James Haskell Suspended for Three Weeks

Posted on May 1, 2012 in SANZAR

James Haskell was cited for punching in the Highlanders v Cheetahs match on 28 April 2012 in Bloemfontein. He was given a yellow card on the field, and the incident was referred to the citing commissioner (white card).

Mike Heron the Duty JO said: “After reviewing the relevant material (including the match footage, footage on the SANZAR intranet, citing report, match officials report and a medical report), I followed the Duty JO process via telephone calls with the player, his lawyer and other Highlanders personnel. At the end of that process, I gave an indication of penalty of 3 weeks’ suspension. After having time to consider that, the player accepted that suspension. Accordingly, James Haskell is suspended from all forms of the game for the 3 weeks to and including Saturday 19 May 2012 (that includes three scheduled Super Rugby matches). My reasons are as follows: The citing alleged that James Haskell punched the Cheetahs number 7 (Justin Downey) twice, the first with his right hand to Downey’s head (after being held and retaliating) and the second with a left jab in the face. The citing alleged that the second resulted in Downey going down on his haunches holding his face. The footage confirmed that, and Haskell accepted that he had punched the Cheetahs player twice. The citing report also stated that Downey received stitches for a gash on his eyebrow. That was confirmed by the medical report. “

The SANZAR Duty Judicial Officer Mike Heron has accepted a guilty plea from James Haskell of the Highlanders for contravening Law 10.4 (a) Punching or Striking after he was Cited during a Super Rugby Match at the Weekend. Haskell struck Cheetahs player Justin Downey twice as he left a scrum that was being completed, with a scuffle breaking out between several players following the incident.

Haskell has been suspended from all forms of the game for three weeks to and including Saturday 19 May 2012.

The incident occurred in the 33rd minute of the match between the Cheetahs and Highlanders at Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein on the 28th April.

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Ezra Taylor joins Worcester Warriors

Posted on Dec 16, 2011 in English Rugby, Premiership, Worcester Warriors

Worcester Warriors have bolstered the club’s back row resources with the capture of highly rated Samoan international Ezra Taylor.

Taylor, who has featured for both the Highlanders and Queensland Reds in the Super 15, is expected to jet into Sixways in the coming weeks.

The 28-year-old, who stands 6ft 4in tall and weighs 17st 7lbs, has also had a spell playing for Connacht in the Magners League.

Head Coach Richard Hill revealed he had targeted Taylor as a potential recruit for next season but had moved quickly for the Brisbane-born back row, who can also operate in the second row, following injuries to Kai Horstmann, Adam Balding, Neil Best and Matt Kvesic.

“We are delighted to announce the signing of Ezra Taylor and believe he will be a major capture for the Warriors,” said Hill.

“We wanted a powerful player to add to our back row as we have come across, and continue to face, some big players this season, with the likes of Thomas Waldrom at Leicester Tigers and Francois Louw at Bath.

“We originally looked at Ezra over the summer with a view to recruiting him in the future. Phil Davies and I both really liked the look of him at the Pacific Nations Cup for Samoa.

“He has a strong rugby CV, having featured for the Reds, Highlanders and Connacht, and will add a real level of physicality to the squad. Ezra will join us in the coming weeks and there is a good chance he could be involved against Leicester Tigers.”

Born in Australia but raised in New Zealand, Taylor represented New Zealand at Under-19 and school boy levels. He made his debut for Otago in the 2006 Air New Zealand Cup and earned a contract with the Highlanders for the 2007 Super 14 season.

Taylor signed with the Queensland Reds – where he is currently training – for the 2009 Super 14 season. He appeared in 14 matches over two seasons for the Reds.

The back row signed with Connacht for 2010/11 and made his Samoa debut earlier this year against Japan.

“I’m really looking forward to the move and joining the Warriors,” said Taylor. “The club is moving forward in a good direction and I want to fit in and be part of that emphasis.

“The set up sounds awesome and the support structure sounds top class, headed of course by a great coaching staff. I am extremely excited about working with and becoming part of the Warriors family.

Hosea Gear re-signs with New Zealand Rugby and signs with the Highlanders

Posted on Sep 5, 2011 in NZ

Storming star winger Hosea Gear has re-signed with the New Zealand Rugby Union, and he will play his 2012 Investec Super Rugby season with the Highlanders, it was announced today.

Gear, 27, has signed with New Zealand Rugby for two years.

Highlanders Coach Jamie Joseph said they were delighted with Gear’s signing.

“This is a huge score for the Highlanders.  Hosea has a combined speed, power and athleticism that makes him a standout in any team he plays in, and he’s a nuisance for anyone defending him.  His experience will be a huge asset to the Highlanders next year, and we’re delighted to have him,” he said.

NZRU General Manager Professional Rugby Neil Sorensen said Gear’s re-commitment showed his strength of character as a professional rugby player.

“We know how close Hosea was this year, and I think it shows an incredible amount of maturity and tenacity to decide he still has his eye on a black jersey and that’s fantastic.

“While this will obviously be a disappointment for Hurricanes fans, Highlanders fans will no doubt enjoy having him as part of their campaign next year,”
Sorensen said.

Hosea Gear said:  “The past few weeks have been challenging, with lots of soul-searching and discussions with my family about what was best for me, and for them.

“It was not an easy decision to leave the Hurricanes, but I believe I am making the best decision for me.

“I thoroughly enjoyed the team environment with the New Zealand Maori team under Jamie last year, and I’m looking forward to joining him and the Highlanders,” he said.

Clark appointed GM of Highlands Super Rugby franchise

Posted on Oct 11, 2010 in Rugby News

Rugby Southland CEO Roger Clark has been appointed General Manager of the Highlanders’ Super Rugby franchise.

Clark has for the last four months been the Highlanders’ Project Manager on a secondment funded by the New Zealand Rugby Union, and has played an important role in both the on and off field re-structuring of the Highlanders’ franchise to date.

Clark’s employment is the first of a number of direct appointments intended to be made by the Highlanders before the start of the 2011 Investec Super Rugby season. In announcing the appointment, Highlanders’ Chairman Ross Laidlaw said:

"Roger was the standout applicant for this new position. He has 12 years’ experience as a rugby administrator and is highly respected as such both within the franchise region and beyond. One of Roger’s many tasks will be to build and lead an off field Highlanders’ management group – handling the franchise’s commercial, marketing, high performance and team management functions – which will work closely alongside Coach Jamie Joseph and his boys on the paddock."

Laidlaw also acknowledged the assistance and support of both the New Zealand Rugby Union and the Highlanders’ three regional provincial unions in relation the management re-structuring.

Meanwhile, Clark is looking forward to, but does not under estimate, the challenges of his new role:

"My principal task is to establish and maintain the Highlanders’ franchise as a commercially viable organisation. A continuation of significant operating deficits is not acceptable. There are many other important things to do. To build and maintain relationships with all our stakeholders; to assist Jamie Joseph in establishing a Highlander identity and culture, which will hopefully encourage the community to engage with the Highlanders; and to work with our provincial unions, particularly in the areas of player identification, development, recruitment and retention."

Rugby Southland Chairman Owen Shaw, acknowledged Clark’s contribution as CEO of the Stags:

"Roger has been instrumental in leading a resurgence of rugby in Southland as our CEO for the last 12 years. Whilst we are naturally disappointed to lose him, we are 100 per cent behind the new Highlanders’ leadership and wish Roger every success in his new role. We recognise how important it is for rugby in our region that the Highlanders is a successful franchise.”

Clark’s appointment takes effect immediately, but he will remain available to Rugby Southland to ensure a smooth transition to his successor.

Adam Thomson re-commits to Highlanders for 2011

Posted on Sep 10, 2010 in NZ, SANZAR

Otago flanker Adam Thomson has today confirmed his commitment to the Highlanders for the 2011 Investec Super Rugby season.

Highlanders Coach Jamie Joseph today welcomed Thomson’s re-signing with the Southern franchise as important retention of a locally-produced rugby talent and core part of the Highlanders’ team.

“I’m very excited that Adam has decided he wants to remain with the Highlanders next year.   I’m really pleased to have someone of his experience and skill back with us for the 2011 campaign.

“We have talked about our goals for next year – and I am fully supportive of Adam’s desire to work on getting back into a black jersey.  Adam now just needs to get on and start playing the type of rugby that got him selected in the All Blacks, having made the call will now allow him to concentrate on playing,” Joseph said.

New Zealand Rugby Union General Manager of Professional Rugby Neil Sorensen also welcomed Thomson’s re-signing.

“This is great news not just for the Highlanders but also for New Zealand rugby.  It’s important that we are able to keep someone of Adam’s calibre in the New Zealand mix,” Sorensen said.

Adam Thomson said he was delighted he will be back in a Highlanders jersey next year.

“This was one of the most significant decisions of my career and one that was not taken lightly, it was important for me to consider all of my options and I am happy to recommit to the Highlanders again next year.  I am excited about the direction Jamie is taking the team, and I am very happy I will be able to remain loyal to the region,” he said.

Christchurch-born Adam Thomson debuted for the Highlanders against the Sharks in 2004.  He has 39 Super Rugby caps.  A 17-Test cap All Black, Thomson first debuted in the black jersey against Ireland in 2008.