Antony
Alex Ross (28)
The burnt steak bit was less of a recommendation, and more of a sad but honest reflection of reality.
Rugby News from unexpected places
- Thread starter p.Tah
- Start date
The burnt steak bit was less of a recommendation, and more of a sad but honest reflection of reality.
amirite
Chilla Wilson (44)
Couldn't work out where to post this, but this seems like the best place.
So Cooper Vuna has been named as the 23rd man for Tonga this weekend against Italy. Seeing as there's definitely not another Cooper Vuna running around, this must be the former Rebel and Wallaby.
A quick google has told me he was pursuing that opportunity to change nations that was offered by the Olympic 7s, but it's not clear what happened or if he was successful by what's written online (obviously Tonga didn't play in the Olympics anyway).
What MUST have happened, is Cooper qualified for Tonga. Which means he's the only example I can think of that actually benefitted from that pathway, which people worried would cause a frenzy.
Interesting stuff. Wish there was more of this, even if the conversion rules were relatively strict it would make test football far deeper, and not just for the Pacific Islands.
So Cooper Vuna has been named as the 23rd man for Tonga this weekend against Italy. Seeing as there's definitely not another Cooper Vuna running around, this must be the former Rebel and Wallaby.
A quick google has told me he was pursuing that opportunity to change nations that was offered by the Olympic 7s, but it's not clear what happened or if he was successful by what's written online (obviously Tonga didn't play in the Olympics anyway).
What MUST have happened, is Cooper qualified for Tonga. Which means he's the only example I can think of that actually benefitted from that pathway, which people worried would cause a frenzy.
Interesting stuff. Wish there was more of this, even if the conversion rules were relatively strict it would make test football far deeper, and not just for the Pacific Islands.
Highlander35
Steve Williams (59)
Vuna played in the Repêchage in Monaco amirite, for the non-core members, you just had to play in one qualifying tournament, either the regional one or the Repêchage.
Whatsisface, the Chiefs centre with the double barreled surname that played NZ 7s switched to Samoa as well, he played at the world cup IIRC.
EDIT: Tim Nanai-Williams
Whatsisface, the Chiefs centre with the double barreled surname that played NZ 7s switched to Samoa as well, he played at the world cup IIRC.
EDIT: Tim Nanai-Williams
amirite
Chilla Wilson (44)
That's interesting. I thought TNW had been playing for Samoa for a few years but you're absolutely right.
He's a bloody good footballer, I don't know why NZ saw value in Milner-Skudder and not him. At their best they offer a similar skill set.
WorkingClassRugger
Michael Lynagh (62)
The FFR has formed a partnership with the Colombian Rugby Union to help develop programs for competitions, development and coaching.
Brumby Jack
Steve Williams (59)
When the ambluance gets bogged...just rolling maul it out..
https://au.sports.yahoo.com/rugby/a...l-together-to-get-ambulance-out-of-mud/#page1
https://au.sports.yahoo.com/rugby/a...l-together-to-get-ambulance-out-of-mud/#page1
stoff
Trevor Allan (34)
Good story but they should replace "incredible act of sportsmanship" with "typical display of rugby ethos", although I'm sure there wouldn't be too many sports where a version of this wouldn't happen, albeit without a neatly ingrained term for it. For instance I imagine the competitors at a tractor pull would be all over this sort of thing.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
amirite
Chilla Wilson (44)
Hey guys, not a perfect fit for this thread but the 2017 Sunwolves squad has been announced...
Forwards: Keita Inagaki, Masataka Mikami, Koki Yamamoto, Takeshi Kizu, Takeshi Hino, Shota Horie, Takuma Asahara, Heiichiro Ito, Koo Jiwon, Hitoshi Ono, Kyosuke Kajikawa, Shinya Makabe, Liaki Moli, Willie Britz, Edward Quirk, Uwe Helu, Yoshitaka Tokunaga, Shuhei Matsuhashi, Malgene Ilaua, Yuhimaru Mimura
Backs: Keisuke Uchida, Takahiro Ogawa, Fumiaki Tanaka, Kaito Shigeno, Yuki Yatomi, Harumichi Tatekawa, Hikaru Tamura, Yu Tamura, Hayden Cripps, Teruya Goto, Kenki Fukuoka, Timothy Lafaele, Derek Carpenter, Yasutaka Sasakura, Kotaro Matsushima, Riaan Viljoen
Notable additions include:
All in all an improved squad, probably still will come somewhere close to last but all you can ask for is progress.
Forwards: Keita Inagaki, Masataka Mikami, Koki Yamamoto, Takeshi Kizu, Takeshi Hino, Shota Horie, Takuma Asahara, Heiichiro Ito, Koo Jiwon, Hitoshi Ono, Kyosuke Kajikawa, Shinya Makabe, Liaki Moli, Willie Britz, Edward Quirk, Uwe Helu, Yoshitaka Tokunaga, Shuhei Matsuhashi, Malgene Ilaua, Yuhimaru Mimura
Backs: Keisuke Uchida, Takahiro Ogawa, Fumiaki Tanaka, Kaito Shigeno, Yuki Yatomi, Harumichi Tatekawa, Hikaru Tamura, Yu Tamura, Hayden Cripps, Teruya Goto, Kenki Fukuoka, Timothy Lafaele, Derek Carpenter, Yasutaka Sasakura, Kotaro Matsushima, Riaan Viljoen
Notable additions include:
- Fumiaki Tanaka - arguably the finest player Japan has produced and probably a top 10 halfback in the world.
- Willie Britz - a handy South African back rower. Potential to quality for Japan.
- Hayden Cripps - a handy Kiwi utility back. Potential to quality for Japan.
- Kotaro Matsushima - ex-Melbourne Rebels outside back.
- Akihito Yamada - their star winger from last year. Family reasons cited.
All in all an improved squad, probably still will come somewhere close to last but all you can ask for is progress.
WorkingClassRugger
Michael Lynagh (62)
Apparently Yamada is weighing up several offers from Europe and the US. His wife is actually American and that's where the family reasons are coming from. So he might be popping up in PRO Rugby.
You also overlooked Andrew Duralto. The Eagles no.6/7. I thought he equipped himself very well last season but hasn't been re-signed. Again, hopefully we'll see him in PRO next season.
WorkingClassRugger
Michael Lynagh (62)
The U20s winger you're referring to is stillvat Uni and looks to optimg to finish his studies first.
Highlander35
Steve Williams (59)
No Tusi Pisi either.
WorkingClassRugger
Michael Lynagh (62)
Highlander35
Steve Williams (59)
Still worthwhile noting IMO. When they played well, he was often a big part.
Mr Wobbly
Alan Cameron (40)
Duralto is currently playing 7s for the US.
Mr Wobbly
Alan Cameron (40)
He's their biggest loss.
Tatekawa is a better 12 than a 10, Tamura is alright but not in the same class as Pisi, Cripps is also listed as a 10 - don't know anything about him.
WorkingClassRugger
Michael Lynagh (62)
He returned to the set up for the Olympics but he's very capable of playing professionally in the 15 man game and he has a far more earning potential than in 7s. Would like to see him back in Super Rugby personal.
neilc
Bob Loudon (25)
Cripps is an ex Wellington and Tasman Mitre 10 Cup #10, was part of Hurricanes development squad at some stage and appears to have been playing for the Tokyo Gas team in the Japanese comp for the past couple of seasons.
Mr Wobbly
Alan Cameron (40)
Thanks for that.
Super Rugby is going to be a bit of a step up for him then. Tokyo Gas aren't even in the Top League, they're the next level down. He wouldn't be getting much competition week to week.
neilc
Bob Loudon (25)
I thought that Tokyo Gas was a club I hadn't heard of before so that explains why. Yes it will be a step up but he was considered a pretty decent talent a few years back at Tasman apparently, just whether he can make that step up is the question, only one way to find out.
I hope that the Sunwolves can really perform this year - last season was a really rushed setup so this year they should have more preparation time.
WorkingClassRugger
Michael Lynagh (62)
Well, Marty Banks was able to make the jump after playing Russia. Cripps should be able to do similar.