock alongside Sam Whitelock, with Jackson Hemopo coming into the 19 jersey.
Siya Kolisi returns in a new look Springbok side to face Argentina
Rassie Erasmus, the SA Rugby director of rugby, unleashed a new-look team to take on the Pumas on Wednesday, packed with players looking to secure a place in South Africa’s Rugby World Cup squad. Kolisi has been named in the starting XV for a cameo role as he continues his carefully managed rehabilitation from a knee injury while the team is captained for the first time by the experienced Schalk Brits (hooker), who becomes the second oldest Springbok captain at 38 years and three months, and makes his first start in the green and gold since 2008.
Congratulations to @SchalkBrits who becomes @Springboks captain #63 against @lospumas this weekend 🇿🇦
— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) August 14, 2019
Scotland name team to face France
Scotland Head Coach Gregor Townsend has named the Scotland team to face France in the opening Summer Test match at the Allianz Riviera in Nice this Saturday.
Glasgow Warriors stand-off Adam Hastings is handed his first start since the 2018 Autumn Test victory over Argentina, alongside clubmate and scrum-half Ali Price, while a new-look centre partnership of Duncan Taylor (Saracens) and Huw Jones (Glasgow Warriors) mans the midfield for the first time.
Key trio sign new deals with the Hurricanes
Deadly finisher Wes Goosen and exciting young midfielder Peter Umaga-Jensen have signed on until at least the end of the 2021 Super Rugby season, while vastly experienced prop Ben May returns for his ninth season with the Hurricanes.
Rassie Erasmus on how close he is to naming his 31-man World Cup squad
