Thursday’s rugby news has a massive ARU TV agreement, the Argentinean Super Rugby team named, an ex-Wallaby dropped from Toulon and George Ford signing a new deal.
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ARU sign new TV deal
The ARU has secured a new broadcast rights deal worth more than $285 million, which will see all Super Rugby matches live on Fox Sports and a Sunday morning replay on Ten. The $57 million plus per year deal, up from the current agreement worth around $25 million per season, runs from next year until 2020.
The deal has taken more than a year to complete because the code’s governing body, SANZAR, who will also absorb Argentina as a full member from next year, had to negotiate 11 different broadcast deals around the world before making an official announcement.
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Ma’afu leaves Toulon
Toulon and their ex-Wallaby prop Salesi Ma’afu have parted ways following the player’s suspended prison sentence for assault. Ma’afu was found guilty of assault and fined €1500 after an altercation with a woman in a car park in Mourillon earlier this year.
The 32-year-old signed for Toulon from Northampton Saints at the end of last season and has played three matches for the European champions. Toulon have lined up Fiji tighthead Manusa Saulo for the rest of the season, before he joins Toulouse in 2016, with the prop set to arrive in January.
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Argentinean team announced
Argentina’s Super Rugby franchise making its debut in 2016 will be called the Jaguares, the Argentine Rugby Union’s General Manager Greg Peters announced yesterday. Super Rugby is expanding from 15 teams to 18 for the new season with Japan’s Sunwolves and Southern Kings of South Africa joining the Jaguares in boosting the competition’s numbers.
The Jaguares squad, led by Pumas captain and hooker Agustin Creevy, would be made up entirely of home-grown players. “I have no doubt that with Los Jaguares in Super Rugby, the sport will become even more popular (in Argentina) and … interest more people and potential players,” Creevy said.
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George Ford signs with Bath
England fly-half George Ford has signed a new contract with Aviva Premiership club Bath. Ford has been with the club since 2013, when he moved from the Leicester Tigers, helping them reach the Aviva Premiership final last year.
He has since made 59 appearances in all competitions and scored 637 points, also securing a regular place in Stuart Lancaster’s England squad, with the 22-year-old earning 17 Test appearances. “It’s a great set-up, and the squad are working so hard to achieve our goals. There is a real focus on developing each and every player here, and that is a hugely inspiring environment to be part of,” Ford said.
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