Just in case you are bored with the Folau saga.
The Daily Telegraph in Australia reported that Wallaby hooker Silatolu Latu has been arrested for drink driving.

According to reports Latu was found slumped over the wheel of a vehicle not far from Rugby Australia headquarters in Sydney at approximately 04.30 on Thursday morning.

RA released a statement on the matter: “Rugby Australia and New South Wales Rugby Union have been made aware today by the Daily Telegraph of an incident involving Wallabies and Waratahs hooker Tolu Latu.

“Rugby Australia’s Integrity Unit is working with the New South Wales Rugby Union to ascertain all of the facts.”Tongan-born Latu, who has played 12 Tests for Australia, was named on the bench for the Saturday’s Waratahs match with the Reds and took to the field in the 67th minute of the 40-32 Round 14 win in Brisbane.

New South Wales chief executive Andrew Hore said post-match he had no knowledge of the incident until being made aware of the media report and was disappointed considering it followed hard on the heels of the Folau contract termination saga.

“It’s something we’ll obviously talk to Tolu about as we go through the investigation,” Hore said.

@Steven-Harris especially as his crimes were targeted at children.

Parents quit rugby club after Dillan Halaholo inclusion:-
Furious parents have taken their children out of an Auckland rugby club which has welcomed back a former professional player whose career appeared in tatters after being convicted of performing indecent acts in front of young kids.

Dillan Halaholo has twice been convicted of doing an indecent act in public; in both 2016 and 2017.
The rest of the story is behind the Herald pay wall. How did the Suburbs club not see this coming?

Ulster have announced that experienced Super Rugby back Matt Faddes will join the club next season from long-time franchise the Highlanders. from planet Rugby -

https://www.planetrugby.com/ulster-snap-up-versatile-back-matt-faddes/

@Dice I would be diappointed if they picked Halohalo for Auckland after his disturbing conviction -

@Bones Lies, damn lies and statistics! It doesn't mention how often they turn over the ball at the end of a run.

From the sanzar site for stats fans -

Which teams in the competition have been the best at getting themselves over the gain line, as well as stopping their opponents from doing the same?

At any level of rugby, the battle for the gain line is crucial and in Super Rugby this is no different, with front foot ball being the catalyst to many breaks and ultimately tries.

The Rebels have comfortably the best record of getting across the advantage line, boasting a gain line success rate of 60%, four percentage points better than the Bulls and the Brumbies who are the next best sides when in possession.
However, it’s not always about getting yourself across the gain line, but also stopping your opponents from doing the same. Teams facing both the Stormers and the Bulls this season have only been able to muster a 45% success rate in getting over the gain line, while the Hurricanes have provided the meanest gain line defence of teams from outside South Africa.
On an individual level, it is the Reds’ Chris Feauai-Sautia who boasts the best success rate of any player to make at least 30 ‘gain line’ carries, with New Zealand-based duo Tevita Li and Rieko Ioane hot on his heels, both boasting a 75% success rate in getting over the advantage line.
For the forwards though it’s often a more difficult job to get over the gain line, with the big men often making the hard yards in tighter channels around the fringes of the breakdown. However, that hasn’t stopped the Rebels’ Isi Naisarani making inroads into opposition territory, as he’s recorded a 74% gain line success rate, the best of any forward. Perhaps the players who deserve most credit for making the top 10 gain line-breaking forwards are Armand van der Merwe and Agustin Creevy, representing the front row union and each making their way over the gain line on over 60% of their carries.

A world cup warm up match.

Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Sibusiso Nkosi, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Louis Schreuder (captain), 8 Daniel du Preez, 7 Jean-Luc du Preez, 6 Philip van der Walt, 5 Ruan Botha, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 Coenie Oosthuizen, 2 Kerron van Vuuren, 1 Thomas du Toit.
Replacements: 16 Armand van der Merwe, 17 Mzamo Majola, 18 John-Hubert Meyer, 19 Hyron Andrews, 20 Jacques Vermeulen, 21 Cameron Wright, 22 Robert du Preez, 23 Marius Louw.

Veteran Springbok prop Tendai Mtawarira has returned home from the team’s Australasian tour with an MCL injury to his left knee.

From Fox sports Au.

Winterfell XV Player Ratings

1. Samwell Tarly — 2.0

Forgettable performance from a guy who talked a big game in the lead-up to match day. Openly bragged about being ‘the first bloke to kill a whitewalker’ last week, then went to mud in the warm-up. Much more expected from the big loosehead assuming he gets a start in coming rounds.

2. Tyrion Lannister — 1.0

Went against team code by getting hammered on cheap wine the night before the game. Hangover showed as he was rendered impotent against a more physical and hungrier outfit. Unable to offer up his customary niggle and stirring speeches on account of being too busy sweet talking Sansa. A bad look in every way for a player trying to work his way back into form. Massive improvement required.

3. Lord Varys — 0.5

Where do we start with the 125kg eunuch? Only kept on the park by the coaching team in the hope he’d deliver a touch of brilliance in the closing stages. Offered nothing in attack and could only huddle in defence. Looks certain to be dropped after this woeful effort.

4. The Hound — 5.0

Was late to the frontline of battle and it showed. Appeared distracted at times and went completely missing for a large part of the second half. Redeemed himself by doing an exceptional job of babysitting his flyhalf to help set up the match-winning drop goal.

5. Brienne of Tarth — 9.0

Crushed multiple wights with a willingness to mix it up at maul time. Continues to win new fans with her abrasive approach and will be one of the first picked for their next fight. Also saved the one-armed man’s life, will be popular on Mad Monday.

6. Theon Greyjoy — 9.0

Five-star performance from a guy looking to redeem himself under the guidance of Coach Stark. Dropped countless wights with a bow and arrow, then took to the advancing horde with a spear. Ordinarily a performance like this would gain Theon a spot in the starting team for life. Shame he’s dead, killed with his own spear. Irony for the Ironborn.

7. Grey Worm — 8.0

Since entering the Winterfell XV Pathway Program, Grey Worm has been ultra-disciplined and always looked likely to provide the sort of output to win a big one. Clutch in every way, Mr Worm led his side over the ball and was a menace in the scrap.

8. Tormund Giantsbane — 7.0

Carried strong, ever reliable red-head went hard again . Simple man with a simple game plan.

9. Lyanna Mormont — 9.0

Lady Mormont has excelled at Scrumhalf. Despite battling a crushed rib cage and dislocated spine, Lyanna still found a way to drop the biggest bloke on the park. Sadly, this will be her final game in the Winterfell XV after being unable to overcome the aforementioned injuries. She also fell 60 feet. Bear Island Rugby Club in particular will be rocked.

10. Arya Stark — 10.0

At times, a one-woman demolition crew. Has always promised a flawless 82 minute performance and on her home track, was a cut above. Put a marker down early in the match by icing double-digit wights and she never looked back. Won the game following a half-time rev up from Melisandre. Total perfection from the assassin.

11. Jamie Lannister — 7.5

Hung tough with his one working arm. Like Theon, was chasing redemption. Unlike Theon, Jamie will be back again next week.

12. Jon Snow — 4.0

Didn’t adapt to the conditions, went looking for dominance late but never really figured.

13. Melisandre — 8.5

Surprise packet in this must-win match up. Late inclusion in the starting team and made a statement early by turning normal swords into flaming ones. Result was minimal as everybody carrying one was ripped limb from limb, but her play added much needed spark. Also provided visionary chat to MVP Arya before collapsing in a heap out the front. Big loss.

14. Daenerys Targaryen — 5.0

Struggled to get into the game. Only highlight was burning a bunch of the undead with her dragons. Lucky to get through the full 82 and needs a big week at training.

15. Sir Jorah — 8.5

Played until the final whistle, making it back to back golden performances from the love-struck swordsman. Another to have played their final game for this improving outfit.

Coach: Bran Stark — 5.0

Checked out of the battle for a long while, only returning to tell Theon he was a good man. Sat emotionless as sister Arya plunged her Valeryian Steel dagger into the Night King’s midriff, preventing the end of the world in the process. Had a hand in the game plan and was happy to be bait. Winning is a habit and Bran will be better for it when they hit King’s Landing.