Darry Worthington takes a look at the rugby news that has made the headlines over the past week.
Image Copyright – Steve Haag Sports
Rugby returned last week and the news mill is now in overdrive. This week’s headline news sees the Highlanders snap up a promising young Aussie prop, Nizaam Carr join the Bulls, Malcolm Marx confirm his departure from the Lions and the All Blacks looking for a major cash injection.
Super Rugby Returns
Super Rugby, well at least a form of it, returned this past weekend with two fantastic Super Rugby Aotearoa games bringing salvation to rugby fans who would have been itching for their next fix of rugby.
The first game of the weekend went down to the wire with a 78th-minute Bryn Gatland drop-goal seeing his Highlanders side to 28-27 victory over his dad’s Chiefs outfit. Sunday’s game was a bit more cut and dry with the Blues putting in a mammoth shift to beat the Hurricanes 30-20.
Sean Goosen will also review the weekend’s action later in the day so make sure you look out for his article.
Highlanders Snap Up Jermaine Ainsley
Young Australian prop Jermaine Ainsley has signed up to play rugby with the Highlanders from next year. The three-cap Wallaby was born in New Zealand and attended Otago Boys’ High School before moving over to Australia.
His departure is a rather big loss for the Wallabies as he would have been a key player over the next two years.
Carr Latest to Bulls
Jake White and the Blue Bulls have continued to open the cheque book with their latest signing being former Western Province and Stormers stalwart. Nizaam Carr.
Carr has been plying his trade for Wasps in England since 2017 but has opted to return to South Africa where he is likely to pack down on the side of the scrum with Duane Vermeulen set to dominate the number eight berth.
Marx Leaving the Lions
The Lions were delivered a massive blow this past week with it being confirmed that star hooker Malcolm Marx will be off to the Kubota Spears in Japan.
The Springbok decided to terminate his contract during the 21-day contract termination window that SARU put in place last month.
There is a slight ray of sunshine for the Lions, however, with talismanic pivot Elton Jantjies set to stay despite interest from Top 14 sides Pau and Agen.
All Blacks Selling the Shirts Off their Backs
New Zealand rugby are looking to overseas investors for a financial boost with the union seeking off the main branding rights to all of their sides jerseys including the Sevens side and the All Blacks.
It is being reported that the cash strapped union are looking for a 300 million US Dollar deal, which would help alleviate a lot of the pressure they have been put under due to the financial impacts of COVID-19.
