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The latest rugby news and headlines from Wales and beyond
Here are your rugby evening headlines for Thursday, July 16.
Six Nations coach banned for abusing referee
Italy coach Gonzalo Quesada has become the first coach to be suspended under World Rugby’s new policy around abusing referees.
The former Argentina international will miss two Tests, including this weekend’s Nations Championship match against Australia, after making comments towards Luc Ramos in the wake of Italy’s 47-17 defeat to the All Blacks last Saturday. Quesada had labelled Ramos’ performance with the whistle as “super poor” as he took aim at the French official’s decision-making.
“And to be totally honest, I think its part of the quality of the All Blacks, part that we were a bit disorganised, and I think the score is a responsibility of the refereeing team. They did a lot of mistakes today,” Quesada said post match.
“I think that the final score doesn’t reflect completely the game.
“I think the 20-minute red card on our number four, Niccolo Cannone, held up on the floor by [All Black] 17 and not even seeing it, is a bit harsh. I think the yellow on [Ruben] Love, their number 10. It’s a yellow, and I will stop there because I can continue on. I don’t want to speak about that honestly.
“It was tough to defend the try where they they allow them to play a quick penalty with two injured players of Italy plus yellow card.”
Quesada has become the first coach to be sanctioned under World Rugby’s new match official abuse sanction process. The new policy was introduced earlier this month following discussions at World Rugby’s Shape of the Game forum.
It now applies across all international fixtures that involve World Rugby-appointed referees, such as the Nations Championship, Junior World Championship, the WXV and the Nations Cup.
It involves an independent panel reviewing comments made by coaches and team personnel to determine whether they undermine public confidence in officials.
World Rugby has introduced the process in response to the increasing levels of abuse and threats directed towards referees – with Quesada the first coach to receive a suspension under the new policy.
Back in May, Japan boss Eddie Jones was hit with a ban for abusing referees – but that was before the current policy had been introduced.
Quesada’s ban will rule him out from “all match-day activity, including being present in the stadium” when Italy face Australia on Saturday night, as well as a fixture against South Africa later in the year.
The coach can appeal the suspension, in line with World Rugby rules.
“In line with the provisions of the Match Official Abuse Sanction Process, World Rugby can confirm that an automatic two-match suspension has been issued to Gonzalo Quesada (Italy Head Coach), which includes a ban on all match-day activity, including being present in the stadium, as a result of comments made in broadcast, and subsequently reported, following the Nations Championship match against New Zealand on 11 July,” said World Rugby’s statement.
“Under the process, Quesada has the right to appeal the sanction to a full judicial committee hearing.
“Agreed at recent Shape of The Game forum and starting this July, World Rugby has introduced a new Match Official Abuse Sanction Process, featuring across all international rugby fixtures involving World Rugby appointed match officials. This includes the World Rugby Junior World Championship, WXV Global Series and Challenger, the World Rugby Nations Cup and the Nations Championship – the new elite tournament owned and operated by Six Nations Rugby and SANZAAR.
“The Match Official Abuse Sanction Process is targeted at reducing comments which often are the basis of the unacceptable increase in abuse and threats towards match officials.”
At this stage, it’s unclear whether Italy and Quesada will appeal the sanction.
Young Welsh fly-half makes loan move to rivals
The Ospreys have confirmed the loan signing of former Wales U20s fly-half Harri Wilde from Cardiff.
WalesOnline first reported that Wilde was likely to move to the Ospreys on loan last month, with Mark Jones having been on the lookout for fly-half cover behind Wales playmaker Dan Edwards. They’ve signed Lawson Creighton from the Waratahs, but the addition of Wilde gives them extra depth in the position.
Wilde, who has been a regular for Cardiff RFC in Super Rygbi Cymru, made both his URC and Challenge Cup debuts for Cardiff last season.
“We’re really pleased to have Harri with us for the season,” said Ospreys head coach Jones. “Fly-half was a position of priority for us in this recruitment window and we’re highly satisfied with the options we now have in that area.
“This move is a fantastic example of Welsh clubs working together for the benefit of the national game. It gives us further quality depth to our 10 options and for Cardiff, it ensures one of their young prospects gains valuable exposure to high-level competition.
“Most importantly, it’s a brilliant opportunity for Harri to experience a different environment and continue his on-field development. It’s a win-win all round and we’re looking forward to seeing the impact he can make in an Ospreys jersey.”
Speaking about the move, Wilde said: “I’m really excited to be joining the Ospreys. This is a great opportunity for me to challenge myself in new surroundings and to learn from a different set of coaches and players.
“I’m grateful to both clubs for making this happen and the boys here have already given me a warm welcome. Going forward, I’m focusing on working hard and making the most of every minute I get in the jersey.”
The 21-year-old has signed a long-term deal at the Arms Park, while he will remain part of Cardiff’s SRC squad for next season. The Blue and Blacks also retain the right to recall the fly-half should there be a requirement.
“This is a great opportunity for Harri to continue his development, and we are excited to see how he goes this year,” said Cardiff Rugby head coach Corniel van Zyl.
“After we had agreed a new deal at the Arms Park, we were approached by the Ospreys about loaning one of our young fly-halves.
“We felt it was not only a good opportunity but also the right thing for Harri to go and develop his game in a high-performance team, while hopefully getting a bit more game-time in the URC.
“When he is not involved with the Ospreys, he will play for Cardiff RFC so it is almost the best of both worlds for his development.
“Hopefully he will get a good amount of exposure with the Ospreys while continuing to be a key player for the RFC for the next 12 months. He will then come back to Cardiff and compete for the number 10 jersey, with a great experience under his belt.”
No start for Henry Pollock as unchanged England side named for Argentina clash
By Duncan Bech, Press Association Rugby Union Correspondent, Buenos Aires
Henry Pollock has missed out on a place in England’s back row after Steve Borthwick named an unchanged team for Saturday’s clash with Argentina in Santiago del Estero.
Pollock delivered a hat-trick of dynamic tries against Fiji in Liverpool but his headline-grabbing 32-minute cameo off the bench has not been enough to displace Ben Earl at number eight.
A host of former England stars including Chris Ashton, Ben Youngs and Jeremy Guscott have called for his promotion to the starting XV, but Earl’s value as the team’s main ball carrier is seen as indispensable.
Borthwick has also resisted any temptation to break up the midfield combination of Seb Atkinson and Henry Slade, with Benhard Janse van Rensburg continuing on the bench having made his debut at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
The only changes made are to the bench where Ben Spencer comes in for Alex Mitchell, who was ruled out of the visit to northern Argentina by a hamstring injury sustained, and Emmanuel Iyogun is preferred ahead of George Kloska.
Teenage wing sensation Noah Caluori is set to win his second cap off the bench after making a try-scoring debut in Liverpool.
England face the final fixture of their July tour having compiled an unbeaten record against Argentina under Borthwick, winning all five fixtures including two on these shores last summer.
The first phase of the Nations Championship opened with a 45-21 mauling to South Africa before last Saturday’s 11-try destruction of Fiji ended their five-Test losing run.
Borthwick said: “We expect a fantastic atmosphere with passionate home support. It promises to be a great occasion and one the players are excited to embrace.”
England: M Smith (Harlequins); T Freeman (Northampton), H Slade (Exeter), S Atkinson (Gloucester), I Feyi-Waboso (Exeter); F Smith (Northampton), J van Poortvliet (Leicester); E Genge (Bristol), J George (Saracens, capt), J Heyes (Leicester), A Coles (Northampton), G Martin (Saracens), O Chessum (Leicester), G Pepper (Bath), B Earl (Saracens).
Replacements: L Cowan-Dickie (Sale), E Iyogun (Northampton), A Opoku-Fordjour (Sale), T Curry (Sale), H Pollock (Northampton), B Spencer (Bath), B Janse van Rensburg (Bristol), N Caluori (Saracens).
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