Thursday’s Rugby News

Thursdays Rugby News sees Samu Kerevi staying Red, The Rebels conduct a review, Women’s World Cup Bid and Jordan Petaia inspired by his roommate.

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SAMU STAYING PUT

Reds fans can sleep a little easier with FOXSPORTS.com.au reporting that Kerevi is keen on signing a one-year extension with the Reds.

Last week the Daily Telegraph reported that Kerevi was considering leaving the Reds and was in deep contract talks with the ACT Brumbies.

Now it appears that he will be in Queensland for at least another year with Fox Sports sources claiming he is keen to repay the investment the Reds put into him, along with wanting to play in 2019 World Cup.

With Quade Cooper, Karmichael Hunt and James Slipper still contracted for 2019, though unlikely to play, it would be hard for the Reds to offer Samu a long term lucrative contract.

Kerevi would be a strong addition to the Brumbies, who lost Kyle Godwin and missed out on luring back former Brumby Matt Toomua.

Brad Thorn would be fortunate to keep Kerevi for another year. He has developed a powerful forward back, but still requires some experience and leadership in the back line. If Israel Folau does sign with the Reds, players like Kerevi will be needed to help the Waratahs superstar stand out in a Reds jersey.

With nothing official yet, it is still a positive sign for the Reds if Kerevi does opt to show loyalty to Queensland, especially after the claims of an exodus from Lukhan Tui, Izaia Perese along with the three other exiles.

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REBELS INTEGRITY REVIEW

The Rebels have launched an integrity and welfare review after what should have been a celebrated season for the Melbourne club that ended in two acts of violence, with two players charged by police.

The first instance involved two high profiled players; with Amanaki Mafi accused of assaulting team mate Lopeti Timani with Mafi being charge by police. Both players were fined $15,000 before they left to play for other clubs.

Weeks later, rookies Pone Fa’amausili and Hunter Paisami accused of a violent altercation at a Melbourne night club that left a man hospitalised. Police charged Paisami and both players were suspended indefinitely.

In light of these events, Rebels saw it fit to review all aspects of the clubs approach to welfare and integrity.

Led by Rebels Chairman Paul Docherty, the The review panel will host figures from within the Rebels including coach Dave Wessels and player Jordan Uelese, as well as Rugby Australia’s head of integrity Gerard McEvilly and a multiple rugby and business administrators from Victoria.

“Violence has no place in our club, in our code or in our communities, and the recent behaviour by some of our players has been completely unacceptable. We have taken responsibility for that as a club and the buck stops here,” Docherty said.

“The Melbourne Rebels are a proud, values based club and we recognise that we have an important role to play as part of Melbourne’s elite sporting community to uphold the highest standards of behaviour and advocate for initiatives that promote inclusion and combat violence, social inequity and injustice.”

The review should be completed by mid October.

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RA BID FOR WOMEN’S WORLD CUP

Rugby Australia announced that Newcastle and the Hunter Valley would be the tournaments location as part of the bid to host the Cup.

During the announcement, Rugby Australia CEO Raelene Castle stated she believes that Australia could bring in record-breaking crowds for the Women’s Rugby World Cup in 2021.

Castle said: “The Women’s Rugby World Cup is the pinnacle event in Women’s XVs Rugby and we will show the world once again that Australia is unrivalled when it comes to delivering major sporting events.”

Castle believes that hosting this tournament would be a major push for the development of women’s rugby in Australia.

“We have more women and girls playing Rugby than ever before and we continue to see double-digit growth in participation in both our Sevens and XVs formats of the game. Hosting the tournament would provide us with a once-in-a-generation opportunity to showcase the best of the women’s game to the Australian public.

Fans can show their support for the bid online by using #READY #BackTheBid #Australia2021 or visiting australia2021.com.au.

World Rugby is expected to announce the winner of the right to host the 2021 Women’s Rugby World Cup in November.

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SUPER RUGBY TEAM OF THE YEAR

SANZAR have named their team of 2018 with some interesting additions and omissions.

Twelve of the fifteen teams were represented with the Reds Taniela Tupou and the Waratahs Israel Folau the only Australians included. Winger George Bridge was the only member of the championship winning Crusaders squad to be named, with four Chiefs named.

Chief’s fly half, Damien McKenzie was named Player of the Year after he was the number one player for beating defenders, and scored 177 points.

To fully understand how all the rankings work, head on over to https://sanzarrugby.comwhere they explain the Opta index and how players are recognised.

The 2018 Super Rugby Team of the year

(Via sanzarrugby.com)

Who would you put in the Team of the Year?

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