Time for our Monday roundup of the people who made headlines over the weekend and whose names are in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons.
Fiji kicks off in style: On Saturday, the Flying Fijians defeated Samoa 42–16 in their Pacific Nations Cup opening, displaying incredible skill. They landed six times in all, with Kitione Salawa Jr. scoring the most with three touchdowns. Along with Iosefo Masi, Frank Lomani, and Vuate Karawalevu, who all had excellent tournament debuts, they also cleared the hurdle. While Fiji’s performance against the All Blacks was disappointing, this was far more indicative of Mick Byrne’s team.
Return of Scott Barrett: The All Blacks saw a major boost when the second-row player was added back to the group for their two matches in South Africa. He was absent from the Argentina matches, which were noteworthy because they lost to Argentina 38-30 in their Rugby Championship opener. While Los Pumas controlled the physical battle, their lineout was not as effective. Barrett offers them a distinct advantage as they get ready for the Springboks, even though New Zealand found their game a week later.
Newcomers to the All Blacks: Scott Robertson has chosen two players without a cap out of his 36 for the upcoming tour to South Africa; Harry Plummer and Ruben Love are included in the larger group. Even if their selection might come as a shock, it is only a reward for their 2024 performances. Love stood up for the Hurricanes in Super Rugby Pacific in particular, as his quickness and inventiveness helped the Wellington team stand out from the competition. Following Stephen Perofeta’s injury, Plummer assumed leadership of the Blues fly-half position and helped lead them to the Super Rugby Pacific championship. Damian McKenzie may be more flamboyant than the playmaker, but he’s still a pretty steady kicker and passer.
Rassie Erasmus has been able to enlist a number of returning players, including five World Cup champions, for the Springboks. In addition to Andre Esterhuizen and Jasper Wiese, who have returned from suspension, Steven Kitshoff, Canan Moodie, and Jaden Hendrikse are among the players who will be picked in the 37 after recovering from injuries. The most intriguing addition, though, is definitely Nico Janse van Rensburg, a one-cap back five forward. Perhaps the most similar option for Franco Mostert is Janse van Rensburg, who has a good chance of making the 23.
BROKEN THERMOSTAT
Japan and Eddie Jones break the drought: After losing three straight games and five of six overall, Jones’ second term as the Brave Blossoms’ manager has not gone as expected. The former head coach of the Wallabies and England will be relieved that the burden is off his shoulders, but facing a struggling Canada team was anything but easy. Although Japan had a dominant first 40 minutes and led 38-7 at halftime, Canada’s 21-17 triumph in the second half took some of the shine off this victory. There’s still a ton of work to be done on Jones’ Japan.
COLD AS ICE
Exit coaching for All Blacks: The departure of offensive maestro Leon MacDonald from the New Zealand team following an altercation with Robertson came as a great surprise. Though it may raise some doubts, the All Blacks head coach was extremely candid in saying that things were just not working between the two. Given that MacDonald was one of Robertson’s initial picks following his announcement as Ian Foster’s replacement, it is likely that they were acquainted prior to working together, especially considering that they had both played and coached together. Though it is another indication that the All Blacks have not yet adapted to this new era, the choice was the right one.
Is Siya planning to stay? In most cases, Racing 92 would be pleased that one of their stars, Siya Kolisi, appears to be staying with the team; yet, considering remarks made by owner Jacky Lorenzetti in June, that may not be the case. Kolisi has reportedly been linked to a return to the Sharks and expressed his desire to return to South Africa due to his dissatisfaction with his situation in Paris. Negotiations have stalled, though, because the Top 14 club is demanding R17 million (about £726,000) for the captain of the Springboks. Lorenzetti has refused the Sharks’ offer to pay that in installments over the course of two or three seasons.
Scrum worries for the All Blacks: It’s the last thing you want to happen while playing the Springboks when one of your props gets hurt, but that’s what happened to New Zealand. A blow to Robertson is that they will be missing world-class loosehead Ethan de Groot for their games in South Africa because of a neck injury. Even while they still have four excellent props, and Tamaiti Williams is doing a great job filling in for De Groot, they are undoubtedly weaker without him.
Things are getting worse for England: Not too many weeks have passed since the departure of Aled Walters, the head of strength and conditioning, before another elite coach left the setup. Felix Jones is leaving the Red Rose, it was widely reported on Saturday. He gave the excuse of a “unstable working environment” for his choice, which raises severe concerns about something going on there. It might have something to do with head coach Steve Borthwick, but it also wouldn’t be shocking if Jones had a problem with the way the RFU runs things. In any case, it’s a major win for England, who have improved greatly in the last few months thanks in large part to the Irishman.
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The RFU may have a say in where he goes. I’d have thought it unlikely they’ll make him work his notice, but they have the option of putting him on gardening leave, so whoever wants him may have to buy out his notice period.
If there are a number of potential suitors the RFU might choose the one with the deepest pockets, or the one where his work is least likely to to have an adverse impact on them. If the latter is their approach I could see him joining one of the English Prem clubs.