Evergreen Thorn set for another Super Rugby season

Updated October 10, 2012 12:54:02

Evergreen dual international Brad Thorn is reportedly set to write a final chapter in his remarkable playing career by returning to Super Rugby with New Zealand franchise the Highlanders.

The former All Blacks lock, who played for Brisbane, Queensland and Australia in rugby league, has been playing rugby union in Japan and Ireland since helping New Zealand win last year's Rugby World Cup.

But the Otago Daily Times reports Thorn, who will turn 38 in February, has met with Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph and is believed to have agreed to play for the Dunedin-based franchise next season.

Thorn previously played Super Rugby for the Crusaders between 2001 and 2011, before returning to rugby league for a second stint with the Brisbane Broncos from 2005 to 2007.

He has played 200 top grade rugby league games for the Broncos, 14 for Queensland and eight matches for Australia.

In rugby union Thorn has played 92 Super Rugby games for the Crusaders and 60 Tests for the All Blacks.

However a move to the Highlanders would be a fitting career finale for Thorn, who was born in Mosgiel just outside Dunedin where the team is based.

He would add experience and steel to a Highlanders forward pack that already includes new signing All Blacks prop Tony Woodcock and All Blacks hooker Andrew Hore.

Thorn left for Japan last year on a two-year deal to play for the Fukuoka Sanix Blues and that deal is due to expire in late February, paving his way to play in Super Rugby.

Earlier this year, he signed a three-month contract with Irish club Leinster and helped them to win Europe's Heineken Cup.

It added another honour to Thorn's long list, having tasted success at virtually every level in both codes.

AAP

Tags: super-rugby, rugby-union, sport, new-zealand, brisbane-4000, qld, australia

First posted October 10, 2012 12:54:02

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Beale's Super Rugby season over

Updated July 03, 2012 19:37:53

Star Melbourne Rebels back Kurtley Beale has been ruled out of the last two matches of the Super Rugby season after pulling up sore from last Friday's loss to Queensland.

The Rebels' medical staff announced Beale will not be joining his team-mates in South Africa for matches against the Lions and Stormers after previously saying he was suffering "soreness" following the 32-17 defeat to the Reds at AAMI Park.

The Wallabies full-back went into the clash against the defending Super Rugby champions with bruised ribs suffered during the third Test against Wales in Sydney in his first match back from shoulder surgery.

Beale's operation at the start of June forced the 23-year-old to miss one Super Rugby match, the one-off Test against Scotland and the first two fixtures with Wales.

Fellow Wallabies back James O'Connor was also missing from the the 25-player Rebels squad that flew to South Africa on Sunday after straining his hamstring.

James Hilgendorf is most likely to regain the number 10 jersey against the Lions in Johannesburg on Sunday.

AAP

Tags: sport, rugby-union, super-rugby, melbourne-3000, vic, australia, south-africa

First posted July 03, 2012 19:37:53

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Horwill set to miss rest of the season: Deans

Updated June 15, 2012 11:41:42

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans has confirmed James Horwill will almost certainly miss the rest of the season with a serious hamstring injury.

Deans told ABC News 24 that his World Cup skipper is unlikely to return after tearing his hamstring during the Reds' Super Rugby win over the Brumbies last month.

"It does look like he's got a long term injury," Deans said.

"It's unlikely he'll play any rugby this year."

Horwill visited a specialist in Melbourne this week and will have further scans on Monday to investigate the extent of the damage.

David Pocock captained the side in recent Tests against against Scotland and Wales but Deans refused to commit to Pocock continuing the role long-term.

"There's just no point in looking beyond each week," Deans said.

"None of us know what's coming in the future.

Pocock captained the side to a shock defeat against Scotland in Newcastle, but recorded his first victory as skipper in the Wallabies' subsequent win over Wales.

The incumbent skipper is once again expected to lead the side against Wales at Docklands in Melbourne on June 12.

"Clearly David's done a great job," Deans said.

"He's responded to the challenge and it came around quickly."

Tags: sport, rugby-union, australia

First posted June 15, 2012 10:53:15

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Horwill set to miss rest of Super Rugby season

Updated June 12, 2012 09:46:01

The Queensland Reds are expected to be without captain James Horwill for the remainder of the Super Rugby season.

Horwill has been troubled by a hamstring injury since his side's win over the Brumbies last month.

He will consult a specialist in Melbourne on Wednesday but has told The Australian newspaper he does not expect to play again for the Reds this year.

The Wallabies World Cup captain is hopeful he can play a role for Australia in the later rounds of the Rugby Championship against New Zealand, South Africa and Argentina beginning in August.

The Super Rugby competition resumes on June 29 after a break for international fixtures.

Queensland is in ninth spot with three rounds left to play.

Tags: super-rugby, rugby-union, sport, brisbane-4000, qld, australia

First posted June 12, 2012 09:46:01

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Tahs' season not on the line: Foley

Updated May 04, 2012 17:12:02

Do not try telling New South Wales coach Michael Foley that Saturday's vital Super Rugby Australian derby against the Brumbies is a do-or-die game.

The Brumbies head the Australian conference by five points from the Waratahs, with the defending champion Queensland Reds another point adrift.

A bonus-point win for the Brumbies would give them a double-digit lead over New South Wales, a worrying margin for the Waratahs, given only the conference winner from Australia looks like making the play-offs.

The Waratahs and Reds are entering the round seven and eight points respectively off the sixth and last wildcard spot.

"I think there's been a few people trying to put words into our mouth and talking about it being do or die," Foley told reporters on Friday.

"I think with seven games to go you don't leave yourself much if you start saying things like that, but it's a very important game for both teams."

Asked if it was not a do or die game Foley said: "I think those sort of things are very difficult to predict with seven games to go.

"With three or four games to go, it's a bit different.

"For us we're prepared to play as well as we can on the back of performances we've had in recent weeks."

Despite Foley's opinion, the Waratahs have a tricky next month with the Bulls visiting Sydney next round before a two-match tour of South Africa.

Foley cited defence as a key focus for New South Wales in the nation's capital following some costly lapses against the Crusaders last Sunday.

Adding spice to the scrum battle on Saturday is the front row duel between acting Tahs captain Benn Robinson and former team-mate Dan Palmer.

"I think it's the first time I'll pack down against him in a professional game, so I'm pretty excited about that," Robinson said.

"He's had a huge year and he's got his trade pretty much down pat so he knows what he's doing.

"I think we're both fairly short of stature front rowers, but it's going to be a good battle."

Robinson said the Brumbies had a good combination of experienced leaders and good youngsters.

The Brumbies can move closer to a Super Rugby finals spot with a victory over the Waratahs, who defeated them 41-7 in their last meeting.

AAP

Tags: sport, rugby-union, super-rugby, canberra-2600, act, nsw, australia

First posted May 04, 2012 17:07:54

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Rebels lose Saffy for the season

Updated May 02, 2012 07:48:37

Rebels flanker Jarrod Saffy has been ruled out for the rest of the Super Rugby season.

An MRI after Melbourne's round nine loss to the Waratahs showed Saffy had a bulging disc in his neck.

Doctors advised the 27-year-old rugby league convert to sit out the rest of the season.

"Jarrod will be a massive loss for the side, his transition into Super Rugby has been impressive and he is an integral part of the squad," said coach Damien Hill.

"There is always an obvious concern with these type of injuries, but we look forward to Jarrod returning for the 2013 season."

The Rebels host the Bulls this Friday night at AAMI Park with centre James O'Connor still unable to play after lacertaing his liver and fly half Danny Cipriani leaving the club on the weekend.

Tags: super-12, rugby-union, sport, melbourne-3000, vic, australia

First posted May 02, 2012 07:47:30

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Shepherd out of season opener

Updated February 22, 2012 17:56:40

Western Force full-back Cameron Shepherd has been ruled out of Friday night's Super Rugby match with the Brumbies in Canberra through injury.

Shepherd featured in last week's trial loss to Queensland, but was restricted to light duties this week after picking up a slight strain in his leg.

His spot in the run-on side has been taken by Alfie Mafi, with former half-back James Stannard named at five-eighth following the preseason departure of Willie Ripia.

Former skipper Nathan Sharpe has recovered from his calf complaint and will partner Toby Lynn in the second row, with regular lock Sam Wykes (hamstring) ruled out.

Marquee winger and Fijian international Napolioni Nalaga will make his Force debut, as will Lynn, prop Salesi Ma'afu and outside centre Winston Stanley.

Hooker Elvis Taione, lock Phoenix Battye, back rower Angus Cottrell, five-eighth Ben Seymour and outside back Sam Wara will also make their debuts if they are required off the bench.

Western Force squad: Alfie Mafi, Nick Cummins, Winston Stanley, Rory Sidey, Napolioni Nalaga, James Stannard, Brett Sheehan, Ben McCalman, David Pocock (captain), Matt Hodgson, Nathan Sharpe, Toby Lynn, Salesi Ma'au, Nathan Charles, Pek Cowan

Reserves: Elvis Taione, Kieran Longbottom, Phoenix Battye, Angus Cottrell, Justin Turner, Ben Seymour, Sam Wara

AAP

Tags: super-14, rugby-union, sport, perth-6000

First posted February 22, 2012 17:56:40

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Blues lose Kaino for season

Updated March 12, 2012 15:26:49

All Blacks and Blues star Jerome Kaino's Super Rugby season is over after he was ordered to undergo surgery on an injured shoulder.

The back rower says he is devastated to learn he will be sidelined for six months after examinations showed a piece of bone had been dislodged from his left shoulder in the Blues' round two loss to the Chiefs on March 2.

"I'm gutted, I really didn't think this was going to take me out of the whole Blues season," Kaino said.

Blues coach Pat Lam says he is shocked to lose the 28-year-old, who played a major part in the All Blacks' World Cup success last year and was among the nominees for IRB World Player of the Year.

"This is a real blow for him and I know, like us, he is really disappointed that he won't be playing this season with the team," he said.

The Blues are 11th on the Super Rugby ladder after two losses and one win in the opening three rounds.

AFP

Tags: rugby-union, sport, super-rugby, new-zealand

First posted March 12, 2012 13:10:38

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Everything You Need to Know to Follow the New Rugby Union Season

Rugby Union is one of the most popular sports played in the United Kingdom. The 2008/2009 rugby season gets under way in early September and for many the kick off signals weekends spent either in front of the television or down at the local club, watching crunching tackles and the scoring of tries live.

The Guinness Premiership is the top tier Rugby Union Championship in England. It gets under way on the weekend of 6th September and will conclude in May 2009. The current Champions are London Wasps, who won a thrilling match with Leicester Tigers at Twickenham back in May, in a game that witnessed the final rugby farewell of the legendary Wasps, England and British lions, back row forward, Lawrence Dallaglio.

The Premiership is played over 22 rounds by the 12 best teams in England. The teams this year are Bath, Bristol, Gloucester, Harlequins, Leicester Tigers, London Irish, London Wasps, Newcastle Falcons, Northampton Saints, Sale Sharks, Saracens, Worcester Warriors.

Each team plays each other home and away throughout the season in a bid to qualify for the top four places by the end of Round 22. The top four will then play a knock out tournament, with two winning sides contesting a Twickenham Final. The team on top of the table by the end of round 22 will have home advantage in the knock out phase against the team who finish 4th, while the runners up will have home advantage against the team finishing 3rd.

During the round by round stage, points are awarded as follows:

4 points per win.

2 points per draw.

1 bonus point if losing a match by less than 7 points.

1 bonus point if scoring 4 tries or more in any match.

The enjoyment that can be had from watching Rugby Union is not confined to the sport's top division. In England alone, there are five national divisions as well as many local leagues which see players and fans descending to clubs up and down the country to appreciate the enjoyment that the sport of Rugby offers. Also, in recent years, Rugby Union betting has become increasingly popular as it has grown along with the increasing number of spectators attending matches since the sport turned professional in 1995, together with the recent successes of the England national team.

James Smith has worked in the sports industry for several years and has a wide range of experience in the field, ranging from sports marketing through to sports journalism. A regular writer of sports articles at http://www.betting-directory.com

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