Today's rugby news as Welsh rugby legend to be knighted and Leigh Halfpenny starts new job
Today's rugby news as Welsh rugby legend to be knighted and Leigh Halfpenny starts new job
These are the rugby stories making headlines on the morning of Tuesday, June 10.
New Wales coach Leigh Halfpenny
(Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency Ltd )
These are your headlines on the morning of Tuesday, June 10.
Welsh rugby legend to be knighted
Rugby legend Billy Boston will be knighted today at Buckingham Palace as part of the King's birthday honours.
The 90-year-old grew up in Tiger Bay in Cardiff and is widely regarded as one of the best rugby league players of all time.
Often referred to as a "codebreaker", Boston has previously revealed his heartache at never representing his country.
He said he had wanted to play for Wales "with all his heart" while representing Neath and Pontypridd in the 1950s.
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But faced with no interest in his services he headed to league and Wigan where he scored 478 tries in 487 appearances and became one of the sport's greatest ever talents. Join WalesOnline Rugby's WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free
"I used to catch the bus from Cardiff's ground to play for Neath," he said two years ago. "Cardiff didn't want to know. And I wanted to play for Wales with all my heart. But it wasn't to be'
A statue of the legend was erected in Cardiff Bay - in Landsea Square, Mermaid Quay - to acknowledge what he has done for the sport and area.
A knighthood was long overdue, David Baines, the chairman of the all-party parliamentary rugby league group and MP for St Helens, said.
He told The Times: 'Billy Boston is an absolutely perfect first knight for rugby league given everything he has achieved, overcoming racial and class prejudice as well as his achievements on and off the field of play.
'But this has to be the first rugby league knight not the last, and Kevin Sinfield must be the next in line. He would have been knighted years ago had he grown up playing rugby union.
'I raised it in Parliament earlier this year pointing out that in 120 years of rugby league it has not had a single knight or dame. It is beyond reasonable doubt that a certain level of class prejudice did exist because the players come from working-class backgrounds, didn't go to the right schools, and didn't mix in the right social circles.'
Halfpenny gets straight to work
Leigh Halfpenny has got straight to work in his new role with the Welsh rugby team.
Last week it was confirmed Halfpenny was joining Matt Sherratt's coaching ticket for the two-Test tour of Japan this summer.
'To be asked to work with the men's national squad this summer is a huge honour and I'm very grateful for the opportunity,' said Halfpenny.
'I really enjoyed my experience coaching with the U20s a few years ago and I'm looking forward to continuing my development in this area over the next few weeks. Neil Jenkins has been a massive influence on me throughout my career.
'He's one of the best that there has ever been and I've been privileged to have learnt so much from him and I hope I can take that knowledge forward into this role.
'I'm still finalising my plans beyond the summer and hope to update more on that front soon. In the meantime, I can't wait to get into camp and join up with Matt, the rest of the coaching team and squad next week.'
With Wales players now in camp, Halfpenny has been pictured alongside fellow coaches Gethin Jenkins, Adam Jones, T. Rhys Thomas and Danny Wilson, putting players through their paces.
Morris signs new deal
Morgan Morris has signed a new deal with the Ospreys.
Morris has made 115 appearances for the club since making his debut back in 2017 and the No.8 is known for his fine form at regional level over the past couple of seasons.
Despite his levels of consistency, a Wales call has yet to come, but if he continues in the same vein, that will soon change.
Morris said: 'It was an easy decision for me to sign a new deal with the Ospreys. This is my hometown club and where I have spent the whole of my professional career.
'My best mates are here, players that came through a similar time to me, and we've all developed alongside each other, which is something that we will always treasure.
'We are a young team that's moving in the right direction, and we're all looking forward to pushing on and doing something special next season under Mark (Jones)."
Jones said he was delighted to see Morris extend his stay in Swansea.
He said: 'We're all extremely happy to have Morgan staying with the club. He is an Ospreys man through and through and is the perfect blueprint for our young players to look at when it comes to succeeding in an Ospreys jersey.
'Morgan often gets the plaudits for his hard work on the ball, but he has been working incredibly hard at improving the defensive side of his game since I joined the club, and that is something that was highly apparent in his performances last season.'
New Zealand chief resigns
By PA Sport Staff
New Zealand Rugby (NZR) chief executive Mark Robinson has resigned and will officially leave his post at the end of 2025, the organisation has announced.
NZR chairman David Kirk thanked Robinson for his 'great service' to the organisation and the sport over six years.
'On behalf of the Board, I'd like to recognise Mark for his great service to NZR and the sport,' he said in a statement.
'He has led with a passion for rugby and we thank him for his commitment over the past six years.
'Mark has driven significant change, both in New Zealand and internationally, and the Board believes the organisation is well-placed to capitalise on this. Of note was his leadership through a global pandemic that saw the game deal with an unprecedented crisis.'
He added: 'Mark will continue to lead for the remainder of the year as we conclude key projects, and the Board will now commence recruitment for the new role.'
In a statement, Robinson said he was leaving the role to join his wife and children, who have relocated to Australia.
'My family have been based in Australia for the last few months with all three of my children studying there,' he said.
'My wife is already there supporting them and, ultimately, I will be joining them early next year.
'The past six years have been a period of rapid change, or unprecedented challenges through the pandemic, and significant evolution across commercial, competitions and structures. I will reflect on that as I get closer to stepping away, but I firmly believe the foundations of our organisation are extremely strong and the game is well-placed for the future.
'Our vision is to inspire and unify through rugby and that opportunity has been an easy motivator for me every single day, from the community game right through to the international level.'
The 51-year-old called his tenure a 'privilege' and said his focus was on 'supporting the Board and leading the organisation through a pivotal year, including ensuring the Black Ferns have the support they need to defend the Rugby World Cup in England'.
He added: 'We also remain focused on implementing a new financial model for the game in New Zealand and completing the remaining work on what will be an exciting future international calendar.'
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Robinson took up the role in January 2020, having previously served on the organisation's board for seven years.
His playing career included nine Tests for the All Blacks between 2000 and 2002 and appearances for the Bristol Bears and Japanese side Kobelco Steelers.
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