Quiet day on the news front but I thought I will throw in a few snippets I picked up surfing…

Mujati granted early exit

Western Province and Springbok prop Brian Mujati will link up Northampton Saints earlier than initially scheduled and will be available to begin the 2009/10 Guinness Premiership season.

The prop is travelling with the Saints squad next week for their training camp in France and will be available for selection for Thursday’s friendly game against Begles-Bordeaux in Capbreton.

Lions exodus continues

The fall-out over the controversial axing of Eugene Eloff as Golden Lions coach continued on Friday with confirmation that another seasoned player has left the province.

Lock Gerhard Mostert is the latest of a host of high-profile players to depart the Lions. Mostert has signed with the Sharks and will join them at the end of the year.

His departure follows the loss of a host of senior players – including locks like Anton van Zyl (moved to Western Province), Dewald Senekal (to Toulon, France), Cobus Grobler (Dax, France) and Jannes Labuschagne (out injured, contemplating retirement again).

The ‘replacements’ for these players include 34-year-old second row forward Willem Stoltz, lured out of retirement, and Boland journeyman Brad Mockford.
 

Mortlock injury compounds Aussie woes

Robbie Deans and his Wallaby team will arrive back in Australia on Monday contemplating their back-to-back Tri-Nations defeats  a situation compounded by the loss of captain Stirling Mortlock.

Following his team’s 17-29 loss to the Springboks at the weekend, to go with the 16-22 defeat against the All Blacks three weeks earlier, Australian coach Robbie Deans admitted that changes are eminent.

However, one of those relates to the captain’s knee injury, which could rule Mortlock out for the rest of the tournament.

After being replaced in the 20th minute against the Boks at Newlands at the weekend, Mortlock was taken to hospital on crutches amid fears he may have fractured his leg.

X-rays revealed no fractures, but Mortlock faces further scans upon returning to Australia on Monday.

The Wallaby medical staff now fear the veteran midfielder may have torn the meniscus cartilage in his right knee.

Mortlock, who will miss the Wallabies next assignment, against the All Blacks in Sydney on Saturday, August 22, could face months on the sideline.

Deans is considering a recall for teenage sensation James O’Connor for the must-win Bledisloe Cup/Tri-Nations double header in Sydney in a fortnight’s time.
 

Carter: Will he or won’t he?

As the New Zealand coaching staff ponder a way to stop the all-conquering South African team, the big question is whether there is a recall for flyhalf Dan Carter on the cards.

The All Black stalwart has not been named in the squad that will gather in Auckland this week, to start preparations for the Tri-Nations/Bledisloe Cup double header against the Wallabies in Sydney on August 22.

Instead Carter will continue his rehabilitation with Canterbury in the Air NZ Cup.

However, the 27-year-old has made it clear he is “working towards” an international recall.

Carter, who scored all Canterbury’s points in their 22-16 Air NZ Cup win against Auckland at the weekend – including a match-winning 71st-minute try, dismissed the notion that there is a crisis in the All Black camp after their back-to-beak defeats against the Boks in South Africa.

“If I’m not in that camp, it would be quite tough coming in for that Test match,” he said of the All Black training camp starting in Auckland on Wednesday.

But then this…

 http://www.foxsports.com.au/
 

New Zealand recall fly half Dan Carter for Tri Nations clash with Australia

From correspondents in Wellington, New Zealand
August 10, 2009

World class fly half Dan Carter has been recalled to the All Blacks squad for the remainder of their Tri-Nations campaign six months after suffering a torn Achilles tendon.

Carter has played in domestic games over the past three weeks and declared himself fit to return to international duty.

“He is a key member of the All Blacks, has recovered well from his injury and has made a great return to rugby so now is the right time to bring him back into the squad,” coach Graham Henry said.

The 27-year-old Carter, rated the world’s best pivot, was injured playing for the French side Perpignan against Stade Francais in February while on a New Zealand Rugby Union-sanctioned break from Super 14 duties.
 

Suspended Springboks flanker Schalk Burger back for Tri Nations tour

From correspondents in Johannesburg, South Africa
August 10, 2009

Suspended South Africa loose forward Schalk Burger has been included in a 27-man squad for the away leg of the Tri Nations tournament.

Flanker Burger is serving an eight-week ban for eye-gouging British and Irish Lions winger Luke Fitzgerald a minute into the second Test last June.

His suspension ends before Tri Nations pacesetters South Africa confront Australia in Perth on August 29 and the teams clash again one week later in Brisbane.

Seeking a third southern hemisphere title in 14 attempts, the reigning world champions complete the Australasia tour against New Zealand on September 12 in Hamilton.