Official 2015 Super Rugby Thread

[APoc184]

Sias Ebersohn released from his contract by Western Force.

Doesn't say in the press release that it was on his request but I would believe it was.

Wonder which SA side signed him or is going to sign him?

 

[Fulcrum29]

Sias Ebersohn released from his contract by Western Force.

Doesn't say in the press release that it was on his request but I would believe it was.

Wonder which SA side signed him or is going to sign him?

Yoh, wasn’t that a three season (2015/16/17) commitment?

 

[APoc184]

Yoh, wasn’t that a three season (2015/16/17) commitment?

Yip.

Joined them in 2013 on a 2 year contract and last year extended it to 2017.

 

[OrbitalDawn]

http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/Super15/Ebersohn-sent-packing-from-Perth-20150629

The Western Force have released flyhalf Sias Ebersohn from his contract, allowing him to return to his native South Africa.

The 26-year-old, who joined the Force from the Bloemfontein-based Cheetahs ahead of the 2013 Super Rugby season, played 43 matches - scoring 212 points - across his three seasons for the Western Australian franchise.

Ebersohn made a strong contribution to the Force over the past three seasons, including playing a key role during their most successful season in 2014.

But he underperformed in 2015, with the Force opting to let him go.

The Force said on their official website that they have identified the need to inject additional experience into their young backline.

“Having already signed Jono Lance for next season, the Force are currently in the process of recruiting players that will provide the team with that experience. On behalf of the club, we’d like to thank Sias for his contribution to the Force, and wish he and wife Elette all the best for the future,” read a statement from the Force.

 

[APoc184]

Here is the exact press release from WF.

The bolded part makes me believe he actually asked to be released. Or perhaps I'm reading too much into it.

The Western Force has released flyhalf Sias Ebersohn from his contract, allowing him to return to his native South Africa.

The 26-year-old, who joined the Force from the Bloemfontein-based Cheetahs ahead of the 2013 Asteron Life Super Rugby season, has played 43 matches – scoring 212 points – across his three seasons for the Western Australian club.

Ebersohn has made a strong contribution to the club over the past three seasons, including playing a key role during the club’s most successful season in 2014.

However, leading into the 2016 season, the club identified the need to inject additional experience into its young backline, which coincided with an opportunity for Ebersohn to return to South Africa.

Having already signed Jono Lance for next season, the club is currently in the process of recruiting players that will provide the team with that experience.

On behalf of the club, we’d like to thank Sias for his contribution to the Force, and wish he and wife Elette all the best for the future.

 

[APoc184]

Western Force are probably going to sign Quade Cooper now.

 

[OrbitalDawn]

Could be that their situations coincided. He wanted to come back and they wanted some experience there.

Cooper would be a huge coup for them, but would he sign for a bottom of the table side? I suppose if he's willing to say no to Toulon he could do any such silly thing.

 

[APoc184]

Could be that their situations coincided. He wanted to come back and they wanted some experience there.

Which is strange. Because he is by no means an inexperienced player. Sure he might not be Springbok material but he still has over 70 Super Rugby caps in 6 seasons.

What would they consider experienced then? Who are they going to bring in? Stephan Larkham?

 

[OrbitalDawn]

Which is strange. Because he is by no means an inexperienced player. Sure he might not be Springbok material but he still has over 70 Super Rugby caps in 6 seasons.

What would they consider experienced then? Who are they going to bring in? Stephan Larkham?

Could just be downplaying them not wanting him.

Zach Holmes played pretty well this year, but has signed for La Rochelle, replacing Peter Grant there. Ironically I read that the Force could be looking at signing Grant to replace him... There's experience.

 

[OrbitalDawn]

As I suspected.

Ebersohn heading back to Cheetahs

 

[APoc184]

Will be interesting to see who starts between him, Fred Zeilinga and Neil Marais.

Franco obviously favours Marais after a solid Varsity Cup campaign. But can't look past the experience of Ebersohn.

 

[Agent_Smith]

Gonna call an upset this weekend. Highlanders by 6. A big factor will be Milner-Skudder. If he's ruled out with a sketchy hammy then that will go along way in blunting the Hurricanes' attacking capabilities. Should be a good game regardless...

 

[Shi]

I'm going Canes. I can't win my pool but want to finish as high as possible on the global list ... in top 4% currently.

 

[APoc184]

Crow catches a ride on an eagle.

 

[APoc184]

Hahaha. Sorry. Wrong thread.

 

[APoc184]

Sharks have signed Dave McDuling from the Reds.

Also had to go and google it.

He is a lock. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_McDuling

 

[APoc184]

Oh and they also signed Michael Claassens

 

[Agent_Smith]

Peter Grant set to join Western Force

http://www.rugby365.com/article/67202-bok-set-to-join-western-force

 

[APoc184]

Only the Boks winning the RWC can beat this for "Best Rugby News of 2015".

Andre Watson fired!

Now please appoint someone with balls this time who will hold refs accountable.

 

[APoc184]

As received in my mailbox.

The South African Rugby Union (SARU) today confirmed the arbitration award that was issued by the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) to the effect that the employment of André Watson, the General Manager Referees, with SARU has been terminated.

At the beginning of this year, a number of people within the Referees’ Department lodged a grievance against Watson and SARU commissioned an independent investigation into the grievance.

As a result of the findings, the CCMA was requested to consider certain allegations relating to Watson. Contrary to some earlier reports, the allegations that were dealt with by the CCMA did not relate to racism, financial irregularities, misappropriation or match fixing but to the relationship between Watson and a number of people within the Referees’ Department and in turn the impact of such relationship on SARU.

The CCMA found that the allegations that had been levelled against Watson had been proved and as a consequence the CCMA found that the employment of Watson with SARU should be terminated. The CCMA’s finding is final and binding on SARU and Watson.

Jurie Roux, CEO of SARU, said: “The CCMA process has been concluded and the CCMA Commissioner has issued a finding which is final and binding on SARU and Watson.

“This has been an unfortunate and difficult period for SARU – both for our match officials who were involved in the process – and, of course, for André Watson personally and professionally.

“We took the grievance seriously and have followed a thorough, independent process which culminated in SARU parting ways with André Watson. It was a difficult process but nonetheless a necessary one.

“We will move on from here and my wish is that André is remembered for his contribution to match officiating and not for the circumstances relating to his departure from SARU. He has been a major figure in world refereeing for a number of decades and has been part of developing South African referees into some of the best in the world.”

Roux said that it was important that South African match officials operated in a harmonious environment and he would address them collectively on the future of their Department.

The management and operations of the Referees’ Department would, in the meantime, be handled by SARU’s Rugby Department.

Roux said that he would make no further comment on the matter out of respect for André Watson’s contribution to rugby and to allow the fraternity to focus on the future after a difficult and trying period.

Issued by SARU Corporate Affairs