Latest news with #Sharks
IOL News
9 hours ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Bulls not fooled by Sharks' shaky start to Currie Cup campaign
Boeta Chamberlain of the Bulls orchestrated a dominant performance in their Currie Cup victory over Western Province. 'I think what we might see is a restructuring of their team this week, and without a doubt, everyone will probably be 10% better this week. We've had the hit-out, we can expect stuff now. It's going to be a tough game.' 'I think they had a couple of guys who couldn't play last week, for whatever reason. Some of the older players we're more accustomed to seeing, like Corne Rall, Tino Mavusere, maybe a guy like Dian Blueler will get a start,' Nomlomo said in an online media conference yesterday. The Bulls are riding high after their away 48-23 Currie Cup win over Western Province. The Sharks, on the other hand, fielded a young, inexperienced side as they kicked off their title defence in Johannesburg. Bulls coach Phiwe Nomlomo has insisted that they won't underestimate the Sharks ahead of this weekend's Currie Cup clash, despite the defending champions' 46-5 mauling by the Lions last weekend. Nomlomo feels that last weekend's match was not a true reflection of the coastal side. 'People mustn't get into false hope that the Sharks are this and that. It's still a damn good team. They won the cup last year, again with youngsters initially, so we do appreciate that these guys can play, so don't be fooled by that result last week.' Nomlomo was pleased with the Bulls forwards' dominance and the way they protected their try line in their win over Western Province. But he feels there is room for improvement on Saturday. Despite only conceding two tries against Province, Nomlomo feels that the Bulls need to be more miserly in defence. 'I definitely would love to work a bit harder on that,' he said. 'We conceded two tries, so I know it sounds weird, but they were soft tries. We don't want to allow people in just softly. 'We're protecting the try line incredibly well when they get entries, so that's something that's going to be a massive focus on the weekend.' The kick receipt is another troubling area for the Pretoria outfit. 'It's something we obviously have to sort out this week and make sure we're as prepared as we possibly can be for this weekend,' Nomlomo said. Kickoff on Saturday is at 3pm.
Sydney Morning Herald
16 hours ago
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Coaching may be next as Townsend bids farewell to 15-year career
'To be honest, there were aspects of it where it was hard and not hard,' he said. 'I feel like when you know, you know, and I feel like that my time is now. 'I've given this game everything I've had for the last 15 years, and I feel like I don't want to play any more next season, and that's a really comforting thought for me. 'I got told by an ex-teammate of mine that when you know, you know, and I'm very grateful that I'm in that position that I know.' Townsend said his plan is 'definitely to stay involved in the game', either in the media or as a coach. He had many fond memories and career highlights, but winning a premiership with the Sharks was the pinnacle. 'I grew up in the Shire,' he said. 'I was a Sharks fan. I had my Sharks flag on the hill. I got a photo of ET [Sharks legend Andrew Ettingshausen] signing a shirt of mine in the sheds.' Fonua-Blake had given up on Origin. Now there's a glimmer of hope He resigned himself long ago to never being able to play State of Origin, but if the goalposts were to shift suddenly, Addin Fonua-Blake would love to have a shot. Fonua-Blake, the Cronulla and Tongan international front-rower, is one of a handful of players likely to be impacted by a landmark ARL Commission proposal to change Origin eligibility rules. ARLC chairman Peter V'landys confirmed last week that he was considering an overhaul of Origin qualification criteria, specifically so that NSW and Queensland players have an opportunity to represent tier-one nations other than Australia. Under the current rules, players such as Jarome Luai, Stephen Crichton and Brian To'o are able to represent their states as well as playing internationally for a tier-two nation, in their case Samoa. Players are not permitted to play Origin if they align themselves with tier-one nations New Zealand and England. Fonua-Blake, who was born in Sydney and played his junior football with Mascot Jets, cost himself any chance of Origin selection when he accepted a position in New Zealand's 2017 World Cup squad, playing one game off the bench in a 74-6 hammering of Scotland. He has since changed his allegiance from the Kiwis to tier-two Tonga, whom he captained at the Pacific Championships last year. And while Fonua-Blake insists he has no regrets about the momentous decision he made as a 21-year-old, he would be open to the prospect of pulling on a sky-blue jersey. 'Oh look, at the moment if the opportunity comes along and I'm good enough to make the team, then yeah, obviously I'd welcome the idea,' he said. 'But right now, I'm just focused on the Sharks. Either way, if they keep the rules, change the rules, they'll do as they see fit. All that is outside my control.' Fonua-Blake is at peace with his Origin exclusion, saying: 'That ship sailed a long time ago for me, and I'm happy representing Tonga and playing for the Sharks.' But he admitted to being 'a bit jealous' every year when the interstate series kicked off. 'They're probably the biggest games on the calendar and you'd love to be a part of it,' he said. 'So yeah, like I said, if the opportunity came along, I wouldn't mind having to go in that arena and see how I go. We'll see what happens, I guess.' Loading Meanwhile, Fonua-Blake was confident an Achilles issue that hindered him during Cronulla's 14-12 win against South Sydney on Saturday was nothing to worry about. He still managed to carry the ball 162 metres and make 20 tackles in his 47 minutes on the field, helping Cronulla to post their third consecutive victory. 'It was an ugly win, but sometimes you've got to win ugly,' Fonua-Blake said. Dragons boss locked in for three more years as recruitment guru arrives Dan Walsh, Michael Chammas Dragons chairman Andrew Lancaster will continue in the role for another three years following changes to the St George Illawarra constitution aimed at providing further off-field stability at the joint-venture club. Lancaster's lengthy extension comes at a critical juncture for the club given last Friday's gallant loss to North Queensland has coach Shane Flanagan staring down a second successive bottom-eight finish, which would extend the Dragons' finals drought to seven seasons. Daniel Anderson starts as recruitment manager at St George Illawarra this week, having been lured from the Roosters, while chief executive Tim Watsford took charge of the club only in June. Lancaster's current three-year tenure was due to expire at the end of this season under terms agreed to following WIN Corporation's purchase of the Steelers' 50 per cent share in the club in 2018. The initial privatisation agreement stipulated a new chair every 12 months on a rotational basis. Between 2018 and 2022, Andrew Gordon, Brian Johnston, Craig Young and Lancaster served in the role, before club policy was changed to guarantee a minimum three-year term for each chair. A similar agreement has now been signed off by the St George Illawarra board. As a result, Lancaster – a member of the board at Nine Entertainment, publisher of this masthead, and WIN chief executive – is now set to remain at the Dragons helm until at least the end of 2028. On the field, Friday's defeat to the Cowboys was St George Illawarra's ninth by eight points or less this season. Had the Red V won half of those tight losses, they would be among the five-team log jam scrambling for a finals spot. Anderson will lead a revamped recruitment department at the club from Monday, with the Dragons in the market for star power up front and in the halves to complement a promising batch of emerging local juniors. NRL is Live and Free on Channel 9 & 9Now
The Citizen
18 hours ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Rugby Championship 2025: Breakdown of current Bok squad and all the fixtures
Here is everything you need to know about the current Springbok training squad, ahead of the start of the 2025 Rugby Championship. While Australia wrap up their three-Test series against the British and Irish Lions this weekend, South Africa, New Zealand and Argentina are all already busy with their preparations for the upcoming Rugby Championship, which kicks off on 16 August. Rassie Erasmus' Boks are the defending champions and will hope to go back-to-back for the very first time in the competition. The reigning world champions have only won the Rugby Championship (and before that the Tri-Nations) five times — 2024, 2019, 2009, 2004 and 1998. New Zealand have won 20 titles, Australia four and Argentina are yet to win a title. The Boks are currently training in Joburg ahead of their first match — against Australia in Johannesburg on 16 August. Here is everything you need to know about the current squad: The squad consists of 37 players, 24 of whom are World Cup winners, while five players only made their debuts this season — they are Ethan Hooker (utility back), Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Boan Venter (both props), Marnus van der Merwe (hooker), and Cobus Wiese (utility forward). Three recent World Rugby U20 Championship winners from the Junior Springboks team, namely Bathobele Hlekani, Cheswill Jooste, and Haashim Pead, have been invited to train with the senior Boks over the next two weeks. Bath prop Thomas du Toit has been granted a compulsory two-week rest as agreed with the Premiership, although he is eligible to be called up at any stage should the need arise, while No 8 Jasper Wiese is currently serving a four-week suspension, ruling him out of this squad. A number of players have been put on standby should they be needed by the Boks. They are Lukhanyo Am (centre), who missed the July Tests due to a knee niggle, Faf de Klerk (scrumhalf), Makazole Mapimpi (wing), Salmaan Moerat (lock), Evan Roos (No 8), Neethling Fouche (prop), and Vincent Tshituka (flanker). The Boks have so far this season beaten the Barbarians in a friendly match, Italy in two Tests and Georgia in a one-off Test. Full Springbok squad for Australia Tests: Forwards: Lood de Jager (Wild Knights), Pieter-Steph du Toit (Verblitz), Jean-Luc du Preez (Bordeaux Begles), Eben Etzebeth (Sharks), Vincent Koch (Sharks), Siya Kolisi (Sharks), Wilco Louw (Bulls), Malcolm Marx (Spears), Bongi Mbonambi (Sharks), Franco Mostert (Heat), Ox Nche (Sharks), Ruan Nortje (Bulls), Asenathi Ntlabakanye (Lions), Kwagga Smith (Blue Revs), RG Snyman (Leinster), Marnus van der Merwe (Scarlets), Marco van Staden (Bulls), Boan Venter (Edinburgh), Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Bulls), Cobus Wiese (Bulls). Backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse (Bulls), Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Andre Esterhuizen (Sharks), Aphelele Fassi (Sharks), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (Stormers), Ethan Hooker (Sharks), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles), Cheslin Kolbe (Sungoliath), Willie le Roux (Bulls), Manie Libbok (Stormers), Canan Moodie (Bulls), Handre Pollard (Bulls), Cobus Reinach (Stormers), Edwill van der Merwe (Sharks), Morné van den Berg (Lions), Grant Williams (Sharks), Damian Willemse (Stormers). Rugby Championship fixtures: 16 August: South Africa v Australia (Joburg), Argentina v New Zealand (Cordoba) 23 August: South Africa v Australia (Cape Town), Argentina v New Zealand (Buenos Aires) 6 September: Australia v Argentina (Townsville), New Zealand v South Africa (Auckland) 13 September: Australia v Argentina (Sydney), New Zealand v South Africa (Wellington) 27 September: New Zealand v Australia (Auckland), South Africa v Argentina (Durban) 4 October: Australia v New Zealand (Perth), Argentina v South Africa (London)
The South African
19 hours ago
- Sport
- The South African
Is this underrated Springbok getting enough credit?
As the Springboks head towards the start of the Rugby Championship, there is no doubt that Rassie Erasmus will want to continue exposing some 'new talents' in the Test arena. With 10 more Tests remaining this year, Erasmus has explained how he would like to increase the game-time of several players who have only single digits in terms of caps. One of those is undoubtedly Edwill van der Merwe, who has only played in three Tests to date, but who continues to shoot the lights out every time he takes to the field. The 29-year-old has already racked up five tries in those three games, and this impact should not be underestimated despite playing against 'weaker' opposition such as Wales, Italy and Georgia. Perhaps it is the quality of the opposition that has played a part in Van der Merwe not receiving his 'flowers' from fans, but the Rugby Championship undoubtedly presents an opportunity for the experienced outside back to make his mark in a competition where there is sure to be more attention. The Lions playmaker has looked confident and composed every time he has taken to the field, impressing not only with his attacking exploits, but also his work rate and appetite on defence despite his small stature. Van der Merwe is a player very much in the mould of first-choice wings Cheslin Kolbe and Kurt-Lee Arendse, and the Springboks will be thrilled to have another player breaking through to offer back-up if one of them might need a rest, or pick up an injury. Keep an eye on Van der Merwe in this Rugby Championship season. He has surely earned a chance to show what he can do against one of the Springboks' southern hemisphere rivals, and overdue praise and plaudits could then finally be set to follow. 'It was always my biggest goal to play for the Springboks,' he recently commented. 'When I earned my first cap, I wanted to make sure that I didn't just play one game.' And when quizzed about whether having to compete against the likes of Kolbe and Arendse for a place in the team placed pressure on him, Van der Merwe said it's an honour to train with them each day. 'Personally I try to learn as much as I can from them and implement some of those tips and small things into my game,' he added. Forwards: Lood de Jager (Wild Knights), Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Jean-Luc du Preez (Bordeaux Begles), Eben Etzebeth (Sharks), Vincent Koch (Sharks), Siya Kolisi (Sharks), Wilco Louw (Vodacom Bulls), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Bongi Mbonambi (Sharks), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat), Ox Nche (Sharks), Ruan Nortje (Vodacom Bulls), Asenathi Ntlabakanye (Lions), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs), RG Snyman (Leinster), Marnus van der Merwe (Scarlets), Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls), Boan Venter (Edinburgh), Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Vodacom Bulls), Cobus Wiese (Vodacom Bulls). Backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls), Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Andre Esterhuizen (Sharks), Aphelele Fassi (Sharks), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (Stormers), Ethan Hooker (Sharks), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles), Cheslin Kolbe (Tokyo Sungoliath), Willie le Roux (Vodacom Bulls), Manie Libbok (Hanazono Kintetsu Liners), Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls), Handre Pollard (Vodacom Bulls), Cobus Reinach (Stormers), Edwill van der Merwe (Sharks), Morne van den Berg (Lions), Grant Williams (Sharks), Damian Willemse (Stormers). Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
West Australian
21 hours ago
- Sport
- West Australian
GSFL 2025: Sharks find clinical edge at the death as Magpies play their part in Retravision round 11 thriller
GSFL 2025: Sharks find clinical edge at the death as Magpies play their part in Retravision round 11 thriller
