Hi everyone, the teams are out, the injuries are out and there’s a bit of news. Had a great day at club rugby on the weekend, round one in Brisbane was a bit damp. A few clubs will be counting the cost of playing on wet fields for the rest of the year. But is was good to get among it.
Professional sport “Business and Team” (opinion)
I was struck this week by an article about Israel Folau and his wish to play against the British & Irish Lions. Setting aside my opinion on the matter, it made me consider how the business of sport operates. One of the best quotes on the subject is from a former professional NFL player: “The parts of sport that fans think of as business is about the team and the part that they think is about team is business.”
Most fans think that the weekend’s game is what players are paid for is the business part. Whereas the part that players are paid for are the physical preparation (weights, physio, massage, stretching), study of film (both pregame and post-game), media requirements, sponsor commitments and travel. From Sunday to Friday.
Contracts for players are based on three components: ability, availability (Wrongas) and the preparation piece. 99% of players would play the game for free. For example, former Australian Schools and under 20, Reds and Force player, Andrew Ready, is playing club footy this year for his junior club at Easts. I’m sure he’ll have a great time, but it’s not for money.
Don’t get me wrong, the better a player is at the first part of the equation will allow them to be less good at the second and a super talented player who is poor off the field will generally have a shorter professional playing life.
To use the Israel Folau example, he made the situation for his employer untenable with the major stakeholders and had to go. I wholeheartedly agree with RA to not consider him for a position in the BIL game; he wouldn’t make the event better as the reason for him not being considered for the match would only detract from the event.
He’d be welcome to play the game at a community club in Australia, but his days as a professional in this country are over.
Abi Burton in ‘dream’ England women’s rugby debut three years after 25-day coma
I found this one in a corner of the interwebs, the perseverance and pure guts of this lady is profoundly moving. Link Here.
LONDON – England’s Abi Burton capped a dream Test debut by coming off the bench to score two tries as England hammered Wales in the Women’s Six Nations on 29 March, three years after spending 25 days in a coma while battling encephalitis. The two-time Olympic rugby Sevens player has made a remarkable comeback to elite rugby union after a 76-day stay in hospital in 2022 following the autoimmune condition which attacks the brain. Burton lost 19kg and was wrongly detained under mental health regulations after an initial misdiagnosis.
The back-row forward came on with just 13 minutes of normal time left at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium, yet still managed to score two of England’s 11 tries in the 67-12 rout.
“I’m so excited,” Burton, 25, told the BBC. “I’ve tried not to let the emotion get the better of me this week. But, honestly, this group is unbelievable and I’m so grateful to be a part of it, so yeah it was a dream debut. Earlier on this week when we came for the team run, I just stood here (on the pitch) and I just absolutely relished it. It’s unbelievable and to make my debut here also is like a really big dream come true. Twickenham would be amazing, but this is also pretty cool as well.”
Burton, speaking in midweek about the health problems she had overcome, said: “It’s super freeing. I now play without the thought that I’m going to disappoint somebody or disappoint whoever’s around me. Ultimately, every time I step onto the pitch now, I think this could be the last time because there was a point where I didn’t even ever think like that.
“I probably took some of those moments – those five, six years that I had playing in international rugby in the Sevens, going to all these extraordinary places – probably took those for granted quite a bit. So now when I step onto the pitch, good game, bad game, I’m just happy to be running around with my mates, smashing people up, doing what I love.”
Super Rugby Round 8
Friday 5:05 pm AEDT – Chiefs v Queensland Reds at FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton
CHIEFS (1-15): Ollie Norris, Brodie McAlister, George Dyer, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Manaaki Selby-Rickit, Simon Parker, Jahrome Brown, Luke Jacobson (c), Cortez Ratima, Damian McKenzie, Leroy Carter, Quinn Tupaea, Daniel Rona, Emoni Narawa, Shaun Stevenson
Replacements: Samisoni Taukei’aho, Aidan Ross, Reuben O’Neill, Tupou Vaa’i, Samipeni Finau, Xavier Roe, Josh Jacomb, Gideon Wrampling
REDS (1-15): Alex Hodgman, Matt Faessler, Jeffery Toomana-Allen, Josh Canham, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Joe Brial, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson, Tate McDermott (c), Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Filipo Daugunu, Hunter Paisami, Dre Pakeho, Lachie Anderson, Heremaia Murray
Replacements: Richie Asaita, Sef Fa’agase, Zane Nonggorr, Ryan Smith, John Bryant, Kalani Thomas, Tom Lynagh, Jock Campbell
Referee: Nic Berry Assistant Referees: Damon Murphy, Angus Mabey TMO: Brett Cronan
Reds by who cares (if I had to bet money that meant something to me I’d take the Chiefs, but the heart wants what the heart wants.) I also want to see the heads of Kiwi state media explode if the Reds win.
Saturday 12:05 pm AEDT – Moana Pasifika v NSW Waratahs at North Harbour Stadium,
PASIFIKA (1-15): Tito Tuipulotu, Millennium Sanerivi, Feleti Sae-Ta’ufo’ou, Sam Slade, Allan Craig, Semisi Paea, Ardie Savea (c), Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa, Jonathan Taumateine, Patrick Pellegrini, Solomon Alaimalo, Danny Toala, Lalomilo Lalomilo, Kyren Taumoefolau, William Havili
Replacements: Sama Malolo, Abraham Pole, Chris Apoua, Tom Savage, Ola Tauelangi, Melani Matavao, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Fine Inisi
WARATAHS (1-15): Angus Bell, Ethan Dobbins, Daniel Botha, Hugh Sinclair (c), Ben Grant, Rob Leota, Charlie Gamble, Langi Gleeson, Teddy Wilson, Lawson Creighton, Triston Reilly, Lalakai Foketi, Henry O’Donnell, Andrew Kellaway, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii
Replacements: Julian Heaven, Isaac Kailea, Taniela Tupou, Felix Kalapu, Jamie Adamson, Jack Grant, Jack Bowen, Joey Walton
Referee: James Doleman Assistant Referees: Marcus Playle, Fraser Hannon TMO: Richard Kelly
Tahs, but it’s a flip of a coin
Saturday 5 April 2:35 pm AEDT – Fijian Drua v Crusaders at HFC Bank Stadium, Suva
DRUA (1-15): Haereiti Hetet, Tevita Ikanivere (c), Mesake Doge, Mesake Vocevoce, Isoa Nasilasila, Joseva Tamani, Isoa Tuwai, Elia Canakaivata, Frank Lomani, Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, Ponipate Longanimasi, Inia Tabuavou, Iosefo Masi, Selestino Ravutaumada, Vuate Karawalevu
Replacements: Zuriel Togiatama, Emosi Tuqiri, Samuela Tawake, Leone Rotuisolia, Vilive Miramira, Etonia Waqa, Simione Kuruvoli, Isikeli Rabitu
CRUSADERS (1-15): George Bower, Codie Taylor (c), Seb Calder, Tahlor Cahill, Antonio Shalfoon, Corey Kellow, Tom Christie, Christian Lio-Willie, Noah Hotham, Taha Kemara, Macca Springer, Dallas McLeod, Sevu Reece, Chay Fihaki, Will Jordan
Replacements: Ioane Moananu, Kershawl Skyes-Martin, Fletcher Newell, Quinten Strange, Ethan Blackadder, Mitch Drummond, James O’Connor, Levi Aumua
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe Assistant Referees: Stu Curran, Jackson Henshaw TMO: Glenn Newman
Crusaders as the game is being held in Suva, not Latoka
Saturday 5 April 5:05 pm AEDT – Blues v Hurricanes at Eden Park, Auckland
BLUES (1-15): Joshua Fusitu’a, Kurt Eklund, Marcel Renata, Patrick Tuipulotu (c), Josh Beehre, Anton Segner, Dalton Papali’i, Hoskins Sotutu, Finlay Christie, Beauden Barrett, Caleb Clarke, AJ Lam, Rieko Ioane, Mark Tele’a, Corey Evans
Replacements: Ricky Riccitelli, Mason Tupaea, Angus Ta’avao, Cameron Suafoa, Adrian Choat, Sam Nock, Xavi Taele, Stephen Perofeta
HURRICANES (1-15): Xavier Numia, Asafo Aumua (co-c), Tyrel Lomax, Caleb Delany, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Brayden Iose, Du’Plessis Kirifi (co-c), Peter Lakai, Cam Roigard, Riley Hohepa, Kini Naholo, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Bailyn Sullivan, Ngatungane Punivai, Ruben Love
Replacements: Jacob Devery, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Pasilo Tosi, Will Tucker, Brad Shields, Ereatara Enari, Callum Harkin, Fatafehi Fineanganofo
Referee: Angus Gardner Assistant Referees: Matt Kellahan, Mike Winter TMO: Paul Williams
Blues to keep their season on life support
Saturday 5 April 7:35 pm AEDT – Western Force v Highlanders at HBF Park, Perth
FORCE (1-15): Marley Pearce, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Tom Robertson, Jeremy Williams (c), Darcy Swain, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Carlo Tizzano, Vaiolini Ekuasi, Nic White, Ben Donaldson, Dylan Pietsch, Hamish Stewart, Sio Tomkinson, Harry Potter, Mac Grealy
Replacements: Nic Dolly, Atu Moli, Josh Smith, Reed Prinsep, Will Harris, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Max Burey, George Poolman
HIGHLANDERS (1-15): Ethan de Groot, Soane Vikena, Saula Ma’u, Fabian Holland, Mitch Dunshea, TK Howden, Veveni Lasaqa, Sean Withy, Nathan Hastie, Taine Robinson, Jona Nareki, Timoci Tavatavanawai (c), Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Caleb Tangitau, Sam Gilbert
Replacements: Jack Taylor, Josh Bartlett, Sefo Kautai, Will Stodart, Michael Loft, Adam Lennox, Tanielu Tele’a, Michael Manson
Referee: Jordan Way Assistant Referees: Jeremy Markey, Graham Cooper TMO: James Leckie
Force to win at home
Injuries and other broken bodies
Blues
- Zarn Sullivan (foot)
- Taufa Funaki (shoulder)
- Reon Paul (shoulder)
- Ofa Tu’ungafasi (neck/season)
- Sam Darry (shoulder/season)
Chiefs
- Anton Lienert-Brown (leg/short-term)
- Josh Lord (knee/mid-term)
- Rameka Poihipi (knee/season)
- Kaleb Trask (hamstring/mid-term)
- Etene Nanai-Seturo (hamstring/long-term)
- Liam Coombes-Fabling (knee/mid-term)
- Fiti Sa (shoulder/long-term)
- Wallace Sititi (knee/long-term)
Crusaders
- Dom Gardiner (hamstring/TBC)
- Johnny McNicholl (hamstring/2-3 weeks)
- Kyle Preston (rib/1-2 weeks)
- George Bell (foot/season)
- Braydon Ennor (hamstring/TBC)
- Finlay Brewis (shoulder/season)
- David Havili (Achilles/1-2 weeks)
Fijian Drua
- Meli Derenalagi (knee)
- Epeli Momo (knee)
- Ilaisa Droasese (wrist)
Highlanders
- Oliver Haig (foot/1-2 weeks )
- Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens (neck/1-2 weeks)
- Finn Hurley (quad/TBC)
- Nikora Broughton (rib injury/1-2 weeks)
- Hugh Renton (groin/1-2 weeks).
Hurricanes
- Brett Cameron (knee/season)
- Devan Flanders (ankle/round 12)
- Tjay Clarke (shoulder/round 11)
- Harry Godfrey (lower leg/round 12)
- Billy Proctor (Achilles/TBC)
- Zach Gallagher (hamstring/round 11)
Moana Pasifika
- James Lay (elbow)
- Julian Savea (knee)
- Losi Filipo (shoulder)
- Lotu Inisi (hamstring)
- Michael Curry (shoulder)
- Miracle Faiilagi (hamstring)
- Pepesana Patafilo (concussion)
- Sione Havili Talitui (ankle)
- Tevita Ofa (hamstring)
- Neria Fomai (knee/out for season)
NSW Waratahs
- Max Jorgensen (syndesmosis)
- Jake Gordon (medial ligament)
- Mahe Vailanu (broken arm)
- Darby Lancaster (concussion)
- Dave Porecki (calf)
- Fergus Lee-Warner (foot)
- Lucas Ripley (shoulder)
Queensland Reds
- Josh Flook
- Matt Gibbon
- Frankie Goldsbrough
- Mason Gordon
- Isaac Henry
- Will McCulloch
- Josh Nasser
- Liam Wright
Western Force
- Ryan Coxon (ribs)
- Harry Johnson-Holmes (knee)
- Bayley Kuenzle (knee)
- Harry Hoopert (knee)
- Divad Palu (shoulder)
- Matt Proctor (shoulder)
