Latest news with #WorldRugbyPlayeroftheYear
Irish Examiner
2 days ago
- Business
- Irish Examiner
New Zealand Rugby announce new sponsorship deal with Gallagher Insurance
New Zealand Rugby (NZR) has announced a new multi-year sponsorship deal with American company Gallagher Insurance. The deal will see the Gallagher Insurance logo will appear on both the training and match-day shorts of the All Blacks and all international NZ teams. The agreement was revealed at an event at the All Blacks Experience in Auckland. Gallagher's agreement with NZR comes hot on the heels of the exit of previous sponsor Ineos - with whom a settlement was reached two months ago following the termination of their multi-million-a-year deal. The Ineos logo appeared on the training shirt before the petrochemical giant's exit, with Toyota taking over the rights from April. The Japanese manufacturer has now been joined by Gallagher in making up the gap left by Ineos. 'This is a partnership that reflects the scale, ambition and passion for rugby both our organisations have,' said Mark Robinson, CEO of New Zealand Rugby. 'We couldn't be more excited to align with Gallagher Insurance, who already have deep expertise in elite sport, along with a key business focus in New Zealand and globally. "This partnership helps solidify where we're heading, not just with our teams on field, but as a sporting brand off the field too.' Furthermore, Gallagher have also signed All Black and two-time World Rugby Player of the Year Beauden Barrett as one of their global ambassadors. Barrett's role as an ambassador will see him supporting Gallagher's community commitments in New Zealand and around the world. The Illinois company, who will also become the official insurance broker of NZR, will sponsor NZ referees' jerseys across domestic competitions from 2026.
The Citizen
28-05-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Sharks captain eyes ‘positive' word with Jean Kleyn in the ruck
Springbok locks Eben Etzebeth and Jean Kleyn have much respect for each other, but only one will leave the field happy on Saturday. Springbok locks Eben Etzebeth and Jean Kleyn will compete against each other in the URC quarter-finals. Pictures: Picture: Steve Haag Sports/Gallo Images andSharks captain Eben Etzebeth said he looks forward to a 'positive' word with fellow Springbok lock Jean Kleyn in the ruck when their teams clash in the United Rugby Championship quarter-finals. The Sharks host Kleyn's Munster at Kings Park on Saturday (kick-off 6.30pm) with the victors to face the winner between the Bulls and Edinburgh either at Loftus, if the Bulls progress, or at Kings Park Stadium if Edinburgh do, in the semi-finals the following weekend. The number four locks have faced each other only a limited number of times in competitive rugby, though they have trained together for the Springboks and the Stormers. Etzebeth and Kleyn also featured in both of the Springbok alignment camps held so far this year. 'Solid player for Munster' When Etzebeth was in the running for the World Rugby Player of the Year award, Kleyn described his counterpart as 'by far the most dominant tighthead lock to have probably played the game in the last 10 or 15 years'. Now ahead of their URC quarter-final, Etzebeth said it was always good to go up against a fellow Springbok. 'I am sure there will be once or twice we will probably get each other in a ruck and have something to say to each other in a positive way,' the Sharks captain smiled. 'He's a good man, a good, solid player for Munster, and I am looking forward to going up against him.' Sharks do not have an easy game The Sharks ended the league phase with an impressive third-place finish despite eight tight wins. It was their highest finish and they will also want to push on after not progressing further than the quarter-finals since South African teams joined the URC in the 2021/22 season. Etzebeth said the advantage of a home quarter-final – another first for the Durban side – will do them good, but they also know Munster are strong away from home. The Irish side have won the URC in it's current format once, and in its previous format three times. Their URC win came in 2022/23 when they won all three knockout games away from home. These came against Glasgow in the quarter-final, Leinster in the semi-final and Stormers in the final (score 19–14).
RTÉ News
16-05-2025
- Business
- RTÉ News
France captain Antoine Dupont joins RFCLA ownership in boost for US game
France captain Antoine Dupont, widely regarded as the best rugby player of his generation, has taken an ownership stake in Rugby Football Club Los Angeles, the Major League Rugby franchise said. The 28-year-old scrum-half joins RFCLA's ownership group alongside his company, Ouest Coast. The move marks a significant milestone for rugby in the United States ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and before the men's and women's Rugby World Cups in 2031 and 2033 respectively. Dupont, who has been named World Rugby Player of the Year and captained club and country to major titles in 15-a-side and Sevens competitions, said he was drawn by the opportunity to help grow the sport's profile in the US. "Rugby is more than just a sport; it's a community with strong values," Dupont said in a statement.
Straits Times
16-05-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
France captain Dupont joins RFCLA ownership in boost for U.S. game
PARIS - France captain Antoine Dupont, widely regarded as the best rugby player of his generation, has taken an ownership stake in Rugby Football Club Los Angeles, the Major League Rugby franchise said on Thursday. The 28-year-old scrumhalf joins RFCLA's ownership group alongside his company, Ouest Coast. The move marks a significant milestone for rugby in the United States ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and before the men's and women's Rugby World Cups in 2031 and 2033 respectively. Dupont, who has been named World Rugby Player of the Year and captained club and country to major titles in 15-a-side and sevens competitions, said he was drawn by the opportunity to help grow the sport's profile in the U.S. "Rugby is more than just a sport; it's a community with strong values," Dupont said in a statement. "I'm excited by the opportunity to grow rugby's popularity in the States and establish an energetic hub of rugby culture that attracts players, fans, teams, and partners from around the world." The move is a coup for RFCLA, currently in its second season in MLR, a fast-growing league founded in 2017 as the first professional rugby competition in North America. The franchise sees Dupont's involvement as a catalyst for its ambitions in high-performance rugby and commercial development. "We feel very privileged that Antoine has chosen RFCLA as the pathway to inspire new rugby players and fans," said RFCLA CEO Pete Sickle. "His vision for integrating the athleticism and core values of rugby will prove invaluable to building a bright future for the sport in LA and across the U.S." REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Star
16-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Rugby-France captain Dupont joins RFCLA ownership in boost for U.S. game
Rugby Union - Six Nations Championship - Italy v France - Stadio Olimpico, Rome, Italy - February 23, 2025 France's Antoine Dupont celebrates after the match REUTERS/Remo Casilli PARIS (Reuters) -France captain Antoine Dupont, widely regarded as the best rugby player of his generation, has taken an ownership stake in Rugby Football Club Los Angeles, the Major League Rugby franchise said on Thursday. The 28-year-old scrumhalf joins RFCLA's ownership group alongside his company, Ouest Coast. The move marks a significant milestone for rugby in the United States ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and before the men's and women's Rugby World Cups in 2031 and 2033 respectively. Dupont, who has been named World Rugby Player of the Year and captained club and country to major titles in 15-a-side and sevens competitions, said he was drawn by the opportunity to help grow the sport's profile in the U.S. "Rugby is more than just a sport; it's a community with strong values," Dupont said in a statement. "I'm excited by the opportunity to grow rugby's popularity in the States and establish an energetic hub of rugby culture that attracts players, fans, teams, and partners from around the world." The move is a coup for RFCLA, currently in its second season in MLR, a fast-growing league founded in 2017 as the first professional rugby competition in North America. The franchise sees Dupont's involvement as a catalyst for its ambitions in high-performance rugby and commercial development. "We feel very privileged that Antoine has chosen RFCLA as the pathway to inspire new rugby players and fans," said RFCLA CEO Pete Sickle. "His vision for integrating the athleticism and core values of rugby will prove invaluable to building a bright future for the sport in LA and across the U.S." (Reporting by Julien Pretot; Editing by Ken Ferris)
