17/08/2012 ROBYN EDIE/Fairfax NZ SANDWICHED: Southland lock Josh Bekhuis is hit by two Otago players during their NPC pre-season match in Balclutha. Otago won 32-31. Southland have suffered their first first-class loss to Otago since 2008, going down 32-31 in Balclutha this afternoon. The Stags were rocked by a committed Otago team which ran
Month: August 2012
The Southern Kings (explained)
Kings WILL replace Lions in 2013 Super Rugby
Thursday 16 August 2012 Cheeky Watson's Southern Kings will finally join Super Rugby in 2013 South African Rugby officials have confirmed that the Southern Kings will replace the Lions for the 2013 Super Rugby season. The Lions will sit out of the 2013 Super Rugby season and in their place will be the
Tietjens names NZ Sevens training squad
Phil Greening new Scotland Sevens coach
16 August 2012 Phil Greening enjoyed success as England Sevens assistant coach between 2005 and 2007 Scottish Rugby have appointed highly experienced international Sevens specialist Phil Greening as the new head coach and programme manager for Scotland Sevens. Greening, a former England Sevens assistant coach and England and British and Irish Lions hooker,
Otago putting up young backline against Southland
Auckland Rugby name team to face Northland
Thursday, 16 August, 2012 Head coach Wayne Pivac has named a near full-strength team for Auckland’s final pre-season hit-out against Northland at Mid Western Rugby Club, Maungakaramea today (kick-off 5pm). The only notable absences from the side are loose forwards Steven Luatua, Peter Saili and Nathan Hughes, all of whom are injured
All Blacks spring surprises for Sydney
16/8/2012 The All Blacks have sprung a few surprises in their inaugural Rugby Championship side to face the Wallabies at ANZ Stadium, Sydney, on Saturday night. One-Test All Black Luke Romano starts at lock, Liam Messam's irrepressible form earns him a spot on the blindside flank and Hosea Gear earns a wing
Hawke’s Bay rout Manawatu in pre-season
15/08/2012 Hawke's Bay made no race of the pre-competition rugby match against Manawatu winning 37-13 at Napier today. The Magpies made most of the running throughout, scoring four tries to just a solitary try by Manawatu captain Nick Crosswell 11 minutes from the start. The game started ominously for the Manawatu Turbos when
Hernandez returns for Pumas’ Championship debut
August 15, 2012 Argentina flyhalf Juan Martin Hernandez will make his first Test appearance in three years in the Rugby Championship match against South Africa on Saturday. The 30-year-old has suffered a string of injuries since helping his country finish third at the 2007 World Cup. His last test was against England