Here are your rugby headlines for Saturday, 20 August.
Kolbe turns down 'massive' contract - reports
South African rugby star Cheslin Kolbe has reportedly turned down a huge contract that was put in front of him by the Stormers.
The hot-stepping winger established himself in the XVs game during his time at the Western Province franchise between 2012 and 2017 but he's currently with Toulon in the South of France.
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Netwerk 24, a South African news outlet, claim that the offer tabled was worth 55 million rand (£2.7 million), and included a number of perks, which is said to have included the employment of Kolbe's wife.
SA Rugby Mag, who call it the 'deal of a lifetime', claimed that he had agreed to the offer in principle but has now reneged, lining up a move to the Sharks after the next World Cup instead. Kolbe is represented by Roc Nation, who entered into a partnership with the Sharks last year.
Springbok captain Siya Kolisi, also represented by Jay-Z's company, is among those to have already joined the Durban-based side.
Wales women aiming to be fittest team around with Canada trip
Wales Women coach Ioan Cunningham has spoken about pushing his players to the limit ahead of this year's World Cup.
Cunningham has announced a 37-player squad to travel to Canada this weekend for a training week culminating in a Test match in Halifax next Saturday. Having led the Canadians at half-time last autumn before fading in the second-half, one of Cunningham's main goals before the tournament in October is to improve the fitness of his squad.
“We’ve told the group that we want them to be known as one of the fittest teams around, which means we have to work hard every day," he said. "We don’t want anyone to out-work us.
“Going to Canada will give us a chance to look at the gains we have made in that department. We had a good game against Canada in the autumn in which we did really well for about 60 minutes but Canada pulled away in the end. That’s something we’re looking forward to seeing – how we finish games, how we stay in the fight and being away from home with 37 players is going to pull us even closer together as a group.
“We’ve come off the back of a tough July where we pushed the girls hard physically. Now we are transitioning more towards the rugby side of things.
“We want to see the shift in our fitness levels come into play in our rugby sessions. Going to Canada is like experiencing a mini-World Cup - we’ll have to get on a plane, fly to a different country, adapt quickly and get used to new training facilities.
“That’s going to be tough, but it will be great preparation and give the 36 players another chance to bond. We finish with a Test match which will be great for us as ahead of the World Cup.
“It will be a different week to a normal Test match week because we are still in pre-season mode. It will be a tough challenge for the group.
“They will go into the game slightly more fatigued than usual, but that’s fine because the goal is to be in peak condition for the opening game against Scotland in October. They are going to be pushed and tested and we want to see how they respond under that sort of fatigue.
“Speaking to the girls and asking them about how they are feeling they are telling us they feel a lot better, they have a lot more in them and they can run a lot harder. That’s pleasing to hear and we know the players are in better shape physically, their body composition has changed, they are stronger, faster.”
Wales Women squad for Canada: Keira Bevan, Alisha Butchers, Alex Callender, Gwen Crabb, Georgia Evans, Kat Evans, Abbie Fleming, Lleucu George, Cerys Hale, Sioned Harries, Eloise Hayward*, Cara Hope, Natalia John, Manon Johnes, Hannah Jones, Kelsey Jones, Jasmine Joyce, Kerin Lake, Bethan Lewis, Caitlin Lewis, Ffion Lewis, Siwan Lillicrap, Lisa Neumann, Lowri Norkett*, Carys Phillips, Liliana Podpadec*, Kayleigh Powell, Gwenllian Pyrs, Donna Rose, Jenni Scoble*, Elinor Snowsill, Niamh Terry, Caryl Thomas, Sisilia Tuipulotu, Meg Webb, Robyn Wilkins, Carys Williams*
All Blacks legend picks his World Cup favourites
New Zealand great Jerome Kaino has picked France as his favourites for next year's World Cup.
Kaino, who currently works in France as Toulouse's skills coach, believes that the French are the front-runners on home soil. Speaking to Midi Olympique about next year’s World Cup, he admitted that he believes France are more likely to win than New Zealand.
“France are favourites in my eyes,” Kaino revealed, translated from French. Through the rugby they play, the confidence they have stored away with their recent successes and the fact that the competition is taking place on their soil, the French supporters have a great capacity to carry their team.
“Antoine Dupont is incredible. I admire his calmness under pressure. It’s the same for Romain Ntamack. They are so serene.
“Whether it’s a Top 14 final or a casual encounter, they have the same approach. And they are very professional. Each week, they seek to progress.”
Springbok second-row to miss start of URC season
Springboks second-row RG Snyman will miss the start of Munster’s URC season.
The 27-year-old has suffered with injuries since joining the Irish province two years ago. The 2019 World Cup winner initially tore his ACL on his debut against Leinster, which kept him out for 13 months.
His return to action was brief, suffering another ACL injury against the Scarlets in his third game back in September 2021. There were hopes he would be fit for the opening weekend of the season in September, but they have now been dashed.
In a statement, Munster said: “As RG Snyman’s reintegration to team training continues after a lengthy lay-off, the lock is not available for the opening rounds of the season.”
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