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The latest rugby news from Wales and around the world
These are your latest rugby headlines on Monday, July 27.
Tindall: R360 will be massive success
Former England skipper Mike Tindall has addressed the decision to push back the launch of his new R360 rebel league until 2028, insisting that the competition will prove to be a massive success when the time comes.
The controversial breakaway franchise league had been pencilled in to start this autumn, having reportedly reached over 200 provisional agreements with players from both rugby codes. However, it has been pushed back until 2028, which Tindall says was partly due to player welfare reasons.
Fronted by the 2003 World Cup winner, and former Bath director of rugby Stuart Hooper, R360 wants to create ‘generational change’ in the sport by establishing 12 new franchise teams around the world, each boasting some of the planet’s top talent.
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Players have reportedly been offered contracts worth up to $1 million (£740,000) per season and, under the proposals, would play just eight games in the maiden campaign while also being given 12 weeks off. The franchises will be based around the world, with Tokyo, London, Dubai, Cape Town, Boston and Miami all touted as potential locations.
Despite the delay in launching it, Tindall insists that the tournament will prove to be hugely successful when 2028 rolls around.
“Having to push it back to post the 2027 World Cup makes it more appealing to the Unions and makes us more appealing to everyone in the game,” he told The Rugby Paper. “We’re working hard to pull it together and fit it into the game. Also player welfare is crucial with some having to play 11-15 internationals a year.
“So something has to give somewhere. We are trying to make sure the best players in the world don’t hit those levels of games and also get rewarded for it.”
He continued: “Everyone who watched the last Six Nations saw just how good a product it can be in terms of excitement, entertainment and real drama. It’s an emotional roller coaster which was amazing from start to finish.
“While the Six Nations may be a fantastic annual event, there is still a huge need for the sport to keep capturing the attention and excitement of fans around the world.
“There is huge potential for a new tournaments with top players which fill a void between World Cups and Six Nations. For many years the game has stood still and failed to develop and create the global audience and support it deserves and needs.”
Comparing R360 to tournaments like The Hundred in cricket, Tindall added: “There is precedent there for rugby to have that sort of change. R360 can. We remain absolutely determined to bring R360 to life at full scale and with maximum global impact.
“We’re building something bold and new that will resonate globally – and we cannot wait to show the world in 2028.”
Springbok great aims dig at Welsh star
Springboks legend Fourie du Preez has aimed a cheeky dig at former Wales scrum-half Mike Phillips as he reflected on the moments they clashed during their respective rugby careers.
The iconic scrum-halves regularly locked horns on the field, but their most memorable showdown came during the 2009 British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa, with the pair both starting in the nine jersey for all three Tests.
While Phillips was a fierce competitor and one of rugby’s greatest wind-up merchants, Du Preez was less prone to verbal sparring and admits he “didn’t enjoy” his showdowns with the Welshman.
However, the 44-year-old couldn’t resist pointing to his unbeaten record against Wales as he addressed his clashes with Phillips on the Boks Unpacked podcast.
“I was never [a chirpy scrum-half],” said Du Preez. “To be honest, I didn’t enjoy it. I don’t enjoy giving me lip, I like to let my play do the talking and the guys around me, so luckily I had guys like Schalk and Bakkies who sorted him out.
“For me, if you win I would just rather stay quiet. Against Mike Phillips, I was lucky enough to never lose against Wales, so he can say whatever he wants, he’s got a zero per cent record.”
Former Springboks flanker Schalk Burger also chimed in with a story about Phillips, with the Welshman clashing with lock Bakkies Botha on the 2009 Lions tour.
“Bakkies grabbed him once in that game in Pretoria in the second Test match and I was like, ‘alright, it’s going to go horribly wrong’, if this is a headbutt, punch, this is Mike Phillips getting killed on a rugby field, it’s written in the stars,” said Burger.
“Bakkies grabbed him and then calmed down and he said: ‘Oh my, you’ve got beautiful blue eyes’. Mike is there thinking, ‘what just happened? Bakkies has complimented me on my eyes’.”
Tragic young prop’s brother pays tribute
The brother of the late South African rugby player Luqobo ‘Bibo’ Makwedini has paid tribute to the young prop after his body arrived back in his home country from France.
Makwedini, who was only 20 years old, collapsed following a training session with French Pro D2 side Béziers at the Stade de la Gayonne earlier this month and died in hospital a few hours later.
His precise cause of death has not been officially confirmed, but he is believed to have suffered a cardiac arrest.
Makwedini’s remains arrived in South Africa from France this weekend and he will now be laid to rest on August 1.
Paying tribute to the talented prop, Makwedini’s older brother, Sihle, said: “Bibo was everything to me. As an older brother, having to also be a guardian to people, a friend, I think I’ve lost.
“It’s like a pot with three feet. I’ve lost one and I’m stumbling along and I will miss our conversations every night. The video calls, checking up on him while he’s abroad.
“Obviously it was a new environment for him as well and I had to be there to support him in terms of getting used to the environment, he added.
“I’ll miss everything about Bibs. From our conversations to our little chats together. I’ll miss everything about him.
Former All Black confirms new role
Harlequins legend Nick Evans has confirmed that he will become an assistant coach with Toshiba Brave Lupus following his departure from the Stoop after 18 years.
The 16-cap New Zealand fly-half had applied for a job with the Welsh Rugby Union, but has lined up a different role in Japan.
Harlequins’ all-time points scorer wrote on LinkedIn: “Konichiwa, Toshiba Brave Lupus Family, Myself and my family are proud and honoured to join the Toshiba Team!
“I can’t wait to connect with the players, coaches, staff, fans and everyone associated with Toshiba.
“To learn the Toshiba way of life and their very clear identity of playing, and to live the wonderful Japanese culture. Sugu ni mata aimashou ne!!”
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