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Ex-Scotland captain Hogg ‘resets’ in rehab after arrest
It’s always a good time to reach out to a friend, acquaintance or colleague and ask the question ‘are you OK, mate?’. You don’t have to wait for a specific week.
While some of Stuart Hogg’s wounds have been self-inflicted I hope he’s getting the help he needs. Link Here
Stuart Hogg says he has “reset” at a rehabilitation clinic after being arrested and charged last month. The former Scotland captain, 31, was released by police following an incident in his hometown of Hawick on an undertaking to appear at Jedburgh Sheriff Court at a later date.
Hogg retired from rugby union prior to last year’s World Cup, having amassed a century of senior caps and been involved in three British & Irish Lions tours. He is Scotland’s all-time leading try scorer and won national and European titles with both Glasgow Warriors and Exeter Chiefs. The father-of-four was awarded an MBE in the 2024 New Year Honours for services to rugby union.
“I was lost, needed help, direction, time away from the spotlight to be able to take a deep breath and think,” Hogg posted on Instagram. “I’ve been so concerned about what people thought of me, how I was coming across, the impact I would have on them and how I would survive the day. I lived every moment in my head and it wasn’t healthy.
“Spending time at a rehabilitation centre, allowed me to reset, learn about myself and talk about how I felt, without being judged. It’s not been easy but it was the right thing to do. Taking accountability was the first step in the right direction. I accept I have made mistakes and understand why l acted as I did.”
Super Rugby Teams Round 11
Friday– Hurricanes v NSW Waratahs at SKY Stadium, Wellington,
HURRICANES (1-15): Pouri Rakete-Stones, Kianu Kereru-Symes, Tyrel Lomax, Caleb Delany, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Devan Flanders, Peter Lakai, Brayden Iose, Richard Judd, Brett Cameron, Bailyn Sullivan, Riley Higgins, Billy Proctor (c), Josh Moorby, Ruben Love
RESERVES: Raymond Tuputupu, Xavier Numia, Pasilio Tosi, Justin Sangster, Du’Plessis Kirifi, TJ Perenara, Jordie Barrett, Salesi Rayasi
WARATAHS (1-15): Hayden Thompson-Stringer, Julian Heaven, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Hugh Sinclair, Fergus Lee-Warner, Lachlan Swinton, Hunter Ward, Langi Gleeson, Jake Gordon (c), Will Harrison, Dylan Pietsch, Lalakai Foketi, Joey Walton, Triston Reilly, Mark Nawaqanitawase
RESERVES: Jay Fonokalafi, Lewis Ponini, Brad Amituanai, Miles Amatosero, Charlie Gamble, Jack Grant, Tane Edmed, Vuate Karawalevu
Referee: Dan Waenga Assistant Referees: Paul Williams, Mike Winter
Friday 7:35 PM AEST – Melbourne Rebels v Blues at AAMI Park,
REBELS (1-15): Isaac Kailea, Jordan Uelese, Taniela Tupou, Angelo Smith, Josh Canham, Josh Kemeny, Vaiolini Ekuasi, Rob Leota (c), Ryan Louwrens, Carter Gordon, Darby Lancaster, David Feliuai, Matt Proctor, Filipo Daugunu, Andrew Kellaway
RESERVES: Ethan Dobbins, Matt Gibbon, Sam Talakai, Tuaina Taii Tualima, Maciu Nabolakasi, Jack Maunder, Jake Strachan, Lachie Anderson
BLUES (1-15): Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Ricky Riccitelli, PJ Sheck, Patrick Tuipulotu (c), Laghlan McWhannell, Anton Segner, Dalton Papali’i, Hoskins Sotutu, Taufa Funaki, Harry Plummer, Caleb Clarke, AJ Lam, Rieko Ioane, Mark Tele’a, Cole Forbes
RESERVES: Kurt Eklund, Joshua Fusitu’a, Marcel Renata, Sam Darry, Cam Suafoa, Sam Nock, Corey Evans, Bryce Heem
Referee: Angus Gardner Assistant Referees: Matt Kellahan, James Palmer
Saturday 12:05 pm – Moana Pasifika v Highlanders at Teufaiva Stadium, Nuku’alofa,
PASIFIKA (1-15): Abraham Pole, Samiuela Moli, Sione Mafileo, Tom Savage, Allan Craig, Jacob Norris, Sione Havili Talitui (c), Lotu Inisi, Jonathan Taumateine, Christian Lealiifano, Fine Inisi, Julian Savea, Henry Taefu. Viliami Fine, William Havili
RESERVES: Sama Malolo, Sateki Latu, Sekope Kepu, Ola Tauelangi, Solomone Funaki, Ereatara Enari, Danny Toala, Neria Fomai
HIGHLANDERS (1-15): Daniel Lienert-Brown, Henry Bell, Saula Ma’u, Mitch Dunshea, Fabian Holland, Oliver Haig, Sean Withy, Billy Harmon (c), Folau Fakatava, Cameron Millar, Connor Garden-Bachop, Jake Te Hiwi, Tanielu Tele’a, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
RESERVES: Jack Taylor, Ayden Johnstone, Jermaine Ainsley, Will Tucker, Nikora Broughton, James Arscott, Sam Gilbert, Martin Bogodo
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe Assistant Referees: Stu Curran, Jackson Henshaw
Saturday 2:35 pm – Crusaders v Queensland Reds at Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch
CRUSADERS (1-15): George Bower, Brodie McAlister, Fletcher Newell, Scott Barrett (c), Quinten Strange, Cullen Grace, Ethan Blackadder, Christian Lio-Willie, Mitch Drummond, David Havili, Sevu Reece, Dallas McLeod, Levi Aumua, Johnny McNicholl, Leigh Halfpenny
RESERVES: George Bell, Joe Moody, Owen Franks, Jamie Hannah, Corey Kellow, Noah Hotham, Rivez Reihana, Chay Fihaki
REDS (1-15): Peni Ravai, Matt Faessler, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Ryan Smith, Angus Blyth, Liam Wright (c), Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson, Kalani Thomas, Lawson Creighton, Mac Grealy , Hunter Paisami, Josh Flook, Tim Ryan, Jock Campbell
RESERVES: Josh Nasser, Sef Fa’agase, Zane Nonggorr, Connor Vest, John Bryant, Louis Werchon, Harry McLaughlin-Philips, Suliasi Vunivalu
Referee: Jordan Way Assistant Referees: Damon Murphy, Jeremy Markey
Saturday 5:05 pm – Chiefs v Western Force at FMG Stadium Waikato,
CHIEFS (1-15): Aidan Ross, Bradley Slater, George Dyer, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Tupou Vaa’i, Samipeni Finau, Kalyum Boshier (c), Wallace Sititi, Cortez Ratima, Damian McKenzie, Daniel Rona, Quinn Tupaea, Anton Lienert-Brown, Emoni Narawa, Etene Nanai-Seturo
RESERVES: Tyrone Thompson, Ollie Norris, Kauvaka Kalvelata, Manaaki Selby-Rickit, Luke Jacobson, Simon Parker, Xavier Roe, Josh Ioane
FORCE (1-15): Josh Bartlett, Tom Horton, Santiago Medrano, Tom Franklin, Jeremy Williams (c), Will Harris, Carlo Tizzano, Reed Prinsep, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Ben Donaldson, Chase Tiatia, Hamish Stewart, Sam Spink, Bayley Kuenzle, Kurtley Beale
RESERVES: Feleti Kaitu’u, Marley Pearce, Tiaan Tauakipulu, Izack Rodda, Michael Wells, Henry Robertson, Max Burey, Henry O’Donnell
Referee: James Doleman Assistant Referees: Jono Bredin, Fraser Hannon
Saturday 7:35 pm – ACT Brumbies v Fijian Drua at GIO Stadium, Canberra,
BRUMBIES (1-15): James Slipper, Connal McInerney, Allan Alaalatoa (C), Nick Frost, Tom Hooper, Jahrome Brown, Rory Scott, Rob Valetini, Harrison Goddard, Noah Lolesio, Ollie Sapsford, Tamati Tua, Len Ikitau, Andy Muirhead, Tom Wright
RESERVES: Billy Pollard, Harry Vella, Sefo Kautai, Darcy Swain, Luke Reimer, Ryan Lonergan, Declan Meredith, Hudson Creighton
DRUA (1-15): Haereiti Hetet, Tevita Ikanivere, Mesake Doge, Mesake Vocevoce, Isoa Nasilasila, Vilive Miramira, Kitione Salawa, Meli Derenalagi (c), Peni Matawalu, Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, Taniela Rakuro, Michael Naitokani, Iosefo Masi, Junior Ratvua, Selestino Ravutaumada
RESERVES: Mesu Dolokoto, Livai Natave, Samu Tawake, Leone Rotuisolia, Motikiai Murray, Simione Kuruvoli, Kemu Valetini, Ilaisa Droasese
Referee: Nic Berry Assistant Referees: Jordan Kaminsky, George Myers
Fearless Predictions
Canes by 10, Blues by 21, Moana by 10, Reds by 7, Chiefs by 14, Brumbies by 20
European Rugby is getting to the pointy end,
Link Here
Leinster Rugby fly-half Ross Byrne has labelled Saturday’s sell-out Investec Champions Cup semi-final against Gallagher Premiership leaders Northampton Saints at the 82,300-capacity Croke Park as “huge”
The game is being played at the Irish equivalant of the MCG. There are two Austrlians turning out for Northampton, James Ramm (ex-Tahs) and Angus Scott-Young (ex-Reds). Leinster are massive favourites.
Toulouse host Harlequins in the other game with Toulouse being unbackable favourites. The home team features most of the French backline and a fair bit of their pack. Australian interest in this game will be around Italian Louis Lynagh.
Some interesting Super Rugby Stats
The criteria I used is the highest ranked player for an Australian super rugby team. While stats aren’t everything, they are certainly instructive of who’s having an impact on the season, or as Morgan T of Stan says putting together a body of work.
Tries Corey Toole 7
Carries Harry Wilson 116
Clean Breaks Chase Tiatia 13
Defenders Beaten Andrew Kellaway 29
Lineouts Won Liam Wright 42
Metres Gained Tom Wright 707
Offloads Harry Wilson 13
Points Noah Lolosio 90
Tackles Carlo Tizzano 148
