Folau can change union, says former All Black

Updated December 06, 2012 16:52:16

Sonny Bill Williams' indefensible offload changed rugby union and Israel Folau's vertical leap has the potential to do the same, according to new New South Wales Waratahs assistant coach Daryl Gibson.

Former All Black Gibson, who helped mould the Crusaders' potent backline when Williams made his Super Rugby debut, watched Folau train for the first time with NSW on Thursday.

It was a low-key hit-out, with Folau laying a couple of slick passes and making a handful of line breaks during drills, but Gibson was already thinking big about the impact a bulked-up Folau can have on the 15-man game.

"Sonny brought to union some skills he had from league and he's changed our game," Gibson said.

"Israel, particularly with his aerial ability, could potentially do the same.

"It's not a skill we're particularly adept at. He spent two years catching and kicking (in the AFL) and we'd be foolish not to utilise that skill."

Gibson, part of the Crusaders' foundation squad in 1996 and involved in union ever since, said he'd never seen anything like Folau's ability to leap and snaffle the high ball.

"And what I haven't seen in union a lot is the ability to catch the ball above your head, and that's a skill he's going to bring to our game," Gibson said.

"Absolutely (it could change the game) and what it will change is teams' ability to defend us.

"If the backfield is worried about his aerial game, then it obviously opens up opportunities elsewhere on the field.

"We're going to have to exploit that."

Folau spoke of his desire to take on the All Blacks on Tuesday, and Gibson revealed the 23-year-old's switch to union had already created waves in his rugby-mad homeland.

"I got a number of texts from people back in New Zealand who were excited to see him go," Gibson said.

"A few (Super Rugby) coaches and obviously players (sent messages). It's neat that they're aware we've signed someone of his calibre."

Folau, who coach Michael Cheika says will play in the back three, will initially be shielded from contact work while he learns the intricacies of the ruck.

The code-hopper's other major challenge will be to re-design his physique after shedding seven kilograms to prepare for the endurance required in AFL.

But Cheika said Folau will do a lot of running without the ball for the 'Tahs and his body transformation won't be overly severe.

"Maybe somewhere in the middle (of his playing weights in AFL and NRL). I can't be sure, there's no exact science to this," Cheika said.

"I don't know if it's about upper chest or lower body. Most players know the weight they feel comfortable at. You got to go with your gut feel.

"It (Folau's preparation for Super Rugby) is not really about that. It's about footy."

AAP

Tags: sport, rugby-union, super-rugby, sydney-2000, nsw, australia

First posted December 06, 2012 16:52:16

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Former Rebels player collapses during match

Updated October 20, 2012 19:23:59

Former Melbourne Rebels player Hoani MacDonald collapsed with a suspected heart attack in a New Zealand championship match on Saturday.

The 34-year-old middle-rower required vigorous CPR treatment for more than five minutes before he could be moved from the field and rushed to hospital in the town of Pukekohe.

"Macdonald was taken by ambulance from ECOLight Stadium to Middlemore Hospital," a New Zealand Rugby Union statement said.

"He has been put in an induced coma and is stable."

MacDonald, a former New Zealand Junior and New Zealand Maori representative, was playing for Southland against Counties-Manukau in a semi-final match when he collapsed midway through the first half.

A Southland team spokesman said it was not known whether he collapsed during an incident on or off the ball, but spectators said MacDonald was treated for a suspected cardiac arrest after he fell clutching his chest.

In 2008, MacDonald left New Zealand to play for Welsh side Newport Gwent Dragons before moving to Australia in 2011 to play Super Rugby for the Rebels.

AFP/Reuters

Tags: rugby-union, sport, new-zealand

First posted October 20, 2012 16:52:18

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Former Kiwi winger Kirwan new Blues coach

Updated July 17, 2012 11:36:38

Former All Blacks winger John Kirwan has been named as the new coach of the struggling Auckland Blues Super Rugby franchise, the team said on Tuesday.

The 47-year-old Kirwan, who also coached the Italy and Japan national teams, replaces Pat Lam, who spent four years in charge of the team in New Zealand's largest city.

The New Zealand Rugby Union had opened the job up for applications as the Blues lurched through a terrible season, finishing 12th in the southern hemisphere provincial competition.

Kirwan, an Auckland provincial stalwart, coached Italy from 2002-2005 and Japan from 2007-2011, including at last year's rugby World Cup in New Zealand.

Reuters

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

First posted July 17, 2012 11:36:38

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Former Wallaby in Saints battle

Updated August 18, 2012 22:00:16

Former Wallaby, Western Force and Waratahs utility back Cameron Shepherd has launched legal proceedings against UK rugby club Northampton Saints over a contract dispute.

Shepherd, who subsequently signed with another English club, Sale Sharks, signed a heads of agreement and later a full contract with the club in May.

Northampton later terminated the contract on grounds that Shepherd had failed a medical due to the condition of his left ankle.

Shepherd's Australian-based agent Nick Fordham said in a statement he was "appalled at the behaviour of Northampton in respect of the manner in which his client and family were treated."

"Expert medical reports from leading independent orthopaedic surgeons and Cameron's former club doctors at the Western Force have concluded that there is nothing wrong with Cameron's ankle," he said.

"Having subsequently passed a medical and signed with the Sale Sharks proves there are huge holes all through Northampton's action and position".

Fordham said Shepherd was only advised by Northampton of the medical results three days before his departure for the UK - and a month after he undertook the medical.

The gifted Shepherd debuted for the Waratahs as a 20-year-old and, after being picked for Australia two years later, he won the last of his nine caps for the Wallabies in 2010.

He has spent long periods on the sidelines in recent seasons, with groin and wrist injuries restricting him to just two games for the Force in 2012.

Saints director of rugby Jim Mallinder defended the decision to withdraw Shepherd's contract last week.

"We obviously monitored Cameron's condition between signing his contract and his scheduled arrival and, after great consideration, felt that on balance we needed more certainty about his ability to handle the tough demands of our long season for the duration of his three-year contract," Mallinder said.

AAP

Tags: sport, rugby-union

First posted August 16, 2012 12:54:04

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Brumbies let former skipper Hoiles go

Updated November 30, 2011 19:37:20

The Brumbies have released injury-plagued former skipper Stephen Hoiles from the final year of his Super Rugby contract.

Hoiles has battled an Achilles problem for the past 18 months, playing only the opening game of the 2011 season.

The 30-year-old intends to play again, but it will not be with the Canberra-based side with which he spent six seasons including two years as captain in 2009 and 2010.

"Because of my injury, this past year has been a difficult one for the club and for me, but we have had a good discussion and I feel very comfortable with the decision we have mutually agreed on," Hoiles said in a statement on Wednesday.

"My rehab is coming along well and it's my intention to return to the playing field in the not too distant future.

"Where exactly that will be is something that will unravel in the months ahead."

AAP

Tags: super-14, rugby-union, sport, canberra-2600, act, australia

First posted November 30, 2011 19:37:20

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Former Wales captain Thomas retires

Updated October 26, 2011 16:27:13

Former Wales and British Lions star Gareth Thomas has announced his retirement from both rugby codes with immediate effect, saying he could no longer give his full commitment to sport.

Thomas, 37, who switched codes to play for rugby league outfit Crusaders two years ago, had been due to turn out for Wales in the upcoming Four Nations international against England this weekend.

Thomas, who last played for Wales' rugby union side in 2007 when he scored a try in his 100th and final international, was also a member of the British and Irish Lions squad, which toured New Zealand in 2005.

"I have listened to and discussed this decision with many of my family and close friends," Thomas said.

"My mind has told me that the time to retire is now.

"If you can't give 100 per cent to rugby then you can't do it justice. This is a sad day but I know that my time has come to an end as a player. My passion for the amazing game will never end or leave me, however."

The burly winger made worldwide headlines in 2009 when he announced publicly that he was gay, making him the first openly gay professional player in world rugby union.

Oscar-winning actor Mickey Rourke is reportedly planning to play Thomas in a film about the former Cardiff winger's life.

Reuters

Tags: rugby-union, sport, rugby-league, wales

First posted October 25, 2011 23:05:13

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Reds send SOS to former All Black

By Luke Pentony

Updated June 15, 2011 14:26:00

Queensland has turned to former All Blacks winger Caleb Ralph to help sooth its injury crisis ahead of the Super Rugby finals.

Ralph, a 14-Test veteran now playing with Sunshine Coast Stingrays in the local Queensland Premier Rugby competition, has been drafted into the Reds squad for Saturday's final round clash against the Chiefs at Waikato Stadium.

The Chiefs are one of three New Zealand franchises Ralph appeared for between 1997 and 2008, the now 33-year-old having also played for the Blues and Crusaders, with whom he won several Super Rugby titles.

His inclusion in the Reds' extended 23-man squad follows the loss of gun winger/full-back Luke Morahan to a hamstring injury sustained in last Saturday night's 24-21 win over Western Force in Perth.

Morahan joins back three team-mates Digby Ioane (concussion), Ben Lucas (knee) and Peter Hynes (knee) on the sidelines, while centre Anthony Faingaa (hamstring) is also unavailable and winger Rod Davies was initially under an injury cloud after leaving the field with a shoulder complaint against the Force.

The Force encounter was Davies' first match back for the Reds since being sidelined with a knee injury for seven weeks and although he has been cleared to face the Chiefs, his fitness is still in question.

Ralph's promotion is therefore timely as he can play wing, full-back and outside centre but it is the wisdom gained from his decorated career that Reds coach Ewen McKenzie is appreciating most.

"We can't afford to go younger, we needed to go with more experience," McKenzie said.

"I think we found possibly the most experienced Super Rugby player available."

So experienced is Ralph that should he get some match time for the Reds against the Chiefs he will equal George Gregan as the second most capped Super Rugby player with 136 appearances.

He has not been guaranteed a spot in the Reds' matchday squad of 22, but McKenzie is confident his new pupil will not miss a beat if called upon against the Chiefs.

"The experienced players can adapt very quickly, they can walk in and pick up on what's important," he said.

"They've got good base skills and knowledge and they can pick up the key themes and get going quite quickly."

Willing and able

Ralph, who played his last Test for the All Blacks at the 2003 World Cup, is "pretty excited" about the prospect of playing for the Reds, a side he has admired from a distance this season.

"They play a good structure of rugby, they play what they see," he said.

"I've watched a few of the Kiwi boys come up short of over here, so they're definitely a good side and I'm just hoping to be a part of it."

Old habits do die hard though, and Ralph admits he was cheering against the Reds when they defeated the Crusaders 17-16 at Lang Park last month.

"I was right behind the Crusaders, but it's a different story this week," he said.

It is more than likely Ralph will start from the bench if included in the final 22-man squad with McKenzie likely to opt for Davies and the improving Dom Shipperley on the wings.

The 20-year-old Shipperley scored the winning try against the Force as a replacement and has impressed since making his debut against the Hurricanes in April.

The 12-3 Reds lead the Super Rugby standings heading into the final round, holding a four-point buffer over the Stormers, and a win against the Chiefs will confirm top spot ahead of the play-offs.

Reds squad:

Forwards: Ben Coridas, Ben Daley, Saia Faingaa, Liam Gill, James Hanson, Scott Higginbotham, Greg Holmes, James Horwill (c), Radike Samo, Jake Schatz, Rob Simmons, James Slipper, Adam Wallace-Harrison

Backs: Will Chambers, Quade Cooper, Rod Davies, Will Genia, Jono Lance, Dallan Murphy, Ian Prior, Dom Shipperley, Caleb Ralph, Ben Tapuai

Tags: sport, rugby-union, super-14, australia, qld, brisbane-4000

First posted June 15, 2011 10:44:00

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Force sign former Chiefs lock

Posted May 17, 2011 11:07:00

The Western Force have signed former Chiefs lock Toby Lynn for the next two Super Rugby seasons.

The 26-year-old, who notched 32 appearances for the Chiefs, is eligible to play for the Wallabies due to his Australian-born grandfather.

"I've played my whole career in Waikato and felt that it was time for a change, a different perspective, and I'm pretty excited about what the Force can do for my rugby as well as what they can achieve as a team in the Super Rugby competition," Lynn said.

"I've played against Nathan Sharpe a few times, he is definitely one of the premier locks in the world, and has been for some time, so getting alongside him will be an awesome experience."

Force coach Richard Graham said Lynn would be a valuable recruit in a forward pack that has a great spread of youth and experience.

"The obvious aspect of recruitment is trying to improve your squad and in Toby I saw a guy who, at 26, is experienced in Super Rugby and I thought he could add something," Graham said.

"With the addition of another franchise in the Australian conference it's a test of depth within the Australian franchises and important that you don't limit yourself to where you look for talent.

"We're working extremely hard to find who is available throughout world rugby.

"Toby is a really industrious and hard-working lock.

"He is strong at the set-piece and will bring with him his experiences of playing in New Zealand during his professional career."

- AAP

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

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