Emirates Lions Head Coach Johan Ackermann has made a number of changes to the side who lost to the Highlanders in Dunedin during Round 3 of Super Rugby 2016, for the clash against the Toyota Cheetahs at Emirates Airline Park on Saturday.
In an enforced change due to the suspension of blindside flank Warwick Tecklenburg, the young prospect Ruan Ackermann gets his 1st run-on opportunity in the loose forwards.
Also returning to the starting lineup is Lionel Mapoe who missed the last game to be at the birth of his 1st child, as well as Andries Coetzee at fullback, together with Dylan Smith and Malcolm Marx in the front row.
Joe Marler
England prop Joe Marler has avoided any sanction for striking an opponent during his side’s RBS 6 Nations win over Wales at Twickenham.
A Six Nations disciplinary committee found he struck prop Rob Evans in the 15th minute of Saturday’s match.
But it said in a statement: “The disciplinary committee found that the offending would not have warranted a Red Card and so imposed no sanction.”
Marler could now play in England’s final game against France on Saturday.
However, that could still be in doubt as the 25-year-old Harlequins forward may yet face action for calling Wales prop Samson Lee “Gypsy boy” in the same game.
Marler apologised to Lee – who is from the Traveller community – for that comment, and Lee has said he accepted the apology as “banter”.
Joe Marler
England and Harlequins prop Joe Marler has been cited for striking Wales prop Rob Evans in England’s 25 / 21 RBS 6 Nations victory over Wales at Twickenham.
Harlequins prop Marler appeared to land a forearm in the face of Evans while trying to assist Dan Cole ground the ball over Wales’s try-line.
“Joe Marler has been cited by the independent citing commissioner for allegedly striking an opponent in the 15th minute of the 1st half of the RBS 6 Nations match between England and Wales at Twickenham,” said an RBS 6 Nations statement.
If found guilty at a disciplinary hearing later this week, Marler will face an “entry-point” ban of 2 weeks, which would rule him out of England’s attempt to seal a 1st Grand Slam since 2003.
Officials have yet to decide whether a separate incident of verbal abuse, in which Harlequins prop Marler called Wales’s Samson Lee “gypsy boy” during the 1st half of England’s 25 / 21 win at Twickenham last Saturday, warrants disciplinary action.
3 Years without an RBS 6 Nations win at Murrayfield. 10 Years without a win against France. Some rather unwanted streaks consigned to the dustbin in 80 minutes of heart-pounding, adrenaline-pumping, nerve-shredding action! But who were the main men for Scotland on Sunday?
Scotland (18) 29 / 18 (12) France (Final Score)
Scotland and France did battle in the RBS 6 Nations 2016 at
BT Murrayfield, Edinburgh, at 17:00 SA Time (15:00 UK Time & GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 6 on TV in SA.
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Stormers (10) 13 / 18 (3) Sharks (Final Score)
The DHL Stormers and Cell C Sharks did battle in Super Rugby 2016 at
DHL Newlands at 17:15 SA Time (15:15 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & M-Net on TV in SA.
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Kings (17) 24 / 58 (27) Chiefs (Final Score)
The Southern Kings and Chiefs did battle in Super Rugby 2016 at
Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth at 15:05 SA Time (13:05 GMT, Sunday 02:05 NZ Time).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & M-Net on TV in SA.
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Sunwolves (28) 31 / 32 (13) Cheetahs (Final Score)
The Sunwolves and Toyota Cheetahs did battle in Super Rugby 2016 at
New National Stadium, Singapore at 12:55 SA Time (10:55 GMT, 18:55 Singapore Time).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & M-Net on TV in SA.
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Rebels (16) 25 / 23 (10) Reds (Final Score)
The Melbourne Rebels and Reds did battle in Super Rugby 2016 at
AAMI Park, Melbourne at 10:45 SA Time (08:45 GMT, 19:45 AEST).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & CSN on TV in SA.
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Highlanders (10) 34 / 15 (3) Lions (Final Score)
The Highlanders and Emirates Lions did battle in Super Rugby 2016 at
Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin at 08:35 SA Time (06:35 GMT, 19:35 NZ Time).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & M-Net on TV in SA.
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Force (7) 14 / 31 (17) Brumbies (Final Score)
The Western Force and Brumbies did battle in Super Rugby 2016 at
nib Stadium, Perth at 13:05 SA Time (11:05 GMT, 19:05 AWST, 21:05 AEST).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & CSN on TV in SA.
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Eastern Province Rugby (Pty) Ltd, the professional arm of the EP Kings, have been provisionally liquidated.
However, EP Rugby said this will not impact on the EP Kings’ preparations for the Currie Cup competition, which is due to get underway with a qualifying tournament next month.
The liquidation hearing – brought by South African Rugby Players Association on behalf of 18 players and another 18 players through an independent lawyer against EP Rugby – was held at the Port Elizabeth High Court on Thursday.
EP Rugby (Pty) Ltd, through their legal counsel had initially opposed the liquidation order on 2 February and were provided the opportunity to file the necessary opposing documents.
A judgement was delivered in favour of SARPA and the other players for provisional liquidation to be implemented against EP Rugby (Pty) Ltd.
This means that the company will now be placed under provisional liquidation and a liquidator will be appointed shortly to oversee the process.
Blues (8) 19 / 23 (15) Hurricanes (Final Score)
The Blues and Hurricanes did battle in Super Rugby 2016 at
Eden Park, Auckland at 08:35 SA Time (06:35 GMT, 19:35 NZ Time).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & CSN on TV in SA.
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Ireland have made 2 changes, with fit-again Jared Payne starting at centre and Simon Zebo deputising for injured full-back Rob Kearney.
Stuart McCloskey, who made his Test debut against England a fortnight ago, drops out of the squad altogether.
Hooker Rory Best will captain the side on his 50th championship appearance.
Flyhalf Edoardo Padovani makes his 1st start as 1 of 4 changes for Italy, along with Guglielmo Palazzani, David Giazzon and George Biagi.
This feels like a semifinal age in the tempestuous domain of European rugby.
The financial behemoths prowling the leagues of England and France are on a seemingly inexorable rise, hoovering up the galacticos of the southern hemisphere.
Theirs is a monetary clout Scottish rugby cannot hope to match.
From Edinburgh, Dave Denton has gone to Bath, Greig Tonks to London Irish. Captain Mike Coman will follow, so too Matt Scott to Gloucester at the season’s end. There may be others.
Along the M8, speculation continues to heighten on the future of Fijian sensation Leone Nakarawa – reportedly heading for Racing 92 with a year left on his contract – and Taqele Naiyaravoro, the monstrous winger, returning to the Waratahs of Australia.
A shrewd acquisition
Amidst this leakage of talent, though, the Warriors have, rather shrewdly, recruited an ex-Crusaders hooker, a 4-time Super Rugby champion, 15-Test All Black and Rugby World Cup winner.
Corey Flynn joins Gregor Townsend’s squad on a 2-year deal this summer following a sojourn at Toulouse, one of the most storied and wealthy of the French heavyweights.
Wales head coach Warren Gatland has named his team to face England in Saturday’s key RBS 6 Nations match at Twickenham.
Gareth Davies retains the scrumhalf spot ahead of Rhys Webb, who is named among the replacements.
Webb, 27, was recalled to the squad after 6 months away from international rugby with injury.
Lock Luke Charteris is on the bench where Paul James comes in to cover the injured loosehead prop Gethin Jenkins.
We’ve named a pretty experienced side for Saturday,” said Gatland.
Sharks (13) 19 / 15 (15) Jaguares (Final Score)
The Cell C Sharks and Los Jaguares did battle in Super Rugby 2016 at
Growthpoint Kings Park, Durban at 19:20 SA Time (17:20 GMT, 14:20 ARG Time).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & M-Net on TV in SA.
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Cheetahs (7) 10 / 20 (7) Stormers (Final Score)
The Toyota Cheetahs and DHL Stormers did battle in Super Rugby 2016 at
Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein at 17:10 SA Time (15:10 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & M-Net on TV in SA.
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Bulls (28) 45 / 25 (3) Rebels (Final Score)
The Vodacom Bulls and Melbourne Rebels did battle in Super Rugby 2016 at
Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria at 15:00 SA Time (13:00 GMT, 00:00 Sunday AEDT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & M-Net on TV in SA.
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Reds (3) 3 / 22 (9) Force (Final Score)
The Reds and Western Force did battle in Super Rugby 2016 at
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane at 10:45 SA Time (08:45 GMT, 19:45 AEDT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & CSN on TV in SA.
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Highlanders (11) 17 / 16 (6) Hurricanes (Final Score)
The Highlanders and Hurricanes did battle in Super Rugby 2016 at
Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin at 08:35 SA Time (06:35 GMT, 19:35 NZ Time).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & CSN on TV in SA.
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Chiefs (11) 32 / 36 (19) Lions (Final Score)
The Chiefs and Emirates Lions did battle in Super Rugby 2016 at
FMG Stadium, Hamilton at 06:15 SA Time (04:15 GMT, 17:15 NZ Time).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & M-Net on TV in SA.
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Brumbies (8) 32 / 15 (8) Waratahs (Final Score)
The Brumbies and Waratahs did battle in Super Rugby 2016 at
GIO Stadium, Canberra at 10:45 SA Time (19:45 Canberra Time, 08:45 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & CSN on TV in SA.
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Crusaders (13) 29 / 13 (3) Blues (Final Score)
The Crusaders and Blues did battle in Super Rugby 2016 at
AMI Stadium, Christchurch at 08:35 SA Time (19:35 NZ Time, 06:35 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & CSN on TV in SA.
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More than 70 doctors and academics are calling for a ban on tackling in rugby matches played in UK and Irish schools.
In an open letter to ministers, they say injuries from this “high-impact collision sport” can have lifelong consequences for children.
They argue 2 3rds of injuries in youth rugby and most concussions are down to tackles and urge schools to move to touch and non-contact rugby.
Supporters say rugby builds character and other forms are less challenging.
The concerns have been raised as a 7-year programme headed by the Rugby Football Union is on target to introduce rugby to a million children in state schools across England.
The RFU’s programme, which began in 2012 and is running until 2019, has so far reached 400 schools, with 350 to follow.
The USA Eagles started off slow in their 4th match of the 2016 Americas Rugby Championship. After conceding the first 18 points of the match, the Eagles came within 1, following tries by Joe Taufete’e, Aladdin Shirmer and Niku Kruger. However, a late penalty by Brazil’s Moises Duque ended that run, as Brazil took a historic 24 / 23 victory.
The match seemed to go the way of Brazil almost from the start, as the Eagles conceded 2 penalties leading to points in the 1st 6 minutes. The 1st penalty following the Eagles being called offside in an early maul, the 2nd following a call against Kingsley McGowan for interfering with a Brazil kick.
It wasn’t long before the Brazil attack would break through the Eagles defense yet again, this time for their 1st try. Following an Eagles lineout in Brazilian territory, the home team recovered possession with a steal and nearly a length-of-pitch run. The Eagles recovered but a kick to change field possession was taken nearly 50m by Brazil’s Daniel Sancery, through multiple would-be tacklers, to put the home side up 13 / 0.
All roads led to Rome, where Scotland changed their RBS 6 Nations fortunes with a hard fought win over Italy (36 / 20).
Two 1st half, and one 2nd half, try interspersed with a succession of Greig Laidlaw penalties gave Scotland their biggest RBS 6 Nations score since the championship expanded in 2000.
The Scotland captain was awarded man of match for his kicking off the tee and calm leadership that saw the away side maintain structure and clarity of thought despite 2 2nd half Yellow Cards – for Finn Russell and WP Nel – and sustained Italian attacks.
England (6) 21 / 10 (3) Ireland (Final Score)
England and Ireland did battle in the RBS 6 Nations 2016 at
Twickenham Stadium, London, at 18:50 SA Time (16:50 UK Time & GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 6 on TV in SA.
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Stormers (9) 33 / 9 (6) Bulls (Final Score)
The DHL Stormers and Vodacom Bulls did battle in Super Rugby 2016 at
DHL Newlands, Cape Town at 17:15 SA Time (15:15 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & M-Net on TV in SA.
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Kings (8) 8 / 43 (15) Sharks (Final Score)
The Southern Kings and Cell C Sharks did battle in Super Rugby 2016 at
Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth at 15:05 SA Time (13:05 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & M-Net on TV in SA.
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Force (13) 19 / 25 (17) Rebels (Final Score)
The Western Force and Melbourne Rebels did battle in Super Rugby 2016 at
nib Stadium, Perth at 12:55 SA Time (10:55 GMT, 18:55 AWST).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & CSN on TV in SA.
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Waratahs (20) 30 / 10 (0) Reds (Final Score)
The Waratahs and Reds did battle in Super Rugby 2016 at
Allianz Stadium, Sydney at 10:45 SA Time (08:45 GMT, 19:45 AEST).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & CSN on TV in SA.
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Crusaders (13) 21 / 27 (8) Chiefs (Final Score)
Crusaders and Chiefs did battle in Super Rugby 2016 at
AMI Stadium, Christchurch at 08:35 SA Time (06:35 GMT, 19:35 NZ Time).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & CSN on TV in SA.
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Sunwolves (6) 13 / 26 (12) Lions (Final Score)
The Sunwolves and Emirates Lions did battle in Super Rugby 2016 at
Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium, Tokyo at 06:15 SA Time (04:15 GMT, 13:15 Japanese Time).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & M-Net on TV in SA.
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Wales (6) 19 / 10 (3) France (Final Score)
Wales and France did battle in the RBS 6 Nations 2016 at
Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, at 22:05 SA Time (20:05 UK Time & GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 on TV in SA.
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