Super Rugby News

<p>From the Kyode News:</p>
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<p><span style="font-size:18px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Rugby: Family bereavement forces Sunwolves coach to return home</strong></span></span></p>
<p>TOKYO, Feb. 19, Kyodo</p>
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<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Mark Hammett, coach of Japan's new Super Rugby side the Sunwolves, will leave the team's training camp in Okinawa with immediate effect following the death of his mother Friday in New Zealand.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">"It is a sad day for me and my family on the passing of my mother," Hammett said in a statement. "A lot of my success in life I owe to her. I would like to thank Japan Rugby and the Sunwolves management, players, sponsors and fans for their support at this sad time. I will leave Japan to go and support my family and lay my mum to rest. I am hopeful that I can return in time for our inaugural Super Rugby match."</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Assistant coach Filo Tiatia will take charge of the team as they prepare for their inaugural game against the Johannesburg-based Lions on Feb. 27 in Tokyo.</span></span></p>
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<p>Foley could be out for 3-4 weeks with a shoulder injury.  A big loss for the Tahs.</p>

Kaino suspended one week. Not a great look for the captain. Good news for the Blues is they still have Luatua Ioane and Edwards as 6/8.

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiMurph" data-cid="559844" data-time="1456020026">
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<p>Kaino suspended one week. Not a great look for the captain. Good news for the Blues is they still have Luatua Ioane and Edwards as 6/8.</p>
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<p>Lucky not to get more imo.</p>

<p>I reckon a week off was top end, IMO it was a punch at the arm holding which released and ended up in the face...but then I guess a punch is a punch.</p>

<p>I don't think they attribute enough value to the red card that was awarded when handing out bans.</p>

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="559891" data-time="1456034350"><p>I reckon a week off was top end, IMO it was a punch at the arm holding which released and ended up in the face...but then I guess a punch is a punch.</p></blockquote>
See it didn't look like he was trying to punch when I saw it - just looked like he was trying to swing his out so it wasn't held, then it was free and whacked someone, freak accident. Red card should've been it.

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bones" data-cid="559896" data-time="1456034799">
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<p>See it didn't look like he was trying to punch when I saw it - just looked like he was trying to swing his out so it wasn't held, then it was free and whacked someone, freak accident. Red card should've been it.</p>
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<p>swinging arm got seen as a punch that hit someone in the nose I expect, I think you are right, but they have obviously viewed it as a punch to get a RC and a week of?</p>

<p>Question:</p>
<p>How much will we see Akira Ioane in the Blues this year? (given the Sevens schedule)? What exactly will he miss out on?</p>

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Frank" data-cid="559904" data-time="1456040330">
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<p>Question:</p>
<p>How much will we see Akira Ioane in the Blues this year? (given the Sevens schedule)? What exactly will he miss out on?</p>
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<p>He will be available from week 1 - 10. Since we have two byes within the first 10 weeks, he will only play 8 games at most.</p>

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiMurph" data-cid="559887" data-time="1456032607">
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<p>From Sumo Stevenson's twitter</p>
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<p>Sumo's the type who thinks that the players can do no wrong and that everything is the refs/judiciary's fault. </p>

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="African Monkey" data-cid="559907" data-time="1456041968"><p>
Sumo's the type who thinks that the players can do no wrong and that everything is the refs/judiciary's fault.</p></blockquote>Sumo is the common sense type.

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bones" data-cid="559896" data-time="1456034799">
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<p>See it didn't look like he was trying to punch when I saw it - just looked like he was trying to swing his out so it wasn't held, then it was free and whacked someone, freak accident. Red card should've been it.</p>
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<p>It's not a freak accident if you throw your fist in the direction of someone's head and end up hitting them. Sure there was an arm in the way initially but that isn't an excuse for reckless play.</p>
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<p>One week seems fair.</p>

<br><br><blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Unco" data-cid="559913" data-time="1456053086"><p>It's not a freak accident if you throw your fist in the direction of someone's head and end up hitting them. Sure there was an arm in the way initially but that isn't an excuse for reckless play.<br><br>
One week seems fair.</p></blockquote>
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Didn't look like he was throwing his fist at someone's head at all, looked like he was trying to pull his arm free. <br><br>
Red card was adequate punishment.

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bones" data-cid="559914" data-time="1456053842">
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Didn't look like he was throwing his fist at someone's head at all, looked like he was trying to pull his arm free.<br><br>
Red card was adequate punishment.</p>
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<p>I didn't say he threw his fist at Manu's head, I said he threw it in the direction of his head. Pull his arm free from what? Manu was holding onto Cane's jersey, not Kaino. Kaino tried to knock Manu's arm out of the way at the same time as Manu let go of Cane and since Kaino put some force into it, he ended up uppercutting Manu in the face. It was reckless.</p>

Reckless of Manu to let go when he did? That's harsh.

Reminds me a bit of a yellow card I got in like u13s or something. <br><br>
Some piston wristed gibbon was hanging onto me at a maul, so I starting punching his arm over and over to make the prick let me go. <br><br>
Got binned for it.<br>
Couldn't believe it, I thought the punches were well deserved.

Sam Henwood has been called up by the Chiefs

<p><span style="color:#444444;"><span style="font-family:helvetica, sans-serif;"><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/reds/super-rugby-2016-queensland-reds-suffer-blow-as-liam-gill-ruled-out-for-a-month-20160224-gn33jl.html'>Queensland Reds suffer blow as Liam Gill ruled out for a month</a>  (back injury)</span></span></p>

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Billy Tell" data-cid="557828" data-time="1455084173"><p>
Does anyone else think Buckman was an outside bet for an ABs squad (in the midfield)?<br><br>
Over the years I went from thinking he was pure journeyman to not too bad to pretty good actually to maybe maybe a possible AB.<br><br>
Or am I completely deluded?</p></blockquote>
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First time I've read this thread ... seems I unconsciously avoided most of the rugby stuff while we were still playing cruckut ... but I hadnt heard Buckman was gooorne until last night.<br><br>
Shame.<br><br>
And no Billy you weren't the only one who had pretty much exactly that train of thought.

<p>Highlanders: Waisake Naholo out for 2 months, and Fumiaki Tanaka for 1 month !<br>
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<p><strong><span style="font-size:18px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Waisake Naholo ruled out for up to two months</span></span></strong><br><span style="font-size:12px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Tuesday 1 Mar 2016 1:27 p.m.</span></span><br>
 <br><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Defending champions the Highlanders have suffered a double injury blow with All Black Waisake Naholo and Japan halfback Fumiaki Tanaka ruled out for up to two months.</span></span><br>
 <br><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Naholo suffered a new fracture to the same leg that ruled him out for the start of the Rugby World Cup last year, late in their loss to the Blues.</span></span><br>
 <br><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">"While this is very unfortunate for Waisake, the positive news is that this injury is not as bad as his last fracture. He is already managing well and it's expected his rehab will take 6 – 8 weeks," team doctor Greg Macleod said.</span></span><br>
 <br><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Tanaka is expected to miss the next month with a torn calf muscle suffered in training.</span></span><br>
 <br><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Coach Jamie Joseph is cautious of dwelling on the situation.</span></span><br>
 <br><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">"To lose players for an extended period is always disappointing but you have to expect injuries to occur at some point , as a group we simply deal with it and move on, the focus for the players now will be to rehab well and work to make themselves available again," Joseph said.</span></span><br>
 <br><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Naholo will not be returning to Fiji for treatment as he did last year.</span></span><br><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">The Highlanders take on the Hurricanes on Saturday night.</span></span><br>
 <br><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Newshub.</span></span></p>
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<p>[edit] a new fracture to the same leg</p>

<p>damn witch doctor didnt really cure it after all, just papered over the crack...</p>

<p>So, who is likely to play with the 14 jersey for the Highlanders ?</p>

<p>Assuming he is fit, Ryan Tongia, looked good when Naholo was injured last season</p>

<p>And what about Liam Squire ? Is his injury a serious one ? It is a shame he got injured because he had a storming game until he limped off.</p>

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="561793" data-time="1456818467">
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<p>Assuming he is fit, Ryan Tongia, looked good when Naholo was injured last season</p>
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<p>Yes, he scored 3 tries in 2 games.</p>

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="cgrant" data-cid="561795" data-time="1456818967">
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<p>And what about Liam Squire ? Is his injury a serious one ? It is a shame he got injured because he had a storming game until he limped off.</p>
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<p>His issue was a cut lip and they thought he was coughing up blood, so sent him to the hospital, but he was fine. All clear for this week.</p>

<p>Shaun Stevenson is likely out for 3 weeks with his AC joint injury.</p>

<p>Mike Harris out for 3 months!</p>
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<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.rugby.com.au/News/NewsArticle/tabid/1699/ArticleID/17544/Harris-to-miss-three-months.aspx'>http://www.rugby.com.au/News/NewsArticle/tabid/1699/ArticleID/17544/Harris-to-miss-three-months.aspx</a></p>

<p>Brodie Retallick out for four to six weeks (broken ribs) and not travelling with the team to South Africa and Argentina.</p>
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<p>Shaun Stevenson and Hika Elliott also not in the squad, but Stephen Donald is.</p>
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<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.newshub.co.nz/sport/broken-ribs-rule-retallick-out-for-six-weeks-2016030611?platform=hootsuite#axzz424bNlvIi'>http://www.newshub.co.nz/sport/broken-ribs-rule-retallick-out-for-six-weeks-2016030611?platform=hootsuite#axzz424bNlvIi</a></p>

<p>wow. we are getting pumped early in the year. The tight 5 has been decimated, no wonder we're a bit rough there</p>

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="mariner4life" data-cid="562935" data-time="1457305259">
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<p>wow. we are getting pumped early in the year. The tight 5 has been decimated, no wonder we're a bit rough there</p>
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<p>1. </p>
<p>2. Elliot</p>
<p>3. Laulala</p>
<p>4. Retallick</p>
<p>5. Bird</p>
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<p>Almost an entire AB tight 5 sitting in the stands.</p>
<p>Bugger.</p>

<p>Richard Graham goooooone after two games this season.</p>

<p>Isn't it a bit ott to sack a coach after losing the two first games of the season?<br>
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<p><span style="font-size:18px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Queensland Reds coach Richard Graham sacked after back-to-back losses to start Super Rugby season</strong></span></span><br><br><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">The Queensland Reds have sacked Richard Graham after back-to-back losses to open their Super Rugby season.</span></span><br>
 <br><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">The Reds lost to the Waratahs in round one before failing to score a try in Saturday's 22-6 home loss to the unheralded Western Force.</span></span><br>
 <br><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">He took over at Ballymore in 2013 after championship-winning coach Ewen McKenzie was elevated to his ill-fated stint at the Wallabies. Graham has presided over seasons of turmoil at the Brisbane side highlighted by star signing Karmichael Hunt's drug suspension last year.</span></span><br>
 <br><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>MORE TO COME</strong></span></span></p>
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<br><p>Just imagine Boyd being sacked by the Canes ...</p>

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stargazer" data-cid="563074" data-time="1457325096">
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<p>Isn't it a bit ott to sack a coach after losing the two first games of the season?<br>
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<br><p>Just imagine Boyd being sacked by the Canes ...</p>
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<p>Graham should have been sacked at the end of last season at least. It's not over the top - it's 6 months too late.</p>

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stargazer" data-cid="563074" data-time="1457325096">
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<p>Isn't it a bit ott to sack a coach after losing the two first games of the season?</p>
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<p>Not given his record, no.</p>
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<p>What's OTT is the Reds gave him two games this season to fuck up.</p>

<p>What's fucked is they gave him the gig at all. He was fucking terrible at the Force, and they promoted him?</p>
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<p>The Reds lack a lot, so this won't be the instant fix many of their rabid supporters hope it will be</p>

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="antipodean" data-cid="563077" data-time="1457325386"><p>Not given his record, no.<br> <br>What's OTT is the Reds gave him two games this season to fuck up.</p></blockquote> <br>That's what I meant. Either you sack him over Summer, or you give him a reasonable number of games in the new season. Sacking him two games into the season is just ridiculous.<br> <br><blockquote class="ipsBlockquote"><p><strong><span style="font-size:18px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Reds coach calls it quits</span></span></strong><br> <br><em><strong><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color:#4d4d4d;">Reds head coach Richard Graham has been released from the remainder of his contract with immediate effect.</span></span></span></strong></em><br> <br><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color:#4d4d4d;">Graham, who was head coach for the past three seasons, will be replaced by co-interim head coaches Matt O'Connor and Nick Stiles.</span></span></span><br> <br><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color:#4d4d4d;">Stiles has been the Reds' forwards coach since 2014 and also led Brisbane City as head coach to back-to-back titles in the National Rugby Championship. O'Connor joined the Reds as attack coach ahead of the 2016 season after spending the last seven years coaching in Europe, most recently as head coach of European Cup semi-finalists Leinster.</span></span></span><br> <br><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color:#4d4d4d;">The QRU will commence a worldwide process to appoint a head coach for the 2017 Super Rugby season. It is likely that this process will take between 90 and 120 days once the QRU formally goes to market. Both O'Connor and Stiles will be invited to be part of this open process.</span></span></span><br> <br><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color:#4d4d4d;">"QRU conducted a high-performance review in the middle of last year and as a result implemented significant change across our Rugby department. At that time the Board made the decision to reappoint Richard as head coach for a year, but we always said there would be periods within the 2016 Super Rugby season where we would take stock of how the team was performing," said QRU Chairman Damien Frawley.</span></span></span><br> <br><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">- ONE News</span></span></p></blockquote>