Latest news with #Rees-Zammit
Wales Online
9 hours ago
- Business
- Wales Online
Today's rugby news as Wales receive major injury boost and Louis Rees-Zammit move ruled out by coach
Today's rugby news as Wales receive major injury boost and Louis Rees-Zammit move ruled out by coach The latest rugby headlines from Wales and around the world Rees-Zammit has had a move to one English side this season ruled out These are your latest rugby headlines on Wednesday, August 13. Rees-Zammit move ruled out by coach Newcastle coach Steve Diamond has ruled out a potential move for Louis Rees-Zammit ahead of the new season, despite the club's takeover by energy drinks giants Red Bull. The Premiership club - who will now be known as Newcastle Red Bulls - have had their long-term future secured by the deal with "world-class" players expected to join them over the next few seasons. As a result, many had touted Wales international Rees-Zammit - who is looking for a club after announcing his return to rugby from the NFL last month - for a move to the north-east. However, as the takeover was completed, Diamond said his team are 'just looking at the short term this season', with big-name signings not being considered over the next couple of years. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. Asked about a potential move for Rees-Zammit, the coach said: 'All players are going to be of interest now, but at this moment in time, we're just looking at the short term of this season; he won't be joining us for this season. "We're just getting as competitive as we can for Saracens in late September. We'll be looking at world-class facilities, world-class players and world-class coaches coming to Newcastle over the next three or four years to hopefully dominate in the future.' Article continues below However, new signings will be arriving soon, with Diamond adding: "There'll be at least another two or three immediately. There are one or two guys who are currently playing in the southern hemisphere in the Rugby Championship, who won't be arriving till the autumn, but that's all in the plan." He continued: 'My job now is just to concentrate on the squad and the coaching staff on getting the best out of the current squad who've been through difficult times and the new players who are joining us. 'You can't just rush out and spend money. It never really works. So I think the infrastructure is really important, stadium, training ground, getting our academy right, making sure that it's producing kids with the right quality in the community. 'We've got to get our academy running as best we can get it. We've got to give kids a progression and the opportunity to learn, from 13 to 14, not just 15 to 16, and the skill sets cascade down from the first team, from the coaches of the first team, right through the academy system, so when people come in, they know that they're a Newcastle Red Bull. "They know what's expected of them, and they know what behaviour levels are expected of them. What I intend to do, certainly over the next six months, is to try and stabilise the place. We'll have a competitive squad, but that's just the beginning.' Wales get major injury boost as co-captain 'raring to go' By Ed Elliot, PA Co-captain Alex Callender is 'raring to go' for Wales' World Cup campaign after fearing she may miss the tournament following an injury scare. The Harlequins back-row sustained an ankle problem in the second Test defeat to Australia at the start of the month and was later pictured on crutches. But Callender, who on Monday was named in a 32-player squad, confirmed she will be available for her country's Pool B opener against Scotland on Saturday, August 23 in Salford. 'It was a precaution to take me off, I just tweaked an old injury, but I'm raring to go for Scotland,' Callender told reporters on Tuesday, according to BBC Sport. Callender missed most of the Six Nations with an ankle issue suffered playing for her club before impressing in Wales' 21-12 first-Test victory over Australia on July 26 in Brisbane. However, she left the field in the opening minutes of the 36-5 loss to the Wallabies in August 1's second Test in Sydney. Asked if she thought her World Cup was over at that stage, she replied: 'Yes, to be honest. But I'm in a really good place at the moment, I'm just excited to get going.' After beginning against Six Nations rivals Scotland, Wales take on group favourites Canada, who sit second in the world rankings, on August 30 and Fiji on September 6. Callender, who has 45 caps and will lead her country alongside Gloucester-Hartpury flanker Kate Williams, said: 'We live for these moments and these Test matches. 'We're all really excited to step out and showcase all the hard work that we've put in over the last couple of months, and hopefully we can put in a performance and the result will follow.' Springboks could lose top spot The Springboks could lose their spot at the top of the world rankings this weekend. Should Rassie Erasmus's team beat Australia, they will hold on to top spot no matter what happens in the other Rugby Championship match between Argentina and New Zealand. However, should the Springboks draw or lose to Australia, they will slip to second provided that the All Blacks beat the Pumas, with New Zealand then going top. Erasmus' side have been ranked as the best team in the world since November, when they took top spot back from Ireland, having previously held it from midway through the 2023 Rugby World Cup to September last year. History is on the Springboks' side, as they have never lost to Australia at Ellis Park before. However, the Wallabies are chasing another big win, having also won the final Test against the British and Irish Lions in Sydney earlier this month. 'It's really easy to look at what South Africa have done in the past and obviously they're a world-class team and for us it's just taking them for face value,' said Wallabies hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa. 'We respect what they've done, we respect them as a team, winning World Cups but we're just going to take them at face value – what we see in front of our faces in Ellis Park is how we're going to see them. 'I definitely think we're at a better place now than we were 12 months ago. 'Off the back of a really good win against the Lions, we just want to continue to build that momentum going into the TRC (The Rugby Championship) against South Africa, Argentina and then the All Blacks. 'First stop though here at Ellis Park, so we're looking at definitely continuing that momentum.' England star 'inspired' by Lionesses By Ed Elliot, PA World player of the year Ellie Kildunne intends to emulate Lionesses star Chloe Kelly by ensuring her name is printed on fans' shirts following the Women's Rugby World Cup. The Harlequins full-back is brimming with confidence ahead of her country's quest for global glory on home soil and has taken inspiration from England's footballers retaining the European Championship title. Arsenal forward Kelly played a starring role in the Euro 2025 triumph in Switzerland after propelling herself into the limelight by scoring the winning goal in the Euro 2022 final at Wembley. Kildunne is key to the Red Roses' ambitions of lifting silverware at Twickenham next month and hopes the team can follow in the Lionesses' footsteps by becoming household names and raising the profile of women's sport. 'Outside this pub, there are Chloe Kelly shirts being sold on the street,' Kildunne, who is supporting Asahi Super Dry's campaign to have the tournament shown in pubs across the UK, told the PA news agency. 'That's what the Euros have done for the Lionesses and the opportunity we've got with this World Cup is to have Kildunne shirts being sold on the side of the street; for young girls and boys to have posters of Emily Scarratt and Meg Jones on their walls and not just Jonny Wilkinson. Article continues below 'I'm inspired by the Lionesses and what they've done for women's football and I hope for nothing less (for women's rugby) than what they've been able to achieve so far.'
Irish Examiner
3 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
An American dream dashed: why Louis Rees-Zammit called time on NFL adventure
'When you're super talented and have options, you do what is best for you,' is how former New York Giants cornerback Jason Bell explains Louis Rees-Zammit's unexpected return to rugby union from the NFL. Less than a week after Rees-Zammit's sudden announcement that he is leaving Jacksonville Jaguars on the eve of the 2025 season, the Wales coach, Steve Tandy, all but named him in his first squad for the forthcoming Autumn Nations games against Argentina, Japan, New Zealand and South Africa, describing his impending return as 'a great boost to the game, to fans and to coaches'. The initial explanation for the premature end of Rees-Zammit's American dream last week was that it was down to a combination of bad luck, injury and the sacking of the Jaguars' coaching staff who recruited him from Kansas City Chiefs during the close season. Just a few months ago he appeared determined to stay in the NFL for at least one more year. 'I didn't leave rugby just to try it for a year, people would be pretty dumb to think that I'd leave straight away,' he said in February. Rees-Zammit had made sufficient progress in Jacksonville to make their 90-strong training squad but the back injury sustained last month, which reduced his chances of making their 53-man active roster for the coming season, prompted a sudden reassessment. With head coach Doug Pedersen and his assistants having been dismissed in April, something else appears to have changed in the interim. As Bell implies, Rees-Zammit's options have been increasing elsewhere. In addition to the prospect of the rest of Wales following Tandy's lead by greeting him as a prodigal son, the 24-year-old is understood to have been approached to join R360, the proposed rebel league whose backers have reportedly signed pre-contract agreements with 160 players in anticipation of a planned launch next year. Read More Former Wales wing Louis Rees-Zammit announces return to rugby after leaving NFL While money has never been Rees-Zammit's main motivation – he has walked out on a potential £712,000 (€822k) salary at Jacksonville – the prospect of earning up to £1m (€1.15m) for a 12-game season in 12 months' time would have understandable appeal. 'Professional sport gives you a very short window,' says Bell, who watched Rees-Zammit closely in training this summer preparing for his role as an analyst on Sky Sports. 'You're always fighting Father Time. 'Louis should be very proud of himself. In the NFL we celebrate players who can play two different positions. The fact he even attempted to play a totally different sport at the very highest level is amazing. This year he could have made the team from what I saw in training, you never really know. 'I'm the wrong person to ask because I wasn't supposed to make it. I wasn't picked up in the draft, but ended up playing in the NFL for eight years.' Other experts disagree on whether Rees-Zammit ever really stood a chance of making it in the NFL. After successfully coming through a 16-week training camp run by the NFL's International Player Pathway last year, he signed a three-year contract with the Chiefs last summer, but after playing three pre-season games he was released to the Jaguars last August, before signing a new 12-month deal in February. Kansas City Chiefs running back Louis Rees-Zammit runs the ball at NFL football training camp. Pic: AP Photo/Charlie Riedel For all his talent and speed, by NFL standards even his athleticism is not exceptional – the best time he recorded for the 40-yard dash at Kansas of 4.43 seconds is significantly slower than the 4.20 benchmark set by the Chiefs' fastest wide receiver, Xavier Worthy – while technically and tactically he was understandably off the pace. In retrospect, his debut appearance for the Chiefs in a pre-season game last August, coincidentally against the Jaguars who signed him a few weeks later, was symptomatic of the confusion surrounding the entire escapade, with the coaching staff unsure how to use him. Wearing a No 9 shirt he was used in three positions – running back, kick returner, kicker, plus as part of the special teams on punt coverage – and contributed four yards. 'Rees-Zammit is a fantastic athlete, but in terms of pace and athleticism, there's maybe 500 of those guys in Florida alone,' says double Super Bowl winner turned pundit Osi Umenyiora, who was born in London before enjoying a stellar NFL career with the New York Giants and Atlanta Falcons. 'You have to be superior athletically to be able to learn the game and then break through.' Bell believes Rees-Zammit will return to rugby as a better player, having picked up new skills and matured as a person because of his once-in-a-lifetime experience. 'He will have learned different ways to attack people in the open field, different ways to attack in tight spaces,' Bell says. 'He has new skills that opponents in rugby won't have seen before. His mindset will have matured. He really stepped out of his comfort zone.' Gloucester's defence coach Dom Waldouck, who coached him for six years at Kingsholm, also praises his mentality but predicts that it will take time to readjust physically to the differing demands of rugby. The pair have stayed in touch during his NFL sojourn, with Rees-Zammit visiting the Gloucester dressing rooms at a Premiership game against Leicester last winter. 'Physically he has changed a little bit,' he says. 'The athletic profile of NFL athletes is different to rugby players, so he's a bit bigger, more muscular. 'NFL is a very anaerobic sport, whereas rugby is more aerobic, so it will take some time for him to get back up to speed. But Louis is such a talented footballer that he'll be able to adjust. Rugby is in his blood so it shouldn't take him too long. 'This is not a failure, it's just a chapter in his life that is now closed. He has incredible self-belief, which he will have needed to go there in the first place. He has what I call a 'Championship mindset'. He believes he is going to be great, and therefore he is great. 'That mindset is super rare, even in elite sport. The human brain isn't designed to think like that, but he will be ready to rip and show rugby what they've been missing.' Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Louis Rees-Zammit during practice at the Miller Electric Center. The former Wales and Lions winger Alex Cuthbert is less concerned about the physical transition that may be required, and is backing Rees-Zammit to make an impact as soon as he is playing again. His biggest challenge in the short term may be in securing a club contract, as with just six weeks until the start of the European season most budgets are already allocated. Gloucester are understood to have first refusal, but are already close to the salary-cap threshold, with neighbours Bristol believed to be exploring their options. The takeover of Newcastle Falcons by Red Bull, as revealed by the Guardian in June, presents another intriguing possibility as the energy drinks company undoubtedly have the resources and crave association with global stars. 'I'm not even sure he needs a club to play for Wales,' Cuthbert says. 'He is exactly what Welsh rugby has been missing. It's been so negative in Wales for so long, but Louis will bring excitement off the pitch and an X-factor on it. He can be our Henry Pollock. 'After 18 months in the NFL he will be a better professional, will be in better shape and will bring a huge number of casual fans with him. It's the perfect time for him to come back, as there's a new Wales coach and two years until the World Cup.' Guardian
Wales Online
4 days ago
- Sport
- Wales Online
Tonight's rugby news as Rees-Zammit 'could have made' Jaguars team and England launch World Rugby appeal
Tonight's rugby news as Rees-Zammit 'could have made' Jaguars team and England launch World Rugby appeal The latest rugby news from Wales and beyond. Louis Rees-Zammit previously played for Jacksonville Jaguars and Kansas City Chiefs. (Image: (Photo by)) Your rugby evening headlines on Saturday, August 9. Rees-Zammit 'could have made the Jaguars team' Louis Rees-Zammit could have made the Jacksonville Jaguars team, according to Sky Sports NFL pundit and former New York Giants cornerback Jason Bell. The former Gloucester Rugby winger has decided to quit American football and return to rugby after one season on the practice squad with Jaguars, with whom he did not play a regular season game. Preparing for his role as an analyst on Sky, Bell watched Rees-Zammit in pre-season training and was impressed with him, even suggesting he could have made the team. "Professional sport gives you a very short window," Bell said to The Guardian. "You're always fighting Father Time. "Louis should be very proud of himself. In the NFL we celebrate players who can play two different positions. The fact he even attempted to play a totally different sport at the very highest level is amazing. This year he could have made the team from what I saw in training, you never really know. Article continues below "I'm the wrong person to ask because I wasn't supposed to make it. I wasn't picked up in the draft, but ended up playing in the NFL for eight years." Rees-Zammit is now searching for his new club upon his return to rugby, with Cardiff and Bristol Bears just two of the clubs reportedly interested in acquiring his services. The Wales international is also being targeted by the new R360 league, which he will reportedly join next year after one season back in club rugby. England boss appeals to World Rugby over star's eligibility England head coach Steve Borthwick is appealing to World Rugby about the eligibility of English-based South African players, according to The Telegraph. Benhard Janse van Rensburg, Hanro Liebenberg and Jacques Vermeulen are players who are blocked from being called up by England because they have represented South Africa under-20s. However, the RFU believes they should be allowed to switch allegiance. Between 2015 and 2017, South Africa U20s were officially the 'next national representative team', meaning that despite the fact they never played for the senior side, these players are blocked from representing other countries. If World Rugby agrees with England's challenge, then it could unlock a whole host of Test match talent for Borthwick and Co. The meeting will take place at the end of September, and follows the news that the RFU wanted clarification over whether these South African players should remain "captured" by their country. Van Rensburg has openly discussed his desire to one day play Test rugby for England. Schmidt reveals Wallabies injury fallout from Lions series Australia head coach Joe Schmidt has offered a mixed update on the fitness of his star players just a week after their British & Irish Lions series triumph – and with the Rugby Championship opener against South Africa looming. Schmidt confirmed that key forwards Rob Valetini, Will Skelton and Taniela Tupou are all expected to be available for next Saturday's clash at Ellis Park, despite carrying knocks from the three-Test series win over the Lions. Tupou has been nursing a toe injury picked up during his influential display in the Sydney decider, while Valetini missed the first and third Tests with a calf problem. Skelton also sat out the opener with a similar issue before returning for the final two games. 'They're definitely all in contention for Ellis Park,' Schmidt told the Sydney Morning Herald. 'Will played 60 minutes [in the third Test], Nela [Tupou] played 60-odd in Sydney… Bobby [Valetini] did a really good run yesterday, so our ambition is that he'll train fully with us this week.' The Wallabies will face the Springboks again in Pretoria a week later. However, fly-half Tom Lynagh and prop Allan Alaalatoa remain longer-term concerns. Lynagh is following return-to-play protocols after concussion, while Alaalatoa is recovering from a shoulder injury. 'We're going to have to see how the next two weeks go for both of them,' Schmidt said. 'Allan is recovering pretty well… We'll also be really conservative with Tom. He's a young player and we've just got to make sure we look after them as best we can.' Ireland fall to Canada in final warm-up game before World Cup By PA Sport Staff Canada scored seven tries on their way to a 47-26 victory over Ireland in their final Women's Rugby World Cup warm-up match. Ireland made 10 changes as they prepare for their first game of the tournament against Japan on August 24 but they were second best in Belfast. Canada raced into an early 14-0 lead as Florence Symonds and Justine Pelletier touched down under the posts. Canada's Daleaka Menin was then sent to the sin bin for high contact on Ivana Kiripati and they were made to pay when the hosts halved the deficit through Beibhinn Parsons' try in the corner. Pelletier restored the 14-point lead for Canada before Ireland were reduced to 14 players when captain Neve Jones was shown yellow for conceding too many penalties. Menin barged over for a fourth try before Paige Farries helped make it 33-7 at the break. Julia Schell walked under the sticks to push Canada over the 40-mark but Ireland started to score points of their own. Article continues below Anna McGann helped herself to a couple of tries and Parson scored a third unanswered try before Canada's Sophie de Goede capped off the win.
Wales Online
4 days ago
- Business
- Wales Online
Welsh team emerge as surprise contenders in major battle to sign Louis Rees-Zammit
Welsh team emerge as surprise contenders in major battle to sign Louis Rees-Zammit Louis Rees-Zammit may be coming 'home' in every sense of the word Louis Rees-Zammit could play his club and international rugby in Wales. (Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency Ltd) Cardiff Rugby have reportedly emerged as surprise contenders to sign Louis Rees-Zammit ahead of his return to rugby. The former Wales international left rugby in January 2024 to become an NFL player but has returned after a season with Jacksonville Jaguars. The former Gloucester Rugby winger did not play for Jaguars despite being part of their 17-player practice squad, and is now hoping to return to club and international rugby. He revealed to Sky Sports last week that he has received "loads of interest" since the announcement was made. RugbyPass have reported that Cardiff, who are currently owned by the Welsh Rugby Union, are in the race to sign Rees-Zammit. If he were to pen a deal at the Arms Park, it would be a substantial shot in the arm for the game going forward in Wales. Rees-Zammit will no doubt be the subject of interest from across England and France, too. The 24-year-old's stock has risen massively since his bombshell move, and his rugby ability coupled with commercial potential will make it an incredibly tough battle for his signature. Cardiff have already signed Wales stars Ioan Lloyd and Taine Basham, and with an EPCR Challenge Cup group that includes Racing 92 and Ulster, firepower like Rees-Zammit's could be very handy next season. The obvious caveat here is how Cardiff would finance such a deal, of course. Article continues below Because Rees-Zammit won't be short of interest and he will surely be allowed to name his price. He is also understood to be a target of the new breakout R360 league, which is aiming to poach the world's greatest players on huge contracts in a eight-franchise competition set to take place across the world in 2026. According to the Daily Mail, Rees-Zammit will sign a 12-month contract with a club for the 2025/2026 season, and then join the R360 league. R360, should it get off the ground, would take place in London, Tokyo, Dubai, Cape Town and Miami. Some players could earn £740,000 a season, which will run from September to December 2026, with just eight games to begin with. Bristol Bears are also reportedly interested in opening contract talks with the Welshman, according to The Telegraph, as they have space in the salary cap and need a winger for the new season. Speaking to Sky Sports, Rees-Zammit provided clarity on his current situation. 'I mean, I obviously can't name teams, but we've had a load of interest, which is unbelievable," he said. "You know, I'm very grateful for that. We're still going through what the full plan is for me. "Obviously the season starts pretty soon. So it's about finding the right team for me in terms of location, in terms of how quick I've got to get into camp. Article continues below "All of these things are going to happen pretty sharpish, and because the season's right around the corner, so all of these things are going to happen pretty sharpish. "So me and my brother are going through negotiations and seeing teams interested, which is amazing. So we should find out in the next week or so."
Wales Online
5 days ago
- Sport
- Wales Online
Today's rugby news as Tandy sets Wales player target and WRU reveal Rees-Zammit stance
Today's rugby news as Tandy sets Wales player target and WRU reveal Rees-Zammit stance The latest headlines from Wales and around the world WRU chief executive Abi Tierney and new Wales head coach Steve Tandy (Image: Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans Agency) These are your latest rugby headlines on Friday, August 8. WRU reveal Rees-Zammit stance Welsh Rugby Union CEO Abi Tierney has not ruled out trying to persuade Louis Rees-Zammit to ply his trade in Wales following his sudden return to rugby. The 32-cap international announced last week that he would be coming back to rugby after spending the last 18 months trying to make it in the NFL, in which time he had spells with both the Kansas City Chiefs and the Jacksonville Jaguars Despite his best efforts, it didn't work out in the United States in the end for Rees-Zammit, who is now considering his options ahead of the new rugby season. Bristol Bears and his former side Gloucester have emerged as potential destinations for the 24-year-old, but even with the current state of Welsh rugby, Tierney has not shut the door to Rees-Zammit featuring for one of Wales' four professional sides. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here. "I'm over the moon Louis is coming back to rugby because it gives us him for the national team," she said during a press conference on Thursday. "Number one – that's fantastic news. The challenge we've got is we're starting the season in September. "You can have a look at what different teams are doing with their salary caps and their players. Are we in touch with Louis and trying to find a way in which we can make something work? Of course it would be fantastic. Article continues below "But I'm sure he'll have lots of other offers as well." It comes after former Wales captain Sam Warburton told the union that they should "throw the kitchen sink" at Rees-Zammit to ensure he signs for a Welsh club. "Now whether he goes back to Wales to play rugby at club level remains to be seen, but it's tricky timing," he told Sky Sports. "There is uncertainty over what the club structure is going to be over the next 12 months in Wales. "He is probably not 100% sure where he is going to play his club rugby either. But selfishly I'd love to see him back in Wales, it would be great for the game. "Something like that would make a big statement in Welsh rugby - I'd be throwing the kitchen sink at him, realistically, within the means of the business." Tandy sets Wales player target Steve Tandy insists it is a target of his to ensure more Welsh players are included in the British & Irish Lions tour to New Zealand in four years' time. Wales' poor form meant they only had two players - Jac Morgan and Tomos Williams - named in Andy Farrell's squad on the recent tour of Australia, but new Wales boss Tandy believes it is vital there is a stronger Welsh representation in 2029. "It's the pinnacle of the game, the Lions, and again having two and it's still brilliant for those two and again it is hard to get on a Lions tour especially with so many good teams around," said Tandy. "I would love to see the next time it comes around getting more. I know when we were with Scotland the pride we had. "I think we had like eight or nine the first time round and then you're like 'Oh my God, that's amazing' and then you see the growth around that. "But I think a lot of that will be underpinned by how well connected we get with these players, how we can accelerate the development, how they are open to what they want to do and be better and driving not just the individual part of the game. "I think it would be a real good sense of development if we got more numbers on our trip." Thomas: We're hungrier now Cardiff back rower Dan Thomas says he and his teammates are "more hungry now" after an improved URC campaign last season, with the target now to "do one better" and make the play-offs this time around. The 31-year-old arrived at Arms Park last summer after 12 years with Bristol and he has gone on to make 13 appearances for Matt Sherratt's side, establishing himself as a valuable member of the squad. Speaking to the club's website as their preparations for the new season continue, Thomas discussed his time with Cardiff so far and the team's goals for the new season. "After being so long at Bristol, it was a change of scenery and it's been good. I've really enjoyed it,' he said. 'I've settled in well and the boys have been a good crack. 'I love Cardiff and love the rugby we play. With Jockey and Jonny (Goodridge) running the attack it's been good. It suits my style of play and suits the way the club wants to play. It's very rewarding. The boys love throwing the ball around. 'Obviously we were disappointed not to make the play-offs last season, but it was a step in the right direction and hopefully this year we'll do one better. 'The boys are more hungry now because they know what it tastes like to have a couple of wins under your belt and get momentum going, which we had through most of the season," Thomas added. 'Winning is addictive. So we want that and to be in the mix for the play-offs at the end of the season because anything can happen then. The hunger is more than ever. You play rugby to win things. You want to win silverware. It will be a good season this year.' Springbok steps away from rugby Springbok Women flanker Lusanda Dumke is stepping away from rugby due to health concerns. The 28-year-old forward, who captains the Isuzu Bulls Daisies and has won 33 caps for her country, is a former SA Rugby Women's Player of the Year award recipient, but has walked away from the game while she battles an undislosed medical issue. Springbok Women performance coach Swys de Bruin has expressed full support for Dumke's decision, which comes two weeks out from the start of the Women's Rugby World Cup. "Lusanda has been pivotal for us, but we now wish her the best as she battles her medical condition,' the coach said in a statement. Article continues below 'Her absence will have an impact, but at the same time, the players going to the Rugby World Cup will know that playing for your country while you are fit and strong is indeed a privilege.' Thando Manana, executive for women's rugby and strategic projects at the Blue Bulls Company, said: 'Lusanda has been more than just a captain, she's been the heartbeat of the Isuzu Bulls Daisies. Her leadership, humility, and relentless drive have shaped the culture of this team. 'While we respect her decision to step away for health reasons, her legacy will continue to inspire every player who wears this jersey. We stand firmly behind her and wish her strength and healing in the journey ahead.'
