Here are your rugby morning headlines for Monday, June 27.
Warburton fancies Wales to win Test
Former Wales captain Sam Warburton believes Wayne Pivac's side can disprove the doubters this summer and put in a good showing against South Africa.
Given the well-documented injury woes, and the small fact that the Springboks are world champions, few are giving Wales much hope this summer, however Warburton believes the Welsh will use that negativity to fuel them in the three-Test series.
"They've got a three-Test series in South Africa and I think one away win is achievable," he told The Rugby Paper. "There's a lot of negative press going around saying about how many injuries they're going to have, but when the squad was actually announced, I looked at it and thought the field's going to be really strong and really good.
"There's something about Wales that when the chips are down, everyone writes them off, but we are better than what most people think. Of course South Africa are going to be red-hot favourites to win the series, but I do fancy Wales for one victory.
"It's going to be arguably the hardest summer tour we've had for a long time, but if Wales can get one victory out of three, that will be successful."
Warburton added that he was "so disappointed" to watch Wales lose to Italy in the Six Nations, but hopes this tour of South Africa can serve as important building blocks heading into the World Cup next year.
"What doesn't kill you makes you stronger," he added. "I made plenty of mistakes in my career, much worse than what they did in the Six Nations. So, if Wales can bounce back and have a good, respectable campaign in South Africa and then slowly start building towards the World Cup.
"I'm always glass half-full and think things happen for a reason - I think it'll sharpen the mind of the team and they will come back better."
Schmidt called in by All Blacks
Joe Schmidt has been rushed into the New Zealand set-up after Covid-19 felled the side's coaching stocks on the eve of Ireland's tour.
The former Ireland boss was due to start coaching his home country's side after the tour but positive tests for head coach Ian Foster as well as assistants John Plumtree and Scott McLeod forced Schmidt to join them early, NZ Rugby said.
"Joe will come in for Tuesday and Thursday's trainings this week, and we're really grateful to have his help," Foster said.
"We've planned for this kind of disruption and we've got back up plans and people on standby. Joe was one of those people we could call on."
"I've got every confidence in our coaching group, and in our senior leaders who are all stepping up in what's a massive test for us."
"Everyone has had to deal with these kinds of disruptions over the past couple of years. This is a real opportunity for the coaching group and team to pull together."
Ireland utility back Mack Hansen, meanwhile, has tested positive for the virus and has been isolated from the rest of the squad.
RFU responds to worrying Burrell racism claims
RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney said he was "disturbed" to learn of Luther Burrell's horrific experiences of racism within the English game and wants to work with the centre to eliminate it once and for all.
Burrell opened up about the racist abuse he has been subjected to in a candid interview with the Mail on Sunday, revealing the times he has been called a n***** and the vile references which were made to being a "slave".
And, speaking once again to The Mail, Sweeney issued a response by saying: "We are disturbed this has been Luther's experience and we applaud him for speaking out - racism in any walk of life is not acceptable.
"I have had a conversation with Luther to see if we can learn from his experience and possibly work with him as an advocate of change.
"Inclusion and diversity are at the heart of our strategy and we want to improve education and awareness across our game. We apologise to Luther and all of those who have experienced any form of discrimination and will continue to work to eliminate it from our game."
Sweeney and RFU chairman Tom Ilube have both reached out to Burrell to offer their support, as has Premiership chief executive Simon Massie-Taylor.
All Blacks hit by Covid chaos
The All Blacks' coaching team has been hit by Covid as they ramp up their preparations for the first Test against Ireland this weekend.
Senior coaches Ian Foster, John Plumtree and Scott McLeod, as well as midfielders David Havili and Jack Goodhue, have tested positive, with former Ireland coach Joe Schmidt - who is set to join the coaching set-up at the end of the series - drafted in as cover.
“In terms of how the team is, we’re seamless,” said assistant coach Brad Mooar. “It’s not an unforeseen event. Covid has been around us for a couple of years now and we’ve planned for what will happen in this situation. Right now we’re preparing for Ireland, Plum and Foz have been zooming in, Feeky takes over on the ground with the forwards, and we just connect really closely.
“I’m really confident that, with the machine around us and the way it’s been set up, we won’t miss a beat.”
“It’s not ideal,” he added. “I think we can accept that and be honest with that, But we’ve planned for it … and now we can focus on the job at hand which is to put the week together and get ready. We know there’s a lot of work we need to do between now and Saturday to have the lads fresh and ready to go.”
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