Super Rugby News

gt12

Not sure if there was a thread already about this, but we can assume that we'll have a few more situations like this coming in the next few weeks (sadly).
 
Pollard gooooonnne... poor bastard.
 
Not really a fan off off season deals in other countries. I wonder if tehere may be more bad news for SA teams, because there have been a lot of them over here playing and picking up some extra cash. But, at what cost?
 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/76726801/handre-pollard-out-of-super-rugby-season-after-suffering-freak-training-accident'>http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/76726801/handre-pollard-out-of-super-rugby-season-after-suffering-freak-training-accident</a>
 
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote">
South Africa and Bulls first five-eighth Handre Pollard will miss the Super Rugby season, the test series against Ireland and the Rugby Championship after rupturing knee ligaments in a freak training accident.
He will undergo surgery on Wednesday and could be sidelined for nine months, Bulls coach Nollis Marais said.
"Handre was easing back into training, his first phase of final rehab before being cleared to play and was busy with a passing drill when he injured himself," Marais said.
"This is pretty devastating for all of us as Handre was a key player for us."
Pollard was undergoing fitness tests with the Bulls on his first day back at the franchise since returning from Japan where he had been playing club rugby.
The 21-year-old has won 20 test caps for the Springboks since making his debut in 2014 and was among South Africa's leading performers when they finished third at last year's Rugby World Cup.
He recently extended his contract with the Pretoria-based Super Rugby franchise until 2019 but was allowed to play in Japan for three months after the World Cup.
The Bulls start their Super Rugby campaign on February 27.
 
</blockquote>

SouthernMan

Bit of an update from the Highlanders; 
 
Richard Buckman will get further scans tomorrow, will probably decide whether it's just a long lay off or he's out for the season. 
 
Alex Ainley and Dan Pryor set to be available again shortly.

Hooroo

Gutted for Buckman. Who would be a likely replacement

Billy Tell

Does anyone else think Buckman was an outside bet for an ABs squad (in the midfield)?
 
Over the years I went from thinking he was pure journeyman to not too bad to pretty good actually to maybe maybe a possible AB.
 
Or am I completely deluded?

gt12

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Billy Tell" data-cid="557828" data-time="1455084173">
<div>
Does anyone else think Buckman was an outside bet for an ABs squad (in the midfield)?
 
Over the years I went from thinking he was pure journeyman to not too bad to pretty good actually to maybe maybe a possible AB.
 
Or am I completely deluded?
</div>
</blockquote>
 
Probably a bit from column A and a bit from column B ;)
 
Seriously though, the timing is horrible. A good run of games and he would have been right in with a shot, I'd imagine.

Crash

Last couple of seasons Buckman has featured heavily for the Landers, may have been an outsider for the ABs,
Not a fan of the pre-season games either. Injuries always seem to occur,

Stargazer

I think Buckman was already on the All Blacks radar as he played for the NZ Barbarians side that trashed the Maori All Blacks last year.

hydro11

I reckon Buckman has a bit of Ben Smith in him. He's a very intelligent rugby player and he could have provided balance to a lot of our explosive young backs. Hopefully, the injury isn't too serious.

Stargazer

That's shit news for the Buck-truck
 
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote">
Highlanders back Richard Buckman ruled out for Super Rugby season
 
LOGAN SAVORY
Last updated 21:08, February 11 2016
 
Richard Buckman is set for a season of off-field promotions - rather than lining up in the 2016 Super Rugby competition - but he remains positive.
 
Buckman injured his shoulder while scoring a try in the Highlanders' first pre-season fixture against French club Racing 92 in Hong Kong on Saturday.
 
The hope was he would would be sidelined for seven weeks and would be able to rejoin the Highlanders for the second half of the competition.
 
However, he was handed the news on Wednesday night which he didn't want - he requires surgery and will miss the remainder of the campaign.
 
"It is obviously pretty disappointing, I was looking forward to another big season trying to defend that title. But it is just one of those things you can't do too much about now and look forward to the future and see the positives and get all my injuries right," he said.
 
"I went and saw the surgeon last night and he gave me the news which was pretty tough. It was a tough sleep last night."
 
He will spend the new few weeks strengthening the shoulder before surgery in March.
 
Buckman has been an unlikely star for the Highlanders since 2014, when he made the move from the Hurricanes, where he saw little game time.
 
The utility back has proved more than useful, both on the wing and in the midfield, and the man dubbed the Barracuda has developed a cult following.
 
Much of that can be put down to his Highlanders team-mate Joe Wheeler, who created a song in his honour.
 
Wheeler and his team-mates pulled out the song at the aftermatch function in Hong Kong as a tribute to Buckman, which proved an internet hit.
 
"I was getting an x-ray at the time, I think he was looking for that limelight again. No he's a good man, I'm just not sure how he's got that song back out there."
 
 - Stuff
</blockquote>

mooshld

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="hydro11" data-cid="557988" data-time="1455166998">
<div>
I reckon Buckman has a bit of Ben Smith in him. He's a very intelligent rugby player and he could have provided balance to a lot of our explosive young backs. Hopefully, the injury isn't too serious.
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</blockquote>
I second this last season he really punched well above his weight.

Bones

Gutted about Buckman, he became a huge asset in the backline last season - real gutsy player and was starting to read the game better and better, the perfect midfield partner for someone as explosive and erratic (in a good way) as Fekitoa.

ACT Crusader

That really sucks for Buckman. It didn't look good when he came off holding his arm like that. I thought he was superb last season. He's got good size and was often a bail out option to get over the gain line and straighten the attack. Reliable defender as well.

Unco

How many players are already out for the entire season? Laulala, Buckman, Pollard and any others?
 
Chiefs suffered another injury today, Vaipulu. I know Rennie said they're lowering the intensity a bit at training because they're conscious of the injuries but so far it seems like the same old.

leytonandamanda

And Mitch karpik injured and had his arm in a sling 
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Stargazer

We'll have to wait and see how serious they are, but these are the casualties from yesterday's training and today's Blues v Hurricanes preseason game: 
 
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote">
TJ Perenara, Brad Shields, Motu Matu'u, Matt Proctor, Leni Apisai, Willis Halaholo and Ben May were among the Hurricanes forced from the field. Locks Blade Thomson and James Blackwell had injured themselves the day before, while the team was still in camp up in Gisborne.
</blockquote>
 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/76858839/blues-come-out-best-in-super-rugby-clash-with-hurricanes'>http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/76858839/blues-come-out-best-in-super-rugby-clash-with-hurricanes</a>

Unco

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="leytonandamanda" data-cid="558383" data-time="1455277511">
<div>
And Mitch karpik injured and had his arm in a sling 
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
</div>
</blockquote>
 
Yeah, forgot about that one, though I thought it was the knee he hurt?
 
Wow at that Canes injury list.

No Quarter

I wonder how much value teams really get out of these pre-season games, and with such a long season now if they should think about scrapping them.

Glath

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stargazer" data-cid="558518" data-time="1455345246">
<div>
We'll have to wait and see how serious they are, but these are the casualties from yesterday's training and today's Blues v Hurricanes preseason game: 
 
 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/76858839/blues-come-out-best-in-super-rugby-clash-with-hurricanes'>http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/76858839/blues-come-out-best-in-super-rugby-clash-with-hurricanes</a>
</div>
</blockquote>
Christ.

milkshake

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="No Quarter" data-cid="558527" data-time="1455351552">
<div>
I wonder how much value teams really get out of these pre-season games, and with such a long season now if they should think about scrapping them.
</div>
</blockquote>
 
I think you do need them. Playing amongst yourselves gets stale and you have to give the whole squad some time in a real(ish) game situation to see where you are before the real season starts.
 
The season is 1 game shorter now than it was too. S15 was 16 games, S18 is only 15. That's in the regular season, obviously, which as a Blues fan is all I know.

Stargazer

Hurricanes:
 
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote">
Matt Proctor, Ben May and Motu Matu'u sidelined for Hurricanes
 
Three out of seven isn't a bad result for the Hurricanes.
 
TJ Perenara, Brad Shields, Ben May, Matt Proctor, Leni Apisai, Willis Halaholo and Motu Matu'u all made early exits from Saturday's 40-12 pre-season loss to the Blues in Eketahuna.
Thankfully, for last year's Super Rugby runners-up, most have now been passed fit to play the Crusaders, in their final pre-season match on Friday in Blenheim.
 
Proctor, May and Matu'u have not, with Proctor sounding as if he's copped the worst luck. The centre appeared to go down clutching a hamstring after 14 minutes of Saturday's match, but was later seen icing a knee.
 
He's now been diagnosed with a Posterior Cruciate Ligament injury, although it's yet to be revealed how severe that is or how long Proctor might be sidelined. At best it would seen unlikely that he would be fit to play in the Hurricanes' season-opener against the Brumbies in Canberra on February 26.
...
 
May, meanwhile, has a shoulder problem which isn't thought to be serious enough to keep him away from tighthead prop for too long, with Matu'u suffering a calf strain during his brief stint on the field against the Blues. His absence at hooker will be offset by the return of captain Dane Coles, who was at a wedding last weekend.
...
</blockquote>
 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/76901164/matt-proctor-ben-may-and-motu-matuu-sidelined-for-hurricanes'>http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/76901164/matt-proctor-ben-may-and-motu-matuu-sidelined-for-hurricanes</a>
 
[hr]
 
Chiefs:
 
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote">
Chiefs flanker Mitch Karpik ruled out of Super Rugby season with ruptured ACL
 
Chiefs flanker Mitch Karpik will miss the 2016 Super Rugby season after suffering a knee injury in their preseason game against the Waratahs in Rotorua last Friday.
 
The 20-year-old ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee and will now undergo surgery. He is expected to take six to nine months to recover, meaning he will miss the forthcoming season, which begins on February 26 and runs until August.
...
 
The Chiefs beat the Waratahs 17-12 on Friday, but have already racked up a lengthy injury list, still two weeks out from the start of the season.
 
Prop Nepo Laulala is also out for the season with a knee injury, while lock Dom Bird and halfback Augustine Pulu are both expected to be out for at least two months with foot and arm injuries respectively.
 
Backs Andrew Horrell (groin) and Toni Pulu (ankle) are both on the comeback trail after off-season surgery.
...
</blockquote>
 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/76917108/chiefs-flanker-mitch-karpik-ruled-out-of-super-rugby-season-with-ruptured-acl'>http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/76917108/chiefs-flanker-mitch-karpik-ruled-out-of-super-rugby-season-with-ruptured-acl</a>

Siam

Christ it's heartbraking to hear all these fellas ruled out for the season before the month of Feb is even half way over
 
That pro rugby job thingee might not be all it's cracked up to be....we'd all still love to do it though eh!
 
Should be a catchphrase in the industry that injury time = hit the study books between rehabs

Bovidae

Squad depth is going to be so important as teams suffer injuries. While I don't think Karpik would have played much he would be a useful foil to Cane at trainings. I suppose Kolomatangi will be used more as a no.7 now, and there's Leitch as well. Perhaps a player like Mitch Jacobson might be looked at for the WTG and squad trainings. 
 
Vaipulu's shoulder problem seems to be OK.
 
Playing on hard grounds at this time of the year can't help with these high impact injuries.

taniwharugby

NEW ZEALAND (TAB)
Chiefs $6.50, Hurricanes $7.50, Waratahs $8, Brumbies $8, Highlanders $8.50, Crusaders $8.50, Stormers $10, Sharks $13, Jaguares $13, Blues $18, Bulls $18, Lions $31, Reds $41, Rebels $61, Force $101, Cheetahs $101, Kings $151, Sunwolves $501.
 
AUSTRALIA (Centrebet)
Hurricanes $6, Chiefs $7, Waratahs $7.50, Crusaders $7.50, Brumbies $9, Highlanders $9, Sharks $13, Jaguares $13, Stormers $15, Bulls $17, Blues $21, Reds $26, Lions $34, Rebels $51, Force $81, Cheetahs $81, Kings $251, Sunwolves $251.
 
SOUTH AFRICA (Interbet)
Hurricanes R6.30, Chiefs R6.50, Crusaders $R7.30, Waratahs R7.50, Brumbies R8.30, Highlanders R8.50, Stormers R12, Jaguares R12, Sharks R13, Bulls R17, Blues R19.50, Lions R29, Reds R31, Rebels R54, Force R78, Cheetahs R86, Kings R200, Sunwolves R300.

ACT Crusader

Any ferners heading to Blenheim for the Saders preseason hitout vs the Canes? I'd be interested in a (real) match report before the season proper starts. The stuff report from the Landers game in Southland was more about the occasion (which is fine) rather than how players were faring.
 
Starting to get excited about the 'unknown' element of what the Saders will be like this season.

taniwharugby

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="558979" data-time="1455588546">
<div>
Any ferners heading to Blenheim for the Saders preseason hitout vs the Canes? I'd be interested in a (real) match report before the season proper starts. The stuff report from the Landers game in Southland was more about the occasion (which is fine) rather than how players were faring.
 
Starting to get excited about the 'unknown' element of what the Saders will be like this season. 
</div>
</blockquote>
 
you mean it is unknown if Toddy has a game plan up his sleeve after all these years ;)

ACT Crusader

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="558981" data-time="1455590583">
<div>
you mean it is unknown if Toddy has a game plan up his sleeve after all these years ;)
</div>
</blockquote>
Oh, he's had a game plan all these years, it's just that me, shark, Chris B and others haven't liked it...

SammyC

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="558979" data-time="1455588546">
<div>
Starting to get excited about the 'unknown' element of what the Saders will be like this season. 
</div>
</blockquote>
 
It is kind of exciting to go into a season with low expectations.

KiwiPie

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="558982" data-time="1455590909">
<div>
Oh, he's had a game plan all these years, it's just that me, shark, Chris B and others haven't liked it...
</div>
</blockquote>
It is well defined - go right, reach the winger, get tackled, go left, reach the winger, get tackled, repeat as often as it takes for the opposition to get tired/bored

jegga

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="558937" data-time="1455573407">
<div>
NEW ZEALAND (TAB)
Chiefs $6.50, Hurricanes $7.50, Waratahs $8, Brumbies $8, Highlanders $8.50, Crusaders $8.50, Stormers $10, Sharks $13, Jaguares $13, Blues $18, Bulls $18, Lions $31, Reds $41, Rebels $61, Force $101, Cheetahs $101, Kings $151, Sunwolves $501.
 
AUSTRALIA (Centrebet)
Hurricanes $6, Chiefs $7, Waratahs $7.50, Crusaders $7.50, Brumbies $9, Highlanders $9, Sharks $13, Jaguares $13, Stormers $15, Bulls $17, Blues $21, Reds $26, Lions $34, Rebels $51, Force $81, Cheetahs $81, Kings $251, Sunwolves $251.
 
SOUTH AFRICA (Interbet)
Hurricanes R6.30, Chiefs R6.50, Crusaders $R7.30, Waratahs R7.50, Brumbies R8.30, Highlanders R8.50, Stormers R12, Jaguares R12, Sharks R13, Bulls R17, Blues R19.50, Lions R29, Reds R31, Rebels R54, Force R78, Cheetahs R86, Kings R200, Sunwolves R300.
</div>
</blockquote>
 
We've lost our midfield are we are favourites?

taniwharugby

haha yeah I thought it was odd the 'canes are still faves across the board given the players they have lost.
 
Still think the Jaguares are a decent bet, be surprising if they won in thier first go, but they have a strong squad, or match day squad at least

mooshld

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="559015" data-time="1455603756">
<div>
haha yeah I thought it was odd the 'canes are still faves across the board given the players they have lost.
 
Still think the Jaguares are a decent bet, be surprising if they won in thier first go, but they have a strong squad, or match day squad at least
</div>
</blockquote>
I think the week in week out pace will take those players some time to get used to. So think its a stretch for this year but they could well be in with a shout sooner rather then later.

Stargazer

<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/77011261/sharks-patrick-lambie-out-12-weeks-with-dislocated-shoulder'>Sharks' Patrick Lambie out 12 weeks with dislocated shoulder</a>
 
According to this article on Stuff, he got injured during the Sharks' preseason game against Toulon.

SouthernMan

Brendon Edmond's has signed a two year contract extension with the Highlanders.

Good on him. Well deserved.

Smudge

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="558979" data-time="1455588546">
<div>
Any ferners heading to Blenheim for the Saders preseason hitout vs the Canes? I'd be interested in a (real) match report before the season proper starts. The stuff report from the Landers game in Southland was more about the occasion (which is fine) rather than how players were faring.
 
Starting to get excited about the 'unknown' element of what the Saders will be like this season. 
</div>
</blockquote>
 
Here's the match report from the ODT. 
 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.odt.co.nz/sport/rugby/highlanders/372892/rugby-draw-fair-result-match-full-handling-errors'>http://www.odt.co.nz/sport/rugby/highlanders/372892/rugby-draw-fair-result-match-full-handling-errors</a>

taniwharugby

Looks like James Broadhurst is still struggling from a head knock in the ITM Cup
 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/77055877/james-broadhursts-concussion-headache-wont-go-away'>http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/77055877/james-broadhursts-concussion-headache-wont-go-away</a>

James Broadhurst's concussion headache 'won't go away'

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LAURA WALTERS
Last updated 10:36, February 19 2016
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<div><img src="http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/9/v/k/m/b/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.19vkp1.png/1455839760785.jpg" title="" alt="1455839760785.jpg"><div>Maarten Holl/ Fairfax NZ</div>
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Lock James Broadhurst enjoyed a breakout year in New Zealand rugby in 2015 as a key figure in the Hurricanes' Super Rugby campaign.
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A Hurricanes player plagued by concussion issues says he's happy with the international safeguards and protocols surrounding the injury. 
Lock James Broadhurst has not played, nor even trained properly, since suffering two head knocks playing for Taranaki against Wellington in the first round of last year's national provincial competition. 
That was in August and the one-test All Black said he still had a headache that "won't go away".
<div><img src="http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/9/v/k/o/2/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.19vkp1.png/1455839760785.jpg" title="" alt="1455839760785.jpg"><div>SIPHIWE SIBEKO/ REUTERS</div>
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James Broadhurst made his test debut for the All Blacks in their 2015 Rugby Championship test against South Africa in Johannesburg.
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The 28-year-old said the ongoing effects of his concussion were "extremely frustrating" but he doesn't believe any more could have been done to prevent the injury.
READ MORE:

<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/77040872/hurricanes-lock-james-broadhurst-sidelined-by-head-knocks-suffered-last-august'>Head knocks sideline Canes lock Broadhurst</a>
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/77057894/coach-steve-hansen-confirms-kieran-read-will-be-all-blacks-captain'>Hansen confirms 'Reado' as All Blacks captain</a> 
* <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/other-sports/77042129/all-blacks-named-halberg-award-winners-after-their-rugby-world-cup-triumph'>All Blacks win Halbergs Supreme Award</a> 
* <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/other-sports/77051604/all-blacks-coach-steve-hansen-humbled-to-be-named-coach-of-the-year-at-the-halbergs'>Hansen humbled with Coach of the Year</a> 
* <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/77054766/steve-hansen-now-5050-on-coaching-all-blacks-to-next-world-cup'>Hansen '50-50' to got to next World Cup</a>
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At the time of the knock Broadhurst said he didn't display any symptoms of concussion and decided to keep on playing, which was when he received the second hit.
He was taken off at half-time following a medical assessment and wouldn't be returning to the paddock until he was symptom-free.
And at the moment he did not know when that would be.
"How long is a piece of string?"
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Back in September Broadhurst said he regretted returning to the field after the first knock.
"It's about personal responsibility and in my case I've only got myself to blame."
During Friday's press conference he said hindsight was a wonderful thing.
At the time of the knock everyone had followed international protocols.
"There's really good protocols in place in New Zealand rugby."
However, people needed to be "more vigilant" at lower levels when it came to concussion, Broadhurst said.
"I just think people need to be smarter... I think at the lower levels where those resources aren't around there are probably situations where people could be more vigilant."
Broadhurst said he was trying to do what he could to help the team by participating in line-out training and staying positive.
"There's no point in sitting around, moping about it, it's only gonna be worse for the mental state."
His injury hadn't affected his personal life and he had been told he was likely to make a full recovery. 
Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd said it was a frustrating setback for Broadhurst and the team but it was unlikely to affect his career in the long-term. 
The unknown element of the injury meant all protocols had been strictly adhered to.
"The awareness around concussion is becoming markedly increased," Boyd said.
"You don't muck around with concussion. We'd love to see Broady out there on the field, but fully understand that won't happen until he has satisfied all the criteria set out by the medical staff and that's exactly how it should be," Boyd said.
Hurricanes doctor Theo Dorfling said players needed to be symptom-free for 24 hours before they could participate in any physical activity and only then would they be able to enter a graduated return to play programme.
Hurricanes spokesman Toby Robson said New Zealand Rugby Union has introduced a video box at the halfway point that was monitored by doctors, allowing them to review footage of any knocks, then monitor the player for symptoms. 
Broadhurst made his test debut last July, playing against South Africa at Ellis Park.
 - Stuff

Bovidae

After reading that article Broadhurst's symptoms appear very similar to Afeaki's. Everyone was confident Afeaki would make a comeback but he didn't. I hope Broadhurst has better luck.

Tim

Matt Vaega has signed for the Blues. 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://theblues.co.nz/vaega-signs-for-2016/'>http://theblues.co.nz/vaega-signs-for-2016/</a>

Stargazer

From the Kyode News:
 
 
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote">
Rugby: Family bereavement forces Sunwolves coach to return home
TOKYO, Feb. 19, Kyodo
<div>
 
Mark Hammett, coach of Japan's new Super Rugby side the Sunwolves, will leave the team's training camp in Okinawa with immediate effect following the death of his mother Friday in New Zealand.
"It is a sad day for me and my family on the passing of my mother," Hammett said in a statement. "A lot of my success in life I owe to her. I would like to thank Japan Rugby and the Sunwolves management, players, sponsors and fans for their support at this sad time. I will leave Japan to go and support my family and lay my mum to rest. I am hopeful that I can return in time for our inaugural Super Rugby match."
Assistant coach Filo Tiatia will take charge of the team as they prepare for their inaugural game against the Johannesburg-based Lions on Feb. 27 in Tokyo.
</div>
</blockquote>

Bovidae

Foley could be out for 3-4 weeks with a shoulder injury. A big loss for the Tahs.

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