Weekly Round Up
- 1977
Tana Umaga appointed as Maori All Blacks assistant coach
Maori All Blacks Head Coach Colin Cooper has announced the coaching and management team for the Maori All Blacks' 2016 northern tour at the end of this year.
Former All Blacks captain and Blues Head Coach Tana Umaga has been appointed Assistant Coach and former All Blacks prop and Waikato Forwards Coach Carl Hoeft has been appointed Assistant Forwards Coach.
See full Maori All Blacks Management team here
Timani in line for a Wallabies debut
Michael Cheika has finalised his bench for tomorrow's test against Argentina, with Lopeti Timani and Tom Robinson in line for their Wallabies debut.
Timani’s inclusion means Brumbies winger Henry Speight has missed the cut after initially making the nine-man bench in place of Drew Mitchell.
See full Australian squad to play Argentina here
Jason Ryan appointed to Crusaders coaching team
The Crusaders have completed their coaching roster for 2017, appointing Jason Ryan as the Assistant Forwards Coach.
Ryan will work alongside Scott Robertson as Head Coach, Brad Mooar as Assistant Coach and Leon MacDonald as Assistant Coach Backs.
His contract begins at the end of the Mitre 10 Cup season and is for three years.
Pat Lambie named on Sharks bench
Springbok flyhalf Pat Lambie has recovered from his post concussion symptoms and will be making his way back into the field.
The 25-year-old, who was sidelined for three months, suffered the injury in the first Test between the Springboks and Ireland.
He has met all the concussion return-to-play protocols and should bring plenty of experience to Saturday's crucial clash with the Kings.
Full Sharks squad here
In March came the announcement that flyhalf Marnitz Boshoff has signed a two-year deal with Connacht for the 2016/17 season, but it seems like the Golden Lions have refused to grant him an early release to join the Irish club.
The setback means Boshoff will only be able to join up with the defending PRO12 champions after the conclusion of this year’s Currie Cup.
Houston returns to Bath on short-term deal
After leaving Bath in the summer to head to Queensland Reds, Leroy Houston has returned to the Recreation Ground on a short-term deal.
The back-rower agreed a move to Reds with the hope of furthering his international career with Australia, however now the Super Rugby season has finished, Houston has been released to join his old Club until the end of October.
Adeolokun extends his stay at Connacht
Connacht Rugby have announced the contract extension of Niyi Adeolokun. The 25-year-old wing, who is currently in his third season with the province, has signed a new contract that will see him play at the Sportsground until at least the summer of 2019.
The Nigerian-born Adeolokun has featured in 19 games last season and scoring one of three Connacht tries in the PRO12 final win over Leinster.
Jason Woodward agrees Bristol Rugby switch
Bristol Rugby have secured the signing of Jason Woodward from the Super Rugby champions, the Hurricanes.
Jason has made 43 appearances in Super Rugby for Melbourne Rebels and the Hurricanes, grabbing 252 points.
He represented New Zealand U20s, helping the team to the 2010 IRB Junior World Championship title in Argentina.
Sunwolves have confirmed that Filo Tiatia has been appointed as the team’s head coach for two Super Rugby seasons.
Tiatia was former head coach Mark Hammett’s assistant coach in charge of the forwards in their debut season.
The twice capped former All Black has played and coached Toyota-Verblitz between 2002-2006 during which time he played 57 matches for the side.
He was also an assistant coach with the Ospreys (who he also played for) and the Japan national side and has built a good reputation for his coaching skills and development of players in wide age grade.
Injury blow for Toulon
Toulon wing Vincent Clerc has been ruled out until the end of the year due to injury.
35-year-old Clerc, who joined the club from Top 14 rivals Toulouse during the off-season, suffered an injury in the pre-season and has had an operation on his right Achilles tendon.
Wallabies and Springboks trade places in the World Rankings
South Africa has gone down one place in the World Rugby Rankings after defeat to Australia in the third round of the Rugby Championship.
The Wallabies' 23-17 victory sees them gain a rating point as a result and move on to 85.02 points in the rankings, while South Africa drop to fourth place on 84.30.
World Rugby Rankings
Previous position in brackets
1(1) New Zealand 96.30
2(2) England 89.49
3(4) Australia 85.02
4(3) South Africa 84.30
5(5) Wales 82.49
6(6) Ireland 81.67
7(7) Argentina 81.44
8(8) France 80.75
9(9) Scotland 80.44
10(10) Fiji 75.49
