Darry Worthington takes a look at the rugby news that has made the headlines over the past week.
Image copyright – Steve Haag Sports
This week’s headline news sees the Brumbies and Reds get off to winning starts in Super Rugby Au, The Chiefs Super Rugby Aotearoa hopes go out the window, Manu Tuilagi set for a move away from Leicester, Beauden Barrett heading off to Japan and Aphiwe Dyanti’s doping case reaching a conclusion.
Super Rugby AU Gets Underway
The Reds and Brumbies got their Super Rugby AU campaigns off to winning starts with the former beating the Waratahs 32-26 and the Brumbies beating the Rebels 31-23.
While a lot of the players suffered from ring rust, the games were of a pretty good standard with a lot of running rugby on display. It was also interesting to see how the new 22/50 kicking rules impacted upon sides defensive setups.
This coming weekend will see the Western Force return to Super Rugby as they’ll take on the Waratahs on Saturday, while the Reds will tackle the Rebels on Friday.
Chiefs Hopes Of Super Rugby Title All But Over
Warren Gatland oversaw another ‘Grand Slam’ this weekend although it will be one the former Wales coach won’t be pleased to see on his C.V with his Chiefs side’s defeat to the Hurricanes being their fourth defeat on the bounce against domestic opposition.
The result has left the men from Waikato at the foot of the table and with no realistic hope of claiming the inaugural Super Rugby Aotearoa title.
Manu On The Move
Leicester Tigers fans are in for some sad news as England centre Manu Tuilagi is set to move away from the club.
The burly bulldozer was one of five players who have refused to take a 25 percent pay cut which has forced Leicester to put them up as free agents.
Tuilagi isn’t the only player to be put on the transfer list with Telusa Veainu, Greg Bateman, Noel Reid and Kyle Eastmond all able to walk away for free.
Bye Bye Beauden
New Zealand star Beauden Barrett is set to take up an option of playing rugby in Japan next year with the pivot enacting a clause in his contract with the NZRU which allows him to take a year’s sabbatical in Japan.
Barrett will play his trade with Suntory Goliath next year and is set to earn a whopping 1.5 million US Dollars.
