Rugby 7s 2019

REUTERS: South Africa flyhalf Handre Pollard faces "several months" on the sidelines after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligaments while playing for French Top14 side Montpellier on Friday. The 2019 World Cup winner was carried off the field on a stretcher during the 41-17 loss to Racing 92 and scans have now revealed the severity of the injury. "The club confirms the absence for several months of Handre Pollard, victim of a ruptured anterior cruciate ligaments. We wish him a quick recovery," Montpellier said in a statement on Monday. It rules the first-choice Bok flyhalf out of the Rugby Championship that is scheduled to be played in Australia from Nov. 7-Dec. 12, and will significantly cut his preparation time for the British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa that starts next July. Pollard's control at flyhalf is key to the Boks' game-plan but his injury will provide his deputy in the team, Elton Jantjies, a chance to stake a claim for the number 10 jersey against the … [Read more...] about Bok blow as Pollard set to miss Rugby Championship

WELLINGTON: Former All Blacks captain Kieran Read is to make a surprise return to New Zealand rugby for Counties Manukau in the country's provincial championship that starts next month. Read, 34, left New Zealand after last year's Rugby World Cup and played under his former All Blacks coach Steve Hansen at Toyota in Japan's Top League. He returned home when the 2019/2020 Japanese league season was cancelled due to the novel coronavirus outbreak and has been given dispensation by Toyota to play for Counties in the local competition, which starts on Sep 11. "Obviously it has been a while since I've had a run so I'm looking forward to getting stuck in again," said Read, who was brought up in the Counties region, south of Auckland. "If I can help in any way with these up-and-coming young rugby players that would be fantastic too." Read, who shifted to Christchurch for university and linked with Canterbury and for the Crusaders in Super Rugby, played 127 tests for the All Blacks … [Read more...] about Rugby: Former All Blacks captain Read to make surprise return in NZ

A few months ago, we had reported that Anu Sithara and Indrajith Sukumaran have started shooting for a family thriller story, titled Anuradha Crime No. 59/2019. A few behind-the-scenes photos from the movie are just out. In the pictures, the characters of the lead actors can be seen doing various scenes, and also interacting with director and the rest of the crew. The film is scripted and directed by newbie Shaan Thulasidharan , along with Jose Thomas Polakkal. It also has Vishnu Unnikrishnan, Surabhi Lakshmi, Top Singer TV show fame Baby Ananya, Harisree Ashokan, Jude Anthony Joseph and Hareesh Kanaran. Shaan had told us earlier, “Indrajith plays a character named Peethambaran, a 42-year-old investigation officer in the Crime Branch. Anuradha’s character is played by Anu Sithara. Actress Surabhi Santhosh, who was part of films like Kuttanadan Marpappa and Kinavalli plays Indrajith’s wife and Baby Ananya is cast as his daughter.” Speaking about … [Read more...] about Anu Sithara, Indrajith Sukumaran film Anuradha Crime No. 59/2019: Check out these pics from the location

LONDON: England players will be entitled to two weeks of rest with their clubs following the Autumn Nations Cup, as part of improved welfare initiatives after they signed an elite player squad agreement for the 2020-21 season. A statement on the Rugby Players Association website also confirmed that England players will take a 25 per cent cut to their match fees as part of the agreement with the Rugby Football Union (RFU) to help the governing body deal with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Welfare measures include a week-long break after the Italy v England Six Nations clash on Oct 31. A New Year camp has also been cancelled while players will get a week off during the 2021 Six Nations to replace a fallow week camp. "I would like to thank the players and the RPA for their strong co-operation and collaboration which has enabled us to reach this new agreement," RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney said in a statement. "This is a special squad of players and their appreciation … [Read more...] about Rugby: England to have defined rest periods as part of new agreement with RFU

REUTERS: Japan are set to withdraw from November's eight-team tournament featuring the Six Nations sides and Fiji as they struggle with logistical complications caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Kyodo news agency. The tournament, which takes the place of this year's autumn internationals, is scheduled to begin on Nov. 14, two weeks after the completion of the Six Nations Championship which was suspended due to the COVID-19 outbreak in March. Japan has among the strictest restrictions in place to curb the spread of the new coronavirus. Kyodo said the ban on foreign-passport holders has prevented members of Japan's coaching staff, which includes New Zealanders Jamie Joseph and Tony Brown, from entering the country, making it difficult to organise training camps. "It's not a situation we can explain right now," the Japan Rugby Football Union said. "We can't say we've made a decision yet. "JRFU will explain officially our decision and reasons for that as soon as it … [Read more...] about Japan to drop out of eight-team international rugby tournament – Kyodo