Is WP worthy Currie Cup winners?

There’s no doubt Western Province are absolutely deserved champions. They had to win the Currie Cup the hard way. They travelled away from home in both playoff games and passed both tests with aplomb.

To play the Sharks in the final in Durban and come away with an outstanding win speaks volumes for the character in the current WP side. I thought Demetri Catrakilis showed tremendous temperament in the final, as he did the entire campaign. His halfback partner, Nic Groom also had an impressive season.

In the end, Catrakilis’s two drop goals made the difference. When he landed the first drop the whole momentum of the game shifted.

Catrakilis’s signing is confirmed and he’s contracted to the Southern Kings for two years. He is coming to PE next week to sort out his accommodation. He will be a great asset to the side, and it’s important that a young player of his talent is in the starting XV of a Super Rugby franchise.

Juan de Jongh’s try was also a pivotal moment in the match. He is a magnificent player and for some time, I have been an advocate of playing him in the Springbok backline.

Deon Fourie has been another of Province’s heroes this season. Fourie deserves a lot of credit. He led the side superbly this season and played a major role in their success. He really is a top rugby player who offers great versatility.

Another man who deserves a special mention is Eben Etzebeth. He was absolutely outstanding this season. In a very short space of time, I think he will be the best lock in world rugby. He’s both an athletic lock and an enforcer. He is big, strong and has supreme ball skills. The experience of playing the June Tests and the Rugby Championship will have hastened his development enormously.

Although the Sharks played in two finals this year and were runners-up on both occasions, I don’t buy into the chokers tag people often tend to label sides with. Owing to travel and fatigue, the Super Rugby final away to the Chiefs was a bridge too far and on the weekend they were beaten by the more determined side.

I think it’s fantastic for the Cape side to have broken their 11-year trophy drought. They are one of the top unions in South Africa.

The WP side that won the Currie Cup in 2001 was a lot more experienced than the current Currie Cup champions. That team started developing under Harry Viljoen in 1997 when I was assistant coach and reached its peak in 2001 under the captaincy of Corne Krige. The current side is a much younger team, still in the early stages of its development.

The development aspect of the Currie Cup is important. With the Springboks absent for the majority of the competition, there is a certain element lost, but conversely you have young players like Catrakilis, Groom and Steven Kitshoff coming to the fore, which I feel is important.
It’s key to have a good blend of youth and experience. A young player always thinks he’s bullet-proof, whereas an older guy may be scarred by past experiences.

Turning to our season, in the first promotion-relegation match against the Cheetahs we didn’t rise to the challenge. As well as they played, so poorly did we play, which was really disappointing. Although we used a rotation system - having played 16 consecutive First Division matches - a week’s bye between the final and the first promotion-relegation clash would probably have served us better.

I would really like to see the Kings in the Currie Cup’s Premier Division. I think it will enhance the development of our players, particularly those coming through our academy.

Overall, the Premier Division of the Currie Cup was a good, strong competition and built up to a fitting climax, with excitement right to the end.

Casting an eye to the Springbok squad which Heyneke Meyer has selected for the impending end-of-year tour, I don’t feel there are any surprises. I think he has done the wise thing by bringing in the likes of Schalk Brits and Gurthro Steenkamp, who are in good form and familiar with northern hemisphere conditions.

The weather in the UK is starting to turn now, so he has bolstered his pack accordingly. A heavy pack and backline generals like Ruan Pienaar and Morne Steyn with big boots are invaluable in the wet. It’s key that your playing personnel is suited to the conditions and can dictate play accordingly.

Finally, the selection of Raymond Rhule is exciting. He is a terrific young player with electric pace and real explosiveness.

Alan Solomons was assistant coach to Nick Mallett when the Springboks went 17 Tests unbeaten. He is currently EP Kings’ Director of Rugby and is a consultant to the IRB.

Disclaimer: Sport24 encourages freedom of speech and the expression of diverse views. The views of columnists published on Sport24 are therefore their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Sport24.

Japanese scrum-half to make Super rugby history

Japanese scrum-half Fumiaki Tanaka will make Super Rugby history by becoming the first Japanese player to play Super Rugby.

Tanaka is set to join the Dunedin-based Highlanders making him the first Japanese player in Super Rugby.

His Japanese club the Panasonic Wild Knights have revealed that the player would be joining the Highlanders in 2013.

"I feel so honoured to be becoming Japan's first Super Rugby player," Tanaka was quoted by Reuters.

"I hope to improve at the higher levels of rugby and bring those skills back to Panasonic.

"I want to play as many games as possible and show the world what Japanese rugby players are capable of."

"I want to believe there's nothing I can't accomplish."

superxv

QUICK LIST of all New Zealand 2013 Super Rugby squads

The five New Zealand Super Rugby franchises have announced their squads for the 2013 Super Rugby season with 43 debutants being named in the 159 listed players.

Each of the franchises - the Blues, Chiefs, Hurricanes, Crusaders and Highlanders - have released their squads after the coaches completed the draft process and finalised their squads yesterday.

New Zealand Rugby Union General Manager Professional Rugby Neil Sorensen said squads selections this year show a great mix of experienced and new and young talent.

"It's always great to see the guys who play ITM Cup or represent one of our other national teams step up to this competition which we consider to be the best international regional rugby competition in the world.

"Among the 43 players who have not previously been named in a Super Rugby squad, we see nine New Zealand Under 20 players from 2012 selected, and four members from the 2012 Sevens All Blacks squad."

The squads also include 20 of this year's Maori All Blacks side to travel to England next week for a three-match tour.

A further 25 players will be named in franchise wider training squads later this month.

"There is no doubt we have some outstanding talent in our squads for next year with a great mix of new and experienced players.

Outstanding form in this year's ITM Cup has seen many players earn a Super Rugby strip for next year.

ITM Cup Championship winners Counties Manukau have 10 of their players named in Super squads including seven debutants and Premiership winners Canterbury has an impressive 29 of their provincial players offered Super Rugby contracts including seven debutants.

Current champions the Chiefs have included seven newcomers in their squad but their first-round opponent - the Highlanders - have emerged as the biggest winners in the off-season recruitment drive.

The Chiefs have managed to retain most of the players who helped them win their first Super rugby title, holding on to stars such as flyhalf Aaron Cruden, center Richard Kahui and new All Blacks scrumhalf Tawera Kerr-Barlow.

Where necessary, they have recruited judiciously, picking up former All Blacks lock Ross Filipo on his return from Japan and former Blues flyhalf Gareth Anscombe.

The Highlanders have emerged as potentially the strongest of New Zealand's five clubs by pulling of a series of recruitment coups.

Under coach Jamie Joseph, who has turned the franchise from cellar-dwellers to contenders over the last two seasons, the Highlanders have picked up veteran ex-All Blacks lock Brad Thorn and current All Blacks Tony Woodcock, at prop, and Ma'a Nonu at center.

All Blacks hooker Andrew Hore will captain the team which contains only 31 instead of the regulation 32 players because Otago has spent up to the salary cap.

The seven-time champion Canterbury Crusaders have named nine new players in a 32-man squad, though none are current All Blacks. Samoa World Cup scrumhalf Jeremy Su'a and prop Nepo Laulala, a brother of former All Blacks center Casey Laulala, are the most notable newcomers.

Crusaders and All Blacks captain Richie McCaw will miss most of the Super 15 season while on "sabbatical," a lengthy break from rugby designed to extend his career at international level.

All Blacks prop Ben Franks has joined the Wellington Hurricanes after quitting the Crusaders and considering a move to the Highlanders. Franks hopes by moving from Canterbury to avoid the competition for propping places he faced at the Crusaders from his All Blacks teammates Owen Franks - his older brother - and Wyatt Crockett.

The most changed of the New Zealand franchises is the Blues, under new head coach John Kirwan, which has 16 new faces.

Kirwan, who previously coached Italy and Japan, called the squad "young and exciting."

The only current All Blacks in the Blues' squad are Ali Williams, Keven Mealamu, Charlie Faumuina and Piri Weepu and 24 of the 32 players are under the age of 25.

Former All Blacks and Reds flanker Daniel Braid has missed selection.

Super Rugby 2013 kicks off on 15 February next year.

Chiefs 2013 Super Rugby Squad

Ben Afeaki , Bundee Aki, Gareth Anscombe, Sam Cane, Craig Clarke, Nick Crosswell, Aaron Cruden , Hikawera Elliot , Ross Filipo, Mike Fitzgerald , Romana Graham , Josh Hohneck, Andrew Horrell , Richard Kahui , Tawera Kerr-Barlow , Tanerau Latimer , Fritz Lee , Brendon Leonard , Rhys Marshall, Lelia Masaga , Liam Messam , Tim Nanai-Williams , Charlie Ngatai, Patrick Osborne, Augustine Pulu , Brodie Retallick, Robbie Robinson , Mahonri Schwalger, Toby Smith , Solomona Sakalia, Ben Tameifuna , Asaeli Tikoirotuma.* denotes new recruits

Blues 2013 Super Rugby Squad

Kane Barrett, Anthony Boric, Luke Braid, Charlie Faumuina , Malakai Fekitoa , Jamison Gibson-Park , Frank Halai, Bryn Hall, Baden Kerr , Steven Luatua , Qu e ntin MacDonald, Tom McCartney, Marty McKenzie , Keven Mealamu , George Moala , Liaki Moli, Waisake Naholo, Chris Noakes , Brendon O'Connor, James Parsons , Tim Perry , Charles Piutau, Ronald Raaymakers , Rene Ranger , Culum Retallick , Francis Saili, Peter Saili , Angus Ta'avao , Ofa Tu'ungafasi , Piri Weepu, Ali Williams , Jackson Willison.

Crusaders 2013 Crusaders squad:

Dominic Bird ,Tyler Bleyendaal ,Dan Carter ,Shane Christie ,Wyatt Crockett ,Ryan Crotty ,Israel Dagg ,Tom Donnelly ,Andy Ellis ,Corey Flynn ,Owen Franks ,Robbie Fruean ,Ben Funnell ,Zac Guildford ,Willi Heinz ,Nepo Laulala ,Tom Marshall ,Richie McCaw ,Johnny McNicholl ,Joe Moody ,Kieran Read,Luke Romano,Jeremy Su'a,Jordan Taufua,Codie Taylor,Tom Taylor,Matt Todd , Jimmy Tupou ,Adam Whitelock ,George Whitelock ,Luke Whitelock ,Sam Whitelock.

Highlanders 2013 Super Rugby Squad:

Forwards : Josh Bekhuis , Tim Boys, Liam Coltman , Elliot Dixon, Ma'afu Fia, John Hardie , Jarrad Hoeata, Andrew Hore , Chris King , Jamie Mackintosh, Nasi Manu , Brayden Mitchell , Jake Paringatai , Brad Thorn, Joe Wheeler , Tony Woodcock, Backs ::Phil Burleigh , Tamati Ellison, Jason Emery, Hosea Gear , Ma'a Nonu , Declan O'Donnell, Kade Poki, Hayden Parker , Buxton Popoalii , Colin Slade Aaron Smith , Ben Smith , Lima Sopoaga, Fumiaki Tanaka , Shaun Treeby.

Hurricanes 2013 Super Rugby squad:

James Broadhurst, Beauden Barrett , Dane Coles , Tim Bateman, Jason Eaton , Samisoni Fisilau ,Ben Franks, Cory Jane , Reggie Goodes , Rey Lee-Lo , Jack Lam , Alapati Leuia , Faifili Levave , James Marshall , Karl Lowe, TJ Perenara , Motu Matu'u , Tusi Pisi, Ben May , Matt Proctor , Mark Reddish , Julian Savea , Ardie Savea , Conrad Smith , Brad Shields, Chris Smylie , Eric Sione , Andre Taylor , Blade Thomson , Jeremy Thrush , Jeffery Toomaga-Allen , Victor Vito.

Sharks Rugby: ground breaking development

UAE Rugby today announced a ground breaking development with world famous Super XV franchise The Sharks, based in Durban South Africa, to co operate in the management of three High Performance Academy programmes in the UAE commencing in January 2013. The Sharks UAE Rugby Academy, which will operate in three venues (Al Ain, Abu Dhabi and Dubai), will have a permanent Sharks staff presence and will aim to match the world class Sharks Academy which has produced 61 Sharks players and 13 Springboks.


Mohammed Falaknaz, Chairman of UAERF commented “We are truly delighted to team up with The Sharks in this first Academy of its type in Asia. After a global search it became clear that The Sharks Academy are the clear leaders in the field of developing players for professional rugby and we are understandably excited at this prospect and look forward to a fruitful and mutually beneficial partnership.”


Brian van Zyl CEO of The Sharks added “Our partnership with the UAERF is in line with The Sharks vision of being a leading Rugby Sporting brand and we look forward to a mutually beneficial relationship that produces top quality rugby players who go on to achieve globally.”


Hans Scriba MD of The Sharks Academy added “The Sharks Academy are excited about this new venture with UAERF and we look forward to growing this partnership and assisting with the growth of rugby in the UAE.”


Interested parties or players may contact info@uaera.ae


The Natal Rugby Union was formed in 1890, with Sir T.K Murray voted in as the first president. The formation of the province’s sub-unions, incorporating the areas of Durban, Pietermaritzburg, Zululand and Southern Natal followed, with all falling under the NRU. In 1995, after being informally called “The Banana Boys” for many years, the KwaZulu-Natal Rugby Union adopted The Sharks as a brand name for their team, The Sharks have, over the past decade, evolved from a provincial rugby brand to a commercially recognised sporting brand of international acclaim, promoting an intrinsic lifestyle value as well as fashion, entertainment and sporting aspiration. It is a sporting brand market leader, in innovation, match day activation and brand communication, bosting a world class team, stadium and training facilities.


The Sharks Academy


The Sharks Academy, is recognised as one of the world’s premier rugby institutes. It is no coincidence that The Sharks is one of the most successful teams in the professional realm of rugby in South Africa. The Academy offers a glimpse into the world of professional rugby where you train and learn from some of the best coaches, trainers and legends in the sport. Entry to this exclusive facility is through application and by selected invitation.


The highly efficient institute of The Sharks Academy, has now been in operation for ten years, with a track record of outstanding success. The Academy has produced 61 Sharks and 13 Springboks to date, the latest of these being Keegan Daniel, Patrick Lambie and Lwazi Mvovo. The close partnership with The Sharks, a top professional outfit with an envied pedigree in World Rugby, has many beneficial spin-offs for players who attend the Academy. All Academy facilities, i.e. the gymnasium, lecture rooms, training fields , dining facilities, medical facilities and offices, are situated at Mr Price KINGS PARK, home of The Sharks.


For more information vist sharksrugby.co.za or thesharksacademy.co.za


UAERF
Following an International Rugby Board (IRB) decision to reconstitute Gulf rugby the UAE Minister of Culture and Youth and Community Development and the Chairman of the Government of Youth and Sports decreed in 2009 the formation of the Board of Directors of the UAE Rugby Association. The organisation became fully operational in January 2011 and has since gained Full Membership status of the Asian Rugby Football Union (ARFU).



Rugby15

Quade Cooper fined and banned

Outspoken Australian flyhalf Quade Cooper was on Wednesday handed a suspended three-match ban and fined for bringing the game into disrepute by criticising the Wallabies and coach Robbie Deans.

Cooper, 24, made headlines in September when he lashed out on social media at the "toxic" environment within the national squad and the defensive style of Deans, also stoking speculation that he would defect to rugby league.

He repeated his grievances on a television programme less than a week later, saying he did not want to be involved with the Wallabies under the current regime because it was "destroying" him as a player and a person.

Cooper, currently sidelined with a knee injury, was hauled before a disciplinary hearing to explain himself on Wednesday before he was punished.

The three-match ban was suspended as was a third of the $60 000 fine on the proviso that Cooper is of good behaviour for the next two years –meaning he will be available for national selection once he recovers from his knee injury.

The Queensland Reds playmaker was contrite.

"It was a very fair hearing and I was very happy with the outcome," Cooper told reporters.

"Obviously, the sentence that has been handed to me, I have full respect for that and I understand that I fell well below par in what it means to be a Wallaby... my apologies," he added.

"From now on, I'm just looking forward to the future – hopefully having a big year, with not only my state but the Wallabies."

The Australian Rugby Union (ARU) welcomed the resolution of the issue and said contract negotiations with Cooper – placed on hold pending the disciplinary process – could now resume.

"Given the tribunal has handed down its decision, this matter as far as we are concerned has been finalised," said its deputy CEO Matt Carroll.

"ARU will now look at how we address the contract situation involving Quade Cooper."

Though he has signed again with the Reds for three years, Cooper's national contract with the ARU expires on December 31. There have been questions over his future, fuelled by his comments about switching to rugby league.

Cooper sparked intense speculation that he would follow former All Black Sonny Bill Williams to the NRL (National Rugby League) next year but the Queensland Reds dismissed speculation over such a move as "nonsense".

Cooper's Super Rugby coach Ewen McKenzie said earlier this week that the polarising flyhalf wanted to put the dramas behind him and win back the Wallabies' No 10 jersey to help defeat the British and Irish Lions in 2013.

SuperSport

WP players sorry for money incident

Cape Town - Rugby fans in Khayelitsha escaped injury when Western Province players threw paper money to them during a Currie Cup victory parade in the city on Tuesday. WP Rugby on Wednesday apologised for the incident.

Cape Argus took photographs of the incident, including one of wing Bryan Habana autographing a note before throwing it into the crowd.

Cape Argus staffers saw at least three people throwing money into the Khayelitsha crowd.

As the money was thrown from the bus, people jostled to get their hands on the cash. There were no reported injuries.

On radio on Wednesday callers and presenters voiced a range of opinions on the matter. Some said it was in poor taste and patronising, while others saw nothing wrong with it.

WP Rugby Union president Thelo Wakefield apologised. He explained that upon stopping in Khayelitsha on on the third leg of Tuesday’s victory parade, part of the crowd had appealed to players on the bus for money suggesting they were hungry.

Money had been dropped to individuals in the crowd.

Wakefield said: “It was maybe a little naive of the players involved, but their intentions were good. There was certainly no negative intention, only positive. If it was perceived in any other way, we apologise.”

WP rugby said he incident had been over very quickly “and formed but a tiny part of what was a very successful parade through the streets of Cape Town, Elsies River and Khayelitsha as the newly-crowned Currie Cup champions took the trophy to the people of Cape Town”.

Wakefield added: “It was truly humbling to see all the people that turned out... to show their support and for each of us to understand exactly how much the win meant to the Faithful.

“Basically, we took the cup to them, the Faithful - in the city centre, Elsies River and Khayelitsha - and I’d like to thank the people of Cape Town for supporting their team yesterday in what was a very successful day.”

After an 11-year drought, WP had brought the Currie Cup back to Cape Town. They beat the Sharks by seven points in a thrilling Durban final on Saturday. Juan de Jongh’s 33rd minute try was the moment that separated the two teams.

On Tuesday, it was De Jongh who was first to break away from his team-mates as they arrived at City Hall. He walked over to the cheering crowd and immersed himself in hugs and kisses, before walking the length of the low fence shaking hands and having pictures taken.

The last of the pictures was taken with Sally Jacobs, a Mitchells Plain mother who sneaked out of her nearby office to grab a glimpse of her hero.

“Oh my! I’m not even going to be able to sleep tonight. This will have to be framed, and sit along with the family photos. I came here just for him, and look at this,” she said, turning her cellphone around to show off to the other fans surrounding her.

De Jongh said: “Its an unbelievable feeling, to bring the cup back after 11 years. This is for all our supporters, especially those who came out week after week to cheer for us at Newlands. I want them to know how much that support has meant to me personally, and to the rest of the team.”

Cape Argus

Jantjies and Taute to join Stormers for 2013

Springbok backs Elton Jantjies and Jaco Taute have agreed to join the Stormers on loan from the Lions for the 2013 Super Rugby season.

Both backs became Springboks this year after they became Currie Cup champions in 2011.

Stormers head coach Allister Coetzee said: "We're very excited about having Elton and Jaco in Cape Town for next year's Super Rugby tournament.

"They're both quality players and we look forward to getting them involved here - both on and off the field - and seeing how they fit into the Stormers culture."

Taute, 21, tips the scales at 95 kilograms and will add depth in virtually every backline position. He made his Test debut at centre in the Rugby Championship last month, but has featured mainly at fullback at Super Rugby level.

Flyhalf Jantjies, 22, weighs 88 kilograms and scored over 200 points in Super Rugby and Currie Cup rugby combined this year. Like Taute he has played in two Tests for South Africa.

superxv

Hurricanes 2013 Super Rugby squad announced

Eight new Hurricanes have today been announced in the squad including two players that will make the step up from the 2012 wider training group.

The new recruits include All Black Ben Franks, Wellington and New Zealand Under 20 representatives Matt Proctor and Eric Sione, Tongan halfback Samisoni Fisilau, Taranaki and last year’s wider training group members James Marshall and Blade Thomson, Wellington and former NZ Sevens player Ardie Savea, and Rey Lee-Lo from the ITM Cup Championship winning Counties Manukau team.

This year’s squad has 24 fully contracted players from 2012 in the group of 32.

Pre-season training starts Monday 10 December before the Hurricanes first competition game against the Blues at home on Saturday 23 February 2013.

The team will be once again led by Conrad Smith in their 2013 Investec Super Rugby campaign.

Rugby15

FORWARDS		BACKS
James Broadhurst	Lock	Beauden Barrett	First five-eighth
Dane Coles	Hooker	Tim Bateman	Midfield back
Jason Eaton	Lock	Samisoni Fisilau	Halfback
Ben Franks	Prop	Cory Jane	Outside back
Reggie Goodes	Prop	Rey Lee-Lo	Midfield back
Jack Lam	Flanker	Alapati Leuia	Midfield back
Faifili Levave	Loose forward	James Marshall	Utility back
Karl Lowe	Loose forward	TJ Perenara	Halfback
Motu Matu’u	Hooker	Tusi Pisi	First five-eighth
Ben May	Prop	Matt Proctor	Outside back
Mark Reddish	Lock	Julian Savea	Outside back
Ardie Savea	Loose forward	Conrad Smith	Midfield back
Brad Shields	Loose forward	Chris Smylie	Halfback
Eric Sione	Prop	Andre Taylor	Outside back
Blade Thomson	Loose forward / Lock
Jeremy Thrush	Lock
Jeffery Toomaga-Allen	Prop
Victor Vito	Loose forward

Quick recap on Springbok squad Bok tour

The Springboks will travel to the Northern Hemisphere next weekend with five uncapped players but without their all-time leading try-scorer and most experienced player, Bryan Habana.

Habana was the latest key player to be added to a long injury list when he sustained a knee injury in Saturday’s Absa Currie Cup final. Scans on Sunday confirmed he will miss the tour of Ireland, Scotland and England.

South Africa Under-20 winger Raymond Rhule, who was part of the squad that won the IRB Junior World Championship in Cape Town earlier this year and who has shone for the Toyota Free State Cheetahs in the Absa Currie Cup, was named in the squad along with uncapped Jano Vermaak, Franco van der Merwe, Lionel Mapoe and Arno Botha.

Of the five, only the 19-year-old Rhule has not been part of a Springbok squad yet this year, but his inclusion forms part of Meyer’s plan to blood promising youngster for the future.

Rhule is one of five wing options with the fit-again JP Pietersen, Francois Hougaard, Lwazi Mvovo and Mapoe. Pietersen, Rhule and Mapoe can also be used at centre, while Hougaard can also play at scrumhalf.

Two Springboks currently based in Europe, Schalk Brits (hooker) and Gurthrö Steenkamp (loosehead prop), have also been recalled to the national squad. Due to the significant injury toll, the national selectors will only decide on a 32nd player to be added to the squad at a later stage.

Two Springboks who missed the entire Castle Rugby Championship because of injury, Pietersen and Chiliboy Ralepelle, are back in the squad.

Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer, whose squad assembles in Cape Town on Wednesday, said it was not easy to select the squad in the light of the high number of players unavailable due to injury.

Injured players that had been part of the Springbok squad thus far this year, but were not considered for selection, are Coenie Oosthuizen, Bismarck du Plessis, Tiaan Liebenberg, Andries Bekker, Siya Kolisi, Jacques Potgieter, Pierre Spies, Johan Goosen, Frans Steyn and Habana. Furthermore, Schalk Burger, Juan Smith and Heinrich Brüssow are still out injured.

“We’ve got a settled core of players that did the job during the England series and The Castle Rugby Championship and we decided to stick with them,” said Meyer.

“Obviously losing so many players to injury, the latest being Coenie, Tiaan, Andries, Jacques and Bryan during the Absa Currie Cup, makes it difficult, but this now provides opportunities for other players.

“Gurthrö and Schalk are experienced front rankers who have played for South Africa before and know the conditions in the Northern Hemisphere. This tour provides a good opportunity to assess them as we plan ahead. Arno, Lionel, Franco and Jano have all been part of our squad earlier in the season.

“Raymond put up his hand for the Junior Boks and the Cheetahs and I’m very excited to see what he can do. It’s also great to have JP and Chiliboy back from injury as they bring a lot of experience to the squad.”

Meyer said he expected three extremely difficult Tests: “Although the Springboks won on their last visit to Dublin (in 2010), they lost three in a row before that,” he said.

“In 2010, we lost to Scotland in Edinburgh. They beat the Wallabies in Australia earlier in the year, so it won’t be easy there.

“And in June we’ve experienced first-hand how difficult and opponent England are. They will be fired up at Twickenham and it will be a challenging Test to end the tour with.

“Our aim is to end the season on a positive note. We set ourselves high standards and we want to improve with every Test, but we have a team that is still gaining valuable experience as we strive to constantly be amongst the top sides in the world. We know we’re not there yet, but we’ve laid a foundation in the first nine Tests this year and we will build on that.

“The Rugby World Cup in 2015 also takes place in England, so we will use this tour to see how our players adapt to the conditions as we look ahead to that very important tournament.”

The Springbok squad will assemble in Cape Town on Wednesday and depart to the UK from Johannesburg on Saturday. They will return to South Africa on Monday, 26 November.

The Springbok squad for the Castle Outgoing Tour to Ireland, Scotland and England:

Willem Alberts (The Sharks) - Loose forward, 17 Tests
Arno Botha (Vodacom Blue Bulls) - Loose forward, 0
Schalk Brits (Saracens, England) - Hooker, 3
Pat Cilliers (MTN Golden Lions) - Prop, 3
Marcell Coetzee (The Sharks) - Loose forward, 9
Juan de Jongh (DHL Western Province) - Centre, 12
Jean de Villiers (captain, DHL Western Province) - Centre, 81
Jannie du Plessis (The Sharks) - Prop, 39
Eben Etzebeth (DHL Western Province) - Lock, 8
Francois Hougaard (Vodacom Blue Bulls) - Scrumhalf / Wing, 24
Elton Jantjies (MTN Golden Lions) - Flyhalf, 2
Zane Kirchner (Vodacom Blue Bulls) - Fullback, 21
Juandré Kruger (Vodacom Blue Bulls) - Lock , 5
Pat Lambie (The Sharks) - Fullback / Flyhalf, 17
Francois Louw (Bath, England) - Loose forward, 14
Lionel Mapoe (MTN Golden Lions) - Wing / Centre, 0
Tendai Mtawarira (The Sharks) - Prop, 41
Lwazi Mvovo (The Sharks) - Wing, 7
Ruan Pienaar (Ulster, N Ireland) - Scrumhalf, 60
JP Pietersen (The Sharks) - Wing / Centre, 45
Chiliboy Ralepelle (Vodacom Blue Bulls) - Hooker, 21
Raymond Rhule (Toyota FS Cheetahs) - Wing, 0
Gurthrö Steenkamp (Toulouse, France) - Prop, 38
Morné Steyn (Vodacom Blue Bulls) - Flyhalf, 41
Adriaan Strauss (Toyota FS Cheetahs) - Hooker, 18
Jaco Taute (MTN Golden Lions) - Utility back, 2
CJ van der Linde (MTN Golden Lions) - Prop, 73
Flip van der Merwe (Vodacom Blue Bulls) - Lock, 20
Franco van der Merwe (MTN Golden Lions) - Lock, 0
Jano Vermaak (Vodacom Blue Bulls) - Scrumhalf, 0
Duane Vermeulen (DHL Western Province) - No 8, 4

Australia rugby boss slams All Blacks

Australian Rugby Union boss John O'Neill has dismissed All Blacks coach Steve Hansen's accusation that the Wallabies are stealing New Zealand players as ''insulting'' and ''ill-informed''.

Hansen made the criticism when asked if New Zealand-raised Wallabies fullback Mike Harris's role in Australia's 18-18 draw with the All Blacks at the weekend indicated a problem with New Zealand's talent identification system.

''I am pleased [Harris] has achieved his dream ... what I find frustrating is that Australia is trying to build their game and put more franchises in place but all they are doing is putting franchises in place and stealing our players,'' he said.

''The comments from the All Blacks coach are insulting, ill-informed, and clearly made without reviewing New Zealand's history for fielding players born outside their borders,'' O'Neill said.

''I would not even want to guess how many players born in the South Pacific islands have worn the All Blacks jersey ... The reality is there are players who will look for opportunities to play test rugby.''

Rebels coach Damien Hill was unapologetic about his role in luring New Zealand-raised talent to Melbourne. As Australia's youngest Super Rugby franchise, the Rebels will be allowed up to 10 foreign players on their roster next season, with that number falling to six and then four over the next three years.

Hill has recruited four New Zealand players for next year, including rising Wellington player Jason Woodward, Otago back-rower Scott Fuglistaller, Auckland prop Pauliasi Manu, and New Zealand-raised Pat Leafa, who played in the Canberra club competition last year.

''I think [playing depth] is a fantastic attribute of New Zealand and no doubt it's the reason they're the current world champions ... but if the opportunities arise you can't begrudge the player for taking it,'' Hill said.

Rugby Heaven

Ackermann: Re-joining Super Rugby is Lions priority

Interim coach Johan Ackermann says that the Lions will now focus on getting back their Super Rugby status after they were knocked out of the Currie Cup by Western Province.

"There will still be some tough games coming up over the next six months but it won't be in a competition format," Ackermann said after their 21-16 semi-final loss to Western Province on Saturday.

"Our first big game will probably be the playoffs to get back into Super Rugby here at Ellis Park."

While Ackermann was proud of his team's performance against Province, he bemoaned their lost chances.

"We had many opportunities to close down the game but we didn't take them," he said.

Ackermann, however, lauded his players for their triumph over adversity to reach the Currie Cup semi-finals after a difficult year.

The Golden Lions Rugby Union (GLRU) not only lost their place in next year's Super Rugby competition but were further mired in controversy when their New Zealand coach John Mitchell was suspended towards the end of their Super Rugby campaign.

The Union also terminated assistant coaches Carlos Spencer and Wayne Taylor's contracts shortly before the start of the Currie Cup competition.

"The players had to remain level-headed about their futures, then there was the new coach, and new assistant coaches," said Ackermann, who had to step into the coaching role.

"If you consider all of this, we could as well have finished in sixth place and everything could have fallen apart. We could have been involved in the promotion/relegation matches."

The Lions have an arduous road ahead of them as they have already lost a number of senior players to other unions and overseas clubs.

While the Johannesburg-based outfit was set to lose key players Franco van der Merwe, Elton Jantjies, Jaco Taute and Lionel Mapoe for the duration of the Super Rugby season -- as loan players to other South African franchises -- although they would return for the promotion/relegation matches.

Despite the exodus of top players, Ackermann said they would work hard to strengthen player depth.

"There are a core of players who are committed and then we've identified some young players that can slot in where the other guys have left off," Ackermann said.

"We just have to knuckle down and build the team as a unit and, if you have 22 guys that want to play, we won't be bad."

The coach said the team would continue their off-season training as if they were preparing for the Super Rugby.

He was also confident that the alternative matches they were arranging for the side would prepare them for the promotion/relegation match against the SA team which finishes last on the Super Rugby conference log.

"We are still going to play the Super Rugby franchises and there will be some exciting games for the guys of a higher standard than Vodacom rugby," he said.

"We've got a few months to build a side towards that, and use the lessons we've learned tonight (Saturday) because that game will almost be like a semi."

Among the players who will remain behind is captain JC Janse van Rensburg, who said he felt he needed to repay the Union for the faith they have shown in him over the years.

"I came here as a 'boertjie' and the big city was massive for me and I couldn't even speak English," Janse van Rensburg said.

"The Union has, over the years, been great towards me, always willing to give me a contract, and I just feel I have to pay them back.

"It will only be six months not playing Super Rugby but in 2014 we will be back with a bang."

Wales name Rugby squad for November tests

Ospreys prop Aaron Jarvis was the only uncapped player named in a 35-man Wales squad on Monday for the November test series but there was no recall for flyhalf Gavin Henson.

Henson, resurrecting his career with London Welsh, was overlooked in favour of Ospreys pivot Dan Biggar who was recalled after last playing for Wales against the Barbarians in June but was dropped for the series whitewash in Australia.

Interim coach Rob Howley has brought back Cardiff Blues centre Jamie Roberts for the series that starts against Argentina on November 10, before they face Samoa, New Zealand and Australia.

"We are really pleased with the strength and depth of the squad with some pleasing individual performances over the last three or four weeks," said Howley, who is standing in for British and Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland.

"But we all understand and realise the skill, physicality and intensity will go up over the next five weeks."

Wales squad:

Backs: Leigh Halfpenny, Liam Williams, Alex Cuthbert, George North, Harry Robinson, Ashley Beck, Jonathan Davies, Jamie Roberts, Scott Williams, Dan Biggar, James Hook, Rhys Priestland, Tavis Knoyle, Mike Phillips, Lloyd Williams.

Forwards: Scott Andrews, Ryan Bevington, Paul James, Aaron Jarvis, Gethin Jenkins, Adam Jones, Richard Hibbard, Ken Owens, Matthew Rees, Bradley Davies, Luke Charteris, Ian Evans, Alun Wyn Jones, Toby Faletau, Ryan Jones, Rob McCusker, Aaron Shingler, Josh Turnbull, Justin Tipuric, Sam Warburton.

SuperSport

Contrasting styles for Currie Cup Final

The contrasting styles of coastal rivals the Sharks and Western Province will make for an especially intriguing Currie Cup Final at Kings Park on Saturday.

Dissimilar in tactics yet equally efficient. That is the back story that has led to this captivating clash that will pit the attacking prowess of the hosts against the resolute defence of the visitors.

Last weekend’s semifinals illustrated the finalists’ different approaches with the Sharks giving the ball width in wet conditions against the Blue Bulls and Western Province content to back their defence and play field position against the Golden Lions.

It’s not to say that either side are one-dimensional. The Sharks have epitomised a well-rounded team this season, boasting the best attacking and defensive records in this year’s competition - scoring 32 tries and conceding just 18 during the regular season.

Province showed some attacking zest early in the season but gradually reverted to their conservative style as the business end of the competition grew near, resulting in them scoring 28 tries and leaking 19 heading into the play-offs.

Both teams have the personnel to play a balanced game but predominantly opt to play to their greatest strengths. What has made the Sharks’ attacking brand so successful is that they play in the right areas of the field.

Whereas the Golden Lions were guilty of naively running the ball from inside their 22 at the weekend, the Sharks understand the importance of field position. It’s long been a strength of the Durban side and the Achilles Heel of the men from Johannesburg.

With an in-form Pat Lambie pulling the strings at pivot, the Sharks have the variation to keep the opposition in two minds. Their outstanding back three have also played an integral role in their success.

Louis Ludik is the form fullback in the country and has been consistently outstanding all season. Along with Springbok speedsters JP Pietersen and Lwazi Mvovo, the trio negated the kick-and-chase approach of the Blue Bulls.

Province rely on a similar tactic and would have noted that their tactical kicking will need to be pinpoint accurate. If not, they would simply feed the Sharks possession and leave themselves susceptible to counter attacks.

What would have been particularly pleasing to John Plumtree is the way in which his charges defended the Blue Bulls’ respected driving maul. This is a key feature in Province’s attacking playbook and the move that saw them snatch victory from the jaws of defeat at Coca-Cola Park.

The performance at the weekend would have given the Sharks great confidence that they will be able to shut down Province’s driving maul with similar efficiency.

The major concern for the Sharks will be their misfiring line-out. Young Kyle Cooper was erratic in this regard and the Sharks will hope that Springbok tourist Craig Burden will offer greater reliability in this all-important facet.

Province should have the upper hand in the line-outs but are bound to struggle at scrum time. The Cape side were given a working over by the Golden Lions and will be put under immense pressure by a Sharks combination that outclassed their Blue Bulls counterparts and won a number of penalties with their scrummaging nous.

In addition to a powerful tight five, the Sharks boast a brilliant all-Springbok loose trio. Duane Vermeulen had an uncharacteristically quiet game against the Golden Lions and will need to be at his best if Province are to combat the well-balanced Sharks trio.

Given the ascendency they should enjoy in the front and back rows, their attacking synergy between forwards and backs, having a multi-skilled flyhalf and crucial home ground advantage, the Durban decider is essentially the Sharks’ to lose rather than Province’s to win.

By Quintin van Jaarsveld Rugby 365

Our match review: All to play for EP Kings vs Freestate relegation

THE Eastern Province Kings will have it all to do in Port Elizabeth on Friday night when they attempt to wipe out a 39-point deficit in the second leg of their Absa Currie Cup promotion-relegation series against the Toyota Free State Cheetahs, following a 53-14 first-leg defeat in Bloemfontein on Friday.



With a log-point system in operation for the series, and the Cheetahs having picked up a full haul of five points and the Kings none, it means that for the Kings win promotion to the Premier Division next year they would not only have to beat the Cheetahs by 40 points or more at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, but also make sure they denied the visitors a try-scoring bonus point in the process.



The Kings earned the right to play in the promotion-relegation series after Alan Solomons’ men topped the First Division log at the conclusion of the competition’s round-robin matches.







Toyota Free State Cheetahs (24) 53 vs EP Kings (0) 14



The Toyota Cheetahs gave the EP Kings a rude awakening to the rigours of top-flight rugby as they virtually ended any chance of the Kings being promoted to the Absa Currie Cup Premier division next season.



What the Kings feared most turned out to be the harsh reality of the evening. Even though the Cheetahs could only win three of their 10 games in the Premier Division, they were miles ahead in terms of intensity, passion and drive.



There was always a danger this would happen, and the Cheetahs, after having their backs against the wall and in a week where they were heavily criticised in their own town by their own supporters, were never going to give an inch to their opponents.



Instead they were ruthless, scoring eight tries to two, and grabbing the important bonus point before half time to ensure the victory was theirs way before the second half started.



And they started in style as a massive build-up showed how patient the home side could be, right until the overlap came and Nico Scheepers ran in at the corner after just five minutes to score the opening try.



Ross Geldenhuys added a second in the next foray into the Kings’ 22, and it wasn’t long after that Phillip van der Walt planted the ball on the line as the Cheetahs extended their lead in the first half.



The coup de grace, however, came as try-scoring sensation Raymond Rhule took the ball in his own half and simply sprinted past the Kings’ defence on the outside, and then passed to Andries Strauss at just the right moment for him to add the bonus-point try.



At 24-0 at the break the writing was on the wall, but the Kings did come out strongly at the start of the second half and scored a brace of tries in just seven minutes as Devin Oosthuizen and Shane Gates touchdowns gave them some hope of closing the gap.



But it was left to the Strauss family to hammer the final nails in the coffin as first Andries went over for his second and then captain Adriaan grabbed an optimistic intercept and sprinted 50 metres to the opposite tryline to seal the Kings’ fate.



By the time Ryno Benjamin added his name to the scoresheet, the Kings were already contemplating the long flight home and their future in the First Division.



Scorers:



Free State Cheetahs – Tries: Ross Geldenhuys, Ryno Benjamin, Philip van der Walt, Nico Scheepers, Andries Strauss (2), Adriaan Strauss, penalty try. Conversions: Nico Scheepers (2), Tewis de Bruyn (3). Penalty: De Bruyn.



EP Kings – Tries: Devin Oosthuizen, Shane Gates. Conversions: George Whitehead (2).

Rugby 15

Natal Sharks on course for South African Currie Cup title No 7

The Lions’ parting gift before departing competition rugby until next August may have added some interest to the grand finale of what up to this point has been an Absa Currie Cup season that has struggled to attract interest.

There was rain about as a mitigating factor, but it was not enough of a reason to hide the concern at the fact that the crowds that turned up for both semifinals this past weekend were what you would have expected for league matches in previous years.

Instead of the old capacity crowds, the stadiums were not even half full.

That though did not detract from the quality of the rugby produced, and while there were plenty of errors given the wet conditions, there was also some skillful rugby played, some brilliant individual performances and, in Johannesburg, the excitement of a close finish as the lead changed four times in the last minutes of the match between the Lions and Western Province.

You have to feel sorry for the Lions, who were significantly the better team for most of the 80 minutes at Coca-Cola Park.

But they had only themselves to blame for the defeat, for they simply – to use the phrase so often used by the late Springbok and Transvaal coach Kitch Christie – left too many points on the table.

And then came that gift in the final minutes, when Jaco Taute kicked directly into touch after the ball had been carried back into his 22.

It meant WP had a lineout throw-in some 17 metres from the Lions' line, and it was all the opportunity a hungry Province team needed to maul their way to a winning try that was scored on the hooter.

There’s that word – hungry. And it is one of the reasons why the Johannesburg result has added intrigue to Saturday’s Durban final against the Sharks.

The quest for much-needed silverware has perhaps got in the way of common sense for a WP coaching staff who have selected in the full-strength phase in such a way that makes all their talk earlier in the year about the domestic tournament being about building depth for Super Rugby sound hollow and contradictory.

Allister Coetzee said last week, once Jean de Villiers was officially ruled out, that he backed Marcel Brache to play in a semifinal.

But he gave the opposite impression when he allowed De Villiers to spend the entire build-up week to the final league match against the Cheetahs on the sidelines before playing him in the starting team.

Arguably, given the season he had enjoyed in the blue and white hoops, the same argument could have been forwarded for Scarra Ntubeni – he should have been rewarded by being used when it mattered.

As it turned out, both he and Brache were used in the end, but only because of injury, and it all ended up working out for WP in the sense that they had their rugby education furthered by being part of a winning semifinal effort.

GREAT RESOLVE AND FORTITUDE

Now comes the big one, and the memory of the defeat in the 2010 final, plus the more recent anguish of being outplayed in a Super Rugby semifinal in Cape Town, should add to the Province resolve.

One thing that would have worked for them and added to their confidence for this week would have been the way they won the semi – to come back and snatch it showed great resolve and fortitude, and it should give them some belief ahead of the decider.

Make no mistake, belief is something they are going to need plenty of, because there can be no denying that the Sharks have been the form team in the domestic season, and the Sharks' coaches are a good couple of levels above all their competitors when it comes to both selecting and managing their players and being able to adapt their game-plan to suit conditions.

Their win over the Bulls was undeniably the performance of the weekend, and 20-3 may well have been 40-6 had it been a dry day in Durban.

The players that got their team this far were backed to start and they repaid coach John Plumtree’s faith, while the Springboks more than did their bit when they came on.

They will start overwhelming favourites to clinch their seventh Currie Cup title, and Plumtree’s third.

But WP, with Boks such as Eben Etzebeth and Duane Vermeulen playing so well and the better newcomers such as Don Armand, Ntubeni and Brache now having benefitted from the Coca-Cola Park experience, might just be more competitive opponents than the Lions might have been away from Johannesburg.

And you get the sense they will relish the status of underdogs, a reversal of what was the case when the Sharks visited Newlands for the Super Rugby play-off three months ago.

The individual performance of the weekend was that of Sharks flyhalf Patrick Lambie, who, now that he is back in the No 10, is reminding us of why so many of us backed him to be the Bok starting flyhalf ahead of Morne Steyn as long ago as the 2010 November tour to Ireland, Wales, Scotland and England.

Unless he was wearing blindfolds when he watched the game, Bok coach Heyneke Meyer must surely have been convinced of Lambie’s all-round worth, as well as being nudged one more time about the failings of the predictable game-plan of the team he used to coach.

The Bulls were thrashed and are going to have to seriously rethink their approach if the glory days of a few years ago are to be revisited.

Talking of thrashed, that’s what happened to the EP Kings in the promotion-relegation game, and while that result was probably as predictable as the Bulls’ game-plan, it did add to my “It’s a strange, strange world we live in, Master Jack” theme from Friday – the Lions, who will not be part of Super Rugby next year, showed against WP that they have a contribution to make and can mix it with the bigger teams.

They did everything but win the game and set up a second consecutive appearance in a final.

Of course that they are so good at Currie Cup and struggle so in Super Rugby underlines the chasm between the competitions, but that they are going to have to let so many of their players go, and won’t be playing in any meaningful competition in the first half of 2013, is a crying shame and South African rugby is set to be the ultimate loser.

SuperSport

All Blacks unleashed on NPC

Seven All Blacks have been made available for selection to their home provinces for this weekend's NPC finals.

The Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Cup-winning All Blacks disassembled Sunday, following their 18-18 draw against Australia in Brisbane the day before.

And with their national commitments complete, three of the four sides in the finals have been given a timely boost.

Otago stands to benefit most from the release of the All Blacks.

The Razorbacks will face Counties-Manukau in Friday's Championship (Second Division) title game, with the winners also climbing to next year's Premiership Division.

The Steelers, who were top of the table during the regular season, will enjoy home advantage for the Final, but now take on an Otago outfit with flank Adam Thomson, midfielder Tamati Ellison and utility back Ben Smith returned from national team duty.

Thomson was also available and scored a try as the southerners toppled Tasman in the semifinals.

In the Premiership Final between Canterbury and Auckland in Christchurch on Saturday, the hosts will be able to add Ben Franks and Wyatt Crockett to their pack, while Piri Weepu and Charlie Faumuina have been made available for Auckland.

Crockett had two tries in Canterbury's extra-time semifinal win over Taranaki at the weekend.

The All Blacks selectors will announce their squad for the European tour next Monday, October 29.

The Maori All Blacks squad to tour England will be named the same day.

Rugby365

Currie Cup final great boost for Durban

Saturday’s Absa Currie Cup final between the Sharks and Western Province will be a massive event for KwaZulu-Natal and no one could be prouder than coach John Plumtree of the Sharks, who earlier this year contested the Super Rugby final against the Chiefs in New Zealand.

“It is great for the city and we are delighted we can reward the people of our province and Sharks fans all over the country with our fourth final in four years and our third in Durban since 2008,” Plumtree said on Sunday.

“At Kings Park we don’t usually get the huge crowds that turn out in Cape Town and Pretoria, but a final sells out and everybody in the hospitality industry in Durban benefits. Restaurants, bars, hotels and everybody associated with sport loves a major final in Durban.

“Personally I think it is fantastic that the Sharks are maturing as a team and are consistently making finals. We just hope the weather plays ball and we get a dry field so that we can play the attractive, running rugby that we would like.”

Sharks fans will be hoping that their team continues their pattern of winning every second year in Durban. They beat the Bulls in the 2008 final and Western Province in the 2010 final.

The Sharks lost last year to the Lions in Joburg. The Sharks also won the title in 1990, 1992, 1995 and 1996.

“Hopefully it will be a dry weather final,” Plumtree said.

“We have often been frustrated over the past month or so by having to play conservatively because the rain makes handling difficult.”

Despite the weather, the Sharks won their semi-final comfortably on Saturday. Western Province beat the Lions in Joburg in the second semi of the day.

* Tickets went on sale on Monday morning at the Shark Tank as well as at Computicket.

The Mercury

Wallabies braced for Rugby All Black fallout over McCaw hits

The Wallabies are bracing themselves for the loss of Scott Higginbotham for at least part of next month's end-of-year tour after the loose forward was cited twice for hits on All Blacks captain Richie McCaw.

Higginbotham kneed then headbutted McCaw in the 26th minute of the 18-18 draw at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night but was not sent off because referee Craig Joubert missed the incident.

He faces a teleconference hearing tonight but it was not clear yesterday whether the Wallabies intended appealing if Higginbotham copped a suspension. The citings process has proved a fickle business throughout the Super Rugby season and the Rugby Championship but two recent examples will be sending shivers through Wallabies' camp.

South African prop Dean Greyling was suspended for two weeks, but missed only one test, for striking McCaw with his forearm during the All Blacks' 21-11 win in Dunedin last month. A week earlier his teammate Eben Etzebeth had tried to headbutt Nathan Sharpe in the Perth test. He, too, was suspended for two weeks but missed just one test.

This most recent hit on McCaw has been met with howls of outrage across the Tasman. One newspaper in New Zealand called for an eight-week ban for Higginbotham to protect ''the best player in the game [from] being battered by hackers and lugs with barely half his ability''.

If the SANZAR judiciary takes a consistent line on Higginbotham's alleged strikes, which occurred moments apart and did not miss their mark, two weeks will be a starting point only. If the Rebels backrower is suspended and does not appeal, a two-week ban would still allow him to play in the first test against France on November 11.

But SANZAR came under intense fire for its decisions on Etzebeth and Greyling and there is a possibility the commission will want to send a message. Two consecutive two-week bans could take Higginbotham out of the test against England as well, leaving him free for selection in the final two tests, against Italy and Wales.

A further danger lies in the potential for the commissioner to find an aggravating factor in the headbutt coming so soon after the knee. It would be difficult to argue a lack of intent on the former with the latter arriving so swiftly in its wake. Nigel Hampton's comments in the Etzebeth case could prove instructive.

''This was a deliberate act done as a part of an episode of escalating 'tit-for-tat' pushing and shoving between the two players,'' Hampton, QC, said at the time. ''As to sanction, intentional striking with the head into the face of another is not to be countenanced under any circumstances.''



In any case, and with the tour still two weeks away, the Wallabies are likely to seek a swift resolution on the matter to minimise as far as is possible the impact on the tour.

McCaw was the target a month ago in Dunedin and no All Blacks supporter will forget the knee offered by Quade Cooper a year ago in Brisbane.

''[The confrontation with Higginbotham] annoyed me at the time but it will get dealt with I guess. It gets a bit frustrating at times. It's a bit annoying,'' McCaw said on Saturday night.

The breakaway's coach Steve Hansen called it a ''cheap shot'', adding: ''He [McCaw] seems to get them every week but everyone seems to miss them.

'You people [New Zealand media] see it week-in, week-out. If you don't think it's right, then write it, or say it on TV. We saw it, it was a cheap shot and we hope the judicial people can sort it out.''

FFX Australia

English club and provincial Rugby season: All you need to know about the format for 2012/13

The top level of English Rugby boasts a variety of exciting competitions, ranging from the fiercely competitive Championship right through to England's finest competing in the RBS 6 Nations.

Introduction

The pinnacle of English club rugby is the Aviva Premiership which features the top 12 teams in the country battling it out over 22 rounds of games, followed by a play-off stage, in the race to Twickenham for the Aviva Premiership final.

Premiership clubs and four Welsh Regions also compete in the LV= Cup which is played over four weekends, followed by the semi-finals and finals.

The second tier of English Rugby is called the RFU Championship and consists of 12 clubs hungry for the single Premiership promotion slot. Formerly named National Division One, the Championship sees each team playing 11 games, home and away, in a league format before the drama of the play-offs begins.

Championship clubs also compete in the British & Irish Cup which also includes the development teams from the four Irish provinces; the top four teams from Scotland’s RBS Premier Division 1 last season; and the 12 teams from Wales’ Principality Premiership.


Aviva Premiership

English rugby’s richest prize, European qualification and pride are all at stake in the 2012/13 Aviva Premiership.

Each year 12 teams battle it out over 22 rounds of games, followed by a play-off stage, in the race to Twickenham for the biggest club rugby match anywhere in the world, the Premiership final.

During the season, teams are awarded four points for a win and two points for a draw. A single bonus point is also awarded to any team that loses a match by less than seven points, and to any team that scores four tries or more in a match.

At the end of the regular season the top four teams in the league are entered into the play-off semi-finals, before the winners of those games progress to the Aviva Premiership final at Twickenham Stadium.

For teams at the other end of the table there is the threat of relegation to contend with, because at the end of the 22 match league season, the team at the bottom of the table are automatically relegated to the RFU Championship.

European Qualification

As well as the title of Aviva Premiership Champions, teams are also playing for European qualification, with the top six clubs at the end of the 2012/13 season making it through to the Heineken Cup 2013/14.

If an Aviva Premiership team wins the Heineken Cup this season and finishes in the top six of the league then an additional Heineken Cup place is awarded to the team finishing seventh in the league.

RFU Championship

The RFU Championship, formally SSE National League One, was formed in 2009 and is the second tier of professional rugby in England.

The 2012-13 season will see a revised structure as the 12 clubs compete in a league season across 22 rounds, with the bottom club relegated to SSE National League 1 and the top four clubs going on to compete in a two-legged semi-final and final. The winners of the semi-finals will go on to play in the RFU Championship final – also two legs.

The new structure will provide 11 home games for the Championship clubs and a minimum of six games in the revised British & Irish Cup.

The cross-border competition will now run across nine weeks with six pool rounds, concluded by three weeks of knock-out stages (quarter-final, semi-final and final).

British & Irish Cup

Some 32 teams will compete in an expanded British & Irish Cup in the fourth year of the cross-border competition.

Title holders Munster ‘A’ have been drawn in Pool 7 alongside Aberavon, Plymouth Albion and Rotherham Titans, while last year’s runners-up Cross Keys are in Pool 4 with local rivals Newport plus Connacht and Championship newcomers Newcastle Falcons.

The teams, from the four home nations, are drawn in eight pools of four, with only the pool winners qualifying for the knockout stages.

In addition to 12 teams being added to the competition, another format switch sees clubs now face each other home and away in the pool stages.

The participating teams comprise the 12 teams from the RFU Championship; the development teams from the four Irish provinces; the top four teams from Scotland’s RBS Premier Division 1 last season; and the 12 teams from Wales’ Principality Premiership.

Joining the competition for their debut season are Bridgend Ravens, Bedwas, Stirling County, Carmarthen Quins, Dundee HSFP, Newcastle Falcons, Jersey, and Gala.

The competition will now take place over nine rounds and will align with ERC weekends.

The pool games will take place as follows: Round 1 – 12-14 October; Round 2 – 19-21 October; Round 3 – 7-9 December; Round 4 – 14-16 December; Round 5 – 11-13 January; and Round 6 – 19 January.

The quarter-finals will be played the weekend of 5-7 April; the semi-finals 26-28 April; and the final Friday 17 May (TBC).

The Daily Mail RBS Schools Competition

The Daily Mail RBS Schools Competition is the premier tournament in schools rugby, where school teams compete regionally and then nationally for the chance to play at Twickenham and clinch the coveted trophy.

Some 1000 teams take part each year across the country at Under 15 and Under 18 level. All schools that enter play for a main cup and there is also a vase for teams knocked out in the early rounds, also culminating in a Twickenham final.

The Under 15 Vase was revamped in 2010/11 to include a "Pool" system which enables developing schools to play more often through the creation of a mini fixture list. This revised structure is designed to assist those teams from local and emerging schools programmes, as it pits them against more realistic opposition but still gives sides the chance of making it to Twickenham.

Current England fly half Owen Farrell, now back in action with Saracens after helping his nation secure four out of five wins and to become runners up in the RBS 6 Nations, made his presence felt in the Daily RBS Schools competition with St George’s, Harpenden.

Farrell, who made his first team debut for Sarries at just 17 years old, played a pivotal role in his school’s journey to the fifth round of the U18 Cup in 2008 with victory over Hertfordshire rivals Richard Hale.

Calum Clark who captained England U20s through to the final of the 2009 IRB Junior World Championship in Japan in 2009, is listed amongst the Underwood brothers Rory and Tony, Rob Andrew and Matthew Tait as a leading Barnard Castle player.

The 22-year-old flanker, who was included in Stuart Lancaster’s RBS 6 Nations squad, featured in the 2007 Daily Mail RBS U18 Cup final, when his team lost by an agonising 23-24 to Warwick School

RFU President Willie Wildash said: “This competition has played a pivotal role in schools rugby since 1988, offering schools the opportunity to play meaningful, competitive rugby at a level appropriate for them. There is recognition and reward through the Vase and Cup structure, with lifting the trophy at Twickenham in front of school friends, teachers and parents the ultimate prize.

"Professional rugby players often give winning at Twickenham in the Under 15s or Under 18s competition as one of their best rugby memories and many more are still involved at grassroots level thanks to the the huge enjoyment it brought.”

Peter Johnson, President of the England Rugby Football Schools Union, added: “The Daily Mail RBS Schools competition has become a major occasion in the rugby calendar and, as ever, we owe our thanks to our sponsors for their loyal and enthusiastic support of this excellent competition. Rugby Football is one of many extra-curricular activities which are so important in enhancing the confidence and self-esteem of individuals and which help to produce round young adults capable of working in a team. “

SSE National League

Managed by the National Clubs Association (NCA), the SSE National Leagues represent the 3rd and 4th tier of rugby in England, compromising of three divisions; SSE National League 1, SSE National League 2 North and SSE National League 2 South.

Each division includes 16 semi-professional teams that together cover the length and breadth of England, from Redruth to Westoe, Fylde to Southend.

SSE National League 1
30 league games; 15 home, 15 away
Top finishing club promoted to RFU Championship
Bottom three clubs relegated to SSE National League 2 North or South (depending on region)

SSE National League 2 North & South
Top finishing club promoted to SSE National League 1
2nd placed clubs compete in promotional play-offs

Bottom three clubs relegated from each division; SSE National League 2 North relegated to National League 3 Midlands/North, SSE National League 2 South relegated to Nat 3 South West/London.

Managed by the RFU's Divisional Organising Committees, the SSE Divisional Leagues cover levels 5-12 of rugby in England. Between them the four divisions (North, Midlands, London & South East and the South West) provide leagues covering all four corners of the country and over 1000 clubs.

Each division is headed by a National League 3 with the Midlands and North leagues leading to promotion into SSE National League 2 North, and the South West and London & SE divisions feeding into SSE National League 2 South. Below this level the leagues are split into area or CB based to limit travel and encourage participation.
SSE: Official Sponsors of the RFU National and Divisional Leagues

Leading energy company, SSE (Scottish and Southern Energy), was named as an Official Community Partner of the Rugby Football Union in July 2011. The three year partnership will see SSE invest significantly to support community rugby in England and take on the title sponsorship of the National and Divisional Leagues.

Steve Grainger, Rugby Development Director for the RFU, commented: "We're delighted to see SSE join the RFU family. The success of rugby in England depends on the longevity of success at community level to support growth through to the elite game. With SSE backing the National and Divisional League, club rugby in England has received a further boost."

Marriott London Sevens

The Marriott London Sevens is back with a roar. After the hugely successful London Games, Rugby Sevens becomes part of the Olympic family and the road to Rio starts now.

Last year’s 70s Disco theme made for a glorious weekend stuffed full of the hottest rugby action, plus disco moves, wig-waving and flying flares. With a record breaking crowd of 103,000 passing through the turnstiles – surpassing the records set at the 2011 event – 2013 promises to be even bigger, better and louder.

The London round will again be the ninth and final event of the HSBC Sevens World Series, with each team striving to be crowned champions. The action kicks off in Australia in October and the players are bursting to get started on the road to their ultimate goal of winning in London.

The carnival atmosphere generated by the fans in the stands is unrivalled in the Twickenham calendar, with fancy dress galore, exclusive competitions and unique entertainment.

Check out our entertainment pages in the coming months as the plans for the weekend are unveiled and see what you can expect from a day of fast and furious action, on and off the pitch