Latest news with #BundeeAki
Extra.ie
3 days ago
- Business
- Extra.ie
Ireland's World Cup hopes just got a massive boost
Irish rugby is in a strange place at the moment. The national side has fallen off where it was a couple of years ago, appearing uncertain in style and selection and with core players looking like their best years may be behind them. Finlay Bealham and Peter O'Mahony celebrate victory over New Zealand on the 2022 tour where Ireland made history with a series win. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile Between November 2021 and November 2023, it is no exaggeration to say that Ireland were setting the standards in world rugby and the rest were following. They have been caught. Lions selection notwithstanding, the likes of Jamison Gibson-Park, Bundee Aki, James Lowe and Tadhg Furlong (battling persistent injury issues) have not been as effective as in the past and, with all headed for their mid-30s, it creates considerable doubt around Ireland's prospects of ending their quarter-final curse at Australia 2027. Ireland stars Bundee Aki, James Lowe and Jamison Gibson-Park are now well into their mid-30s. INPHO/Dan Sheridan Added to this have been the struggles at provincial level. Ulster, Munster and Connacht are in the doldrums while Leinster, despite intoxicating resources, are lacking clear direction and seem riddled by insecurity. The good news is: there is time to put it right. The next World Cup is still over two years away and Ireland has had enough of being top of the pile midway between tournaments only to flop when it actually matters. Stuart Lancaster had a difficult time as head Coach of Racing 92. Pic: Getty Images So, the news that Stuart Lancaster is to take over Connacht rugby could not have come at a better time. Though he never sought it, Lancaster has become something of a messiah within the game here, a wisdom-dispensing guru with the ability to elevate the ordinary to the exceptional. Casual observers might see the 55-year-old's move from senior coach at Leinster, one of Europe's elite sides for more than a decade, to head coach at Top14 strugglers Racing 92 to Connacht as something of a downward spiral – it is far from it. Leinster's Senior Coach Stuart Lancaster and Head Coach Leo Cullen enjoyed huge success. Pic: INPHO/Dan Sheridan True, the western province has traditionally lagged behind the 'big three' of Leinster, Munster and Ulster but Pat Lam (and to a lesser extent Andy Friend) proved that, with the right man in charge, Connacht can have a serious impact. And Lancaster is the right man. Not only a superb on-field coach and tactician, the Englishman also has a proven record of creating the right culture. That includes his time with England, which is often dismissed because of how it ended at the 2015 World Cup but prior to that, Lancaster had forged an excellent environment out of the ashes of ill-discipline at the 2011 World Cup. Connacht's former head coach Pat Lam and Bundee Aki with the Pro12 trophy in 2016. Pic:INPHO/James Crombie When Leo Cullen brought him to Leinster in 2016, they were in a poor state after the tricky Matt O'Connor reign and, freed from front of house scrutiny by Cullen, Lancaster transformed the Blues into a trophy-winning machine. He will not have the resources to the do the same with Connacht but he is guaranteed to get them humming again. However, it is the wider context that makes this development so encouraging. The likes of Josh van der Flier developed hugely under Lancaster at Leinster. Pic: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile Lancaster's influence during his 2016-2023 spell with Leinster had far-reaching repercussions. The players who came through under his tutelage brought world-class quality onto the interna-tional stage and, when Ireland also began to mirror the style of play fostered by Lancaster at Leinster, they really hit their straps. When Ireland were excelling in that 2021-23 period, Lancaster's fingerprints were over all of it. If there is Connacht talent that can help the national cause, Lancaster will develop it and his presence alone will attract better players out west. Cian Prendergast is one of Connacht's brightest talents. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile With only four professional franchises, the IRFU need all of them funnelling a steady stream of quality options onto the national stage and that has not been the case for Munster, Ulster or Connacht in recent seasons. Lancaster will be embraced and adored by the defiantly optimistic Connacht faithful and his style of expansive, have a crack, 'comfortable in chaos' rugby suits the mentality out west and was something Lam and Friend tapped into successfully. It is unclear how much an influence IRFU high performance director David Humphreys had in this appointment but it had to be signed off on and there is no doubt Irish rugby stands to benefit hugely from it. IRFU Performance Director David Humphreys. Pic: INPHO/Ben Brady Lancaster's arrival may make some in the unconvincing Ireland coaching roles shift uneasily in their seats because he is a lot of voltage on the Irish rugby ticket and, depending on how he goes with Connacht, there may be a desire to bring him onboard for the World Cup. But if that is what needs to happen, so be it. Forty years of World Cup failure means everything is on the table and no-one is safe, or ruled out. It is going to be fascinating to see how this all plays out, but one thing is certain – having Stuart Lancaster back in the Irish system is a massive step in the right direction.
The 42
22-05-2025
- Sport
- The 42
The 20-minute red card will be applied to all of pro rugby
WORLD RUGBY HAS confirmed that the 20-minute red card will be applied across the board in professional rugby. The governing body's council yesterday approved moving the 20-minute red card to global trial level from 1 August, meaning it will be in play across the entire pro sport next season. However, there is scope for the 20-minute red card to be utilised for this summer's British and Irish Lions series in Australia, as well as all other international games during the July Test window. It is up to the Lions and the Wallabies to apply for the 20-minute red card to be used in their series, but that looks increasingly likely. From next season, the 20-minute red card will definitely be used at all levels of the professional game, including the URC, Champions Cup, Challenge Cup, Premiership, Top 14, November Tests, and Six Nations. If the global trial is successful, the 20-minute card will be adopted into permanent rugby law. The 20-minute red card means that if a player is red-carded for foul play that the match officials don't see as 'deliberate or intentional,' the player will be sent off but can be replaced by a substitute after 20 minutes. World Rugby says this ensures that 'individual players – not the contest as a whole – bear the consequence of reckless actions.' The referee is still entitled to show a full, permanent red card for any foul play deemed to be 'deliberate and highly dangerous,' meaning that player cannot be replaced. Two yellow cards for a player will result in a 20-minute red card, unless the second offence is deemed to warrant a full, permanent red card. The 20-minute red card is a relatively new development in rugby that began in the Southern Hemisphere. Garry Ringrose was shown a 20-minute red card during the Six Nations. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo It was adopted into the Six Nations this year on a trial basis and came to Ireland's aid in their win over Wales when Garry Ringrose was shown a 20-minute red card and was replaced by Bundee Aki when that period elapsed. Aki played a central role in Ireland's victory in Cardiff. There has been opposition to the 20-minute red card among Northern Hemisphere nations, but it's understood that nearly all unions, including the IRFU, have been convinced that it's worth proceeding with a wider global trial. Advertisement The FFR, France's union, have been outspoken in their opposition to the 20-minute red card, but they must now get on board as World Rugby confirmed it will come into play across the international and club game. 'Our mission is to ensure rugby is a compelling sport to play and watch,' said World Rugby chairman Brett Robinson. 'The 20-minute red card preserves the fairness and drama of elite competition by punishing the individual, not the entire team or the spectacle. 'Player welfare is non-negotiable. We monitor data around head injuries, tackle height, and concussion rigorously – and transparently. If evidence ever indicated this trial posed greater risk, we would end it immediately.' World Rugby has confirmed that from now on, all law trials in the men's game will begin on 1 August each year. This will ensure that all international games will be played under exactly the same set of laws and trials. World Rugby also revealed that its council has approved a closed trial of a 'centralised disciplinary process,' which it hopes will allow for 'quicker and more consistent decision making' regarding post-match sanctions for players. Many pundits and supporters have bemoaned the seeming inconsistency in decisions regarding suspensions for players who commit foul play, while some of those disciplinary processes can drag on. It's understood that this centralised disciplinary process will be trialled at the Women's Rugby World Cup this year and potentially during the Lions Test series. It could mean a three-person disciplinary panel being appointed for those specific competitions, meaning they could meet soon after games and apply the same consideration to each case. The 2027 World Cup pool draw will be made in December. Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO Meanwhile, World Rugby confirmed that the pool-stage draw for the 2027 World Cup will take place in December 2025. The official World Rugby rankings at the end of this year's November Tests will determine the banding of teams for the draw, meaning the remainder of this year's international rugby will be important. Andy Farrell's Ireland, who are currently ranked third in the world, will take on Georgia, Portugal, New Zealand, Japan, Australia, and South Africa in their next two international windows this year. This all means that Ireland's July clash away to Georgia – when head coach Farrell, several of his Irish staff, and 15 players will be missing – takes on more gravity. Losing to the Georgians could have a notable impact on Ireland's ranking. World Rugby confirmed that fixtures played by Australia against the British and Irish Lions will not be counted towards the rankings used for Rugby World Cup seeding purposes. The 2027 World Cup will see expansion to 24 teams for the first time, with the Final Qualification Tournament to take place in Dubai from 8 to 18 November 2025, meaning all qualified teams will be known for the pool draw in December.
Irish Times
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Times
‘Everyone's got a different story, mine just didn't start in Ireland': Southern hemisphere-born players proudly adding to the Lions' international outlook
The very point of the Lions is its international flavour. Not necessarily just within the confines of the four constituent countries. For years, naturalised players born outside Britain and Ireland have pulled on the red jersey. The upcoming tour, though, provides the highest number in recent memory of southern hemisphere-born players lining out for the Lions. Between Ireland's Jamison Gibson-Park , James Lowe , Bundee Aki and Mack Hansen , alongside Scotland's Pierre Schoeman, Duhan van der Merwe and Sione Tuipulotu, seven players who grew up playing rugby outside of Lions nations have been named in this squad. In the case of Tuipulotu and Hansen, grandparents helped their eligibility. Others availed of World Rugby's controversial three-year residency period, a qualification period which has since been extended to five. Everyone has their opinion on these so-called project players. For the most part, the debate has quietened down as players won fans over with the calibre of international displays which made them Lions. Now they've moved up a level, though, chatter may well resurface in some quarters. READ MORE 'It's not something I give a whole load of thought to be honest,' said Gibson-Park. 'We don't make the eligibility rules, we're eligible to play. People have their opinions, that's fine but that's the way I see it.' 'Obviously when you don't have the blood running through your veins, there's a little bit of that,' acknowledged Lowe. 'When I was first selected for Ireland, all the people come out of the woodwork saying, 'How is this person representing Ireland?' James Lowe, Maro Itoje and Rónan Kelleher during the British & Irish Lions admin day on Sunday. Photograph: Ben Brady/Inpho 'The rules were there, we've all done our time. We're fully embedded in the culture of Irish rugby. 'My old man walks around in an Irish jersey no matter what, a Leinster jumper as well. Thirty degrees, he'll have a rain jacket with one of those crests on. 'The boys will slag me for my accent but we're so well connected in so many different ways. Everyone's got a different story and mine just didn't start in Ireland. I can see it ending in Ireland. 'My two kids were born in Ireland, my wife and I are super happy with everything Ireland's given us. We don't see us moving. We've got our residency and I don't think you're going to get rid of us any time soon.' Both Lowe and Gibson-Park were asked about the eligibility debate when a handful of Lions met the press on Sunday. Tuipulotu brought the issue up of his own accord, clearly keen to get out in front of the discussion. 'I put so much on myself that I really wanted to be a Lion,' said the Glasgow centre. 'I know how much it means to people over here. I'd gone all in with Scotland, I felt like what better way to prove my allegiance to Scotland by going all in to make the Lions.' Sione Tuipulotu scores a try for Scotland during the Autumn Nations game against Australia at Murrayfield last November. Photograph: Craig Watson/Inpho Was he ever made to feel that he had to prove his allegiance? 'When I play rugby, I play better when there's a chip on my shoulder,' he explained. 'That just adds to that. I've been nothing but embraced by the Scottish public since I started playing. There's always going to be a couple of people, like there are for some of the Irish boys. I take that in my stride. 'I don't blame those people. I didn't grow up dreaming of playing for Scotland or the Lions, that's the truth. This is where my path has led me, I'm all in for this Lions team and for Scotland, for Glasgow. I feel like this is where I'm supposed to be.' Tuipulotu's grandmother is Scottish and emigrated to Melbourne. Her daughter married Tuipulotu's Tongan father. Their son represented Australia at under-20 level but, after moving to Glasgow in 2021, Scotland capitalised on his eligibility and capped him within months. His debut came against Tonga. Before tearing his pec just before this year's Six Nations, Tuipulotu captained Scotland in the November internationals. His grandmother flew over to watch him take on his native country. 'Early days, to be completely transparent, you have that feeling of, am I part of this?' acknowledged Tuipulotu. 'My gran came over before the Australia game, it allowed the public to put a face to the name, listen to my grandma and how much it meant to her. That gave eyes to the public that my story was authentic. 'Of course you get those feelings that you want to prove yourself, the best way to do that is how you play on the field, show your commitment that way.' Jamison Gibson-Park during the British & Irish Lions admin day in London on Sunday. Photograph: Ben Brady/Inpho That this tour is to Australia, the country of Tuipulotu's birth, only adds to the storylines of a Lions group which is uniquely international. Ireland wing Hansen, born in Canberra, falls into the same bracket. 'That's why I speak about divine intervention,' says Tuipulotu. 'I feel like it is for my journey, my career. 'For it to perfectly line up to an Australian tour, where I'm playing my best rugby, I get to captain Scotland in the year I go on this Lions tour, that's not all me. That's why I'm grateful. I'll never get it again, to go back to Australia and play for the Lions. I'm so eager to contribute.' In a way, this eligibility debate which these players are keen to influence is somewhat irrelevant. Now players have to wait five instead of three years to qualify for a different nation, we are unlikely to ever see this quantity of foreign-born talent in a Lions squad. For now, though, with questions answered, players and fans alike just want to get to the business of the tour itself.
Irish Times
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Times
Gerry Thornley: Results suggest Ulster and Connacht on a worrying slide
For the first time in 31 years, there will be, at most, two Irish provinces in the Champions Cup next season, with Munster needing to beat Benetton in what is liable to be a taut night in Cork next Friday to ensure there will be two. But for Ulster and Connacht , their seasons are practically over, with next weekend's matches away to Edinburgh and Zebre rendered dead rubbers from their perspectives after missing out on the United Rugby Championship playoffs and being consigned to next season's Challenge Cup . That is nothing especially new for Connacht, whereas it must feel seismic for Ulster, given they were the 1999 champions and hitherto been ever-presents in the premier European competition. Yet, by the same token, in their own inimitably frustrating way, this feels like more of an anti-climactic season for Connacht. Think back to their opening game of the season, that sun-kissed, 35-33 rollercoaster loss to Munster at Thomond Park when new halfbacks Ben Murphy and Josh Ioane clicked on debut together, the lead exchanged hands seven times, Santiago Cordero felt like a new signing and Bundee Aki was still to come back into the mix. Connacht looked set for a promising and entertaining season. READ MORE That feeling was reinforced by a 36-30 comeback win at home to the Sharks (having trailed 27-7 at half-time) and a 24-23 win away to the Scarlets. As in the Thomond Park opener, there were then another couple of bonus points in a 32-27 loss to Ulster in Belfast. But, as is now abundantly evident, there were warning signs even then, most notably Connacht's ability to concede a truckload of points in quick succession, as well as score truckloads in spells. The latter was particularly true when all was seemingly lost, which perhaps tells us that either they had an inferiority complex or only then could they throw caution to the wind. Connacht were usually good to watch but were probably the most frustrating team in the league, both for themselves and their supporters. Connacht's Finn Treacy, Josh Ioane and Mack Hansen after the URC game against Munster at Castlebar in March. Photograph: James Crombie/Inpho There was honour in defeat, as against Munster in their 27,000 Castlebar sell-out and Racing in their Challenge Cup quarter-final loss when the Parisians' bigger bulk beat an increasingly patchwork team into submission. But they were chances missed against 14 men for the majority of both games, and there were too many defeats, a dozen so far in 17 URC matches, with just five wins. Two seasons ago, in Andy Friend's final season, Connacht won 10 games and finished with 50 points in reaching the semi-finals, compared to 35 this season with one game to play. As nine try-scoring bonus points and six losing bonus points testify, Connacht were competitive, and they weren't that far away. Only three teams have scored more tries than their 61, namely Leinster (77), Glasgow (69) and Munster (63). But Connacht were far too easy to score against, and only Zebre and the Dragons have conceded more than their 460 points (Ulster have leaked 459). In mitigation, when Pete Wilkins temporarily stood down as head coach, before doing so altogether for personal reasons, it added to the backroom upheaval given the end-of-season departures of two other members of the coaching staff. Playing in front of a glorified building site where the Clan Terrace used to be on one side of the ground probably didn't help either. Also, last Saturday's 31-21 loss to Edinburgh followed the confirmation, by kick-off, that Connacht could not mathematically qualify for the playoffs and hence next season's Champions Cup. That must have taken the wind out of their sails. Even so, it was their fourth successive defeat and so completed another decidedly anti-climactic home finale to their campaign. They are now looking for a new head coach, and depending on his identity, a new defence coach, while the well-regarded Australian Rob Seib will arrive as a new senior assistant coach. Most of all, the opening of the new stand and completion of the Dexcom Stadium's redevelopment into a 12,000-capacity stadium at some point around Christmas or the new year, promises to be a huge boost for the squad, the organisation, the fan base and the province. And so they beat on. Tempers flare between Munster and Ulster during the URC game this month. Photograph: Laszlo Geczo/Inpho Ulster have a bigger history and tradition, so their decline from coming within one play of hosting the final three seasons ago seems sharper and more alarming. That season, Ulster finished third in the URC table with 12 wins and 59 points. The following season, Dan McFarland's last full campaign, Ulster finished second with 13 wins and 68 points, before finishing sixth with 11 wins last season. This season they have won seven games so far. Like Connacht, they are just far too easy to score against, witness the 65 tries conceded (equal with Zebre, with only Dragons leaking more), and which compares less than favourable with the tallies of 34 and 49 tries against them in 2021-22 and 2022-23. Having previously dipped into the Leinster pathway with some success, Ulster's transfer policy, such as it is, has been woeful in the last three seasons, with a host of signings coming and going in the wake of a strong generation coming to an end following the retirements of Jack McGrath, Marty Moore, Jordi Murphy, Duane Vermeulen, Ian Madigan and company, with John Cooney now departing. They are quick to hype up their players, perhaps too quickly, and it has to be said that Ulster has also developed a track record for not developing much-touted young players. The likes of James Hume, Robert Baloucoune and others have not fulfilled their potential, although Jacob Stockdale's return to form this season is a credit to him, and Cormac Izuchukwu's form since returning from injury demonstrates what they have missed in his absence. There are more players coming through, such as Scott Wilson, Matthew Dalton, Ben Carson and Jude Postlethwaite, and Ulster's polishing of young talent ought to improve under such a renowned under-20 coach as Richie Murphy. The squad will be buttressed by the arrival of the 27-year-old Juarno Augustus, a former World Rugby Junior Player of the Year with the kind of age profile, power and work rate Ulster need. It would help hugely if Iain Henderson, Stuart McCloskey and others could stay injury-free. But it is still a callow looking squad and it looks like being a slow rebuild. gerrythornley@
Irish Times
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Times
Connacht show plenty of fight but URC hopes are ended
United Rugby Championship: Connacht 21 Edinburgh 31 No URC top-eight hopes now for Connacht, but a glimmer for Edinburgh. Connacht's slim hopes of qualifying for the knock-out stages were decided ahead of kick-off; their opponents Edinburgh's still hanging by a thread. It provided the Scottish side with a huge incentive to win, and they were rewarded with the five points necessary to continue their hopes of making the quarter-finals. Connacht, with nothing to lose, produced a worthy performance to sign off their home season before heading to Italy for their final fling. Having arrived in Galway in bullish mood, the Scottish visitors were stacked with experience and some 300 international caps, led by Ali Price and Hamish Watson. Yet, they were made to work hard for the win before eventually being rewarded with maximum points. READ MORE They gave nothing away to Connacht in the first half, and were ahead by 14-0 after 27 minutes - Connacht not helping themselves with the concession of three penalties on the trot. Edinburgh's pack capitalised - Ali Price influential in helping South African Pierre Schoeman to crash over after eight minutes, with outhalf Ross Thompson adding the extras. Influential Hamish Watson, who led the aggressive Scottish back row, did considerable damage to Connacht's ambitions every time the home side tried to make an impression. However, led by Bundee Aki, the home side looked to have scored through Cian Prendergast, but for a forward pass in the build-up. And despite the best efforts of Sean Janson, Conor Oliver and Josh Murphy, Connacht continued to be stymied by the relentless Edinburgh defence. By the half hour mark Hamish Watson, with a dynamic run down the left wing, added try number two, while Connacht did not help themselves with a lack of clinical composure, playing at a frantic pace. Connahct's Bundee Aki and Hamish Watson of Edinburgh after the game. Photograph: James Crombie/Inpho That pressure was relieved with a scrum penalty, but Connacht's failure to find touch did not help their cause. However, they turned out in the second half with a different mindset, giving the crowd in this final home game of the season something to cheer about. It came within two minutes of the restart after Shayne Bolton made a crucial break, and with a big carry from Prendergast, and Aki again influential, eventually wing Finn Treacy grabbed a try, with Hanrahan adding the extras. Within minutes Treacy had bagged his second - Ben Murphy delivering to Treacy from the base of a ruck, and the left wing bursting through untouched to level the scores. However, Connacht, getting on the wrong side of the referee, continued to leak penalties, and the visitors made it count with a 57th-minute converted try for Ben Muncaster. A missed Edinburgh penalty to touch produced a superb response from the home side and a collapsed scrum provided Connacht with another scoring opportunity. Kicking to touch, they were eventually rewarded. Peter Dooley and Josh Murphy were instrumental in the build-up before Cordero found Bolton had the pace to claim the third try, levelling the fixture at 21-21. However, when Connacht were denied a fourth try despite the best efforts of Paul Boyle when Hamish Watson made his mark at ruck time, it gave Edinburgh renewed hope. A breakout try through replacement Charlie Shiel, converted by Healy delivered maximum points, despite the best efforts of Connacht's departing Santiago Cordero. The visitors saw out the game with a late penalty; Connacht signed off a difficult home season, despite delivering one of their better displays. Scoring sequence: 7 mins Schoeman try, Thompson con 0-7; 26 mins Watson try, Thompson con 0-14; Half-time: 0-14; 41 mins Treacy try, Hanrahan con, 7-14; 51 mins Treacy try, Hanrahan con 14-14; 57 mins: Muncaster try, Thompson con 14-21; 65 mins: Bolton try, Hanrahan con 21-21; 72 mins: Shiel try, Healy con 21-28; 79m Healy pen 21-31. Connacht: S Cordero, S Bolton, H Gavin, B Aki, F Treacy, JJ Hanrahan, B Murphy, D Buckley, D Heffernan, F Bealham, J Murphy, D Murray, C Prendergast (C), C Oliver, S Jansen. Replacements: D Hawkshaw for Gavin (HT), P Boyle for Jansen and O Dowling for Murray (both 54m), P Dooley for Buckley, D Tierney Martin for Heffernan and J Aungier for Bealham (62m), C Blade for Murphy (66m), Murray for Dowling (71). Edinburgh Rugby: W Goosen, D Graham, M Currie, M Tuipulotu, J Brown, R Thompson, A Price, P Schoeman, E Ashman, D Rae, M Sykes, S Skinner, B Muncaster, H Watson, M Bradbury (C). Replacements: P Harrison, B Venter, J Sebastian for Rae (50m), F Thompson for Tuipulotu (54), P Harrison for Ashman (66m), G Young, L McConnell, C Shiel for Price (67m), G Young for Sykes and B Healy for Thompson (both 71m), L McConnell for Muncaster (73m). Referee: Ben Breakspear (WRU).
