Here are the latest rugby headlines on Tuesday, July 11.
Wales history repeating itself
Wales’ coaches believe history is repeating itself with the emergence of a new crop of talented young players replacing the older guard so close to the Rugby World Cup.
The loss of the likes of Alun Wyn Jones, Justin Tipuric and Rhys Webb through retirement, plus the injury to veteran Ken Owens, has seen hundreds of caps ripped out of Warren Gatland’s squad in in an instant, but the coaches see parallels with 2011, when the likes of Sam Warburton, Taulupe Faletau and George North took the world by storm at the tournament in New Zealand.
Now, it’s the likes of Dewi Lake, Jac Morgan, Dafydd Jenkins and Christ Tshiunza all impressing as they push for significant roles in France.
“I’ve made this point a couple of times with the dynamic of a few senior players leaving the group,” fitness coach Huw Bennett said. “That has given an opportunity for the younger guys coming through.
“In 2011, Matthew Rees had a neck injury, Richard Hibbard picked up an injury in one of the games and that gave a chance for others to come through. Lloyd Burns did well and then Ken Owens was brought in later on, and look what sort of career he’s had after that. There was a real opportunity for the younger players to put their hand up and they did. That dynamic is coming through in this group as well.”
Gatland added: “I feel like there’s some real competition. There’s a group of players who have come in that are really enthusiastic. Some of the older players are looking over their shoulder at the younger ones.
“I feel like it’s a really healthy environment at the moment. I can’t talk more highly about the players and the work they’ve been putting in.”
Ex-All Blacks star in accident
Former All Blacks superstar Carl Hayman has been “seriously injured” in a bike accident, according to reports emerging on Tuesday morning.
Hayman fell off his bike and broke his collarbone in the incident in Mangawhai Head, Stuff report. He was taken to Whangārei Hospital in a “serious condition”, the ambulance service said.
Hayman, who is now said to be recovering well, was flown across Northland and was “confused after falling off his bike”.
He played 45 tests for the All Blacks between 2001 and 2007 and was renowned as one of the best props in the world. Hayman was diagnosed with early-onset dementia in 2021 and believes the thousands of head knocks he suffered during his rugby career contributed to his condition.
Ospreys announce five new deals
The Ospreys announced new deals for five players in just a few hours, with former Wales U20s fly-half Luke Scully and ex-Wales U20s back-rower/lock Tristan Davies following Will Griffiths, Rhys Henry and Ben Warren in signing to remain with the region.
The five players who have agreed contracts are likely to play a key role for coach Toby Booth at Ospreys next season following the loss of several high-profile players.
Booth said handing new contracts to these players was an “easy decision”.
“The decision to re-sign these players was an easy one for us as a coaching staff,” he said. “They have proven themselves to be assets to the Ospreys both on and off the field and we are excited to see how they continue to grow and contribute to the team moving forward.
“By investing in our young talent, it allows us to maintain a strong core group of players who understand our system and values. We are confident that these boys will provide both further quality and continuity to our squad.”
It was also confirmed on Monday that fly-half Cai Evans – in Switzerland as part of Warren Gatland’s provisional World Cup squad – is leaving to join the Dragons.
No action taken over Sam Cane’s kick
All Blacks captain Sam Cane faces no formal action over kicking out at a teenage pitch invader and will be available to lead his side against South Africa on Saturday.
The Rugby Championship’s governing body SANZAAR has opted not to enforce any punishment over the incident, which saw Cane to kick out at the teenager on the field following his side’s win over Argentina at the weekend.
Cane said on Monday night he regretted his “split-second” decision to kick out at the teenager but felt he ended the matter with the young man later that night on a “positive” note, Kiwi outlet Stuff reports.
He said he felt bad in the aftermath because of the invader’s age but explained his intent had only been to assist security in removing an intruder, but later reached out to apologise.
“I saw a pitch invader running towards the team with a security guard some distance behind. In that split-second I made the decision to assist the security guard in stopping him, so he could take him off the field,” he said. “I’d say if he was an adult, I wouldn’t have felt I needed to [apologise], but the fact he was a teenager, straight away I felt bad because of his age, then when we got back into the sheds I was reflecting on it and once we got back to the hotel I looked into the possibility of reaching out to him.”
The All Blacks face the Springboks this Saturday in the Rugby Championship.
