Leinster Rugby will face Super 15 franchise the Melbourne Rebels and fellow Heineken Cup finalists, Northampton Saints in Donnybrook ahead of the start of the RaboDirect PRO12 campaign. The visit of the Australian side who boast a string of Wallaby internationals on their roster including the likes of Sam Cordingley, Stirling Mortlock, England’s Danny...
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Connacht Rugby have completed the signing of winger Fetu’u Vainikolo from Super 15 franchise The Highlanders. The 26 year old Tongan born winger moved to New Zealand when he was 12. He joined Northland in 2007 and over his 22 caps scored 10 tries for the New Zealand Province. In 2009 he moved to...
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Leinster Rugby have signed Natal Sharks second row Steven Sykes on a three-year-deal and he will link up with the province this summer. Meanwhile, Connacht tight-head prop Jamie Hagan has also signed a three-year deal and the Balbriggan man will return to the province of his birth this summer alongside Canterbury Crusaders out-half Matt...
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The waiting is nearly over for Tom Wood as he prepares to win his first cap for England when the RBS 6 Nations kicks off in Cardiff tomorrow. The Northampton Saints flanker was told he’d won his starting spot while England were training in Portugal and he can’t wait to get going. "It was...
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Leading rugby administrator Brendan Morris has been appointed Operations Manager for the newly-established SANZAR (South Africa, New Zealand, Australia Rugby) organisation. Morris has been involved in the management of international sporting events and elite teams for 12 years and most recently worked in a team management role during the 2010 Tri Nations competition. Prior...
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Experienced All Blacks halfback Piri Weepu has re-signed with the New Zealand Rugby Union and Hurricanes, extending his commitment to the end of 2011. New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) General Manager of Professional Rugby Neil Sorensen welcomed Weepu’s re-signing as an important retention of valuable experience and skill at the top level of rugby....
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The chance to test himself in a new rugby culture was just one of the draw cards for Jason Shoemark to up sticks from his home in New Zealand and join Aviva Premiership newcomers Exeter Chiefs. The 29-year-old centre is Rob Baxter’s latest signing at Sandy Park and joins the Devon club having previously...
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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...
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New Zealand Rugby Union Chief Executive Steve Tew said the move to the new policy was a logical one but comes with restrictions to ensure that the right balance is maintained between adding to the competition and helping Franchises address their depth, while at the same time ensuring that Super Rugby continued to develop...
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Exeter head coach Rob Baxter believes new signing Sereli Naqelevuki will help bring a touch of the ‘X-Factor’ to the Chiefs back division as they look to build on their impressive start to life in the Aviva Premiership. After weeks of speculation regarding the Fijian international joining the Chiefs, the 29-year-old back was officially...
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