Latest news with #ZebreParma
Straits Times
30-06-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Springboks utility front row Wessels expects tough Italy battle
World champions South Africa will not underestimate Italy when the teams meet in Pretoria on Saturday in the first of two tests this month, but utility front row Jan-Hendrik Wessels says they are targeting dominance in the scrums. Bulls forward Wessels, 24, who can play either prop or hooker, scored a try in Saturday's 54-7 romp past the Barbarians in Cape Town, but expects a totally different challenge at Loftus Versfeld. "I faced Zebre Parma and Benetton in the United Rugby Championship, and we did our homework on those players then, so we know the emphasis they place on the scrums," Wessels told reporters on Monday. "In fact, Zebre Parma had one of their best seasons this year and beat a few big teams in the competition, so we are expecting a proper battle against them (Italy). "We want to go into this match setting a high standard for ourselves. We have massive respect for all the teams we face, and knowing how strong their scrums are, we really want to make a big impact in the set pieces." Wessels is one of several of the Springboks players who can feature in multiple positions, with centre Andre Esterhuizen playing at flank against the Barbarians. Both know that versatility gives them a better chance of playing. "I don't have a preference (for prop or hooker)," he said. "I just want to contribute wherever I am picked. Playing both positions certainly helped me in getting game time." South Africa host Italy for a second test in Gqeberha on July 12, and then face Georgia a week later in Nelspruit before starting the defence of their Rugby Championship title in August. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Star
30-06-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Rugby-Springboks utility front row Wessels expects tough Italy battle
(Reuters) -World champions South Africa will not underestimate Italy when the teams meet in Pretoria on Saturday in the first of two tests this month, but utility front row Jan-Hendrik Wessels says they are targeting dominance in the scrums. Bulls forward Wessels, 24, who can play either prop or hooker, scored a try in Saturday's 54-7 romp past the Barbarians in Cape Town, but expects a totally different challenge at Loftus Versfeld. "I faced Zebre Parma and Benetton in the United Rugby Championship, and we did our homework on those players then, so we know the emphasis they place on the scrums," Wessels told reporters on Monday. "In fact, Zebre Parma had one of their best seasons this year and beat a few big teams in the competition, so we are expecting a proper battle against them (Italy). "We want to go into this match setting a high standard for ourselves. We have massive respect for all the teams we face, and knowing how strong their scrums are, we really want to make a big impact in the set pieces." Wessels is one of several of the Springboks players who can feature in multiple positions, with centre Andre Esterhuizen playing at flank against the Barbarians. Both know that versatility gives them a better chance of playing. "I don't have a preference (for prop or hooker)," he said. "I just want to contribute wherever I am picked. Playing both positions certainly helped me in getting game time." South Africa host Italy for a second test in Gqeberha on July 12, and then face Georgia a week later in Nelspruit before starting the defence of their Rugby Championship title in August. (Reporting by Nick SaidEditing by Christian Radnedge)
Reuters
30-06-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Springboks utility front row Wessels expects tough Italy battle
June 30 (Reuters) - World champions South Africa will not underestimate Italy when the teams meet in Pretoria on Saturday in the first of two tests this month, but utility front row Jan-Hendrik Wessels says they are targeting dominance in the scrums. Bulls forward Wessels, 24, who can play either prop or hooker, scored a try in Saturday's 54-7 romp past the Barbarians in Cape Town, but expects a totally different challenge at Loftus Versfeld. "I faced Zebre Parma and Benetton in the United Rugby Championship, and we did our homework on those players then, so we know the emphasis they place on the scrums," Wessels told reporters on Monday. "In fact, Zebre Parma had one of their best seasons this year and beat a few big teams in the competition, so we are expecting a proper battle against them (Italy). "We want to go into this match setting a high standard for ourselves. We have massive respect for all the teams we face, and knowing how strong their scrums are, we really want to make a big impact in the set pieces." Wessels is one of several of the Springboks players who can feature in multiple positions, with centre Andre Esterhuizen playing at flank against the Barbarians. Both know that versatility gives them a better chance of playing. "I don't have a preference (for prop or hooker)," he said. "I just want to contribute wherever I am picked. Playing both positions certainly helped me in getting game time." South Africa host Italy for a second test in Gqeberha on July 12, and then face Georgia a week later in Nelspruit before starting the defence of their Rugby Championship title in August.
Belfast Telegraph
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
Ulster's critics aren't seeing the great work being done, insists boss Richie Murphy
There have been extenuating circumstances, of course, namely an injury crisis that has seemingly plagued them all season, but the facts don't lie: missing out on the Play-Offs of the United Rugby Championship and, by extension, next season's European Champions Cup is far from ideal. It's the first time in the province's history that they have failed to qualify for Europe's top tier and, were they to lose their final game of the season to Edinburgh on Friday, they could still finish as low as 14th, with only Zebre Parma and the Dragons below them. 'I don't really worry about what people are saying in the background,' counters Murphy. 'I've never heard that, so I can't really comment on it.' But the fact of the matter is Murphy is safe in his job, regardless of missing out on the Play-Offs, and it feels like a fair assessment. His remit was always seen as being long rather than short-term, so he has to be given a chance to see it through. That said, the leash may not be so loose if things continue in this vein at the start of next season, but the fact he has been allowed to bring Willie Faloon and Mark Sexton onto the coaching staff for next season always meant he would get a second season, no matter what. It has, indirectly, allowed him to take a longer view at things than he might have otherwise been able to if his job was on the line but that still doesn't mean the season can be written off altogether, even if the head coach does see signs of optimism. 'Ultimately, I suppose professional rugby is judged on results, so it's a disappointing season,' agrees Murphy. 'That's what people in the public see, and that's one thing. In behind that, there's a lot of really good work being done. 'We're a lot further down the road in relation to the level, in relation to what we train at, how we review, how we process individual performance, how they get better. 'There's quite a lot of steps in relation to that going on in the background that you won't see until we start winning games, and that will come.' The work towards that begins now. While admitting that the overall season review won't happen until a couple of weeks after the season ends — Ulster will take a week off after Friday before regrouping to finish off the year — the preparation for 2025/26 begins now. The goals will be simple: improve on their record which, at best, will finish with just eight wins from 18 games in the URC, and make it into the top-eight this time next year. Continuing their squad development is also at the top of the list but, after missing out on the Champions Cup once, the importance of not doing it again will become more paramount. The key, Murphy believes is in consistency, both in terms of results and selection. The latter will come from keeping players healthy and fit, which has been a problem all season, but the former is very much in Murphy's control after seeing his side fail to win more than three games in a row all season. 'Obviously we're not where we want to be. We wanted to be in the top-eight. I'm not sure that we were ever going to be in the top four but we thought we'd be able to get into the top eight. So we've underachieved in that regard,' adds Murphy. 'I think what it gives me is belief that if we can get a consistency in relation to the selection, in relation to our team, in relation to building going forward (then we can improve). 'The odd player is going to come in and support that group by providing a little bit more competition with some of the players that are yet to come in, with a big signing like (Juarno) Augustus coming in. 'James McNabney, he's a development player at the moment but he's played basically a whole season in the senior team. He's learnt so much over the course of the year. I was talking to him yesterday, he was disappointed in how he played the weekend but when you look at his year and you look at where he's come from, it's been an incredible year. He's come from nowhere. 'He's played week in, week out, between six and eight. He's got the odd rest. He's been in a national senior camp as a development player. Twelve months ago, would we have said that? Probably not. Twelve months further on, where can we get these guys to? I think that's the exciting part. 'From a coaching point of view, obviously Mark coming in, Sopes changing role, Willie a little bit more experienced after getting that six months, myself and Jimmy as the two older, probably more experienced coaches. We feel we can see the direction that the team is moving. 'We have definitely been really inconsistent, but some of the things that we've put together over numerous games gives us great confidence that we can move forward from here.'
Irish Times
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Times
Cullie Tucker calls on Connacht to ‘finish strong' despite disappointing season
Win or lose, it will matter little to Connacht 's unrealised ambitions to make the top eight when they sign off a disappointing URC campaign with a final fling in Italy against Zebre Parma on Saturday (5pm Irish time). In a difficult season, with the early departure of Pete Wilkins and just five wins to date, interim head coach Cullie Tucker is still seeking that winning performance. With no fresh injuries, Tucker is looking to 'finish strong'. 'We have a number of players and coaches leaving, and it's about doing right by them and respecting them. READ MORE In what has been a frustrating season, Tucker says Connacht still want to finish on a high, 'and as high up the table as we can'. 'The playoffs were what we had been building towards, but ultimately, despite the 15 bonus points we picked up, we needed more to be in the top eight. 'Those bonus points show that we've been close in so many games. So it has been frustrating, but it is important to finish the season with five points and a win, and for everyone in the club to get some belief back. 'You don't want to be sitting for two months on a loss in Italy to finish the season, so it's important. We've prepared very hard over the last two games for it, taken the learnings, and we're looking to finish the season strong.' Having been thrust into the head coach role following the unexpected departure of Wilkins, who this week has been named attack coach for Benetton Treviso next season, Tucker admits it has been 'challenging' going from breakdown and scrum coach to an expanded role 'by 200 per cent'. 'I've learned loads, lots about myself, about coaching – a massive challenge. Brilliant, but also frustrating – that we've been so close.' 'Results have been disappointing, but we've been close, and I think I've had the team in the right frame of mind to play as well. So I reflect hard and take my learnings off it.' 'I've had a nice bite into what it feels like to be head coach, and we will see what the future holds.
