Here is an overview of the latest rugby news from Friday, August 16.
Coaching staff suspended
The entire coaching staff of the French under-18 rugby team has been suspended following the tragic disappearance of a player.
Medhi Narjissi was swept out to sea on Wednesday 7 August during a player recovery session at Diaz Beach at Cape Point in South Africa, while the team were competing in the Under-18 international series. He was swept away by powerful rip currents, and the French Rugby Federation’s initial investigation into the incident stated that the beach chosen for the session was dangerous.
This means that all members of the coaching and support staff have been suspended, pending the outcome of the internal investigation.
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A statement from the FFR said: “The initial evidence gathered on site by a member of the national technical management confirms that the location chosen for a player’s recovery session presented dangers. This is an error of judgement which could constitute an individual and/or collective fault. The final conclusions of our investigation will allow us to determine responsibilities.
“As it has set out to do, the French Rugby Federation remains determined to shed full light on the precise circumstances of the tragedy. To date, all members of staff have been questioned. The FFR is now preparing to question players from the under-18 team, with all the precautions required by the psychological shock they have endured.”
Erasmus defends surprise team announcement
South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus has dismissed suggestions of disrespect after deciding to make 10 changes to his team for the rematch against Australia this weekend.
The Springboks opened their Rugby Championship campaign with a stunning 33-7 victory over the Wallabies on Saturday. They have missed out on a number of key names for this clash in Perth, including captain Siya Kolisi.
“If you look at this team, there are 14 World Cup winners and there are only two players who have just come out, so this is not a disrespect to Australia and this does not mean that we are being nonchalant about the game,” Erasmus said.
“We will pick a team that we feel is good enough to give us the win, although it will be very, very difficult against a team that wants to fight back.
“I think it would be a slap in the face to the guys playing this weekend if we think they’re not as good as the guys who played last week. We trust them completely.
“I think if they played the Springbok team last week they would do great.”
Scrumhalf Morne van den Berg and second row Ruan Nortje will make their first Test starts, while Salmaan Moerat will captain South Africa from the end
South Africa: Aphelele Fassi, Cheslin Kolbe, Jesse Kriel, Lukhanyo Am, Makazole Mapimpi, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Morne van den Berg, Elrigh Louw, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Marco van Staden, Ruan Nortje, Salmaan Moerat (captain), Thomas du Toit , Johan Grobbelaar, Jan-Hendrik Wessels; Reserves: Malcolm Marx, Ox Nche, Vincent Koch, Eben Etzebeth, Kwagga Smith, Grant Williams, Manie Libbok, Handre Pollard.
Former Wales-20 international takes captaincy role
Former Wales Under-20 player Sean Moore has been appointed captain at Cardiff RFC ahead of Super Rygbi Cymru’s inaugural season.
Having played in 26 of the Blue and Blacks’ 27 games last season, he will take over the captaincy from experienced forward Morgan Allen.
The former Mountain Ash and Pontypridd player has made a total of 75 appearances since signing for Cardiff in 2021, winning the Indigo Premiership and WRU Premiership Cup.
In 2017, he made eight appearances for Wales under-20s, played four games in the Six Nations and featured in the Junior World Championship.
“It is a huge privilege to be asked to take on this role and I am very proud to have been appointed captain of such a great club,” said Moore.
“I will do my best to live up to the standards set by the captains who came before me. When you look at the history of Cardiff and the players who have played in the Blue & Black shirt, you realise what an honour it is to be part of this club.”
All Blacks make four changes for Pumas test
New Zealand have made four changes for the upcoming second Test match against Argentina.
Former captain Sam Cane is also on the bench as the All Blacks seek revenge for last week’s shock defeat to the Pumas in the Rugby Championship.
Cane is recalled despite having announced that he will retire from international rugby at the end of his year to sign with Japanese club Suntory Sungoliath.
When asked if he ever thought about never playing for his country again, Cane said: “I don’t think I’ve really thought that far ahead and thought of the worst-case scenario.
“I always believed that I would come back and that I had a lot to offer, still supported by my abilities. During rehabilitation and after an operation you always get very zoned out.
“You shouldn’t think about the end result, in my experience, because sometimes it seems so far away. Often it’s about getting through that training week and ending the week better than you started. Then you often reset and sometimes you just literally do the same week again and try to do a little bit better.”
Coach Scott Robertson responded to the 38-30 defeat to the Pumas by changing three backs and one forward for Saturday’s match in Auckland.
Will Jordan, who started on the bench in that defeat, is preferred to Sevu Reece on the right flank, while Caleb Clarke takes over from Auckland Blues team-mate Mark Tele’a on the left flank.
Experienced Blues centre Rieko Ioane is recalled, while Tamaiti Williams takes over as loosehead support.
New Zealand: Beauden Barrett; Will Jordan, Rieko Ioane, Jordie Barrett, Caleb Clarke; Damian McKenzie, TJ Perenara; Ardie Savea (captain), Dalton Papali’i, Ethan Blackadder; Sam Darry, Tupou Vaa’i; Tyrel Lomax, Codie Taylor, Tamaiti Williams.
Replacements: Asafo Aumua, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Fletcher Newell, Josh Lord, Sam Cane, Cortez Ratima, Anton Lienert-Brown, Mark Tele’a