Top Stories of the Week

Beauden Barrett joins an illustrious group of players to join Suntory Sungoliath

Beauden Barrett's move to Japanese side Suntory Sungoliath sees the All Black playmaker join an illustrious group of former test stars who have pulled on the yellow and black jersey.

The All Blacks star will miss next year's Super Rugby season with the Blues to join the Top League side but will return in time for the international season. Full story

Beauden Barrett can still play for the All Blacks in 2021 despite his move to Japan, here is why 👇

— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) July 3, 2020

South Africa recruit Saracens Head of Athletic Performance

Andy Edwards, the experienced Saracens Strength and Conditioning coach, has been appointed as the new Head of Athletic Performance for the Springboks.

SA Rugby confirmed on Friday that Edwards will take up his new role with the Springboks on 1 August, and will travel to Cape Town as soon as possible considering the resumption of international travel to South Africa. Full story

Cult Figure Taumalolo Returns To Hawke's Bay

Tongan International and former Chiefs' Super Rugby winner, Sona Taumalolo has signed with Hawke’s Bay for the upcoming Mitre 10 Cup season.

One of Hawke’s Bays favorite sons of Magpies' faithful, Taumalolo has been playing in France for Perpignan, Racing 92 and Grenoble since 2012 and is looking forward to the chance to add to his 61 caps and 18 tries for the Magpies. Full story

Wasps legend Ashley Johnson lands a player-coach role in England's third division

Former Springbok and Wasps forward Ashley Johnson has signed on to become a player-coach at Birmingham Moseley, the club confirmed on Thursday. The South African left Wasps in June after making 198 appearances and was offered a deal to return to South Africa with the Bulls but turned down the offer to remain in England. Full story

Western Force recruit experienced Wallabies

The Western force have announced the signing of Pekahou Cowan and Nick Frisby ahead of their opening Super Rugby AU game next week. 

Another 2️⃣ Wallabies join the team! 

We are very excited to announce that much loved @Pekcowan and Nick Frisby will be pulling on the Force jersey for #SuperRugbyAU 2020!https://t.co/oHD2XJ9eU3#ForceForever pic.twitter.com/XMno4nwEJl

— Western Force (@westernforce) July 1, 2020

Full story

Leicester Tigers confirm the departure of five players including Manu Tuilagi

Leicester Tigers chief executive Andrea Pinchen confirmed that England stars Tuilagi and Kyle Eastmond, and also Telusa Veainu, Greg Bateman and Noel Reid have left the Welford Road club.

The Tigers’ chief executive confirmed the departures of the five, who were not prepared to take a 25% pay cut next season despite a pledge that some of it would be reimbursed once the club returned to profitability. Full story

Saracens sign Namibian international back-rower

Saracens latest acquisition is in the form of powerful back-rower Janco Venter.

The 25-year-old, who represented Stellenbosch University and Western Province as he climbed the ladder, has been capped 28 times for his native Namibia, including two World Cups. Full story

Bristol secure new scrum coach in ex-Scotland international

Bristol Bears have announced that they have secured the services of former Scotland international prop Alasdair Dickinson.

Dickinson enjoyed a decorated career that involved 58 caps for Scotland and three World Cups. Since his retirement, he has been involved with the Scottish senior men, women, U20s and academies. Full story

Coaches confirmed for North Island and South Island teams

All Blacks assistant coach Brad Mooar has confirmed the coaches for the North and South Island teams who will go head-to-head in a clash that will double up as an All Blacks trial.

Mooar has revealed that John Plumtree and Scott McLeod will coach the North while Greg Feek and Mooar coach the South. Full story

All Blacks Sevens and Black Ferns Sevens claim World Series titles

The All Blacks Sevens and Black Ferns Sevens have secured the 2020 World Rugby Sevens Series titles with the remainder of tournaments officially cancelled.

World Rugby confirmed the Series titles would be awarded to the All Blacks Sevens and Black Ferns Sevens teams, their first combined victory since the 2014 season. Full story

2021 Lions tour looks to go ahead as scheduled

After some months of speculation ignited by the detrimental effect of Covid-19 on current and future rugby prospects, it appears that a crisis regarding the Lions 2021 tour to South Africa has been averted and the original plans regarding dates will go ahead, according to a report by the Telegraph.

EXCLUSIVE: Lions tour of South Africa to proceed as originally scheduled in July and August 2021 | @GavinMairs reportshttps://t.co/azhtazlOMR

— Telegraph Rugby (@TelegraphRugby) June 27, 2020

The news comes as a relief to many supporters in South Africa and the UK who were facing the prospect of having the tour postponed to 2022 or even canceled in its entirety. Full story

The Hurricanes release Assistant coach Carlos Spencer

Former All Black flyhalf Carlos Spencer has been released from his role as an assistant coach at the Hurricanes.

The club released a short statement confirming Spencer's departure due to the financial pressure of the Covid-19 pandemic. Full story