Super Rugby 2017

Warwick Tecklenburg calls it a day http://www.iol.co.za/sport/rugby/currie-cup/warwick-tecklenburg-calls-it-a-day-7490107

Johannesburg – Emirates Lions stalwart Warwick Tecklenburg has decided to call it a day and have retired from all rugby with immediate effect.

The flanker decided it was time to focus on the family farming business. He joined the Lions family in 2013 from the Bulls and immediately made a huge impression, not just on the field but also through his commitment to the team.

Tecklenburg has 44 Vodacom Super Rugby caps for the Lions. In 2016 he starred in 16 Super Rugby matches. Tecklenburg was humble in his departing message to his team, his coaches and the fans.

“It has always been my dream to play professional rugby at the highest level. It has been an absolute pleasure and privilege to play for the Lions and be part of such a great team and professional setup. I owe a special debt of gratitude to coach Johan Ackerman who gave me a chance and backed me when no one else did.

“I have many special memories of our achievements as a team, from winning the Vodacom Cup in 2013 up until last years’ Vodacom Super Rugby final. It has always been my intention to join my family in the family farming business after rugby. It has been a very difficult decision to make but I feel the time is right for me to move on.

“Within the Lions system there is a wealth of talent and I am sure they will continue to go from strength to strength. I would just like to thank all at the Lions rugby union, from the administrators to my team mates, for the incredible journey it has been these last few years and lastly but most important, all our Lions fans who have supported us through thick and thin. I will always be a Lion for life,” Tecklenburg said.

Emirates Lions coach Johan Ackermann was full of praise as he thanked the burly flanker for his service to Lions rugby.

“The team and I want to thank Warwick for his great contribution to the Lions. His role was massive in making the Union a proud union again. Warwick’s character was inspiring to the team and you always knew what you got from him and that was 100%. May he and his family be blessed on their path after rugby,” Ackermann said.

Rudolf Straeuli, CEO of the Golden Lions, said Tecklenburg was one of the unsung heroes during the Lions’ resurgence into Super Rugby. “We wish him all the best with the next chapter in his life.”
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:cry:

Sad news, he was an absolute workhorse.
 
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http://www.supersport.com/rugby/article.aspx?Id=3858674

Feeney could provide the X-factor

With the memories of the off-season liquidation saga still fresh, and with far more players having either left Cape Town or about to leave than have travelled in the opposite direction, the Stormers outlook for the coming Super Rugby season can best be described as bleak, but there is one ray of hope.

That finger of promise comes in the form of Paul Feeney, the skills and attack coach recruited from the Auckland to address what head coach Robbie Fleck acknowledged as a glaring problem after his team’s 2016 challenge ended with a big defeat at the hands of the Chiefs in the Newlands quarterfinal.

Feeney has been busy doing with the Stormers what hasn’t been done before. The fact that it is new, and the Stormers may be equipped with skills they didn’t have before, will give them more options and could provide a significant leg up in comparison to previous seasons, where change has been more talked about than delivered.

“Before Christmas there was a huge emphasis on skills and I understand from Flecky that this hasn’t been the case before, so the fact that we are doing something new could provide the potential for massive growth for the Stormers,” said Feeney as the Stormers continued their build-up to the kick-off of their 2017 Super Rugby campaign.

“You can create as many four on three situations in a game as you like, if you don’t have the skills to throw a good pass, you are wasting your time. You have to have a good balance between organisation and individual skill execution.

“In New Zealand we have put a lot of time and a lot of repetition into the execution of skills. It started when Mick Byrne was put in charge of skill development atnational level about eight years ago, and I think the value to New Zealand rugby speaks for itself. If you look at the way that South African teams manage tocompete (without specific skills training), imagine what could be achieved if they did put more emphasis on skills training. There could be very quick growth.”

According to Feeney, it is not about playing Barbarians rugby, or throwing out “Hail Mary passes”, but equipping players with the skills to make better decisions and therefore execute better options. Heard that one before? The above phrase could probably sum up what the local coaches got out of last October’s big indaba in Cape Town, but it has been something that Fleck has been thinking about for a long time. Having the idea to play a certain way is one thing, being equipped to do so is something entirely different.
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The media is putting much attention into Feeney at the Stormers, maybe it is to get past the liquidation which is still hammered on by others. At the end, highly skilled players may be exposed to poor leadership and low-levels of confidence.
 
http://www.iol.co.za/sport/rugby/super-rugby/lambie-appointed-captain-of-sharks-7490951

Lambie appointed captain of Sharks

Johannesburg – Sharks coach Robert du Preez on Tuesday announced that flyhalf Patrick Lambie, will captain the Sharks during the 2017 Vodacom Super Rugby tournament.

This proud Kwazulu-Natalian is well-known for being an astute and level-headed player, who has the ability to remain calm and composed under pressure.

He, together with the other senior players in the team, will provide great mentorship and support to a young and talented Sharks squad.

Du Preez said: “Pat’s talent, temperament and outstanding character makes him an automatic choice. He’s a natural leader, who provides great inspiration and motivation for our young players and he has all the qualities needed to be a great captain.

“He has supported this team all his life and understands our unique culture, which has been built on the emphasis of a strong work ethic. Pat puts in the hard yards, leads by example and he has the respect and backing of everyone around him.”
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http://www.eurosport.com/rugby/milner-skudder-extends-nz-contract-until-2019_sto6032800/story.shtml

Milner-Skudder extends NZ contract until 2019

All Blacks winger Nehe Milner-Skudder has extended his contract with the Wellington Hurricanes and New Zealand Rugby until after the 2019 World Cup in Japan.

The 26-year-old, who burst onto the Super Rugby scene in 2015 with the Hurricanes and made the All Blacks that year, went on to start in the last World Cup final against Australia and scored a try in New Zealand's 34-17 victory.

He played just two games for the Hurricanes last season before injuring his shoulder and was ruled out for the entire year, but is expected to be fit for the new season starting next month.

"Being part of the Hurricanes for the past three years has been an awesome experience and though I wasn't able to play a big part on the field last year, winning the ... Super Rugby trophy for the first time only reinforced my view that the club is building something special," Milner-Skudder said.
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http://www.supersport.com/rugby/super-rugby/news/170125/Louis_Schreuder_joins_Southern_Kings

Stormers star a good buy for Kings

he acquisition of former DHL Stormers stalwart Louis Schreuder has given the Southern Kings quite impressive depth in the crucial scrumhalf position as the Eastern Cape franchise heads into its second consecutive season of Vodacom Super Rugby.

The scrumhalf pool will be even deeper if the impressive James Hall, the product of Kearsney College who made a promising Super Rugby debut for the Kings in 2016, returns to Port Elizabeth from French club Oyonnnax.

There is some doubt about whether Hall will return, which is why 26-year-old Schreuder has been recruited, but according to a Kings press release, the franchise legal representatives are in communication with Hall’s legal representatives.

Also into the mix for the Kings this season is former national schools and age-group star Ricky Schroeder, with Rudi van Rooyen and Johan Steyn completing the group.
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http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/SuperRugby/uruguayan-back-joins-jaguares-20170125

Uruguayan back joins Jaguares

Cape Town - Uruguayan back Nicolás Freitas has joined the Jaguares ahead of the new Super Rugby season.

Freitas, who can play centre or wing, is the only non-Argentine player in the South American franchise's squad for the 2017 campaign.

Esteban Meneses, the Uruguay head coach, recommended the player and an agreement has now been reached for Freitas to link up with Raúl Perez and his squad.
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http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2017/01/26/rebels-sign-japanese-winger-kentaro-kodama

Rebels sign Japanese winger Kentaro Kodama

The Melbourne Rebels have signed Japanese international winger Kentaro Kodama ahead of their Super Rugby campaign.

The 24-year-old has signed a one-year deal after debuting in the competition with the Tokyo-based Sunwolves last year.

"Kentaro is a rising star of Japanese rugby ... His speed and nouse for scoring tries will add depth to the backline," Rebels general manager Baden Stephenson said on Thursday.

The winger is set to line up against his future teammates with the Panasonic Wild Knights in the Brisbane Global Tens over February 11 and 12.

"I am so grateful for this opportunity with Melbourne Rebels," Kodama said,

"I look forward to learning from the world's best players and taking part in a game."

Kodama will join Japanese teammate Amanaki Mafi at the Rebels in 2017.
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Another phenomenal Japanese player which didn’t sign with the Sunwolves. Though he played with the Sunwolves in 2016 when he was called up to replace their missing depth nearer to the end, he only played 28min as an sub. I hope that the Rebels give him enough exposure.
 
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/sport/323146/hayden-parker-to-miss-super-rugby-season

Hayden Parker to miss Super Rugby season

The Highlanders back Hayden Parker's horror run of injuries continues after being ruled out for the entire upcoming Super Rugby season.

Parker suffered a knee injury in pre-season training.

The Otago playmaker ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in a similar injury to that which struck midway through the 2016 campaign.

Parker had only returned to full-time training in recent weeks.

"We are all pretty gutted for Hayden," coach Tony Brown said.

"He has worked so hard to get back to fitness and was really looking forward to the season. We wish him well with his rehab."

Parker has scored 86 points in 30 Highlanders appearances since 2013, playing largely as a back-up to All Blacks pivot Lima Sopoaga.
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http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/...s-hoping-to-return-six-weeks-into-super-rugby

Sonny Bill Williams hoping to return 'six weeks' into Super Rugby

If Sonny Bill Williams gets his wish, he's going to be back on the rugby field for the Blues in April.

In an interview with Breakfast, Williams said he was looking to return to action "maybe six weeks into Super Rugby".

"I haven't really put a date on it ... I'm hoping to be back by then."

Six weeks into Super Rugby is around April 1, where the Blues host the Force.

They then travel south to play the Highlanders on April 8, then return home to host the Hurricanes on April 15, two games that will give Williams a good guide as to where he is at.

Williams ruptured his achilles playing for New Zealand in sevens at the Rio Olympics last year.
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http://www.supersport.com/rugby/super-rugby/news/170126/Stormers_geared_up_for_Cheetahs_clash

Stormers geared up for Cheetahs clash

DHL Stormers head coach Robbie Fleck named a 35-man touring squad for the trip to Zimbabwe this weekend.

The extended squad will face the Toyota Cheetahs in their first warm-up game of the year in Harare on Saturday, with kick-off at 3:15pm.

The pre-season clash forms part of the Old Mutual Super Rugby Weekend, which will be held at the National Sports Stadium in Harare, with the Vodacom Bulls taking on the Emirates Lions at the same venue.

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STORMERS TOURING SQUAD:

Juarno Augustus, Nizaam Carr, Jaco Coetzee, Kurt Coleman, Damian de Allende, Juan de Jongh, Dan du Plessis, Jean-Luc du Plessis, Rob du Preez, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Dewaldt Duvenage, Rynhardt Elstadt, Eben Etzebeth, JC Janse van Rensberg, Siya Kolisi, Cheslin Kolbe, Dillyn Leyds, Wilco Louw, Frans Malherbe, SP Marais, Godlen Masimla, Bongi Mbonambi, Khanyo Ngcukana, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Caylib Oosthuizen, Justin Phillips, Ramone Samuels, JD Shickerling, Chad Solomon, Brandon Thomson, Frans van Wyk, Chris van Zyl, Jano Vermaak, Cobus Wiese, Damian Willemse.
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So, it is a strong player contingent. I thought that the Stormers would rest the Springbok players. The only team leaving their ‘better’ players behind is the Lions which are resting their Japan-based players.
 
http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/SuperRugby/cheetahs-name-starting-xv-to-face-stormers-20170126

Cheetahs name starting XV to face Stormers

Cape Town - Cheetahs coach Franco Smith has named his lineup to face the Stormers in a Super Rugby pre-season friendly encounter to be played in Harare on Saturday, January 28.

The clash is part of the 'Super Rugby Weekend' which will also see the Bulls taking on the Lions on the same day.

The Cheetahs will be captained by lock Reniel Hugo and the team includes winger Rayno Benjamin, centre Michael van der Spuy and flyhalf Fred Zeilinga.

Smith has also named a strong bench including Springboks Oupa Mahoje and Francois Uys.

According to the Cheetahs' official website, the team will leave for Harare on Friday morning and will remain in Zimbabwe until Wednesday.

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The match kicks off at 15:15 on Saturday afternoon.

Cheetahs team:

15 Ryno Eksteen, 14 Rayno Benjamin, 13 Nico Lee, 12 Michael van der Spuy, 11 Lihleli Xoli, 10 Fred Zeilinga, 9 JP Smith, 8 Henco Venter, 7 Junior Pokomela, 6 Boom Prinsloo, 5 Reniel Hugo (captain), 4 Justin Basson, 3 Luan de Bruin, 2 Elandré Huggett, 1 Danie Mienie.

Substitutes: 16 Torsten van Jaarsveld, 17 Charles Marais, 18 Erich de Jager, 19 Dennis Visser, 20 Francois Uys, 21 Jasper Wiese, 22 Oupa Mohoje, 23 Steven Meiring, 24 Tian Meyer, 25 Clinton Swart, 26 Ali Mgijima, 27 Clayton Blommetjies, 28 Raymond Rhule, 29 Jacques du Toit, 30 Aranos Coetzee, 31. Zee Mkhabela
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Mephisto_Helix said:
Can't figure out this Zim support bs .......
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It is a private initiative by Kyros Sports to promote rugby in Zimbabwe, to stimulate the growth at grassroots level and the succeeding levels. The opportunity is to have the Super Rugby players contribute to coaching clinics, marketing and obviously to draw money to the game throughout various means to increase the stake in their local rugby. This also opens room to the invited teams to play a warmup in their country as an exhibition to the people.

I think that many people would want to see more 'Beasts' down the line.

On a side note, the Zimbabwean government has nothing to do with this, neither does their rugby union other than granting them the permission to do so.
 
http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/SuperRugby/kotze-in-midfield-for-bulls-20170127

Bulls name side for Lions warm-up clash

Pretoria - Bulls coach Nollis Marais named an extended squad of players to face the Lions in their first warm-up match of the season in Harare, Zimbabwe on Saturday.

New signings, Johnny Kotze (centre) and Rabs Maxwane (wing) will start the match, while Coenraad van Vuuren (prop) and Shaun Adendorff (flank) will be playing off the extended bench as Marais looks at give everyone a run in the opening warm-up run of the season.

The match starts at 13:00.

Teams:

Bulls

15 Manie Libbok, 14 Luther Obi, 13 Johnny Kotze, 12 JT Jackson, 11 Rabs Maxwane, 10 Tony Jantjies, 9 Andre Warner, 8 Renaldo Botha, 7 Hendre Stassen, 6 Nic de Jager (captain), 5 Abongile Nonkontwana, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 Jacobie Adriaanse, 2 Edgar Marutlulle, 1 Lizo Gqoboka

Substitutes: 16 Francois Brummer, 17 Franco Naude, 18 Pierre Schoeman, 19 Corniel Els, 20 Coenraad van Vuuren, 21 RG Snyman, 22 Shaun Adendorff, 23 Hanro Liebenberg, 24 Ivan van Zyl, 25 Tian Schoeman, 26 Burger Odendaal, 27 Dries Swanepoel, 28 Jamba Ulengo, 29 Jade Stiglingh, 30 Warrick Gelant
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I'm very glad Pollard is not playing in the warm up games. If the Bulls want to have any chance at a title this year they need Pollard to play the majority of games.
 
OT:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/...goosen-shoots-his-friend-with-a-hunting-rifle

Springbok Johan Goosen shoots his friend with a hunting rifle

Springbok first five Johan Goosen accidently shot a friend in the ankle at his farm in South Africa this week, police say.

His friend Armandt Stoman was rushed to hospital in Bloemfontein on Tuesday soon after Goosen accidentally opened fire with a hunting rifle.

Police spokesperson Brigadier Marinda Mills was reported by Eyewitness News as saying the pair have not yet given statements as they were both having medical treatment.

"Goosen was very traumatised about the incident," she said.

"Because of medical reasons they were not fit to give statements and we will continue today with our investigation."

Goosen, 24, has not been far from the headlines in past months.

After he announced he was retiring from professional rugby, French club Racing 92 - where former All Black Dan Carter plays - took legal action against him.

Reports have suggested he retired to get out of his contract with Racing 92 and was eyeing other playing options - Super Rugby with the Cheetahs, then joining English top-tier club Gloucester.
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http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/...otch-up-impressive-super-rugby-preseason-wins

Brumbies, Stormers and Bulls notch up impressive Super Rugby pre-season wins

There was no shortage of points scored as the Brumbies, Stormers and Bulls all notched comprehensive wins in their opening Super Rugby pre-season matches.

In two South African derbies, the Stormers thumped the Cheetahs 43-7 and the Bulls knocked over the Lions 38-17 in Harare on Saturday (Sunday NZ Time), while the Brumbies trounced the Australian Barbarians 59-0 in Adelaide on Saturday night.

The Western Force weren't so convincing in their warm-up fixture against the Perth Spirit in Busselton, scrapping to a 22-14 win on Saturday.
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Take note that the Harare games was played with rolling subs and that the Lions missed their Japan-based players. However, the Stormers surprised.

Good win by the Brumbies, and the Western Force warmup game is in a sense irrelevant as they played switch-over sides.

EDIT:

Argentina's Jaguares, who struggled in their first season in the competition last year, opened their pre-season with 68-14 and 61-7 wins against an Argentina XV and Uruguay respectively last week.
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