NEW YORK, NY – This weekend was heavy with news. It dominates the recap as there are updates and interesting transfers to discuss. So with no further adieu, we present the Global Rugby Recap:
News & Transactions:
Aviva Premiership: Thanks to a successful appeal, Bath have received the good news that their plans to expand the Recreation Ground to a 16,500 seater venue are back on. The Recreation Ground Trust, which leases the stadium to Bath, has overturned a decision to now allow the Premiership side to obtain land to redevelop… Harlequins announced that New Zealand-born back-rower Mathew Luamanu has signed with the club from Treviso.
Top 14: With 17 players away on Rugby World Cup duty, Toulon have bolstered their wing stocks with the addition of Lachie Turner as a World Cup joker according to reports… Former All Blacks lock Ross Filipo’s career has taken a new twist after it was revealed he signed a one-year contract to join Top 14 side Racing 92… Stade Français have improved their second row options with the signing of Tomas Vallejos according to reports.
Pro 12: Treviso announced the signing of scrum-half Chris Smylie. Smylie, who has played for the Highlanders, Hurricanes (twice) and Blues over his career, took the decision to move to the northern hemisphere for 2015/16 for his first stint outside of New Zealand… The Ospreys have announced that 20 year-old second-row Rory Thornton has signed his first professional contract with the region.
Super Rugby: The Reds confirmed the signing of prodigal Wallabies lock Kane Douglas for the next three years. Douglass returns to Australia and Queensland after year spent playing for Leinster in the Pro12 that all parties would call less than memorable and would like to forget.
USA Rugby News/Updates: USA Rugby has selected the 2014-15 Men’s Collegiate All-American and Honorable Mention All-American teams for the 15s and sevens codes of the game, honoring deserving college rugby players from more than 40 institutions. To see the full list, click here.
World Rugby News: Michael Hooper is free to face New Zealand this weekend after SANZAR’s appeal over his one-week ban was dismissed. A SANZAR Appeals Committee, chaired by Jannie Lubbe SC (South Africa) and comprising Terry Willis (Australia) and Mike Heron QC (New Zealand) unanimously dismissed both appeals brought by SANZAR and The Australian Rugby Union (ARU) on behalf of Michael Hooper.
The weekend’s fixtures:
Pacific Nations Cup: Of all of World Rugby’s Cup tournaments to benefit Tier 2 and Tier 3 nations, the Pacific Nations Cup is arguably the biggest and best. By featuring the Pacific Island Nations (Tonga, Fiji, Manu Samoa), Japan, Canada, and the USA, this tournament has the top Tier-2 nations and some are even ranked higher than some 6 Nations teams. Though the schedule for this tournament still makes no sense and needs improvement, it is a key depth-builder for all the sides involved. On Monday, the final matches begin with neighbors and rivals USA and Canada battling for fifth, Tonga and Japan clash for third and fittingly the top two teams going into the tournament Fiji and Samoa fight for the Championship. We hope to have a preview of the USA match up before kickoff and review up this week.
Here is the schedule:
Wed – 29th Jul 15
Fifth Place: Canada – United States
Third Place: Tonga – Japan
Championship: Fiji – Samoa
Test Match: In a World Cup warm-up game, Uruguay will take on the fringe players in the Argentina squad in a clash of neighbors. In case, rugby fans were curious, this Argentine development side will be coached by the legendary Dr. Felipe “Dr. Phil” Contempomi. Dr. Phil needs to keep working on his coaching certs because his side were upset by a Uruguay that played inspired and had the Argies chasing the game for much of the 80 minutes.
Here are the results:
Wed – 29th Jul 15
Argentina 26 – 30 Uruguay
That’s it for now! Feel free to comment below, look for and “Like” our Facebook Rugby Wrap Up Page and follow us on Twitter@: RugbyWrapUp, Junoir Blaber, James Harrington, Jamie Wall, Nick Hall, DJ Eberle, Jake Frechette, Scheenagh Harrington, Jamie Loyd, Cody Kuxmann, Karen Ritter, Audrey Youn, Akweley Okine, Rocky Brown and Declan Yeats, respectively.
And as always, stay low and keep pumping those legs.
