Which rugby position should you play

REUTERS: South African Rugby (SA Rugby) has placed the Southern Kings into voluntary liquidation because of debts of R55 million (US$3.37 million) and no chance of generating any income this year. The Kings, based in Port Elizabeth, were last month withdrawn from all competition due to their financial position following a failed takeover bid that forced SA Rugby and the Eastern Province Rugby Union to take control. "The hard fact is that the Kings are insolvent, with significant debts and zero assets and it would have been reckless of the board to continue to trade," Eastern Province chairman Andre Rademan said in a statement. "In the absence of any rugby in 2020, and without any guarantees as to income prospects for 2021, it would have been financially irresponsible of the shareholders to have pumped in further funding." The Kings joined Europe's Pro 14 competition in 2018 along with the Bloemfontein-based Cheetahs, both of whom were cut from the southern hemisphere's Super … [Read more...] about Rugby-South Africa’s Kings placed into liquidation

REUTERS: England's Rugby Football Union (RFU) CEO Bill Sweeney painted a bleak picture for the sport as he asked the British government for financial support after its U-turn on allowing fans in limited numbers at stadiums amid the COVID-19 pandemic. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson told parliament that, as part of new restrictions to tackle a second wave of COVID-19, the government was putting on hold plans for 25per cent-33per cent capacities from Oct. 1. England are set to play three internationals in the new eight-team Autumn Nations Cup in November-December and they had been hoping to have at least 20,000 fans at Twickenham Stadium. "With no fans this autumn we will see a 122 million pounds reduction in revenue resulting in a loss of 46 million pounds," Sweeney said in a statement on Tuesday. "With no fans for the Guinness Six Nations we will see a 138 million pounds reduction in revenue with a loss of 60 million pounds thereby preventing investment in areas such as … [Read more...] about RFU seeks financial help after govt postpones fans’ return to stadiums

LONDON: Two goals from Sadio Mane just after halftime eased champions Liverpool to a 2-0 win over 10-man Chelsea in the Premier League season's first heavyweight clash at Stamford Bridge on Sunday (Sep 20). A dull game never threatened to live up to the eight-goal thriller when the sides met in July, and it proved all-too-easy for Liverpool to lay down an early marker although Chelsea were architects of their own downfall. Chelsea managed only one goal attempt in the first half but were solid enough until Danish defender Andreas Christensen was sent off shortly before the interval for hauling down Mane. Mane headed Liverpool in front five minutes after the interval and four minutes later took advantage of a dreadful error by Chelsea keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga as the hosts crumbled. Liverpool gave new midfield signing Thiago Alcantara a debut off the bench but the Spaniard's first impact was to offer Chelsea a lifeline by fouling Timo Werner to concede a penalty with a little … [Read more...] about Football: Mane double eases Liverpool to 2-0 win over 10-man Chelsea

REUTERS: Leicester Tigers reached the semi-finals of the second-tier European Challenge Cup after their last-eight game with Castres Olympique was called off due to COVID-19 positives in the French side, European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) said on Saturday. Premiership side Leicester were set to host the Top14 team on Sunday, but EPCR said a medical panel met by video conference on Friday after Castres confirmed three players and one staff member had tested positive before their departure to England. "EPCR has decided to cancel the match between Leicester Tigers and Castres Olympique," EPCR said in a statement https://www.epcrugby.com/2020/09/19/leicester-tigers-v-castres-olympique-match-cancelled. "Castres have to forfeit the match and Leicester will qualify for the Challenge Cup semi-finals," it said. "The decision followed a meeting of a medical committee comprising medical leads from the unions, league bodies and both clubs, and subsequent independent medical advice." … [Read more...] about Leicester in Challenge Cup semis as Castres forced to forfeit due to COVID-19

MELBOURNE: Arguably no one has a better claim to the Wallabies' number nine shirt than Nic White but the former Exeter Chief will be biding his time on the bench for the ACT Brumbies in the Super Rugby AU final against the Queensland Reds on Saturday. Joe Powell will be starting scrumhalf for the domestic title match, relegating White to a finishing role at Canberra Stadium where the Brumbies will look to reinforce their claim as Australia's most dominant provincial side. White, who played for the Brumbies between 2011-2015 and was a former vice captain along with David Pocock, returned to Canberra mid-year after spells with Montpellier and Exeter. The 30-year-old said he is fine with starting on the bench given he did not expect to get a game in the tournament at all. "I wasn't part of the decision but I’ve only played four games in what feels like a bloody long eight months," he told Reuters after training on Friday. "So, I’m sort of working out the rust at the moment. … [Read more...] about White looking to finish off Brumbies cameo with Aussie Super title