Tuesday’s rugby news has another flexible contract, the Brumbies building around Cubeli, the NZ Sevens calling reinforcements and a massive deal for Tuilagi.
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Lealiifano offered flexible contract
Brumbies playmaker Christian Lealiifano is set to receive a flexible contract from the Canberra-based outfit in a bid to keep him in Australia. Fellow utility back Matt Toomua has already signed on to join the Leicester Tigers at the end of the 2016 Super Rugby campaign and the Brumbies are determined to hold on to Lealiifano, who is being chased by French and Japanese teams.
Waratahs stalwarts Israel Folau and Bernard Foley have secured flexible deals in Japan while continuing their Test careers. Each Australian Super Rugby franchise is only allowed one flexible contract. Wallbies flanker Scott Fardy currently fills that slot for the Brumbies, but he has opted to take a break after the World Cup.
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Cubeli vital to Brumbies
Brumbies boss Michael Jones has emphasised that the Brumbies are confident of making a strong push this year for a Super Rugby title, and that this year’s campaign will be built around new Argentinean recruit Tomas Cubelli, who was unveiled at Brumbies headquarters on Monday with high expectations.
“[Coach] Stephen Larkham was very specific as to what we wanted to replace Nic White and what we needed to take our team to the next level,” Jones said. “The way he plays the game will fit in with us and our existing squad is something we’ve thought about a lot and we’ll build a lot of our game around him.”
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NZ Sevens hit hard by injuries
Injury has ravaged the All Blacks Sevens, who have been forced to replace five players ahead of the second world series tournament in Cape Town this week. New Zealand battled to a fourth-placed finish, losing three of their six games, with the team only having five fit players on the field at one point during their loss to the USA.
A dislocated shoulder ruled captain Scott Curry out of the entire second day along with two other players – Tim Mikkelson (concussion) and Regan Ware (ankle). That trio will return to New Zealand, along with accomplished pair Sherwin Stowers (broken arm) and Gillies Kaka (ankle), who were injured on Saturday.
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Tuilagi signs new contract
Manu Tuilagi has become the highest-paid player in English rugby after signing a three-year contract with Leicester worth close to £1.3million.It makes him one of the world’s richest players, with Tigers director of rugby Richard Cockerill praising the 24-year-old’s loyalty after turning down interest from Wasps, Worcester, Saracens and Toulouse.
“The Tigers has been a big part of my life and following my brothers into the team here was a very proud moment for me,” Tuilagi said. “The club always wants to be successful, the players and coaches set very high standards and we are always looking to improve.” Leicester also announced contract extensions for England trio Ben Youngs, Ed Slater and Freddie Burns on Monday morning.
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